Sail Number: R6
Vessel Type Topsail Gaff Cutter
Sayonara Specifications:
LOA: 73’0″ / 22.25m – LOD: 59’9″ / 18.20m – LWL: 39’1″ / 11.90m – Beam: 12’6″ / 3.80m – Draft: 9’4″ / 2.85m – Displacement: 16 tons – Designer: William Fife III – Original Owner: G.F. Garrard – Current Owner: Sayonara Syndicate – Built: 1897 – Built By: Alex McFarlane of Birkenhead, Adelaide – Sail Number: R6 – ARHV Number: HV000367 – Location: Australia
Historical:
Sayonara, Japanese for goodbye, was built by Mr G F Garrard, then commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (RYCV) at a time when the largest yacht in Australia were to be seen on Port Phillip Bay. Designed as a fast cruising yawl with high bulwarks by W Fife of Scotland, being a sister ship to his own champion Cirego, she was built by Mr A McFarlane of Birkinhead, Adelaide, and launched Novemeber 1897. She then cruised around to Melbourne in record time, proving unbeatable around Port Phillip during her launch year.
1898 – Racing rig changed to a cutter, increasing her sail area by about 300 square feet.
1904 – Sayonara Cup – Australia’s equivalent to the America’s Cup, was named after her.
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: (1897) G.F. Garrard
Owner/Guardian: Sayonara Syndicate