Preview: The Aussie 18 – A Sure Bet
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January 4, 2018
Email this Video to a FriendIn the rough-and-tumble world of Sydney Harbor sailboat racing, the Aussie 18 sailboat – with its astonishing press of sail – drew thousands of spectators every weekend and emerged as the boat of choice at the dawn of the 20th Century.
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11 Responses So Far to “The Aussie 18 – A Sure Bet”
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Tony Dodson says:
Britannia and Australia IV are coming to The Paynesville Classic Boat Rally on March 3 & 4 2018 at Paynesville on the Gippsland Lakes in Victoria Australia and will be on display for the public to see these amazing and iconic vessels along with 150+ boats in the water and 50+ ashore along with more than 30 other displays and vendors. This is an ideal opportunity for visitors to the rally to see these and other classic boats from all states of Australia gathered in one place. info http://www.thepaynesvilleclassic.com.au and facebook page. All OCH members welcome. Regards Tony Dodson Expo Coordinator PCBR2018
Rob Cummins says:
Thanks to Eric and Ian for another great video. The 18 footers are an integral part of the DNA of Sydney Harbour. It has been amazing to watch the development of these utterly crazy boats over decades. While bearing little resemblance to the older 18 footers, to see the latest 3-man incarnation with carbon fibre everything, extension tubes for additional leverage and humungous sail area, absolutely screaming across Sydney Harbour is a sight to behold.
In addition to the smaller 16 foot skiffs mentioned in the video, we also race tiny 12-foot skiffs which originally date back to the 1920’s. These use the same principle as the 16s and 18s – ultra-lightweight hulls (about 45kg) with huge sails, and nowadays, a 2-man crew, both on trapeze. In the old days, the 12 footers would boast a crew of 5. The 12 footers are generally regarded as being even harder to sail than the 18 footers. As Eric said, an insane design, really hard work, and huge fun!
John Gebhardt says:
I was one of several Annapolis local sailors invited to crew on these incredible boats. I sailed on Aberdare and can be seen in many of the action shots. I got to drop and raise the lee cloths, a totally unique but absolutely essential feature. Failure to either drop or raise the proper lee cloth and the boat is at a high risk of capsizing. We had an absolutely beautiful 12 knot breeze and Aberdare’s skipper “Woody” was one of the best I have sailed with. Definitely a “bucket list” experience which i can now relive over and over thanks to Ian and Steve. Great video!
leon cmielewski says:
excellent video, thanks
another great book on these boats and sailors is “blue water bushmen” by bruce stannard.. with lots of pictures of these small boats under incredible clouds of sail
greetings from sydney!
John Davies says:
I can’t believe no PFD’s ?
John Davies
peter seterdahl says:
Thanks so much for another incredible film. I do not know how you guys pull these things off. Watching your films in the depths of winter is a balm to my soul, thank you.
Weaver Lilley says:
The 18 footers are reminiscent of the “sandbaggers” who raced turn of the century in Long Island Sound. Due to the huge press of sail that was carried in stiff breezes, the crew had to haul sandbags to the windward rails on every tack in order to hold the boat down.
Peter Jackson says:
Many thanks to Ian Smith for a great commentary and Steve Stone, for his superb, as always, camera work. The visit of the 18-footers to Annapolis was inspired by Ian and hosted by the wonderful folk at the National Sailing Hall of Fame. The warmth of their reception and the standard of the organisation of the racing and social activities could not have been better.
Peter Gossell says:
Great video. Typical Aussie understatement, you really do get wet.
Good onya Ian.
Christoph Harlan says:
What a great video. It took me back to several years ago when I saw these amazing boats as well as those new 3-trapeze 18footers race in Sydney Harbor. A sailing tradition unlike anywhere else in the world. We observed the races from an “observation boat” which essentially is a floating betting platform. We bet on Rag n Famish – they won and we collected the equivalent of a free dinner!
Donald Jones says:
That hulls in good nick!