Peter Bowe steps in for Mercedes III Skipper, Martin Ryan, to accept the 2015/2016 Summer Series Locker 57 Trophy from the Handicapper

Boat Name: Mercedes III
Designer: Ted Kaufman / Bob Miller (Ben Lexcen)
Builder: Cec Quilkey
Year Launched: 1966
Rig: Sloop
LOA: 40′
LWL: 31′ 1.5″
Beam: 11′ 3″
Draft: 6’6″
Sail No: R 450
Owner: Martin Ryan
ARHV Number: HV000494
History: Australia’s first cold moulded ocean racer, the first and fourth fore and aft oregon planking (5/16th”), 2 diagonal layers (3/16th”). Keel, ribs, frames and floors Queensland Maple.
Racing History:1966: Launched for the Admirals Cup trials, she won 9 of her first 14 races.
1967: Member of the winning Admirals Cup Team (+ Caprice of Huon and Boambillee)
1969: Member of Admirals Cup team, finishing 2nd (+ Ragamuffin and  Koomooloo)
1980’s: Raced on Sydney Harbour with a short interlude at RBYC. Completed many Hobarts.
1986: Brought to RMYS by Martin Ryan. Sydney Hobart 1995, 1996. Success on CHS, IMS, and AMS over the years with the Cock of the Bay a favourite. (1st 1989 on CHS and 1st 2008 on AMS)

Link to the Mercedes III web site  Link to the recently discovered 1967 Admirals Cup documentary 

Link to Mercedes III Construction story Seacraft Magazine May 1966

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