“If you’d told me a month ago that we’d place fourth overall at the Australian Women’s Keelboat Regatta racing FAIR WINDS I’d have said you were dreaming. Perhaps I still am.”

The class always had devotees but the fleet slowly depleted in the 1990’s as keen sailors were attracted to newer designs. Over the last 20 years the boats have been patiently restored. Soon there will be some 10 yachts regularly sailing in Victorian waters

After two years of planning thirteen Couta Boats travelled from Melbourne along with two crews from Perth for the 2022 Sydney Harbour Gaffers Regatta.

Wally Ward designed a well-known series of yachts in Sydney over a period of 30 years from 1937 to 1965. His first yacht JANAWAY paved the way with her perfect hull balance and unmatched performance for her size.

Peter writes, “The CYAA has named the passage race as The Topsy D Race to recognise the contribution to the history of yachting on Port Phillip by the 21 foot restricted class and in particular the Digby Family with their three boats.”

In Breaking News // This morning SWS spoke with HIRW Regatta Director, Denis Thompson and asked the question: “Denis, what would it take to get a Classic Division at Hamilton Island in 2021?" His reply? “It only takes seven.” We only need seven boats to have a Division, but to make it interesting, let’s aim for 20!