A mail just in by way of Notty in the UK, he once owned Sonnet and is in touch with Gordon who used to sail on her with the original owner. Notty sold the boat to Mike Daly when the boat was on the slip at the RCYC. Yes, I was there and yes, I also have a picture! (where is it?) Mike later had Sonnet restored by Tommy Walker, who did the job under cover, in what is refered to as Teddys Shed next to the main club house.
Roy
Picture by R McBride, the venue was the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the event was the TBA Easter Regatta, around 1999.
Click on the picture, Sonnet is to the left and with the maroon sail cover carrying her name.
Well. That's absolutely amazing after all those years. I thought she had been broken up after Alan's death when she had been bought for her mooring. You're quite right about her being built to an Uffa Fox take on the 30 square metre rule but her lines were taken from an article in a magazine or book, not from a genuine set of drawings. She was built in someones back garden in Cape Town and Alan Duncan bought her without a keel, hatches, mast or sails when he returned to SA after the war. He was taken prisoner while fighting with the South African army. Alan cast the lead keel (with some help) by digging a hole in his garden and pouring the lead in. As you probably remember it was as rough as the proverbial bear's bum but considering how it was done it was a pretty good effort. I must have a few pictures somewhere and I'll have a root through my stuff and see what I can find. Thanks anyway for the picture. Sure brings back some good memories.
Gordon Smallhorn, Isle of Man, UK.
Roy
Picture by R McBride, the venue was the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, the event was the TBA Easter Regatta, around 1999.Well. That's absolutely amazing after all those years. I thought she had been broken up after Alan's death when she had been bought for her mooring. You're quite right about her being built to an Uffa Fox take on the 30 square metre rule but her lines were taken from an article in a magazine or book, not from a genuine set of drawings. She was built in someones back garden in Cape Town and Alan Duncan bought her without a keel, hatches, mast or sails when he returned to SA after the war. He was taken prisoner while fighting with the South African army. Alan cast the lead keel (with some help) by digging a hole in his garden and pouring the lead in. As you probably remember it was as rough as the proverbial bear's bum but considering how it was done it was a pretty good effort. I must have a few pictures somewhere and I'll have a root through my stuff and see what I can find. Thanks anyway for the picture. Sure brings back some good memories.
Gordon Smallhorn, Isle of Man, UK.
