Mercedes III - Melbourne 2001

Had the pleasure of having a couple of hours sailing on the Mercedes III on Port Phillip Pay with the owner Martin Ryan (the man with his hands clasped).

 

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:Locker 57 Trophy to Mercedes III1966: 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 Boambillee)

1969: Member of Admirals Cup team, finishing 2nd (+ Ragamuffin 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)

Done