Send your letters (and replies) to: Classic Boat,


Liscartan House, 127-131 Sloane Street, London SW1X 9AS email: cb@classicboat.co.uk


Cruiser Eights


With reference to Class Notes on the International 8-Metres (CB283), the 8 C/Rs, or Cruiser Eights as they were known, were designed with a rather complicated formula which came out at 8 metres! They had cruising as much as racing in mind. James McGruer did indeed design most of them but there are a few notable exceptions. Nan of Clynder (1956) was followed by Nan of Gare in 1965 to a Sparkman & Stephens design. Like most of the class, they were built by McGruer & Co at Clynder on the Gareloch. They raced round the buoys on the Clyde every Saturday, and together in West Highland Week and other regattas. McGruers’ last 8 C/R was Debbie


II, built for Scottish racing driver Ninian Sanderson in 1966. The last of these beautiful yachts was Sunburst, designed by David Boyd and built at Robertsons of Sandbank in 1967. Most of them are still sailing. In the same issue of CB, the iconic Inismara (1963) was advertised for sale, p106, and opposite was Gigi of Clynder (1960), the only yawl-rigged boat. The photos show their superb lines and attractive sheerline. Colin Tindal, Nairn, nr Inverness.


Sibbick centenary


Thank you for two wonderful articles about Charles Sibbick and his boats (CB282). Probably not many people know that


he had a great influence on other types of restricted classes and one designs in Europe and was greatly appreciated in the United States because of his fast and beautiful designs.


Let us take a minute on 12 January to remember him, as it will be exactly 100 years since his tragic death. Charles Sibbick (Naval Architect) Interest Association, by email


“I am


studying the structures of the boat, focusing on traditional building


techniques”


Germania


The original Germania (CB282) was sold in 1917 to the Norwegian shipping tycoon Christoffer


Hannevig. As a young boy he had been nicknamed ‘Excellensen’, hence his name Exen for the yacht. A biography, in


Norwegian, contains this photo. Hannevig, in cap, is seated at the stern.


Magnus Granrud, Oslo Dragon rescue – help offered


In the December Classic Boat, my attention was caught by the letter ‘Dragon rescued – but help needed’. This perfectly meets my interests and occupation and especially the writer’s needs seem to fit mine. I am doing a PhD at the University of Ferrara, on guidelines for restoration of historic and classic boats. We are using a practical case study – the Dragon Aretusa ITA-18, built in 1956 by Børrisen. Her construction number is 160. Last


Witch’s brew


Adrian Morgan’s article on ancient recipes for fixing old boats (CB283) reminded me of a recipe for antifouling I found in an old notebook by Basil Lubbock. He owned my yacht Witch, and being a writer and historian wrote everything down in notebooks, now held at the NMM. “1 pint Copal varnish, 1 pint boiled oil, 1lb of red lead, 4oz of copper bronze powder, 4oz arsenic, the same quantity each of chrome yellow and Paris blue. Mix thoroughly, strain and apply. If too thick add more varnish, not oil. It will dry a rich copper colour.” I guess you could still make it this


way, but the environmental police would lock you up. Martin Nott, Cowes


month I evaluated the condition of this boat and I found that the keel is rotten. At present I am drafting up a restoration project and as soon as possible we will begin work. As I am studying the structures of the boat, focusing on traditional building techniques, the restoration project is based on a non-invasive approach, especially in the important phase of keel replacement. Co-operation could be motivating and useful for us both. Leonardo Bortolami, Ferrara, Italy


READER’S BOAT OF THE MONTH Bank dory, 1884


Richard Pagé of Québec sent details of his Newfoundland Bank dory based on an 1884 design, and chunky. The base is pine, 2in (5mm) thick, and the sides 1in – using 5/4in pine, covered in fibreglass and epoxy. Other woods used are maple, black spruce, oak, white birch and tamarack.


More readers’ boats on www. classicboat.co.uk CLASSIC BOAT FEBRUARY 2012 97


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