madyottie 82 Posted July 20, 2021 Share Posted July 20, 2021 Bruce Kirby, designer of the famous Laser, has passed away in Ottawa. He was 92. Edit: (showing my recent time out of the class) He was awarded almost US$7million earlier this year after a very long legal battle with Laser Performance Europe and Quarter Moon, who were allegedly building non compliant Lasers and not paying royalties, or something. What a sad way to destroy a legacy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregW 28 Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Jeez, I remember going for a blat in the first laser that ever came in to NZ. Was in the early 70s I think. I didn't think people would go for the minimalist sail controls and not being able to add any. Kiwis are hot rodders at heart, or used to be. But it seemed very flash. Every boat designer I've ever had a decent conversation with has a story or two about being dicked out of royalty payments. There are some boats builders who owe a few people for sure. Bruce also designed the Norwalk Island Sharpie range - very popular in Oz and the US but largely ignored here. https://www.nisboats.com/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,670 Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 I remember going for a test sail and thinking a lot of other classes are about to die. I believe he designed it on a napkin at lunch. Can't say he wasn't influential. And I like the NIS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 437 Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Yes a very nice guy, corresponded with him for a while in the eighties then bought the first Norwalk Island sharpie plans in this part of the world, he jokingly said that he would visit when we won the Americas Cup! Never did build the boat-too busy sailing conventional keelers here and building dinghies. $695.00 was the price each month in Seaspray -yes that is for a complete Laser and it was a lot of money, but it wasnt long till the Zephyrs under Tamaki yacht club were being ignored and they had a good fleet of Lasers. Dont know how many Murray Crockett built here? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 359 Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 20 minutes ago, waikiore said: but it wasnt long till the Zephyrs under Tamaki yacht club were being ignored and they had a good fleet of Lasers. Remarkable the resurgence the Zephyrs have subsequently had. There was a story that FoMoCo heard about Des using the name Zephyr and sent someone to check him out, as they had the name registered. Apparently after the guy made his way thru the black berries into Des' shed in Morrin Rd he figured out Des' one man operation was not much of a threat to them 😄 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,670 Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 FoMoCo? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 359 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 59 minutes ago, Black Panther said: FoMoCo? Ford Motor Company Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Black Panther 1,670 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 TY Quote Link to post Share on other sites
waikiore 437 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 😃 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SloopJohnB 323 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 There were no blackberrys growing the car park behind the shops in Panmure leading up to the engineering and Des's shed...but makes a good story. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 359 Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 25 minutes ago, SloopJohnB said: There were no blackberrys growing the car park behind the shops in Panmure leading up to the engineering and Des's shed...but makes a good story. this was before Des moved to behind the Panmure shops, he used to be in Morrin Rd in the early 60's Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregW 28 Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 On 23/07/2021 at 12:29 PM, marinheiro said: Ford Motor Company Also known as Fix Or Repair Daily...... 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SloopJohnB 323 Posted July 24, 2021 Share Posted July 24, 2021 First on race day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AJ Oliver 155 Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 There is a Kirby 25 sailboat at our club that has been winning races for the better part of four decades . . . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dtwo 157 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 On 24/07/2021 at 9:29 PM, SloopJohnB said: First on race day. Found On Rubbish Dump Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madyottie 82 Posted July 26, 2021 Author Share Posted July 26, 2021 10 minutes ago, Dtwo said: Found On Rubbish Dump Find Out Real Debt Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Psyche 707 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 Kirby also designed a line of Sharpies, there was one in Westhaven for a while 15 years ago, then it went up to Sandspit. IIRC the Maritime museum director at the time had it built but it didn't do so well in Gulf conditions. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GregW 28 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 40 minutes ago, Dtwo said: Found On Rubbish Dump LOL, I'd forgotten that one (used to work in a car wrecking yard - lots of good natured winding up between those who had GM's and Fords). Letsee...... For Old Retired Drivers; Finest Overall Racing Device; Cheap Hastily Engineered Vehicle; there was one for Pontiac too but I won't repeat that here. Lots of just Holden together references. Fun times. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
marinheiro 359 Posted July 26, 2021 Share Posted July 26, 2021 1 hour ago, GregW said: LOL, I'd forgotten that one (used to work in a car wrecking yard - lots of good natured winding up between those who had GM's and Fords). Letsee...... For Old Retired Drivers; Finest Overall Racing Device; Cheap Hastily Engineered Vehicle; there was one for Pontiac too but I won't repeat that here. Lots of just Holden together references. Fun times. Fix It Again Tony Breaks My Wallet/Bring Money Withyou... 😁 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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