Searching for 8 metre CR yachts.

[Guest]

A query from "downunder. McGruers at Roseneath Scotland built around a dozen Eight Metre Cruiser Racers between the years of 1959 and 1966 approximately. They were around the 40' overall mark and most were originally based on the Clyde. Some of the names were as follows: Orana, Inismara,Debbie ,Sunburst, Altricia, Nan of Gare. I would like to trace either a class association or individual owners.is anyone aware of the wherabouts of any of these classic yachts? Thank you

 

[ronniewood]

There is one at Ardfern Marina on the West Coast of Scotland which is in superb condition - don't know the name though and at least one more on the Clyde. Unfortunately McGruers went bust recently - George McGruer will know where most of them are. You could try contacting him - if a problem send me an email and I'll try and help to locate him.

 

[ronniewood]

Correction on previous posting.
It would apear that McGruers may not have gone bust but have only given up their yard.
Apparently McGruer Boatbuilders Ltd is still in existence although I don't know whereabouts.
Apologies to McGruers!.

 

[Guest]

Mr Wood ,thanks for the update, Kind Regards. RR

 

[Jcorstorphine]

I don't know if this is of any interest to you but I have a reprint from the 1955 Yachting World Annual which describes an 8 M CR called ADASTRA X built by Woodnutt & Co but to a design by James McGruer. If you advise your e mail address I will try and scan in the copy and froward it to you.

Regards

John C.

 

[maffra]

I have just joined as a new member and happened to see subject. i owned K22 Debbie Cr8 from 1985 to approx. 1992.She was the last Cr8 built by James McGruer,She is now in Sydney Australia,and am in process of repurchasing her as she is now in poor condition,if not too bad I intend to bring her back to where she was when I sold her (in immaculate condition) I sailed her on the East coast of Australia mainly in Whitsundays. LOA 12.89 Metres.Interested to here of other Cr8 owners.

 

[PeteCooper]

Don't know if this helps:
http://www.mcgruer-boats.co.uk/index.htm
But if you follow the 'About Us' link, then 'The Company' link, and scroll down you will find a link to 'Build & Design Register' which may be of some use.

 

[scottie]

current C Y C A listing
8CRK1 SONDA 8 METRE (CR) O 0 17.5 16/03/2009
8CRK3 JOSEPHINE OF RHU 8 METRE (CR) O 0 17.5 16/03/2009
8CRK7 TINTO II 8 METRE (CR) O 0 17 16/03/2009
8CRK8 ORANA 8 METRE (CR) O 0 17 16/03/2009
8CRK9 CAMELLIA OF RHU 8 METRE (CR) O 0 17 16/03/2009
8CRK15 INISMARA 8 METRE (CR) OF 0.25 16 Mr L F Jacobsen 16/03/2009
8CRK16 NAN OF GARE 8 METRE (CR) O3F 0.75 16 Mr Hamish Caldwell 16/03/2009
8CRK17 FEOLINN 8 METRE (CR) O 0 16.5 16/03/2009
8CRK18 ALTRICIA 8 METRE (CR) O 0

 

[maffra]

Thanks for the information Chaps much appreciated, a surprise to see so many of the originals still being cared for.
I believe "Debbie" is the only McGruer Cr8 in Australia,She was originally sailed to Australia By an American Gentleman who had her for about 10 years,married an Aus.girl who didn't like sailing after a dismast off NZ and refused to get back on.It was either the boat or the wife ,I bet he has thought about that decision a few wistful times. Debbie (later called Arbella) was originally built for & owned by Ninian Sanderson of Le Mans winning fame.

Any information on her early history would be appreciated.

 

[huon]

I just googled 'eight metre cruiser racers' and found this post. I was interested to hear about "Debbie" in Australia and I can contradict Maffra's belief that "Debbie" is the only CR8 in Australia. I own another called "Orani", built in Hobart in 1964 principally from huon pine. I assume she is a sister ship of "Orana" (and I think another sister ship was built called "Hermes" possibly in steel). I am the fourth owner (1984 till now) and I'm based at Albany in Western Australia. "Orani" competed in the 1979 and 1981 Sydney to Hobart races and I sailed her from Hobart to Western Australia in 1984. When visiting a Classic Boat Show in Sydney in the early 90's I was invited aboard another CR8 called "Celeste" which was built in Adelaide from mahogany I think in the late 60's. At the time she was owned by John Westacott (then the executive producer of the Australian version of "60 Minutes"). At the end of that year they made a 20 minute film segment for "60 Minutes" of her participation in the Sydney Hobart Race - entererd in the Classic division.
Wouldn't it be great if some kind of register of all the world's CR8's could be made. Besides Australia and obviously the UK, I think there are a number in Germany and maybe other countries as well. A beautiful class of yacht don't you think?

