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Mystere

Vessel numberHV000803

Designer Henry Goldsbrough

Builder Goldsbrough Hull

Date1961

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 5.18 m × 4.88 m (17 ft × 16 ft)

DescriptionMYSTERE is a 17ft clinker skiboat constructed in 1961. It is significant as the largest built by the Goldsbrough boat shed in Earlwood NSW, a lesser known NSW manufacturer of skiboats from the 1940s to 60s. With a powerful 8 cylinder 240 HP Chrysler engine, large hull, and twin cockpit MYSTERE was built for speed, strength and durability.

The clinker class speedboat was developed following World War II for use in both racing and recreation. The design of the Australian class was particularly unique through its round bilge, raked stem, tumblehome transom and clinker construction. Three major families in Australia dominated the market in the production of the design - the Hammonds, the Everinghams, and the Lewis Brothers. All these manufacturers were based in NSW, the Lewis Brothers producing the most boats and running from 1947 to 1970. On the smaller scale, Harry Hammond had no employees and only built boats to order - his craft considered by many the "Rolls Royce" of the market. A healthy level of competition existed between the families, a rivalry that often extended to the racing circuit, the Lewis' and Everingham's with their own respective groups of followers.

Little is known of the Goldsbrough manufacturer, aside that it was established by Henry Goldsbrough and that production was carried out from what was likely to be his home on Wolli avenue Earlwood. His boats may have been built to order, and an additional Goldsbrough boat shed may have existed nearby Cooks River. All Goldsbrough boats came with a V8 Ford engine, MYSTERE being the only vessel built with a Chrysler at the request of original owner Alan Haliday - Commodore of the St George Motor Boat Club. Alan competed in boat races during the 1960s with MYSTERE, many of his trophies still on display today at the club.

Almost all of MYSTERE's componets are original, with hardwood clinker topsides, a plywood deck, wire sprung seats, falcon tail lights, and anodised aluminium around each cockpit. The Chrysler 303 V8 engine has polyspheric cylinder heads, this 'poly' design a precursor to the Chrysler hemishpheric 'hemi' design - both designs highly regarded for efficiency and performance. The engine feeds from an aft mounted 60 litre tank and drives through a dog clutch into a bronze three bladed prop. A complete engine rebuild was undertaken in 2012 following a transferral in ownership to Gavin Chin, with new pushrods fabricated and fitted locally.

With the engine running perfecty MYSTERE cruises around 56 km/hr, and during the 1960s would have regularly run closer to a 100 km/hr. The vessel is highly unique example of 1960s ski boat design, with predominantly original components, a rare manufacturer, and a strong history of racing on the Georges River.
SignificanceMYSTERE is a wooden clinker skiboat built in NSW in 1961. It is a rare example of a clinker design constructed by lesser known manufacturer Goldsbrough, the vessel built to order by Henry Goldsbrough in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood. Almost entirely original in components, MYSTERE has a powerful 8 cylinder 240 HP Chrysler engine, hardwood clinker topsides, wire sprung seats, and anodised aluminium around each cockpit. It was owned and raced during the 1960s by the Commodore of the St George Motor Boat Club Alan Haliday.

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