Of These the GP14 Must Be Considered One of the Most Successful. in Little More Than Six

FOREWORD:

Yachting has become a National pastime in Australia - particularly in the last decade, and as more and more Australians take to the water, many new Classes of yachts have appeared.

Of these the GP14 must be considered one of the most successful. In little more than six years they now number forty two.

With the present vogue of keeping costs down, this yacht becomes the number one contender for the family man, as it is a one Class, one design boat with an excellent all round performance be it racing, cruising or power boating. GPs never date - last year's model can be this year's champion.

I would like to congratulate the author of this book on a job well done and an example that should be followed by all Classes.

On behalf of the Mounts Bay Sailing Club in Western Australia, I would like to say that one of the best day's work the Committee ever did was sponsoring the GP14 Class because those who sail in them have contributed enormously to the present standing of our Club both sailing and socially.

B.E. WRIGHT

Patron M.B.S.C.

and Commodore 1964-1970.

"The First Five Years"

Once upon a time there were no GP14s! - just a growing number of people who longed to get afloat and to own their own boats.

Just after the 2ndWorld War this ambition was not easily achieved as the choice lay between specialised racing craft which were very expensive and ordinary heavy boats which could only be built by craftsmen.

The public demand first became apparent to Group Captain E.F. Haylock, the Editor of "Yachting World", who commissioned Jack Holt to design a dinghy which would meet the following requirements - "A family boat, cheap and easy to build from a kit of parts, to have a good performance and yet be seaworthy - with enough stability so that her crew could sit in her rather than on her. Strong enough to take the ground weight, low enough for handling on and off a trailer, capable of easy rowing or of being driven by an outboard motor, with room enough to stow it under the after deck, and be capable of sailing well enough to give sporty racing against her own kind."

The first and second prototypes were built by the Bell Woodworking Co. Ltd. in 1949 and sailed on the Hamble by the late Dusty Pollock, a director of the firm, together with Group Captain Haylock. The Bell insignia, one of the legendary bells of Aberdovey, was taken from the burgee of the Dovey Sailing Club who were the first to adopt the GP14 as a racing craft.

An owner’s Association was formed in England in 1951 and membership grew steadily, with number 4000 being registered as "Royal Favour" in the name of H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh. By 1969 it became apparent that there would be over 9,000 registered owners throughout the world before the end of 1970 was reached.

The Class first became popular in Australia about 1960 and as most of the boats were in Victoria, the 1stGeneral Meeting of the Australian Association, as it was then known, was held in that state on 23rdMay, 1962.By the 2ndAnnual General Meeting, held on 28thAugust,1963 at the Sandringham Yacht Club, Victoria, at which a Technical Sub-Committee was formed, the distribution of registered boats throughout Australia was as follows: Victoria 52, N.S.W. 1, Queensland 1, W. Australia 1, Tasmania 1, S. Australia 7.

The South Australian boats were centred at Mt.Gambier and sailed at the Port MacDonnell Sailing Club. Several boats had been brought from England by migrating owners including the one in N.S.W. Makore #*575, whose owner Cliff Boocock in 1970 still had the lowest sail number in Australia, with Sirius#3737 built in Hobart by Jim Yaxley in 1960 - the earliest registered Australian built boat and number.

Perhaps the earliest GP14 built in Australia was the one built in 1950 by Mr. McManus of Mandurah, W. A. who had his plans brought out from England by a friend. It was not registered with the Association and as this "history" is mainly concerned with registered racing boats it is mentioned only as a matter of interest.

Until 1965 the Victorian officers of the GP14 Class Australian Ass. handled all administration under the control of the parent Association in regarding Rules,Class restrictions etc.They introduced certain modifications to the boat to suit their local sailing conditions, however, and as these did not satisfy the U.K. as being necessary and did not comply with strict Class specifications, the U.K. would not recognise the modified boats as being eligible for "A" Class Certificates which would entitle them to sail in International Competition.

