Boat identity (Malta).

[Gordonmc]

Just come back from a fortnight's diving in Malta... got fed up waiting for Summer here.

Anyway, I was doing a trawl around the marinas for anything interesting when I saw an interesting yacht which must have a history, apparently doing nothing. Its on a mooring just off Manoel Island in Sliema Creek. Blue hull, approx. 60 feet LOA with three masts, about the same height. At first sight I would have taken it for a Dickies or a Fairlie, were it not for the rig. No name in evidence. Completely flush decked.

I got talking to a local boatie who said it had belonged to an Englishman who intended using it for cruises, but repair costs ran away.

Anyone with any info?

 

[JonA]

We were in Malta in Feb and wondered about this craft. I thought it looked a bit like one of the French transatlatic boats from twenty odd years ago. I can't remember any names.


JonA

 

[Guest]

I think she's owned by Captain Morgan, them of the Charlotte Louise & Spirit of Malta (in)fame, (not to mention the red shuttles). She's been on the same mooring since '97 at least, and as far as I know hasn't left it since.

Shame 'cause I've never seen anything like here before or since & it would like to see her flying.

What gets me is that the three masts are of equal size. What does that make her? A schooner? I'm not sure how balanced the rig would be either. Maybe that's why she's stuck to the mooring. A good idea at the time but not a particlularly seaworthy boat?

Or maybe just one of the thousands of slowly fading boats around the world, gathering cobwebs whilst their owners do something less challenging.

 

[ccscott49]

Yes, If all the sails are fore and aft, then it would make her an equal masted schooner.

 

[AlexHall]

Hi, Quite right she was one of the early racing boats. Originally painted black with number 17 on the bows in white circles. She has a lifting ballasted centerboard!!! The rig was totally replaced by Spencers a few years ago. The hull had been rplated in many areas, and was subsequntly faired and preventativly painted by Manoel island yacht yard.She is owned by Captain Morgan and has been lying there since 97 at least. I am trying to recall something about her under body, besides the lifting centerboard, she is canoe bodied in that her righting moment is predominantly derived only from her ballasted C.B. If i recall correctly she had 2 rudders one forward one aft.

 

[AlexHall]

Just remembered what she's called, Sundancer.

 

[Jeremy_W]

The three masts of equal height suggests a Dick Carter "Luna" rig e.g. "Vendredi Treize". Try searching the web for Carter designs.