Aquanimity, 1978 Miracle
Propulsion: Sail
Construction: Plywood slot and glue
Owner: Richard Cove, Inverloch Vic.
Aquanimity, a Miracle, Sail number 1094 was originally sailed at the Hampton Sailing Club from the late 1970’s. It is a traditional plywood, stitch and glue construction.
HSC is located adjacent to the old (and decrepit) Hampton Pier and next door to Sandringham Yacht Club, home of a huge fleet of keel boats and property developers!
Its history dates from the formation of the Victorian Ladies Yacht Club formed in 1945 by a group of strong willed women who, sick of being pushed about by male dominated clubs. They were allowed to crew on their husbands’ or partners’ boats but no recognition was given to those craft that had female crew. Hence no awards or trophies.
The women assembled a fleet of Sabots for sail training purposes and the new Club prospered. As the membership grew so did the number and classes of boats they were sailing. Eventually the club moved to new premises at its current location to the west of Hampton Pier in the mid 1960s.
One of the members decided to build her own dinghy in the spare room of her Albert Park home. She chose a Miracle, designed by the great Jack Holt. The Miracle was Holt’s last design. This intrepid women sailed the Miracle for many years, of course children intervened and sailing took second place. Eventually the family decided that sailing wasn’t their sport and did other activities.
This Miracle has sat under cover for a few decades and she offered it to a new home. As SGYC (South Gippsland Yacht Club) is the home of one of Victoria’s premier vintage boat festivals it was offered to a SGSC member to restore.
Aquanimity is in good condition for a 50 year old hand built boat. The brightwork needed sanding and a few new coats, and the hull was strippedc and repainted. Foils, spars (aluminium) and original sails are in good condition. Sheets and halyards have been replaced with modern ropes. Most recently the rudder failed and was replaced with one crafted by the Inveroch Men’s shed.
Aquanimity now sails from South Gippsland Yacht Club on a regular basis in Anderson inlet.
