More about Suzanna. ( June 5th )
It came a surprise when out of the blue an email was passed onto me by a fellow archivist. A contact from Paul Hewitt, the son of the fellow who built her. He's in Melbourne now, but he still has Suzanna (named for his sister) firmly in his heart.
He was looking for some more info about the boat and was prepared to offer a framed photo of Suzanna to the club (if we can find some space on a wall to put it). However Suzanna will be always held in our minds as an H28 that came from SoPYC. Sure she went walkabout, but that's what H28's were good for.
However her new owner, Robin Wilkinson has braved the necessary tasks and had the mast (and I presume the rigging) worked over and the boat is now on the water over at Royal Perth probably swinging off a mooring, but in one piece and a lot safer to sail on. He has been invited to come out with us on a day that he can get away from work and we'll look forward to the day.
It came a surprise when out of the blue an email was passed onto me by a fellow archivist. A contact from Paul Hewitt, the son of the fellow who built her. He's in Melbourne now, but he still has Suzanna (named for his sister) firmly in his heart.
He was looking for some more info about the boat and was prepared to offer a framed photo of Suzanna to the club (if we can find some space on a wall to put it). However Suzanna will be always held in our minds as an H28 that came from SoPYC. Sure she went walkabout, but that's what H28's were good for.
However her new owner, Robin Wilkinson has braved the necessary tasks and had the mast (and I presume the rigging) worked over and the boat is now on the water over at Royal Perth probably swinging off a mooring, but in one piece and a lot safer to sail on. He has been invited to come out with us on a day that he can get away from work and we'll look forward to the day.
Oh Suzanna!!
The story of an H28 that went up to Maylands for a while.
A boat that lived here at SoPYC for some of her early life, she was built by the Hewitt's, J and M of Nedlands and found her way to SoPYC by 1990 and remained here in the hands of Tony Fisher till 2004 and Ross Vance till 2006. She was sold to a Geoff Peart – Tang and moved up to Hillarys from whence she eventually made her way to Maylands where she remained till 2020. I came across her in 2009 and wondered about her then. She moved from there down to moorings in Matilda Bay in June 2020 under Jack Hennessey and was bought by S80 sailor Robin Wilkinson when Jack Hennessey realised that he couldn’t keep the boat and was prepared to sell her off for a “ best price” that included the mooring and a little dinghy with an outboard.
Lets clarify things for a moment. When a boat goes up the river to Maylands, its pronounced in the same portentous tones of one who has just announced a death sentence. Its known far and wide as the resting place for hobbyists and those who will die along with their boats as they both moulder in the long grass at the edges of the fence lines.
Surprisingly when she came up on the slips at SoPYC she was in good shape and apart from one or two ribs is sound, as is the hull. However a new compression post under the mast is required and it was interesting to see the boat pretty much rigged for cruising, knowing that 20 years ago she was a racer. Emptying out the boat took a while and the sails she had were the original Hartley sails still bearing the SP 51 numbers. The keel bolts were checked and fortunately shipwright Ian Weaver popped by and had a look at her. He was content with what he saw and congratulated Robin with his purchase. Robin also had visits from other H28 skippers and each had a bit to share.
There were a number of small items to be remedied and Robin is now aware of them, but dropping the mast is the big one as the main halyard has gone up the mast. He might as well check the blocks at the top as well while the mast is down. He does have a motor that works, a two pot Yamaha and so long as he treats it right it will get him around. The rigging is the next big thing and to replace a mast is far more expensive than replacing the rigging.
One warming thing is that Robin has a willing partner in crime, his wife (whose name I have forgotten :-( ) is actually a more aggressive helm than he is and I can see a perfect partnership developing. At present she is still hanging off a mooring in Matilda Bay with the threat of moving into a pen at Royal Perth where there is already another H28 by the name of Yuna II. So long as they keep company, all will be well.
Hopefully we will see more of her in the next few years.
Lets clarify things for a moment. When a boat goes up the river to Maylands, its pronounced in the same portentous tones of one who has just announced a death sentence. Its known far and wide as the resting place for hobbyists and those who will die along with their boats as they both moulder in the long grass at the edges of the fence lines.
Surprisingly when she came up on the slips at SoPYC she was in good shape and apart from one or two ribs is sound, as is the hull. However a new compression post under the mast is required and it was interesting to see the boat pretty much rigged for cruising, knowing that 20 years ago she was a racer. Emptying out the boat took a while and the sails she had were the original Hartley sails still bearing the SP 51 numbers. The keel bolts were checked and fortunately shipwright Ian Weaver popped by and had a look at her. He was content with what he saw and congratulated Robin with his purchase. Robin also had visits from other H28 skippers and each had a bit to share.
There were a number of small items to be remedied and Robin is now aware of them, but dropping the mast is the big one as the main halyard has gone up the mast. He might as well check the blocks at the top as well while the mast is down. He does have a motor that works, a two pot Yamaha and so long as he treats it right it will get him around. The rigging is the next big thing and to replace a mast is far more expensive than replacing the rigging.
One warming thing is that Robin has a willing partner in crime, his wife (whose name I have forgotten :-( ) is actually a more aggressive helm than he is and I can see a perfect partnership developing. At present she is still hanging off a mooring in Matilda Bay with the threat of moving into a pen at Royal Perth where there is already another H28 by the name of Yuna II. So long as they keep company, all will be well.
Hopefully we will see more of her in the next few years.