WOOLLACOTT ASSOCIATION
STORM - HISTORICAL INFORMATION
STORM
A MAC TAYLOR-BERT WOOLACOTT COMPROMISE In the early 1940s, Vic and I went around to look at a keeler being built and met Mac Taylor finishing off a shortened Woollacott boat, which proved to be the "Sheryl". A very successful small cruiser and many more were built later, some cruised overseas including 'the "Faith" which is in the river at present 1951 Bert and Mac worked together again and the r e s u l t was the pl3ns of a fine 32 footer with nicely balanced ends, and the traditionally fair Woollacott lines under water. Mac built "Kathryn Anne and many others have been built to this particular design, including the two in the river, "Aorewa" and "Reality". Mac must have already laid pen to paper when "Kathryn Anne" was sold, for after watching heavy-hearted as she sailed away, he rallied d his crew, went home and spent the afternoon laying the keel of the "Storm". Evidently she started off to be a Harbour Day sailer, but developed into, (in Mac's own words), "the ideal small family cruiser". A description, after 22 years o f ownership, I heartily endorse. "Storm" is built of 3/4 finished heart kauri carve1 planks on Australian spotted gum rib s with 2 - 3"x2" and 1 – 1/2"x1" stringers. It has a full keel with 1% ton of lead. Mast step is spread over 3 floors. Mast is stepped on the keel. Topsides continue up to the cabin top making a very strong structure, which would be ideal for a tabernacle mast if one were desired. After two years Mac, having a very young family, sold "Storm" to an American who had her until he went back to the States. When Des Townson bought her, she had at this time a 3-blade propeller out one bilge, which was like dragging a bucket. I feel that is why Des did not like her and I firmly believe propellers should be on the centre- line. I bought "Storm" just before Easter 1960 and Des started to build his first keelboat, the "Serene". I installed a 25-gallon water tank, sink, self-draining cockpit and changed to a 2-blade folding propeller. The Ford 10 motor was on a fixed drive, having no neutral proved embarrassing at times in places like Mansion House Bay. One had to raise the anchor before starting the motor and, if the Bowden cable stuck, had to go down to the cabin to pull the starter. On coming up on deck, invariably "Storm" would be charging with destructive intent a the nearest launch. This could not continue, so I installed a clutch and that problem was solved, Changed from 3/4 rig to masthead rig and so improved her light weather performance. Found the boat had no vices, was beautifully balanced on all points’ o f sailing, anyone could sail her. When caught out with full sail in a sudden squall, she would ease the pressure by laying flat until the mast was almost horizontal, yet still be under perfect control and fully answering the rudder. A perfectly safe boat. Perhaps these characteristics may encourage one to be complacent about reefing. Mac has approached m several times as his family has grown older to sell him back the boat, but she has grown on me and I am too selfish. I have fibre glassed the hull, which has saved much of the maintenance. As yacht designs go through the cycle of from narrow-deep-beamy-shoal low-heavy to 1ight displacement and back again aver the next 100 years, "Storm" will still be around performing with great credit to her builder.
|
The following article was published in the Weiti Boating Club's October 2003 Newsletter FRED AND STORM Two weeks ago the Club received a letter sent by Mochida Komei, a young Japanese Yachtsman who had just completed a single handed voyage from Whangarei to Tokyo in a 50 year old yacht. The yacht in question w as “Storm”, one half of the best known love affair between a boat and her owner in the history of our club. I am or course referring t o Fred Barker and his Beloved Storm. This story is mainly for those members who have joined the club since 1995 and may not be aware of the legend of Fred and Storm but I hope it is an interesting reminder for the older members. Fred Barker was one of the foundation members of the club and our fourth commodore from 1974-76. During his time as Commodore the original clubhouse was brought to the site plus the workshop and second dinghy locker shed. Also the wharf was decked and Fred oversaw the construction and installation of the pontoon at the end of the wharf. The club was Fred’s second home and if he wasn’t lavishing care and attention on 'Storm” he would be tirelessly working around the club. Those of us who knew Fred were privileged to know one of life’s real gentleman, Be always had a huge smile on his face and was always ready with a kind word or friendly advice. The only exceptions to this occurred if anyone was considering an increase in club fee, or after the starting gun for a yacht race in which case a mild mannered gentleman transformed into a fiercely competitive and highly skilled yacht racer. Storm was built by Max Taylor for himself in 1955. The hull was designed by Bert Woollacott, but Mac Taylor, who was an artist as well as a boat builder, designed the raised deck and cabin, Storm was a sloop, 26’0” long, 7’-6” beam with a draft of 4’-9”. She was of solid kauri construction sheathed with fiberglass. Des Townson purchased Storm for himself in about 1958 and was so unimpressed with her lack of room and sailing on her ear characteristics that he took up yacht designing himself in order to correct these faults, Fred bought 3torm from Des in 1960, In contrast to Des, he fell in love with her, a love affair which would last until his death. During this time Fred would not have swapped Storm for a 100’-0” super yacht. Storm began her life with Fred moored at Westhaven - and it wasn't until about 1965 that she came up the river onto a swing mooring, and then a pile mooring after the club was formed and the piles driven. From the first time the club began organising keel boat races, Fred and Storm were in the thick of the action. There is not a single cruising series trophy in our cabinet without their names on it. Fred took his racing seriously and pushed Storm fairly hard, It was no unknown for Fred to cut a few corners even if it meant bouncing over the odd rock in Tiri passage or elsewhere. Storm's weakest point of sailing was upwind in a blow. Her lack of stability and her long keel meant that she lay over on her ear and made a lot of leeway. Added to that, in the gusts, the water would lap over the coamings into the non self draining cockpit and end up in the bilges, not a desirable feature for going off shore. However in the lighter airs Storm was very slippery, and with Fred's skill and local knowledge they were a lethal combination. It was in these conditions that most of their trophies were won. Fred raced and cruised Storm until a couple of years before his death on the 1 July 1995. A lot of sailing was done single-handed. I have never met anyone with a greater love for his boat or for sailing than Fred. But if there is such a place as heaven, I am sure Fred would have qualified, and I am also sure that looking down and seeing Storm carry a novice single handed sailor safe all the way to Japan would have made the smile on his face even bigger than usual. Jake Jacobson Vice Commodore
|