News

By Richard Crockett These old magazines and more in my archives do reveal some gems – today’s feature being just one of those. The great Paul Elvstrom penned this feature explaining how and why he came to design this speedster, of which there were five options as follows: I. Trapeze Senior Single-hander 2. Trapeze Senior Two-man 3. Trapeze Junior Single-hander 4. Trapeze Junior Two-man 5. Trapeze Fun-boat “I have always wanted to make a boat in which I could enjoy …

By Richard Crockett As apart of this section today there is a bonus read about the Finn Gold Cup in Poland as written by Bruce McCurrach who finished 18th with a 4 and 5 as his best two races. Headline Today Are: • Durban Doings by Bianca Lavies • Point Yacht Club • Island Sailing Club • Under Weigh … in Durban – Page of People Pics • Bluff Yacht Club • OFSSA Regatta at Allemanskraal • Henley Midmar Yacht …

by Richard Crockett This race, 2250nm long, was considered to be the longest ocean race in the world at that time, later to be displaced by the Cape to Rio race in 1971. Bruynzeel’s vivid personal report of this race is a wonderful read as it talks seamanship, speed, life on board and a constant lookout for the opposition while all the time maximising boat speed. The report tells how the final handicap result of the ocean classic paled into …

By Richard Crockett Despite having shared the report on the LM Nationals last week, there’s still more today in this Club News section – AND the a page-and-a-half of “people pics” too. Today’s Headlines Are: • Dawn Passet on the Highveld • Transvaal Yachting Personality – Harvey Blogg – Finn Champ • Highvelders Trek to LM – Photo Page • Durban Doings by Bianca Lavies • Offshore Marathon • Bluff Yacht Club • Dragons in Sweden • OK Dinghy Weekend …

By Richard Crockett Well over 200 entries competed in Lourenco Marques for this national regatta. With Delagoa Bay providing one of the best stretches of sailing water in Southern Africa, the Clube Naval its traditional and lavish hospitality and Lourenco Marques its exotic atmosphere, this year’s National was a rip-roaring success. And because these attractions were coupled with the school holidays, the Iist of entries topped all previous records. Today’s feature has 11 photos, a cover photo and the traditional …

by Richard Crockett I was remiss in missing the final two pages of “Club News” earlier in the week, so here they are now, with a bonus of two advert pages. The first is the Volvo Station Wagon advert showing the car selling for R2 700.00 – I am sure a handsome amount of money back in the day. The second is a Wilbur Ellis advert which is anything but “woke” today, but which may bring a smile anyway. Covered …

By Richard Crockett Today I am happy to share an interview with Arthur Saul of Flying Sails as while I have seen references to these sails over the years, I knew very little about them. The interview opens like this: “I suppose you could say that I got this interest in sailing from my father. Dad was a seafaring man who had sailed around the world five times before settling down,” said suntanned Arthur Saul. We were in his office …

By Richard Crockett This race has always had a special place in my heart which is why I follow it closely every year when not involved. This years race was a blockbuster for two reasons – the first being almost ideal weather, and the second being the incredibly close finish between two line honours contenders, being ‘Regardless 2’ and ‘CFM II’. Just 3 seconds separated these two on the finish line – the closest finish in the 55 year history …

By Richard Crockett Here’s another 4 pages crammed with good info on clubs, boats, people and cruisers, with lot’s to learn about from those who enjoyed our sport all those years ago. Today’s Headline Are: • Durban Doings by Bianca Lavies • Natal Yachting Charivaria – Page of Photos • Durban Round-up • Bluff Yacht Club • Island Sailing Club • Highveld in Pictures by Dawn Passet • Glendee Yacht Club • News From ‘Sandefjord’ • ‘Diana’s’ Shipwreck Explained • …

by Richard Crockett In the last hour a keen tussle between ‘Regardless’ and ‘CFM’ has been playing out as the two boats close the 55th Vasco da Gama Race finish line – a coastal ocean race from Durban to East London – a distance of 260 nautical miles. It’s been billed as the “closest finish ever” – but is it? Way back in 1985 Brian Tocknell’s ‘Shaya Moya’ – a 40-footer designed by Miller & Whitworth and Chris Bonnet’s ‘Spirit …

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 …