With basically all major Yachting events cancelled or postponed in Australia, it has provided an opportunity for a couple of us to acquire, rebuild and restore some Scow Moths of various eras. The movement has certainly gathered momentum in recent years with a lot of boats all around the country under restoration. This complements the Classic Moths Boat Association that is active in the USA.
The very limited and liberal rules and restrictions allowed both Scow and Skiff Moths to develop and race together on equal footing. The Americans and Europeans basically went down the Skiff development path from the 1930s to 1970s whereas Australia went down the Scow route until the Skiff dominance emerged in the late 1980s and then morphed into the foiling weapons that we see today.
The introduction of the Laser in the early 1970’s certainly impacted the classes numerical Single Handed dominance in various areas and unfortunately curtailed the then-common practice of building your boat in your garage over winter and racing it the next summer.
The boats in the pic front first left to right:
1)A JWF Fibreglass Mouldie circa 1965 designed by Peter Cole who went on to design the 12 Metre Steak n’ Kidney.This design went on to win 2 Australian Championships.JWF are best remembered for producing highly Milano Racing Cars at the same time.
2) A Snubby Design by Peter Moor. Peter won a World Title in this design. This was designed for Wings which appeared around 1970. This boat has just been redecked. Note the timber ‘Chess Board’ inlay in the cockpit. Boat is built out of 3mm or 1/8 inch Plywood!
3) A modified Imperium design by Australian Dave McKay who won the World Championship in Ocean City Yacht Club New Jersey in 1969. This design ended the Skiff dominance and saw more Scows appear globally.
4) A double chine boat that is very similar to a Hurricane design drawn by the late Peter Milne who designed the Fireball. This boat has the original sail etc Circa 1964.
5) A Red Wings kit boat by the highly successful Brian Pearce from Western Australia. This design was also an early version of a Moth designed to accommodate the Wings or Outriggers. The implementation of the Wings saw a necessary change from the traditional pivoting centreboard to a daggerboard.
6) Another variation of the Double Chine Moths of the mid-1960s. This boat still has its original timber mast.
We have our first Regatta in 2 weeks at Lake Cootharba in Queensland Covid restrictions permitting. When the International borders reopen it would be great to take our boats and compete against our American cousins at some of the traditional venues. – Anarchist Michael.
