18 Footers are back

Originally posted by mozzy

Starboard Products, first of the line that became the Bethwaite Grand Prix boats, in a big Sydney nor'easter in original form with the skipper (Dave Porter) sitting in and just two traps (Julian B up front and some joyriding turkey doing his best to fall off the boat up the back of the racks). When this pic the hull had split along the CB case and she pretty much sank when the kite was dropped.
The Bethwaite boats dominated the Grand Prix days partly because no new hull designs were allowed and rig sizes were restricted. Whereas the Brownie and Murray designs (above) were big boats designed to take the big old rigs, Julian's boats were small hulls that worked well under the smaller rigs of the GP days and current times.

Edited by Chris 249 - 02 Oct 18 at 10:25am