Permission was given however for an "A" Class Australian Certificate to be issued for competition within Australia only. Boats not measuring up to specifications in either case to receive a “B" Class Certificate which would not permitthem to race in any events - Club or Championship - either in Australia or abroad. The majority of boats built in Australia have been built to include Australian modifications (some of which were later adopted by the U.K., but a number have also been built to International specifications and will, when known, be shown herein by an asterisk * before the sail number.

In 1965 a notice appeared in the October issue of the Carillon, official newsletter of the Australian Association, announcing the formation of the South and West Australian Sub-branches. Events leading up to the formation of the W.A. Sub-branch and of the first five years of its history are as follows :-

1964/65 SEASON

Towards the end of 1962 a boat was launched in Perth by owner/builder Michael Igglesden of Nedlands. This boat, the first registered GP14 in Western Australia was, as an article in the Sunday Times - Mr. Perth's Diary column put it on August 8th, 1965, "To sail in lonesome dignity on the crowded SwanRiver for almost 2 years".

During this time Mike sailed Tintookie#5927 from Claremont Yacht Club and his red mainsail was truly distinctive on waters which were yet to see the Mirror Dinghy.

On August 19th, 1964 a letter appeared in the West Australian which read as follows :- "Boat for middle-aged". Patrick Holmes, Wembley Downs. "I would like to meet anyone wishing to start a Class of boat for racing on the SwanRiver which would provide for the middle-aged without enough money to own a cruiser.I suggest that a boat for comfort, and a crew of two, with day-cruising capabilities and of one design is worth seeking. Sheet speed is a secondary consideration. I believe that the English GP14 (General Purpose 14 footer) designed by Bell of Leicester may be the answer. I believe that it is raced elsewhere in Australia. I would be interested to hear from individuals, clubs and builders." Unquote.

Mike contacted Pat, as did Ian Peck of FloreatPark who had recently settled in Perth with his wife Ah Lin and children Janet and Colin. Ian had sailed a GP14 at Jesselton Club in Borneo for five years with considerable success.

Meanwhile back in 1963 and on the other side of the continent, Brian Kemp had been looking around Sydney for the "right" boat. One day, while watching the Herons racing at Clontarf, MiddleHarbour, he noticed Cliff Boocock sailing Makore and was able to go for a trial sail with him. Shortly afterwards he began building Fairwind#*5675 and launched at Pittwater shortly before leaving N.S.W. to take up residence in Perth in December 1964, sending Fairwind across by road freight.

On arrival Brian contacted Rolly Tasker who had Fairwind's sails on order, and was given Mike's name as a GP14 owner to contact. This was duly done and Brian and Lorna with daughters Barbara, Janis and Lyndal met Mike and Mary and sons David, Graham and Paul for the first time.

Mike had also put Tintookie on display at the 1964 Boat Show in Perth where it had attracted favourable attention, including that of John Hughes of Perth who had already purchased plans and begun building, and of Michael Altria of Myaree who had already cut Patara's frames. As Mike, wife Margo and young daughter Tracey had only recently moved house, Mike was unable to proceed until he had constructed a garage/workshop and consequently Patara#*6234 was not finished until December 1967.

The quoted price for a complete boat at the time of the 1964 Boat Show was £250 to £275, and rose up to £300 to £325 within a year.

With six enthusiasts now at hand it was necessary to try and obtain some professionally built boats for those who did not wish to build their own. A meeting was held in January 1965 at Brian Kemp's home in Alfred Cove to discuss this and also the possibility of forming a State Branch of the Association. Mike and Mary Igglesden, Pat Holmes and Brian and Lorna Kemp attended. Laurie Chivers was then approached and agreed to build three boats at his Myaree factory. Two for Pat and Ian and the third in hopes of a buyer being found.

