Historical

By Richard Crockett I have not shared a new design review for some time, so enjoy this graceful looking 50-foot cruiser. This is what the July 1965 issue of SA Yachting magazine said about her: “From time to time we have mentioned how cruising yachtsmen in South Africa have been tending to cut down the size of their craft, so it is pleasant to be able to publish something about a fine wholesome steel cruiser just on 50-ft. overall which …

by Richard Crockett Interest in “Club Notes” is growing as followers find how much interesting information is crammed into this section of SA Yachting Magazine each month. So please FOLLOW, LIKE and SHARE to your hearts content. The opening spread of Club Notes today is a double page spread of superb photos of the Western Province Regatta. Here’s what’s covered today: • WP Sailing Association Championships • Seen At Saldanha – Page of Photos • Among the Zululanders – Page …

by Richard Crockett “It is June, 1865. Two yachts are match racing under the burgee of the Royal London Yacht Club, and they have just rounded the weather mark. To the consternation of the other boat, Mr. William Gordon’s ‘Niobe’ hoists a high jib-headed sail which reaches from her topmast head right to the deck: she booms it out and draws rapidly away. “The spinnaker has been born. “The spinnaker is therefore 100 years old this month (ED. 161 years …

by Richard Crockett The May issue of SA Yachting magazine in 1965 had many reports from Clubs in the “Club Notes” section. As always it is crammed full of events, interesting people, news and lots more in 9 pages of reading. This is what’s covered today: • Royal Cape Yacht Club. Western Province Regatta • Hermanus At Easter • False Bay Regatta • Durban Easter Regatta • Island Sailing Club • Page of Durban Easter Regatta Photos • Bluff Yacht …

By Richard Crockett In 1965 multihulls were still in their infancy, yet the Australian designer and innovator, J S Taylor, told about one of the great feats of little-ship sailing in a 20ft. Trimaran of his own design when he logged a day’s run of 306 nautical miles. “The log is like a pair of crutches to the unreliable human memory; in turn it is a miserable poor tool to express the subjective impressions of the mind. “The jotted down …

By Richard Crockett I am starting the week with more Club News, this time from the April 1965 issue of SA Yachting magazine. And as usual, it’s full of sailing news, people, “happenings” and the obligatory pages of people pics the magazine was famous for. Covered Today Is: • Enterprise Week in Durban • Enterprises … Whalers … and Sandefjord – Photo Page • Kayalami on Safari • Fantasie is Unfortunate … • Dawn Passet on the Highveld • Natal …

By Richard Crockett Here’s something very different today – a feature on how to build your own starting cannon – a quarter scale model of a British quarter-pounder. Plus, as a bonus read, there is a enlightening feature on Beken of Cowes – the world famous yachting photographer. This is some blurb on the starting canon; “One of the oldest traditions of yacht racing is the starting gun. It is an effective tool for the job, but of course its …

By Richard Crockett There’s more Class News today with 8 pages of news, regattas, results and more to read. The Classes Covered Are: • Flying Dutchman Owners’ Association • Sprog Association. There is a full description of “Gorps Guzzle” and a copy of the Certificate accompanying the award. This is a fascinating read. • Finn Association • GP 14 Association • Enterprise Class • Andy Association • Ok Association • Tempo News From Europe READ IT ALL HERE: 1965 02 …

by Richard Crockett There are more Club Notes again today as the major part of this issue of SA Yachting is full of power boat news. Yes, SA Yachting’s sub-title was “waterskiing, power & sail”. But fear not, there’s tons of great material to read today in the class news, and as always two full pages of mini-photos covering people and events, including a report of Finn supremo Hans Fogh competing in the Durban Finn Glinane Week. These are the …

by Richard Crockett I have not shared “Class News” from SA Yachting magazine before, so today we turn a new page on the history of our sport and test how well this is digested. So please LIKE, COMMENT and SHARE as this will indicate the value of this news. So there’s no teaser or opening blurb today, just a quick list of the classes covered in the 1965 issue of SA Yachting. • Sprog Association • Finn Association • Enterprise …

By Richard Crockett There’s maybe no better way to start the week, especially in a very stormy and wet Cape Town, than with a good long read of Club News – jam-packed with lot’s of great news from yesteryear. The feature opens with brief announcement from RCYC as follows: “Just before going to press we received news of the results of the ocean race organised by the Cruising Association of South Africa and Royal Cape Yacht Club. The course was …

By Richard Crockett Today we move into historical news from 1965 with a series of short reports on those brave enough in those days to have cast off from land to enjoy a life at sea. • Henry and Agnes Vink are back after their six-month trial trip among some of the islands in the Indian Ocean on board their 25-ft. Vertue Class sloop. • Walkabout Returns. A badly-leaking ketch arrived at the Durban yacht basin on November 12 – …

by Richard Crockett These multi-class regattas always attract a huge following, and as the 1964 event was at Allemanskraal, there should be additional interest as this was a relatively new venue for regattas. Plus there are 6 pages of reading! Bianca Lavies reported on the regatta and took the photos, saying this: “A magnificent stretch of water, with game along the shores, peacocks roaming round the rondavel s and an enormous tent down near the launching area was the scene …

by Richard Crockett The previous time I shared “Club Notes” was about a week ago, and as it received such a tremendous response I will again share this section from SA Yachting magazine – this time from the September/October issue of 1964. Once again there is lots to read, as each heading is crammed full of news and “happenings” from yesteryear. So without labouring the point, this is what there is today: • Yvonne on the highveld. (Can anyone tell …

By Richard Crockett SA Yachting magazine back in the day was always full of Class News, with today’s main feature being the first Sprog Week regatta. There are two bonus reads, with news on Zeekoe Vlei and also the FD Winter Champs and the Glinane Finn Week. The Sprog report, written by Dr Jack Goldsmith, was introduced like this: “The first Sprog Class Week was held in Durban from July 6 to 11 and was thoroughly enjoyable. Racing for the …