It’s a SCOOP
Thanks to Rod Martin, the Couta Boat Association has posted a wonderful record of the early years of the Class on its website. There are about 50 Editions of “SCOOP” on line, starting 42 years ago in 1981 and ending in 2011.
A gale during the Portsea Cup in the 1980’s. Dugga Beazley’s net boats foreground.
Remember that the first edition now online, was made more than 10 years before the internet. All phone numbers are of course landlines and I love the “whistle”, presumably from the Steam Tug WATTLE, for the starting sequence. Interestingly the wind strength cut off was 30 knots. You wouldn’t see the boats starting in anything over 22 these days. I’m not sure that makes the sport any safer in the long run. I guess the crews sailing these boats knew how to reef!
Annual Fishing Boat Regatta 5th Year-1981
The 1983 edition below, amuses me for a couple of reasons. Obviously the struggle to get attendance at an AGM is not a new thing! “DON’T FORGET”, “DON’T FORGET”, “DON’T FORGET”, “DON’T FORGET”, “DON’T FORGET”! And the master of Gaff Sail Trim Col Anderson, was spreading the gospel even back then! He may have moved his sail loft to the Doyle Brand, but there’s been no diminishing of his talents judging by the performance of ACROSPIRE III last weekend. (Not sure what “Tufts” are???)
From September 1983
And this proposal from 1986. A 250 berth Marina between the Sorrento Pier and the Baths. I think that horse might have bolted!
From October 1986
And how far has gender equity in sailing come in 45 years? Judge for yourself below. One women (or “Lady”) on the Committee, albeit as “Social Secretary” and we better have a fashion extraveganza as part of the sail past!
From December 1988
