@johan
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Hi Simon
It is wonderful to hear that you completed the restoration and that she is shipshape and Bristol fashion again. Thank you. May you enjoy sailing her far and wide for a long time!
As a 1973 boat, she was ordered before VAT was introduced, but delivered after. That led to her soon changing hands and she was then bought by a John Stackpool from the Wirral. He took her to the Med where she spent many years.
In late 1990 we bought her when she was in Split in the former Yugoslavia. We sailed her out of Split early 1991 just weeks before the marina was bombed and most boats there were destroyed. She arrived back in Poole via Gibraltar mid-summer. During the first week there a big storm came through and that weekend we found her sitting on the bottom with water ankle-deep inside. We understood that the stern gland had failed after the long trip, though the surveyors were not too sure. She spent the next 9 months ashore at Cobb’s Quay having a dry-out and complete refit with a new engine, new electrics and electronics, heater, cushions, etc. We also changed her from roller reefing to slab reefing and replaced most of the tired sails. We added a spinnaker and a mule.
Then followed 15 delightful years of sailing all over the south coast, from London and the Channel ports down to Bordeaux and up to Ireland. We took part in about a dozen Round the Island Races, doing remarkably well in her class. She’s deceptively fast when there’s a lot of sail up.
Circumstances changed allowing Tom to become her next owner while we had her moored in Cherbourg. The rest is history you’re probably more familiar with than me.
I still have a few of the original papers, manuals, C&N drawings and sail plans, etc that I can scan or send to you. The original Avon dinghy tender (built like a tank and set up for the davits) has been in my garage loft for many years – though it’s probably beyond use by now.
I’ll try to upload a couple of photos. The one at anchor is at Hvar near Split. The other is near the Needles on either the first or second RTIR showing all the sails including the mule in action.
Enjoy!
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It would be great to see an update on how Snow Star’s restoration went and where she is now.
I am a past owner of Snow Star and was sad to see that she got so badly damaged. But it is equally wonderful to see that she got a second chance. Thanks @Simon!
I’d be happy to contribute further information and some of her history.
Johan
