Alan Payne Converted
THE STORY PROPHET is rarely heard which to shape their hulls. This in itself preponderance of their own designs are in his own land” is was a natural enough tendency, as the racing there. Yes, on paper it gives 100 unfortunately, a fairly cost of the design is negligible, as per cent results for overseas designs, accurate proverb, and in the compared to the cost of the finished and so the tendency remains to build Aworld of yacht design it is as true as in boat, and few are prepared to risk a large overseas designs. other walks of life. outlay on the plans of a little-known or In Australia, however (and the For many years, Australian designers untried designer. Australian yachtsman is now rapidly generally have been by-passed by Not unnaturally, English designs win awakening to the fact), yachts of English, prospective builders of racing and the the big English races and American American and Australian design are cruising craft, and the drawings of top designs do the same in American races, meeting in the tough competition of overseas designers sought, from largely because a very heavy local classics such as the Sydney-Hobart, Brisbane-Gladstone, and other major off-shore events, and the results are a definite pointer to Australian designs not only holding their own, but being superior to many of the importations. Of twelve Sydney-Hobart races already conducted, Australian designers have planned eight of the winning yachts, and in each race the majority of the starters were to overseas plans. These facts are now beginning to drive home in the minds of local yachtsmen, and at long last, our opening proverb is being scotched, and full recognition being given where it is due.
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