| In the Beginning |
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In the spring of 1946 these boat sheds were witness to a remarkable
scene: a long line of brand new wooden Bluenose sloops sliding down
a set of rails into the bay. Twelve yachts had been ordered from
John H. Barkhouse in the initial group, and work proceeded on
the first of these in parallel. They were completed around the same
time and launched in a group. Fifty-four years later, in the spring
of 2000 when these photographs were taken, the old sheds are still
standing straight and square.
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It is unclear which Bluenose was made first. Work progressed in
parallel on the twelve yachts ordered in the initial group.
However, the first number (B1) was given to this sloop, which has
been meticulously restored and is now prominently displayed in the
Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.
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| Racing for the Trophy |
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The Russell Youla trophy is presented each year to the
winner of the Maritime Bluenose Championships. A
more complete
description is available on a separate page. This picture
was taken just after the trophy was presented at the 1996
Championships in Chester. The trophy is sitting on the railing
of the Chester Yacht Club veranda, with several of the Bluenose
yachts at mooring in the background.
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As participants arrive for the Maritime Bluenose Championships
each year, last minute tuning and polishing is a common sight.
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Competition is often very close within the fleet. It is common
for the top ten or so boats to finish within a minute of each
other at the end of a two hour race. This photograph shows a
typically close start at the 1989 Championships.
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And the race is on! A number of different courses types
have been sailed over the years, but most commonly windward
leeward or Olympic triangle courses are set.
Here (August 25, 1996), the lead boat (B68) seeks advantage on
the west side of the course during the first beat of the final
Championship race off Chester, N.S.
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Yachts reposition between races during the Championships series
of 1984.
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The crews relax as the fleet returns from the course after a good
day of racing during the Championship series of 1989.
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At the end of the regatta, the winning skipper is always treated
to a refreshing swim. Here the 1989 winner, Harry Davis, is
gently encouraged by his friends to honour the tradition.
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| Odds and Ends |
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Although the Bluenose Class Association constitution and by-laws
precisely constrain the fixed rigging such as stays, spreaders
and jumpers, the sheeting systems are completely unspecified.
Consequently, many Bluenose owners -- especially in the wooden
fleet -- have been creative in finding practical and
efficient alternatives to the outboard winches common on the
fiberglass boats or the center mounted winch just aft of the
mast. Some have copied the center console arrangement found in
the Etchells 22 class, others have mounted additional block and
tackle either above or below the decks. With the introduction
of the blade jib in the early 1990s, the jib sheet loads dropped
significantly and these systems became even more practical.
This photograph shows one of the earlier variations (circa 1986).
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The original wooden boats had benches in the cockpit, which were
copied in the fiberglass design. Many owners have removed these
benches, however, to make a more open cockpit that is generally
preferred for racing. In addition to having molded benches that
can't be easily removed, the fiberglass design also has a small
cuddy that is primarily for storage but can also sleep two people
in a pinch. In spite of the more limited cockpit space, it is
still possible for six people to look reasonably comfortable, as
in this photograph.
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