On 25thJune 1965 a Pilot Meeting was held at Laurie Chivers boat building works to convene a General Meeting to form the W.A. Sub-branch.Present were Pat Holmes, Mike Igglesden and John Hughes. The General Meeting was then held at John Hughes’ flat in Adelaide Terrace, Perth on July 8th, 1965, and the W.A. Sub-branch duly formed.

Those present were:- John Hughes and wife Kristin, Kristin's sister and brother-in-law Francine and Bob Jenson, Ian Peck, Brian Kemp, Pat Holmes, Mike and Mary Igglesden, Bill Ure, Mike Altria and Ian Edge. Apologies were received from G. Miller, Dr P. Howe, R. James, C. Ashman and M. Tarrant who were unable to attend.

The following office bearers were elected : Chairman - Pat Holmes, Secretary -John Hughes, Treasurer -Mike Altria, Publicity Officer - Brian Kemp, Measurer -Mike Igglesden. The Committee of Management consisted of the five office bearers.

It was decided to hold Committee Meetings approximately monthly at alternate Committee member's homes and to draft a Constitution to submit to the Australian Association for approval. This was drawn up at the first Committee meetingat Pat Holmes, MosmanPark home, on August 12th.

News of the formation of the Sub-branch was featured in the daily press and local aquatic magazine Aquatic Monthly - August 1965 issue, and appeared in the October issue of the Carillon.

Letters and personal approaches were made to Yacht Clubs around the SwanRiver regarding the adoption of the GP14 Class to their registers. Several Clubs expressed interest and two seemed to be particularly promising. Firstly, Nedlands Yacht Club extended an invitation to the Committee and their families to spend an afternoon at the Club. Consequently, on Sunday August 15thCommodore Ron Stephens and Rear Commodore Robin Vaisey entertained the group to afternoon tea and showed them the facilities of the Club. Unfortunately storage was not immediately available, and as John Hughes' boat and the three professionally builtones were nearing completion, it was decided to approach Mounts Bay Sailing Club who had advised that storage room was available for 12 boats.

Commodore Basil Wright and his Flag Officers made the Committee welcome on the same afternoon and expressed willingness to sponsor racing for the Class providing that five boats would be available to start.

As there were only five boats likely to be available for some time, thosein favour of joining Nedlands Yacht Club decided it was preferable for the future of the Class and Branch to remain together and to commence racing at M.B.S.C.

Most were not proficient enough at this stage to really welcome the prospect of racing!

The third boat constructed by Laurie Chivers was purchased on completion by Roy and Patricia (Pat) Norris who had arrived from England a year earlier with children Robert, Simon and Julie. Royhad been looking around for some time fora small sail boat and chanced to see the GPs on the beach at M.B.S.C. whilst looking at some smaller craft at the Royal Perth Yacht Club. He purchased the completed boat from Laurie Chivers, #6581, naming it Sirron.

During the first week in September news was received through Jack Cassidy that a GP had been built in Katanning for which he was supplying the sails, and that it was to be launched soon.The Secretary, John Hughes wrote to Mr Bert Strijk giving him details of the W.A. Branch and invited him to sail at theM.B.S.C. with the otherGPs whenever he might be able. It was later learned that Mr Strijk had commenced building #6747 StellaMaris in 1965. He did not join the Association.

The first race to be held under the auspices of the W.A. Branch at M.B.S.C. was on 12th September, 1965 and it was probably won by #6450 Melody II, Ian Peck, though no record of the results exists.

John Hughes launched #6442 Kristin on September 13th - the same day as the start of the Royal Perth Yacht Club's Centenary Regatta which was held over three days, 13th to 16th Sept. 1965. An invitation to sail in this regatta was received by the GPs and they accepted to sail in one race only, starting at thesame time as the Cadet Dinghies. The GPs on this occasion finished 20 to 30 minutes ahead of the Cadets with Ian Peck in Melody II and Mike Igglesden in Tintookie winning the two trophies which were presented to the Class. Placings were : 1stMelody II, 2ndTintookie, 3rdSt. Piran #6448 - Pat Holmes.

