Historical

by Richard Crockett Over the last few days I have shared news about Helmut Stauch and his international exploits in a Flying Dutchman dinghy. So staying with the Flying Dutchman thread, despite there being few left in this country, and even fewer sailing, here’s a feature from the September/October 1958 issue of SA Yachting – with some “go fast” tips. “There has been much written about sailing and racing in general, and even about the FD herself and her unusual …

By Richard Crockett Following on from yesterday’s Blog about Helmut Stauch winning convincingly in Europe, I can today share an article he wrote for SA Yachting magazine. What interested me most about this report, beside what he shared on the build-up to the Olympics and campaigning in Europe generally, was the following: “We went to see Dane Elvstrom at his home, and what a perfect set-up he has. An old house (where he was born) right on the sea, just …

By Richard Crockett Helmut Stauch was one of those legendary local sailors who had a certain magic, plus a sixth sense about him that made every boat he sailed go fast – very fast. In today’s feature I highlight the fact that, as the SA Yachting magazine sub-head said – “Springbok Takes All F.D. Prizes At Kiel Week – something definitely to crow about. The report went on as follows: “All South African yachtsmen will be delighted to hear that …

By Richard Crockett Having raced an Uffa Fox designed Flying Fifteen for some time, I was intrigued by the above headline as the Flying Fifteen was not the most comfortable boat to sail, and as one wag always said “they all go sideways together upwind”!! But he was an apparent genius, and was described as the man, more than any other, who made skilled sailing everyman’s sport. And besides monohulls, even in 1958 when this feature was penned, there is …

By Richard Crockett One of the toughest coastal passages in the world can be the run down from Durban, described here by “Monie” Salamon and which were written up from ‘Prof.’ Allen’s log – as published in the 1958 March/April issue of SA Yachting. Those who have done this passage will identify with this report. Sadly there are those who have heard horror stories about the passage south and simply won’t tackle it. I know a yachties who will simply …

by Richard Crockett I was never fortunate enough to have attended one of the National Regattas back in days of yore, and can’t help but think the powers that be at the time who scrapped this annual get-together, made a very poor decision. It was an annual meeting place of like-minded people, a wonderful spectacle with top-flight competition – and simply a time to get acquainted with friends across a broad spectrum of classes. This was the largest South African …

by Richard Crockett In the very first issue of SA Yachting magazine (November/DECEMBER 1957) I read with interest a teaser about Major Tilman planning a passage from Cape Town to the uninhabited Crozet islands. It basically said that the old Bristol channel pilot cutter ‘Mischief’ skippered by the distinguished Everest mountaineer Major Tilman, with a crew of six, including two South Africans, was planning on leaving in the middle of November on a daring expedition to the uninhabited Crozet Island …

by Richard Crockett Well a fine, happy, healthy and prosperous 2026 to you all. As a good friend said to me in his new year wishes – let’s knock the bollocks off 2026! It’s a new year, so a slightly different approach with a feature article, written by Frank Spears, from SA Yachting magazine in 1958 on the Goodricke dinghy. In fact it’s more than just a feature on the class itself, it’s rather a fairly detailed report of how …

by Richard Crockett As we head rapidly towards Christmas and the close of 2025, I would like to appeal to ALL followers of this historical Blog to assist me in preserving our rich sailing history – especially saving it from trash cans when, as a last desperate resort, it is sometimes finally discarded and lost forever. My plea is for you to lend me your material to digitise and share. So often families have kept scrap books, photo prints, negatives …

By Richard Crockett With the youth nationals are still in progress at Hermanus, and going exceptionally well from all accounts, I am able today to share the reports from the first ever combined Junior Nationals sailed in 1977 at Midmar. Reports from both the Yachtsman RSA newspaper (remember it?) And SA Yachting magazine are included today. Both fleets had 60 boats – with the top 15 results in each class being published in the Yachtsman RSA magazine. The Dabchick winner …

by Richard Crockett I noticed in an FD WhatsApp earlier in the week that there was a request for info on the FD champs at Lourenco Marques in 1970 – so here it is! Added with this report from SA Yachting magazine is a report on the 505s which Tom McCrorie won, Sprog Glinane Week in, Spearhead Enthusiasm, an obituary to Hellmut Stauch, and some general FD Class news. Although this may not fulfil the request for specific FD news, …

By Richard Crockett Yesterday when sharing the first Dabchick Nationals report, I failed to mention that in those days the Dabchick was sailed two-up. It has not been established who sailed with the winner, Frank van Baarsel, although runner-up Dave Herridge had his brother John crewing for him. Thanks John Herridge for this info. The very first Optimist Nationals were held over Easter at Midmar in 1972, with just 17 boats taking part. The senior champion was Robert Walker of …

By Richard Crockett The youth nationals are currently underway at Hermanus so there’s no time like the present to bring back the past and share the SA Yachting report on the very first Dabchick Nationals which were held at Zeekoevlei. “The first official National Dabchick championships were at Zeekoevlei over the week December I5 to 20. A satisfactory entry of 47 was received and six races were sailed in fairly strong breezes. The weather was extremely kind to the sailors …

By Richard Crockett Another Rothmans Week newspaper supplement today, this time from 1987 – yes, that’s 38 years ago. I liked the following extract from the supplement, but can’t help but wonder whether the yachties felt the same? “It is marked by tough but clean competition, with arch foes normally growling at one another above the wind as they push their boats to the limits. “But afterwards when they stand shoulder-to-shoulder, eight-deep around the bar – the “teak reef” – …

By Richard Crockett Due to the impressive response from the Rothmans Week material I have shared this week, I have decided to share seven different reports today – from the regattas in 1984; 1986; 1988; 1990; 1993; 1994 and 2000. This should slate the thirst of those who competed in these events and are enjoying calling back the past, and all those who simply life being reminded of the glory days of this event. The headlines for each report read …