AngusMcDoon
Well-known member
It has been reported that just before Christmas Derek Kelsall died. This follows on not long after the deaths of other multihull pioneers, Børge Quorning and James Wharram. Not been a good year for multihull designers.
Derek Kelsall death
- Thread starter AngusMcDoon
- Start date
Motor_Sailor
Well-known member
That's sad. I used to bunk off school to go and marvel at his boats under construction during the late 60s early 70s. (Sir Thomas Lipton through to GB11). He was a complete inspiration even though I was never involved with multihulls.
Later on we would meet at various designer conferences around the world and I would wonder at all the new 'whizz-kids' on the scene arguing with him about the merits / short comings of polyester / foam construction despite his impeccable track record for building long lasting boats. After all, Great Britain II under various names successfully competed in every Whitbread Race. The spat with Kurt Hughs about secondary bonding and fibre orientation is still a classic. No wonder he moved to New Zealand - I should think it was simply to escape all the know-alls and let the hundreds of successful designs / builds do the talking.
Later on we would meet at various designer conferences around the world and I would wonder at all the new 'whizz-kids' on the scene arguing with him about the merits / short comings of polyester / foam construction despite his impeccable track record for building long lasting boats. After all, Great Britain II under various names successfully competed in every Whitbread Race. The spat with Kurt Hughs about secondary bonding and fibre orientation is still a classic. No wonder he moved to New Zealand - I should think it was simply to escape all the know-alls and let the hundreds of successful designs / builds do the talking.
Wansworth
Well-known member
Worked in his place in Sandwich duringthe summer of 1970 building various Holman and pie designes was interested inthe system to build my own boat,helpeddeliver his proa Sidewinder to Southampton boat show that year,mostly under motor.
dgadee
Well-known member
A coincidence that I was tidying up my bookshelves and came across a publication with all his designs. Must have been from the 1980s.
dunedin
Well-known member
A great celebration of his life over on Yachts & Yachting - Multihull design pioneer Derek Kelsall passes away