Yacht Brer Terrapin, 1967 building starts

This boat was the boat that changed my life and this is the first part of the story about how she was built and those who had a hand in her building. The quality of the build was top draw, I have no idea as to just why this was possible, given her main builder was in fact a trainee doctor.

You can find a  number of my blogs on Brer Terrapin, this was the last one.

http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2013/02/brer-terrapin-beginning.html

The man behind the idea and the builder was Pip Smith, his brother Mike Smith was also involved from the beginning. Pips wife, Ruth was of course there from day one and its thanks to Ruth and Mike that I now have all the info on the boats story, along with a large selection of personal photographs collected by  both of them.

Ruth with her baby son James on board Brer Terrapin.

Dear Roy,

 I have lots of pics  and slides of the building of the boat (took  9 years If I remember correctly. Pip and his Dad, Gerry Smith built it from scratch) and our trip from Johannesburg- Durban then from there  sailing down the coast.... a horrific trip with gales and a savage broaching... etc  to Cape Town, Dassen Island and then on to Saldahna, , St Helena ,Rio and the Islands South of Rio. (ilha grande)  I will have to delve around in my head.....  Opening some doors that I closed long ago. But lovely to know that Brer Terrapin did so well and that she was appreciated. She was a beautiful boat and meticulously  built with great dedication and I was very involved in her creation , one way or another. I think best one day to have a chat. Anyway   we have made contact so that is a start.

with best wishes.

Ruth

Pip with his son James.

I could be wrong but that sure looks like a large South Atlantic swell in the background, I sailed across to Brasil on this very same boat.

To be continued later with lots more information and pictures.

Roy