RONITA in 2005 showing the elegant lines of the Tasman Seabird Class.

Images(8)

This stern view of RONITA shows the transom and cabin arrangment with a doghouse to provide sh…

RONITA is now rigged with a modern jib furler and can be easily sailed short-handed.

RONITA about to be launched at Walsh Bay on Sydney Harbour in 1960.

RONITA at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in the 1960s

RONITA sailing on Sydney Harbour in the early 1960s

Ronita

Vessel numberHV000082

Sail Number562

Official Number315275

Builder Jeff Clist

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)

DescriptionRONITA was launched in 1960 and built by Jeff Clist in Sydney. It was built at Clist's home in Dover Heights Sydney for Ron Cottee, who lived in the eastern suburbs as well. The yacht is planked in white beech and is 11.12 metres long. It is sloop rigged.

RONITA sailed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and other east coast offshore races, as well as being a family cruising yacht for the Cottee family. The Tasman Seabird was designed as a robust vessel to suit the rough conditions that are often experienced around the Australian coast line, so it was well suited to both uses.

Ron Cottee's daughter-in-law Kay Cottee who became the first lady to sail single-handed and complete a circumnaviagtion of the world non-stop learnt about ocean sailing on another Seabird built by her family the McLarens who were friends of the Cottees.

In 2006 RONITA no longer races and it is used as a cruising yacht. It robust construction has ensured it is still a good ocean going yacht.
SignificanceRONITA is a timber racing and cruising yacht built in Sydney NSW in 1960 . RONITA is one of the early examples of the Tasman Seabird class of ocean racing yacht designed by Alan Payne. It was built by Jeff Clist and took part in some of the early Sydney to Hobart yacht races.