FAERIE sailing on Pittwater NSW in 2007.

Images(3)

Faerie

Vessel numberHV000296

Official Number155347

Builder J Robinson

Date1928

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 8.38 m x 2.51 m x 1.52 m, 4.92 tonnes (27.5 ft x 8.25 ft x 5 ft, 5 tons)

DescriptionFAERIE was built by J Robinson at Balmain, New South Wales in 1928. The designer was WD Bailey and FAERIE was one of his 'Albatross' crusing yacht designs. Bailey was an Australian naval architect who regularly published his plans for small craft of this type in Australian Motor Boat and Yachting Monthly magazine during the 1920s and early 1930s.

FAERIE is 8.4 metres (28 feet) in length, planked in kauri and has a simple profile to its deep-keel hull shape. The short bow overhang and slightly raked transom and rudder are common characteristics of Australian craft. At this time English designers were beginning to explore the concept of a compact, simple, small seaworthy yacht for two or perhaps three crew to take cruising. By the end of the 1930s Maurice Griffiths and Harrison Butler from the United Kingdom were widely known names associated with the design of such craft. FAERIE's concept, while much earlier, embodied much of their thinking.

FAERIE's first owner was dentist Dr Sam Hughes. It was launched with a 3/4 rigged Bermudan sloop sail plan. The long overhanging boom was later shortned so it could carry a backstay, and later the mast height was also reduced. It sailed a s a cutter at one point as well.

In 1963 FAERIE was damaged by fire, repaired and then put up for sale. It remained on Sydney Harbour until the 1970s when a new owner Mr Hart took it to Ettalong on Brisbane Water north of Sydney, where it was further repaired and overhauled, then prepared for a long distance Pacific Ocean cruise. This did not eventuate as the owner passed away and a relative assumed ownership. in 1975 it returned to Sydney Harbour, and in 1979 was bought by Doug Corner. He sailed it on Pittwater for many years before ill health ended his sailing days. In 1998 FAERIE was sold again and taken ashore and up to Bilplin where it was rebuilt over a long period, by Bob and Barberra Tullett. The work was a great success and the craft was much admired. In 2010 they sold FAERIE.

In 2012 FAERIE remains on Sydney Harbour under a new owner and is in good condition, with a slightly taller mast.
SignificanceFAERIE is a small, east coast Australian cruising yacht from the 1920s, designed and built with influences from Australian working craft. The style was ahead of its time and was later seen in an international trend for small, rugged cruising yachts, popular in the 1930s. FAERIE has sailed on Sydney Harbour for almost 60 years.