[Nostlagia - just some old photos]

White Island Start 1981:  The beautiful John Lidgard designed Rhumbline.  She was a regular in the longer races...

 

 

[Nostlagia - just some old photos]

White Island Race Start 1981:  Howzat in the foreground.  I don't recognize the Lotus 9.2 but that's Trauma and I think Razzle Dazzle beyond.

 

 

[Nostlagia - just some old photos]

Here is a series from the start or the White Island Race in 1981.  In those days the race started before Anniversary Weekend and it was common to get back in time for a sleep and then to race the Anniversary Day Regatta - as the new Admirals Cuppers did that year.

 

Here is Epiglass NZ.

[Nostlagia - just some old photos]

I have been scanning some old negatives, some of which are in very poor condition, but may bring back some memories.  I hope you find something interesting amongst them.

 

I will start with the launch of Feltex Roperunner in late 1980 at Half Moon Bay. You may recognize some people, Don and Jim Lidgard, Farr, Bowler...

 

 

[PAYING to Anchor off Auckland!?]

I have a cellphone and some mt gay. Not sure about the fine art thing.

 

Many years ago (31 years ago if I recall) I seem to remember a photo you had on your wall of the Cav 32 sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge.

 

Now that was fine art. 

[Magic Bus launched at Milford marina]

For those not old enough to remember - that is pretty much bang-on the original colour.  Fantastic to see.

[Easterly 30 Keeler]

I did a lot of sailing on Easterly 30s in the late 70s.  Fine cruising and sea boats except for the limitation of their age today.  They felt similar to a Cav 32 at sea.  They were slow, even by the standards of the day, but they felt bullet-proof.

 

The late Tony Corbett (ex BBYC commodore) soloed Karona back from Mooloolaba after racing there circa 1981 (or was it '83?).

[The Original Magic Bus back in New Zealand]

Anybody remember who crewed on it?  Get the remaining guys back on board

 

Paul Whiting, Murray Ross, Richard Cleave, and Steve Trevurza I think.

[Skipper wanted for Auckland to Wellington]

 

Smack was lost during, as describe by Peter Blake at that time as the worst storm he had ever experienced after leaving Hobart.

 

The vessel was almost lost and I think at that time it was a RTW Whitbread designed boat named "Burton Cutter". 

 

 

 

As a complete sidetrack - just because I cannot let little "facts" like this go by uncorrected, the vessel that the Blakes (newlyweds at that stage) were aboard in this storm was Condor of Bermuda, which had been Heath's Condor in the 2nd Whitbread race the previous year.  Burton Cutter was in the first race.  She was certainly hove to for a period, but I don't believe she was "almost lost".  Yes - it was certainly a nasty storm and the seas I experienced remain the largest I have ever experienced, though they were not dangerous where we were (our position was east of North Cape and at least 48 - 72 hours sailing away from both Condor and Smackwater Jack) - just very very big.  We had a different experience from the boats in the Tasman.

 

During the period Smackwater Jack is supposed to have been lost (by which I mean the time frame - not the certainty of her loss) we were in shelter and at anchor in Whangaroa Harbour.  I remember sitting anchor watch in the cockpit watching the needle of our analogue anemometer stuck at its maximum of 60 knots - just sitting there with the needle hard against the stop.  It was the middle of the night.  I don't know the maximum gust we encountered but do remember leaving the cockpit to try to prevent halyards - already tied back from the mast - from banging loudly.  I could only crawl along the deck, even though we were in flat water (you all know the Pekapeka Bay arm of Whangaroa).  At that time both Condor and Smackwater were still west of Cape Reinga.  If I recall it is believed that Smackwater was still about 500 miles west (I may be wrong - it was 36 years ago).

 

I also remember being very nervous earlier as we entered Whangaroa in the last of the daylight, with the seas breaking on either side like nothing I have seen before or since.  Three or so years later, when Lionheart was lost while trying to make Whangaroa on her way back from Suva (another severe storm event) I remember thinking "There, but for the grace of God..."

 

We were not in contact with either vessel but were listening. We and others heard earlier normal traffic concerning both boats and we think we heard Smackwater the previous day but given the distance we probably heard a relayed message.  As I recall, nobody heard a later distress call from Smackwater though she had reported some degree of "trouble".  Others may well recall this better than me.

 

I did not want to hijack this thread earlier with my irrelevant sidetrack, but now as the OP's question has been addressed and concluded, though I would just slip this in.