Renene

Renene Renene Renene

Boat Name: Renene
Designer: William Atkins – year designed 1925, (Little Eric) based on 47 ft Colin Archer design REDNINGSKOITE – a Norwegian Sailing Rescue Craft
Builder: Murray-Perry
Year Launched: Hobart  1955
Construction: Double Ender, Flush Deck Timber, Planking, 1.5 in Huon Pine, Keel, Stem, Stern, Jarrah, Mast, Spruce, Box construction, 48 ft
LOA: 48′
Hull: 32′
Beam: 11′
Draft: 5’6″
Sail No: Sm23
Owner: Kent Bacon
History: My father, Bud Bacon purchased Renene in 1957 from its owner/builders at Hobson’s Bay and we took her back to SYC. Renene was then one of the largest boats in the club (boy has this changed !).

The boat competed in the 1956 Sydney/Hobart race and was involved in a 3 day search and rescue. They had no Motor/Radio /Life Raft etc and by the time they sailed into Hobart finishing the race some 5 days after the last boat, had very little left to eat. However Renene was one of the few boats with no damage to boat or crew.

For many years from 1960 till 1978 Renene competed in the Queens Cliff to Devonport races, cruising Bass Strait, coastal and bay races; not often the first to arrive (if ever) but always good sailing.

In 1978 Bud’s business moved him to Sydney and Bud, Kent, Brian Reidy, Richard Goldman (dec) and Ralph Dodrell (still a member of SYC) sailed to Pittwater where she was enjoyed for some 20 years by Bud, Vo, friends and family members from Melbourne. Although still registered at SYC, Bud also became a member of Royal Prince Alfred. Renene was either moored at the Club or most usually at his mooring in front of his Careel Bay home, providing much enjoyment to all.

Bud/Vo decided to move back to Melbourne in 1996 and again Bud, Kent a few friends (Reg Walsh, Mike Shannon, Barry Bevan) sailed her back home to SYC. Some major work has taken place on Renene, which never stops; still a work in progress (in true Classic Yacht Tradition !).

The boat is still active at SYC and CYAA activities and continues her tradition of providing enjoyment to family and friends.

Log of the Renene Delivery Voyage from Hobart to Williamstown December 1958 by Jock Muir

On Jan 21 2021Kent Bacon provided a document  from the Sandringham Yacht Club archives that provides us with the Renene story. Stories such as the drama filled race on her first Sydney to Hobart voyag. Records of her Melbourne to Devonport races and a A list  of her many passage race wins in Williamstown to Geelong passage races are also included. There’s a brilliant picture of Renene up with the fleet leaders in a Melbourne to Devonport race.   

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