A long shot ... does anyone have any recollection of a boat called Mercury or Mercury II, built and raced by my Dad, (George O')Brien Kennedy, way back in the 40's .. maybe even earlier ?
Posted: 10/02/2010 19:02:16 By: Shane Kennedy |
George O'Brien Kennedy built 'Mercury' no. 75 in !947. She was unusual in that she was carvel built without ribs which was allowed then. At the 2nd Merlin Championship at Hayling Island O'Brien Kennedy finished 2nd in 'Mercury' crewed by was 2nd overall crewed br C.J Drew.
In 149 he built 'Mercury II' no. 197 which was also had a glued up cold moulded hull. In addition she had a self draining hull. Unfotunately in the 1949 Championships she was badly damaged by the wash of a ferry as she came ashore.
Posted: 11/02/2010 08:10:58 By: Robert Harris |
Am I right in thinking that this is the boat that eventually became the Mercury - a charming smooth hulled, cold moulded dinghy that was popular down in the south west?
If so then I have some info on the mercury as a class, indeed, I know of the location of the last one built and sailed. I raced against it a year or so back and it not only looked good but went very well. You could see the Merlin parentage in it... I guess what a smooth hulled boat dating from the 1950s/60s would look like.
Dougal
Posted: 12/02/2010 20:30:39 By: david Henshall |
I think not, Mercury was a David Miles (West Country.) creation that was similar to an Int14 of the time, I think he converted one and nearly won the POW with it.
Posted: 12/02/2010 21:42:43 By: Ancient Geek |
See link to CVRDA
http://www.cvrda.org/classes/mercury/mercury.htm
Posted: 12/02/2010 21:49:30 By: Ancient Geek |
George O'Brien Kennedy also designed the Yachting World Dayboat in 1949. Over 600 have been built since then and are still being built. They are 4.2 metres long and weigh 204 kilos with a heavy steel plate, the sail area is 12.26 square metres. I remember that in the 50s there was one at Minima Y C sailed by Don Porter (I think).
Posted: 13/02/2010 09:29:01 By: Robert Harris |
Robert, Don Porter (Minma Hon Sec.) had an Albacore it was a real handicap bandit too.
Posted: 13/02/2010 11:56:22 By: Ancient Geek |
You're right of course so who had the Dayboat which I can definitely remember? There was also a Kenneth Gibbs built Halcyon at Minima owned by someone I wish I'd never met! If I remember correctly a Halcyon won the 1953 Round The Island dinghy race on handicap
Posted: 13/02/2010 12:09:39 By: Robert Harris |
Was Halcyon the half rater sailed occasionaly by Tim Ailoart owned I think by S J Hurley? If not well you predate me!
Posted: 13/02/2010 14:56:23 By: Ancient Geek |
Sorry no recall of a YW Dayboat bear in mind we joined Minima in 1959 so lots before us.
Posted: 13/02/2010 14:57:27 By: Ancient Geek |
Maybe Don Porter had a YW Dayboat before the Ablecore? So we would both be right!
Posted: 13/02/2010 14:58:32 By: Ancient Geek |
