Page 51 - Mark Chews Forty Two Australian Wooden Sailing Boats Sept 17 2020

Yes…two international 8 meters …I know … But I love the subtle contrasts between
them. Yesterday’s yacht… Conceived and built in Australia, utilitarian, effective,
slightly muscular. Today’s boat built to the same rule but delicate and curvaceous
with impeccable breeding. One is the wild colonial…the other the elegant
aristocrat. It’s worth comparing her lines to little Fife sister JUDITH PIHL The history
of these boats is inextricable linked to the Sayonara Cup.
VANESSA, the first 8 meter built in Australia, was launched underneath what was
yet to become the northern access to the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the famous
Hayes Yard who also built ARCHINA.
The Sydney Evening News cover the launch…
“Mr. Percy S. Arnotts's 8-metre yacht, VANESSA, was launched today from the
yards of James Hayes and Son, Careening Cove As Mrs. Amott broke a bottle of
champagne bottle the bows, a representative gathering of yachtsmen associated
with all clubs raised a rousing cheer. Later, at Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron's
club-house, Mr. S. M. Dempster presented Mr. Amott with a dinghy on behalf of
the crew, and toasts were honoured. VANESSA will compete in the test races which
will be held to select the N.S.W. defender of Sayonara Cup. She will also take part
in the racing Programmes of the various clubs. VANESSA is the first 8-metre yacht
to be built in Australia, and will make the third of her class on Sydney harbour.”

She immediately proceeded to win the Sayonara Cup, the most prestigious
Yachting events in Australia, for the following four years, beating EUN-NA-MARA,
ACROSPIRE IV (twice) and NORN the Norweigen Anker designed yacht that went
on to become VARG The final of these four victories is interesting as the Victorians
having failed to win the Cup from the New South Welshman, decided the most
effective way to win it back was to buy the invincible boat that had been beating
them!

So in 1932, under the ownership of James Linacre from the Royal Brighton Yacht
Club and Lance Randerson from the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Vanessa beat
NORN thus returning the Cup to Victoria.
Over the past 30 years Vanessa has spent much of her time sitting in her pen at
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, rarely going out and slowly disintegrating. However
there are strong rumours that an extensive restoration is on the cards. Imagine
the day when VANESSA and VARG and FRANCES could race against each other
again!

CYAA Magazine Issue 43 September 2020 Page 51