 

[Kukri]

Probably the best offshore racers; an awful shame the 8CR rule was shoved aside in favour of the horrid IOR.

Wonderful if you can revive interest in the Rule and get the boats racing on level terms.

 

[maffra]

I just googled 'eight metre cruiser racers' and found this post. I was interested to hear about "Debbie" in Australia and I can contradict Maffra's belief that "Debbie" is the only CR8 in Australia. I own another called "Orani", built in Hobart in 1964 principally from huon pine. I assume she is a sister ship of "Orana" (and I think another sister ship was built called "Hermes" possibly in steel). I am the fourth owner (1984 till now) and I'm based at Albany in Western Australia. "Orani" competed in the 1979 and 1981 Sydney to Hobart races and I sailed her from Hobart to Western Australia in 1984. When visiting a Classic Boat Show in Sydney in the early 90's I was invited aboard another CR8 called "Celeste" which was built in Adelaide from mahogany I think in the late 60's. At the time she was owned by John Westacott (then the executive producer of the Australian version of "60 Minutes"). At the end of that year they made a 20 minute film segment for "60 Minutes" of her participation in the Sydney Hobart Race - entererd in the Classic division.
Wouldn't it be great if some kind of register of all the world's CR8's could be made. Besides Australia and obviously the UK, I think there are a number in Germany and maybe other countries as well. A beautiful class of yacht don't you think?

Huon, Re. Cr8 email: geoff.donelly@bigpond.com.au

 

[srm]

Not all McGruer designed 8CR were built by his yard.

I used to own "Hermes" the steel 8CR that was built in Belgium. Original letters from Mcgruers and invoice for the plans came with the boat. She is currently part way through her second major refit with some hull plating having been replaced, but sadly the owner has run out of momentum.

A fantastic sea boat with beautifully balanced lines that could take heavy weather and was at her best reefed down with lee rail just clear of the water in a force 6 yet would silently glide along in the lightest airs.

Hermes is indeed a sister of 'Orana'. This was possibly the most popular of McGruers 8CR designs with a number built to the lines (I think I read somewhere there were 7 built). The drawings I had showed both masthead sloop and yawl sail plans.

 

[maffra]

Huon, Received your private message but can't return a reply as your email is not receiving, If you wish to contact direct my email is geoff.donelly@bigpond.com.au I have some good photos to send and interesting discussion on CR8's Interested to see your boat.

 

[maffra]

SRM ,very interesting and would love to see a picture of Hermes to see how she looks compared to the Mahogany built CR8's built by Mcgruers at Clynder,unfortunately I don't know how to send a photo thru this way,but if you send me your email I can send a photo thru of Debbie when she was at her best when I owned her,I have owned a few yachts over the years and the boat I loved the most was the CR8 which had beautiful looks and sailed like a gazelle,I regret selling her and have been trying to rebuy her as she is in poor condition now, the current owner has done nothing in 15 years and she is a mess . Maffra my email geoff.donelly@bigpond.com.au

 

[peter radclyffe]

the margaret was kept at viareggio recently

 

[gardenshed]

Inismara, 8mCR seen on sunday august 9th, heading south in the sound of Mull. photo taken just south of the entrance to Loch Aline.

This was a time warp moment, i.e. no plastic fantastics around, just a stunningly beautiful boat in fantastic surroundings. full sail, being sailed very well and she is in great condition. Just as old man McGruer would have wanted it. I also had the pleasure of seeing her close up at a berth the previous evening. Immaculate woodwork, no unnecessary fittings or fixtures ..... just sublime. A tribute to her current and previous owners.

 

[Fair Winds]

Have a look at http://classic-yacht.asn.au/boat-register/marie-louise-iii/
for a nice 8mCR based in Melbourne

 

[Jimbo1972]

8m CR Orana

Hi

My family owned Orana in the 70's and 80's, initially based in Clynder then in Newhaven on the South Coast. I last heard of her on the East Coast somewhere (now in white). Would love to hear where she is now.

 

[maffra]

Hi

My family owned Orana in the 70's and 80's, initially based in Clynder then in Newhaven on the South Coast. I last heard of her on the East Coast somewhere (now in white). Would love to hear where she is now.

If thats K8 ,built by James McGruer in 1959,as far as I know she is still sailing,if you look at an earlier message on this site by SCOTTIE on 16/3/09 she is on the CYCA listing.

Also from memory a chap from Holland has a list of many McGruer Cr8's and pictures & where they are. I've accidently wiped off his photos on my computer.If you like to contact me direct I will give you his contact detail and he may know her exact whereabouts.

regards Maffra