Later, an invitation was received from Mr John Knox of R.F.B.Y.C. to sail against the Cadets on their home ground,MosmanBay, on 11thDecember 1965. An excellent news photo of Mike Igglesden and son David preparing Tintookie for their first M.B.S.C. season was featured in the West Australian on September 30thand the season opened shortly afterwards on October 16th.

1965/66 SEASON

The first season of racing at the M.B.S.C. certainly confirmed the worst fears of the not-so-seasoned skippers. Buoys were hit or missed entirely, capsizes common, and the position of the marks of the course a constant mystery. "If only the buoys and spits had their NAMES written on them" was a common cry. The incidents during this inaugural year were many and humorous at times and M.B.S.C. must surely have denied ownership of the Class during this period!

Ian Peck was the most experienced GP skipper and the blue sails of Melody II came in first with monotonous regularity. Ian, whose wife and children did not wish to sail, had Giles Pickford crewing for him. Ian and Giles usually had Melody unrigged long before the other boats crossed the finish line IF they were lucky enough to even complete the course. The other boats sailed with family crews. Mike Igglesden sailing with wife Mary was probably the next most experienced skipper, 'though Pat Holmes with wife Elizabeth (Liz) and children Sally, Jenny and Marcus had sailed in other classes in England. Brian Kemp had little experience at skippering and his wife Lorna, had in common with Mary Igglesden and Pat Norris, no previous experience of sailing or crewing at all. John Hughes had no previous sailing experience but his wife Kristin (Kris) had sailed previously with her father Mr L.A. Shapcott. Roy Norris was also inexperienced and the children for the most part were quite new to sailing - Barbara Kemp at 17 being the eldest and Julie Norris and Paul Igglesden both aged 3 and Marcus Holmes and Simon Norris both aged 5 - the youngest.

It was great fun while it lasted! There was the memorable occasion when Pat Holmes and Nick Myers in St. Piran completely overturned in front of the Club and the combined efforts of Pat, Nick, and the Sea Scouts failed to right it. Mike Igglesden put his small outboard motor on a tiny cockleshell of a dinghy which happened to be handy and went to the rescue. Tintookie was in the throes of having a bailer fitted and had a preparatory hole in the bottom of the hull at the time. All ended well when it was ascertained that the mast was stuck firmly in the mud and suitable measures were taken to free it. As Pat and Mike both agreed - a few more grey hairs were added on this occasion!

Other boats and skippers had similar traumatic experiences. Shortly after the October issue of Power Boat and Yachting which featured an article on the GP14, the first Commodore’s Trophy Race on November 7th, 1965 was held in a gale gusting to 35 knots which almost completed the demoralisation of the fleet . Mike and Mary Igglesden in Tintookie under reefed main and no jib were the only ones to make the starting line off Heathcote. The other boats were scattered around the river in varying stages of distress. Ian Peck and Giles Pickford were frantically bailing Melody II with buckets as the boat had insufficient buoyancy at this stage to cope with the amount of water being shipped over the decks. Pat and Liz Holmes with Dr Bill Sandover as extra crewman in St. Piran were extremely thankful to reach the wind whipped sandy shelter of the beach under Heathcote without capsizing.

The Kemp family also sought refuge on the beach near Applecross jetty. Brian had wife Lorna and daughters Janis and Lyndal crewing in Fairwind. Lorna was troubled with a hip swelling and haematoma which developed following a fallat the public launching ramp nearR.P.Y.C. prior to the race. Pat Holmes, famous for his droll wit, promptly christened this ramp "Kemp's Landing". The GP'ers used this ramp regularly during these early days as the ramp at M.B.S.C. consisted of a bumpy row of old railway sleepers which didn't quite reach the water - much different to the excellent ramp constructed later, and which was probably hurried into existence by the needs of the GP14 Class.