Historical:

Finisterre was built by Seth Persson of Old Saybrook, Connecticut and launched in 1954. The owner chose Sparkman & Stephens in great part due to his relationship with Rod Stephens with whom he had sailed with quite a bit on Rod’s NY32, Mustang. As Mitchell himself said “Although it was my privilege to sail with many of the top sailors of that era, I don’t think anyone else combined knowledge of deck layout, rigging and sails. ” Olin Stephens’ innovative design genius, as exemplified by such diverse vessels as Dorade, which revolutionized ocean racing, and the super-J boat, Ranger, and it was easy to see why S&S was the go-to team.”

Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):

Owner/Guardian: (1954) Carleton Mitchell

Historical:

Australian Square Metre Association Australian Square Metre Association Australian Square Metre Association – Launched in New Zealand, Fidelis is Australia’s only 75sqm vessel. She was built in Auckland by Fred and Jim Lidgard. Inspired by the her visionary and owner Vic Speight. In keeping with traditional New Zealand building techniques of the time she was constructed with a triple skin Kauri. Her design was based on the lines of the 1936 Knud Reimers Square Metre Yacht Bacchant.

Known Racing Record

Nigel Stoke last raced Fidelis to Hobart in 2006, finishing PHS eighth overall. Beforehand, they joined the record entries for the 50th race in 1994, placing ninth in the 30 year division. A classic Kauri pine slimline yacht, she was designed by Knud Reimers and is famous for taking line honours in the 1966 Sydney Hobart when owned by Kiwi Jim Davern, who raced her to Hobart again in 1967, finishing second on line. Race again in 1969 and then under next owner, Peter Williams, in 1982. Took line honours in the 1966 Auckland Suva, 1967 Hobart Auckland the 1968 Wharingarei Noumea, 1979 Auckland Tonga and 1980 Tauranga to Port Vila races. She also cruised over 200,000nm. Nigel Stoke keeps her immaculate and has reassembled some of the crew from 2006.

Restoration:

Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders very first refit, Fidelis was one of the most famous yachts ever launched in New Zealand. Fidelis was extensively refitted by Lloyd Stevenson Boatbuilders in 1987 to transform her from a stripped out ocean racer to one of the fastest and most luxurious passage-makers of her day. Work included major interior and exterior modifications including new teak decks and a full repaint.

Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):

Owner: (1964) – Vic Speight
Owner: Jim Devern
Owner: Nigel Stoke

Historical:

The gaff-headed ketch FELISI was the third vessel of that name for Middletown Yacht Club commodore and Maritime historian Mr. Russell. Politically prominent he was elected mayor of Middletown, serving in the House of Representatives at Hartford, and on one occasion as Presidential elector from Connecticut. A favored few knew him as the Curator of one of the most complete private maritime museums in the country.

FELISI was built by the Dauntless shipyard in Essex from the design of Winthrop Warner of Middletown, Connecticut.

Provenance. (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):

• Guardian/Owner: (1929) – Thomas MacDonough Russell, Middletown, Connecticut
• Guardian/Owner: – Charles Rogers, San Diego, CA.

Sail Number: R 604

Type: Designed Yawl / Converted Sloop

LOA: 43’6” / 13.26m – LOD: 43’6” / 13.26m – LWL: 29’0” / 8.84m – Beam: 11’0” / 3.35m – Draft: 4’0” / 1.22m – 7’6” / 2.29m (centerboard) – Designer: Philip Rhodes (633) – Original Owner: George T. Fleitz, Los Angeles Yacht Club (LAYC) – Current Owner: Mark Chew – Year Built: 1956 – Built by: Abeking & Rasmussen, Bremen, Germany – Hull material: mahogany (replaced with Kauri) / oak frames – Sail Area: – Displacement: 30864lb / 14000kg – Engine: – Flag: Australia – Club: Royal Yacht Club, Victoria, Williamstown

Historical:

F.J. Darley Traditional Shipwrights Pty. Ltd (Williamstown, Melbourne) – “ Over the years FJD has repaired hull planking, installed complex systems, painted the above deck timber work, refurbished the entire rudder and tiller system and generally kept the boat to the high standard required for ocean passage making and classic yacht racing. In addition, this summer he performed a complete hull respray and I can safely say she is looking better than ever before during our 20 years of ownership.”

Provenance. (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):

• Owner/Guardian: (1956) George T. Fleitz, Los Angeles Yacht Club (LAYC)
• Owner/Guardian: (current) Mark Chew and wife Sally Ann Balharrie

Resources

Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian Classic Yacht Association
Philip L. Rhodes and his Yacht Designs (1981)
Mysailing, Australia
MotorBoating May (1962)
MotorBoating October (1961)