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Brindabella

Vessel numberHV000816

Designer Scott Jutson

Builder Boatspeed Australia

Date1993

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 24.38 m × 22.8 m × 5.64 m × 4.27 m, 23.57 tonnes (80 ft × 74.81 ft × 18.5 ft × 14.01 ft, 23.19 tons)

DescriptionBrindabella was built in 1993 in Gosford NSW. It was designed by Scott Jutson of Jutson Marine and built by BoatSpeed PTY LTD. Brindabella was designed as a conventionally ballasted maxi race yacht, at an overall length of 80ft, beam of 5.6 metres, and draught of 4.2 metres. It was originally owned by George Snow, and is a Maxi that has contributed greatly to the history of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. The 80 footer is well loved, and came to be known as the “people’s maxi’ through its reputation as an underdog. Its name derives from the Brindabella Ranges in the ACT, and its Canberra origins gave the yacht a unique quality without a Sydney or Melbourne bias.

Brindabella is believed to have been designed on the back of a beer coaster at the CYCA in the early 1990s. The International Measurement System (IMS) rules the yacht was designed under restricted the use of carbon fibre composites. In turn, Brindabella was constructed of laminated Kevlar provided by George Snow’s former company Compass Airlines. This material, whilst heavier than carbon fibre, is able to flex, and can sustain higher pressure without cracking. Brindabella’s original keel was a fixed fin with a bulb, 10 tonnes in total. It has a dual helm, and sail wardrobe predominantly of carbon and Kevlar. Brindabella was the first Maxi yacht in the world to be fitted with a Harken winch and grinder set, setting the scene for Harken’s success in this market globally.

The hull, deck, and superstructure of Brindabella are all original and still in very good condition. Certain amendments were made to the deck layout in the late 1990s, with the mast replaced by swept back spreaders. In 2007 George Snow sold Brindabella to Andrew Short. Short made improvements to the keel, with a narrower fin and 3.5 meter torpedo bulb to allow for higher upwind performance. He also added a bowsprit and ‘sugar scoop’ transom to increase length on water performance. Jim Cooney bought Brindabella in 2010.

Brindabella claimed line honours in 1997 Sydney to Hobart, four second placings in its race career, and continues to hold the race record for a conventionally ballasted yacht of 1 day 20 hours 46 minutes and 33 seconds, set in 1999. Brindabella won line honours and set a race record in the 1994 Auckland to Noumea Race and has competed in the Hawaii Transpac race. The maxi further holds race records for the Sydney to Mooloolaba and Sydney to Wollongong races.

As of 2021 Brindabella is still under the ownership of Jim Cooney, and beginning a new life chapter in South Australia as a commercial chartering vessel.
SignificanceBrindabella is a highly successful conventionally ballasted maxi race yacht built in 1993 in Gosford NSW. It is 24 metres/80ft in length, with a beam of 5.6 metres, and draught of 4.2 metres. Brindabella’s hull, deck, and cabin is made of laminated Kevlar sourced from original owner George Snow’s former company Compass Airlines. It was originally fixed with a ten tonne fin keel with bulb, modified in 2007 with a narrower fin and 3.5 meter torpedo bulb. Known as the ‘people’s maxi’ Brindabella dominated the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in the 1990s, claiming line honours in 1997 and setting the race record for a conventionally ballasted yacht of 1 day 20 hours 46 minutes and 33 seconds in 1999. Brindabella has retired from its racing career, and is currently undergoing modification for commercial use.

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