Safari

Vessel numberHV000041

Official Number385474

Sail Number640

Builder RC Masters Pty Ltd

Designer Alan Payne (1921 - 1995)

Date1960

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 11.12 m x 7.53 m x 2.9 m x 1.43 m (36.48 ft x 24.71 ft x 9.51 ft x 4.69 ft)
Registered Dimensions: 10.29Tons x 11.17Tons
Engine dimensions: 76.5 x 86.4 mm, 32Kilowatts, 4No. (3.01 x 3.4 in., 42.91Horsepower)
Propeller dimensions: 279 x 431 mm (10.96 x 16.94 in.)

DescriptionSAFARI was built by Clem Masters in 1960 from the detailed plans prepared by naval architect Alan Payne, for Peter and Betty Prentice. Betty Prentice was Clem Master's sister. It is carvel planked on closely spaced frames, a robust construction that gave a slight handicap advantage under the Englsih and European based RORC rule it was designed to race with, and was used by Australian authorities. It is sloop rigged, and well fitted out below.

The Prentice family sailed the yacht extensively along the Queensland coast. SAFARI was a regular entrant in the Brisbane to Gladstone race, and this event was used as passage north for the annual family cruise in the Great Barrier Reef. The five Prentice children and assorted pets all went along. The name SAFARI maintained an African theme as their previous boat was called SIMBA, and Alan Payne had prepared the design to beat the English LION class of yachts, and it is reported the Prentices said, "it was built to chase lions".

SAFARI changed hands in 1973, and for the only time. Since then the yacht has continued to be sailed extensively, and in the early 1980s it undertook an extensive Pacific Ocean cruise. SAFARI has taken part in many of the biennial Australian Wooden Boat festivals held in Tasmania and in 2001 it won the prize for the Best Presented Boat at the Festival.

The strong construction of these boats is legendary and SAFARI remains in excellent condition, still using its original oregon spar which is now painted silver to reduce the maintenance. A new motor was fitted in 1985, and repairs to the topsides splining and decking were also made. A recent inspection of the keel bolts, now 45 years old, showed that they remained in fine condition with no significant corrosion. This all reflects well on the designer's scantlings and the builder's tradesmanship and attention to detail.

The Tasman Seabird class was renowned for their strength and seaworthiness. Alan Payne designed them to suit the more rugged conditions encountered in offshore racing on the east coast of Australia. He also took into account features of the RORC offshore rating rule and optimised the boat to achieve a favourable handicap. Yachts from the class won a number of offshore events from 1959 through to the mid 1960s, and helped confirm Payne's reputation as the best yacht designer in the country.
SignificanceSAFARI is a timber racing and cruising yacht built in 1960 in Queensland. It is an example of the reknowned Tasman Seabird class ocean racing yacht, designed by Alan Payne for the tough Australian offshore conditions, and was built by well-known Queensland shipwright Clem Masters at his yard in Sandgate. This is located adjacent to a park now named in his honour.