His Vee Jays were easily identified by their unique hull shape because Laurie took advantage of measurement tolerances and introduced a hull with a pronounced spring in the bow and a long straight planing run, which made his Jays unbeatable flying machines in a breeze and took full advantage of the newly introduced twin planks

Both Mander and Tasker published books with accounts of this career defining competition. They reveal different approaches to sailing mostly defined by character.

With the 100th Australian 18 footers Championship scheduled to be sailed on Sydney Harbour from February 5 to 13, it’s a good opportunity to reflect on its history and acknowledge the contributions of designers, builders and competitors from NSW, Queensland and Western Australia since the first event at Perth in 1912

Len Heffernan was a champion 18ft skiff skipper, designer and boat builder of the 1950s and 60s, who changed the style of the Sydney 18 footers in the early 1960s, but never gets the recognition that he deserves.

As we move towards the 2021-2022 season, it’s a good time to remember how the ‘League’ began and how the original club administrators generated the enormous public support that has endured.