I am 69, and my dad who was born in 1915 in Balmain, used to tell me of his early sailing adventures sailing in the 18s as a bailer boy. Her said that if you weren't quick in a tack to get out of the way you would have a hefty footballer on your lap for the rest of the next tack... He ended up sailing 12s in the 1930s and one of his boats was called Vandal. In the 1960s we bought an old Alan Payne designed 12, and we raced out of the old Hunters Hill club. Then we bought a new cedar planked 12 which we named Shamrock, now days I sail an NS14 on Chipping Norton Lake.
Loved the comment, "One of the weirdest things was, during a bad drought we had several races in the rain.". Gotta love Australia, right? Man, I sure wish I get to visit one day before God calls me home. That is a major bucket list item, travel, and Australia is at the top of the list. Edit: I can sure see why y'all are called the Flying Squadron, all those sheets for such small crafts, it sure looks like just the right gust could pick you guys right up out of the water and take you airbourne. Love the shots with the ringtail set, beautiful rig that is. Thanks for sharing. Sure hope no one got clocked by any of those broken masts or spars, thay could leave a right knot on someones noggin.
On Facebook as Ian Smith and also The Open Boat. Email address is on Contact Page on website www.openboat.com.au Sydney Flying Squadron is understaffed at the moment and may take a while to get back to me.
I am 69, and my dad who was born in 1915 in Balmain, used to tell me of his early sailing adventures sailing in the 18s as a bailer boy. Her said that if you weren't quick in a tack to get out of the way you would have a hefty footballer on your lap for the rest of the next tack... He ended up sailing 12s in the 1930s and one of his boats was called Vandal.
In the 1960s we bought an old Alan Payne designed 12, and we raced out of the old Hunters Hill club. Then we bought a new cedar planked 12 which we named Shamrock, now days I sail an NS14 on Chipping Norton Lake.
Sounds brilliant:) thanks for sharing
Loved the comment, "One of the weirdest things was, during a bad drought we had several races in the rain.". Gotta love Australia, right? Man, I sure wish I get to visit one day before God calls me home. That is a major bucket list item, travel, and Australia is at the top of the list.
Edit: I can sure see why y'all are called the Flying Squadron, all those sheets for such small crafts, it sure looks like just the right gust could pick you guys right up out of the water and take you airbourne. Love the shots with the ringtail set, beautiful rig that is. Thanks for sharing. Sure hope no one got clocked by any of those broken masts or spars, thay could leave a right knot on someones noggin.
Loving watching this. My grandfather was one of the crew on the original Britannia.
What was his name, Gary? I have a few crew lists.
@@SmithysBoatshed Hi Ian, I actually sent an email today to the Flying Squadron to get in touch with you to discuss this. Are you on Facebook?
On Facebook as Ian Smith and also The Open Boat. Email address is on Contact Page on website www.openboat.com.au Sydney Flying Squadron is understaffed at the moment and may take a while to get back to me.
Looks fantastic!
What a tough boat to sail!