Historical

by Richard Crockett Some time back David Abromowitz was looking for the book “Fair Winds At The Cape” written by Mary Kuttel. It is the story of yachting at the Cape. Not having it in my library, I was unable to help Abromowitz, but was reminded of this fact when I came across an article in SA Yachting magazine entitled “Islands of the Cape Coast”, also written by Mary Kuttel. Hopefully this will be enjoyed by David? Mary Kuttel was …

By Richard Crockett The “Sharpie Saga” published last week created some good interest – even as far as Australia. My old sailing rival in Flying Fifteens, Allan Bush, made contact as he was part of the Zwartkops guys who undoubtedly watched as the old guys sped around the river on their Sharpies. Having read the article, this is what Allan Bush had to say: “Cliff Bush was Allan’s Dad, Lionel Harling was Allan’s Godfather (he was married to Allan’s Dad’s …

by Richard Crockett The Frank Wightman feature I ran about a week ago certainly created immense interest, so when I came across a file labelled “Frank Wightman” in the archives a few days ago, I had to stop everything a read it. Basically it consisted of two letters to SA Yachting Editor, Brian Lello, and made reference to the ‘Mischief’ article, so I searched the SA Yachting pages and found the article. It was an intriguing read as it was …

By Richard Crockett I have always heard from those old hardened yachties from days of yore as to how special and exhilarating it was to sail a Sharpie. Sadly I never got to experience the thrills of a Sharpie. So when I read this teaser headline in the 1959 January/February issue of SA Yachting, I had to read further to see just what I had missed. “A whole generation of South African yachtsmen can thank the Sharpie for their greatest …

by Richard Crockett As I completed digitising every issue of SA Yachting magazine today, I decided to go back to that issue to see what was worth digging out and sharing with followers. I had originally missed this piece when scouring it for material to use some months ago, and when I came across it I knew that it was right for today. There is plenty more of Frank Wightman I have to publish, and which I will get to …

Today I completed digitising every issue of SA Yachting Magazine published since the very first issue in November/December 1957 until October 1999. These are all now word-searchable PDF files. That is a total of 461 magazines, with an estimated total number of pages between 25 and 30 000. It’s a lot of info to digest, and a great relief to have now completed this task. I have the final 13 years of SAILING Magazine digitised, and will soon start completing …

by Richard Crockett I have always admired those who have been able to help themselves and share their experiences, both good and bad, so that others can learn from them. This is one of those stories. Its author, Ron Llewellyn, was sailing ‘Sula’ 380 miles west of Cape Horn when he was hit by a massive wave and rolled, dismasted and partially flooded. The story tells of how he brought her to safety, single handed, and without assistance. Instead of …

by Richard Crockett While a circumnavigation of Africa is not common, there are several local yachties who have completed one. Their courses have varied, but ultimately they completed the mission and had a “circumnavigation of sorts” to their credit. I have often been asked the question as to how many people have circumnavigated our continent, and am never able to give a definitive answer, so here’s an opportunity to get positive feedback from those who have, and keep it for …

By Richard Crockett We have many sailors in the country whom we look up to. But in his day Bertie Reed was one of them as he was a friendly guy, easily approachable, always one with a story, but importantly simply put his head down, and went to sea and just did it, and on most occasions did himself proud in terms of his achievements. This is not intended as a history of Bertie, but is a well-written editorial about …

By Richard Crockett Seamanship is a subject one has to learn through going to sea regularly in different conditions, all the while learning what your boat is capable of, how it reacts in different conditions, and so much more, which is why I have chosen this series of articles from the April 2006 issue of SAILING Magazine. They were written by two sailors who have been out there and done it, and who can speak with authority on the subject. …

By Richard Crockett The past two months have seen saturation coverage of the 1971 Cape to Rio Race, and little else. That was with good reason as it was such an iconic event which elevated the status of offshore sailing in our country. A class that I have given little coverage to in this forum has been the Hobie Class, and this through no malice or prejudice. It is a class which has produced multiple South African World Champions over …

By Richard Crockett A most fitting way to conclude this series of coverage of the 1971 Cape to Rio race and celebrate its 50th anniversary, is to wrap it all up with the elements presented today. The image of the chart is the original chart as used by Albatros II, the overall handicap winner of the race. Some years ago it was presented to the Knysna Yacht Club, and still takes pride of place in the Club today. Thanks to …

by Richard Crockett My sincere and humble apologies for the unscheduled break in transmission. My trusty iMac crashed on me and needed to be replaced, and once received, still needed all programmes and backed-up work re-installed, and all my settings reconfigured with the new updated software and operating system. So with a smile on my dial, a new iMac and renewed energy, it’s back to work and wrapping up the 50th anniversary coverage of the 1971 Cape to Rio Race. …

by Richard Crockett Now that the fleet is beginning to crowd the mooring facilities in Rio, and the crew relax in the fine facilities of the yacht club, the stories from sea are beginning to be told. And delightful they are too. I suppose it was inevitable that the Scouts aboard ‘Active’ wanted ice cream and fruit salad, although I bet the bulk of the crew of all yachts wanted nothing but beer – and lots of it! And of …

By Richard Crockett News is scant today as the next batch of finishers is eagerly awaited, with special emphasis on the all-women crew aboard ‘Sprinter’. When they finish the news will flow big time and we will undoubtedly be saturated with stories of their time on the race. And ‘Barbette’, at one time a possible threat to ‘Albatros’, has rudder problem, but her skipper is determined to finish without assistance. And my computer woes continue – with some light at …