Lovely boats. Much bigger than a Carter 30 though, even though they were both built to the half ton rating rule as was my Currawong 30.

I would own one.

Good !

A steel East Coast 31? I guess it's possible, but the other question that comes to my mind is "What size screwdriver was he using?"

keithw said...

Must of been a big one!!! I was wondering how he informed the owner!!

More importantly I guess is the fact that the hull was so easily punctured there were already underlying major issues with that boat.

A small version of the renowned S&S34. Very similar hull shape but I haven't been onboard one. I went hard against one in the Hawkesbury a few years ago in a brisk noreaster. He had newish sails whole mine were ancient but he gave me a good challenge. It was quite blowy at about 20kts and he was sailing very well, pointing high, minimal heel and in control.
Not sure who built them but they seem to be well regarded and there are a few about.

MorningBird said...

A small version of the renowned S&S34. Very similar hull shape
Not sure who built them but they seem to be well regarded and there are a few about.

There are two or three different S&S 30s. Not different versions of the same boat but distinctly different boats.

Swarbrics or someone else in Perth were building an S&S 30, late 70s early 80s and there was an S&S 30 known as the Victory (if memory serves) which I think was an American built boat.

If you will beg my pardon John, there is only one "version" of the S&S 34. Different cabin tops and rigs and interior configurations, yes, but;

There IS the S&S 34, and there ARE the imitators. Nothing beats the original.

I wasn't aware there were different S&S30s, learn something new everyday.
The one I was refering to was an S&S30 Defiance, like this one:
http://yachthub.com/list/boats-for-sale/used/boat-share/s-s-30-3rd-share/102371
I don't recognise the version in the link at Lake Macquarie.

There are cheap S&S34s around. They may not be pretty and will need much work but, as Sisco says, there are S&S34s and there are imitators.

Sorry Cisco, there are two "versions" of the S&S34, the original Mk1 and the later Swarbrick option for the MkII. The hull and deck are the same shape except for the removal of the skeg, a spade rudder and the reshaped keel. MkIIs had the two spreader taller mast. Some MkIs also have the taller mast as a later modification. Above the water line the only difference is the taller rig.

I have sailed both and the MkII is considerably better, especially downwind. The keel mods and the deeper and larger spade rudder did make a noticeable difference.

Both options were available to the end of Swarbricks production run, Morning Bird is the last 34 made by Swarbricks (standfast the current three which are all MkIIs I believe) launched in Sydney in March 1984 and is a MkI. The MkII cost more which may have influenced some buyers. Maybe they just wanted the stronger skeg hung rudder.

I know some Marbrook built boats, made after Swarbricks production, were MkIIs but I'm not sure whether the they were all MkIIs.

The history lesson for today!

Sorry, you are right. I posted the wrong link. I meant to attach the one of the Defiance that was above it on Yachthub.

On a similar tack, this ad has bugged me for some time. I am pretty confident this boat isn't an S&S34.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/s-s-34/73741

While the deck and coach house is similar to the UK built 34s, the hull is quite a different shape to an S&S34, particularly the lack of tumblehome and the area around the cockpit/transom.

The records indicate that the S&S34 moulds went from Swarbricks to Maybrook on the NSW Central Coast and were repatriated to Mike Finn at Cottesloe Yachts in WA after they were apparently found in a paddock near Gosford or Wyong. There is no record of the moulds going to NZ as referred to in the ad.

However, anything is possible so if anybody can make me wiser on this yacht it would be much appreciated.

MorningBird said...

Sorry Cisco, there are two "versions" of the S&S34, the original Mk1 and the later Swarbrick option for the MkII. The hull and deck are the same shape except for the removal of the skeg, a spade rudder and the reshaped keel. MkIIs had the two spreader taller mast. Some MkIs also have the taller mast as a later modification. Above the water line the only difference is the taller rig.

You are absolutely right. What I was saying before is a bit of semantics.

The Mk1 and Mk2 "versions" of the S&S 34 are what I would term "variations". The hull form I believe is identical in both whereas from what I have seen the American built S&S 30s have a different hull form from the Australian built yachts.

Another interesting difference between Mk 1 & 2 thirty fours is almost a ton in displacement. The English built 34s are quoted to displace 9,195 lbs while the Maybrook sales brochure quotes 11,000 lbs for their yacht and yet another article by Patrick Mathieson says they displace 13,000 lbs.

Couple of interesting pics. I like what Ted Heath said. "She is finished below much as a Bentley car is finished."

Cisco or Ramona, I thought one or both of you might have an opinion on what that boat portrayed as an S&S34 in the link above might be.

Thanks mate. Now that you have identified it I can see the Townsend shape.
The photo angles are not ideal to be certain and I knew an S&S34 that had a flush timber deck that was quite different to look at. I wanted to give someone advertising their boat a bit of benefit of the doubt.
I think they would do better advertising it for what it is.

MorningBird said...

Cisco or Ramona, I thought one or both of you might have an opinion on what that boat portrayed as an S&S34 in the link above might be.

It has a definite "Des Townson" look about it but as you picked, not a Townson built S&S 34 because the cockpit is far too wide and lack of tumblehome puts it out of being an S&S 34.

The Townson 34s are one of the prettiest yachts to be seen on Auckland Harbour and are particularly defined by the symmetrical line of the two windows in the raised cabin top. A very characteristic line in his yachts and particularly so in the 34. This one has had an outside flange fitted which spoils the look somewhat.

Des Townson always said that his 34s were not designed for, and should not be taken, offshore. Whether this was a disclaimer to protect his reputation or because they were glass over ply or strip planked with a bolted on keel which from memory was just straight bolt on with no moulding to the hull, I could not say.

Still a beautiful yacht though.