Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Historical 18-footers on American shores - Photos by Bob Ames

As mentioned in a previous post, three Australian Historical 18-footers were in Annapolis this past week to race against each other as well as the National Sailing Hall of Fame's two sandbaggers.

The 18-footers launched off of Bembe Beach, hosted through the courtesy of the Annapolis Sailing School.

Bob Ames got to be one of the guest crew for one of the race days and sends along these photos he took of the three 18-footers rigging and launching from Bembe Beach.

Bob Ames


Bob Ames


Bob Ames


Bob Ames


Bob Ames


Bob Ames


1 comment:

Tweezerman said...

Neil Kennedy emailed me this poetic ode to the Australian Historical 18's which is well worth sharing:



"Ah! the sight of glistening varnished hulls of Australian cedar and ash, outrageous bowsprits, curvaceous flared bows and shapely hulls with spars like tree trunks and cordage to match, with a mountain of canvas to drive them over the waves, with a crew of husky tanned Aussie's with a can of beer in one hand and an eye for any "sheila" they see.



"Daughter's of America, lock up your mothers, and especially your grandmothers remember '83 when the Aussies came to town and stole the cup and plenty of hearts.



"Even a small group of real 18ft skiffs, makes the new age version of endless fleets of white fibreglass ( so called skiffs) look like a bunch of Toyota's.



"Take any young sailor to the rigging up area as photographed and their yachting imaginations will be fired up for evermore.