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IS IT A ‘JANE’ OR A ‘JANETTE’ ?

21/11/2018

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I was very pleased last year to acquire a John Welsford designed boat. It is 12’ long and around 4’5” in the beam. The builder, Leon Paterson, bought the plans and build it beautifully in 1995 - light, but durable. He had named the boat “Phaedirean” and he assured me it was a ‘Janette.’  Phaedirean was his family name and was Welsh for Paterson. The boat plans had been lost in the Christchurch earthquakes after Leon had to abandon his house and move to Rangiora.  Because of this it was a bit up in the air as to whether it was actually a Janette or the earlier Welsford design, the Jane.

I had been sailing at Pleasant Point Yacht club for about three years and took notice of the boat, admiring the lines and performance. I said to Leon that if he ever wanted to sell her to let me know. Sometime last year he said he had decided to retire from sailing (84’s not a bad age) and would I like her. Well of course I would! But with a stable of three boats already I didn’t think I would stand a hope in heck of sneaking another one into the barn.

I’m getting a bit older myself and the ‘Finn’ was more than a handful to get in and out of the water. How things turn out as someone came to my house right at that time and said they must have the ‘Finn’. Who was I to argue, so now being down to only two in the stable the ‘Janette’ must take its new place? The (Chancellor of Exchequer) wouldn’t know the difference between a Finn or a Janette?

The main reason I’m putting pen to paper is that in our Group, Canterbury Classic Yachts there are now three of these boats. The picture (left) shows the Janette as I got it.  The rig is a slightly cut down “Europe” sail with a Sunburst mast. It’s a handful, but it goes very well in the right conditions. It out-points other similar boats and leaves the shellback fleet well in its wake. 
Picture
Being a fan of the classic nature of a boat (as well as enjoying the cruising aspects of such craft) I thought I would try my Shellback (SB) rig on the Janette. It was nowhere near as quick with this rig and doesn’t point as high, but I found it held its own with the other SB’s and it wasn’t as demanding with the reduced rig.  It has a nice classic look. I can now call it my “B” rig and I can swap the rig between my SB and the Janette. The Europe sail (L) is around 75 sq ft and the shellback is 54. With the SB rig it is so easy to set up as it is free standing. I did break a mask in a blow one race-day but it was my fault as I hadn’t made a good job of the mast laminations - I hope to have cured this with another mast rebuild. 

John Welsford designed the original boat in 1985 and called it “Jane”. Four years later he made some adjustments to the plan and then called it the ‘Janette’. If you have a boat with a beam less than 4’5” (1.34m) you have a ‘Jane. The design plan calls for 76 sq ft of sail. So if you’re not a (wooss.) Like me you may want to persevere with the larger sail. I quite like the option of both and may choose the larger rig on a 5k sunny warm day. Otherwise I’m out there whenever.....

Regards, Ian Kington
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AKAROA AGAIN ~ A Report

5/11/2018

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AKAROA CLASSIC BOATS REGATTA
3rd and 4th November 201
The 2018 Classic Boat Regatta almost didn't happen, entries were few and far between at the end of October and adding to the uncertainty were new requirements by the City Council to have liability insurance, another cost for us. What made the regatta go ahead were the 25 entries received including participants Julian Crane (Motueka), Peter Murton (Nelson) and Russell Cloake (Lumsden). 

The weekend kicked off with an evening meal at the Grand Hotel on Friday. This was very well attended and gave everyone a chance to mix and mingle. We were promised a windy NW day for Saturday's main event which proved to be the case initially. After a show and tell session where the provenance of each boat was given – always interesting, the briefing followed with an excellent outline of procedure by RO Roger France who is a very experienced administrator, well done Roger.  Ian Kington gave an outline of safety requirements i.e. signing in and out on the entry sheet and rescue procedures. We are very grateful to Simon Rutherford providing his RIB as pick up and lead boat. A weight off our minds as Simon is also very experienced, running his KORE sailing and outdoor education business.

And the sailing parade made a grand sight along the waterfront and around French Bay, keeping well clear of strong winds in the outer harbour. It was gusty to begin with and many boats opted to reef at the start however the wind died away with many left with slating sails and no way on.  Ian Jackson with his own designed sailing/pulling boat got away well and was not seen again, so far ahead! However, those behind enjoyed a gentle sail around French Bay, some little slippery boats doing very well indeed.

The BBQ at Camp Taylor, Takamatua was appreciated by all, thanks to BBQ King, Warwick Stevens, Barbara Purves, Joan Beer and Judith Stevens. Followed by award presentations and a very entertaining, talk by Nigel Cook on his epic journey to Montana to build a boat in a week and float down the mighty Missouri River. (Next year the Mississippi perhaps?) A very laconic speaker with a dry wit with a great opening intro – “I set off to America with an idea and three screwdrivers!”

And the awards for this year’s event were: 

Whalers Trophy – Best boat on show
Heidi – Welsford Navigator, Peter Murton, Nelson

Own design and build
Matuku – 14’ sailing/pulling boat, Ian Jackson, Christchurch

Classic replica boat new build
Swallow -Welsford Scamp, Julian Crane, Motueka

Best restored – motor
Poppet – clinker dinghy, Dan Ralph, Woodend

Furthest Travelled
Scamp – restored motor boat 40yrs+, Russel Cloake, Lumsden
 
Also, our grateful thanks to:
  • To all our participants who travelled from near and far – your commitment and enthusiasm was much appreciated
  • Assistance given by CCC staff in Christchurch and Akaroa
  • Hollie Hollander, Promotions Officer, Akaroa
  • Dave Deavoll for printing our posters designed by Bret de Thier
  • Dave Johnstone for ongoing management of our web page

We all look forward to next year's event.
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