WELCOME 

The Kim Swarbrick designed S97 yacht is intended to provide high performance racing for both inshore and offshore events, while at the same time providing simple and spacious accommodation, all at a reasonable cost. The hull is based on the very successful one design S80 yet carries more volume to allow safe racing on the ocean during the 'lively' summer afternoon sea breezes and also provides a very comfortable cruising boat with accommodation for up to eight people.

The fractional rig and high roached main give plenty of drive upwind whilst the range of spinnakers allowed in the one design class rules provide enough options when off the wind.  The rules of the class have been framed to ensure that racing in S97 Class events are a test of skill and seamanship in boats which are essentially the same.  S97's race regularly on the Swan River in Perth, WA, with fleets also in Mandurah and Bunbury. There are several S97 championship regattas each year including the Metropolitan Championship held through out the summer, the Winter Championships and the State Titles. The S97 can also race competitively in any IRC fleet in Australia including Cat 2 ocean races such as the Fremantle to Geraldton Ocean Classic.

Around 36 boats have been built to date and more than half are still resident on the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia.  The majority of active racers are berthed at Royal Perth Yacht Club but others also compete out of South of Perth, East Fremantle and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Clubs.  Occasionally S97's come on the market, though are not usually available for long.  However the moulds are available for new build vessels if a skipper so chooses.

 

  LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

 

  Events  -  Dates for 2011 Metropolitan Championships  

  The dates have now been confirmed for the 2011 Metropolitan Championships  -  add them to your diary now!


   Victory in State Championships for 'Capricious Winds'!  

  S97 State Championships  -  5th & 6th March 2011  -  Sponsored by “Travel Design Professionals”  

Strong winds on a short course equals furious action and close racing and that’s what the S97 sailors experienced over the March long weekend in the state championship on Melville Waters.

Out of five heats there were three different winners and coming into the last race, the championship was up for grabs with 'DNA', 'Capricious Wind' and 'Hejira' all having a chance to snatch victory.  At the top mark it was newcomer to the fleet, John Hughes in 'Polythene Pam' rounding first with only metres separating the rest of the fleet.  Hughes and his crew demonstrated why they will be a hard team to beat as they gain more experience in this competitive fleet.  'Polythene Pam' went on win the Consistency Trophy for the event.

As the deciding Heat 5 progressed, it was the steady hands of 2010 State Champion, Terry Foster, and his well trained crew on 'Capricious Wind' who hit the front and stayed there, going on to win the race and the championship.  The big improver over the 2010/2011 season, Neville Johnson and his “hot” crew on 'DNA', won silver and John Bailey's 'Hejira' took the bronze.

The S97 fleet gratefully acknowledge the support of the experts in travel, Travel Design Professionals, sponsors of the 2011 State Championships. Royal Perth Yacht Club provided a very professional regatta team and excellent courses. The S97 committee, the Endeavour Association and Tony Finch, in particular, were most helpful in ensuring the weekend of sailing ran smoothly and was most enjoyable.

Overall results click here  -  Consistency results click here

. 

  The S97 fleet go cruising 

Over the Christmas and New Year break,  Longreach Bay at Rottnest became the camping ground for seven S97s as many owners demonstrated the versatility of the design as a comfortable family cruising boat in addition to it's competitive performance on the race track! Capricious Wind, Fleur de Lys, Code Z, Hejira, Silver Fern, Mistress Quickly and Little Black Duck were all anchored in the turquoise waters at various times and enjoyed the best weather for years. Once the canopy was up, the large, shady cockpit area was transformed into an alfresco water front bar where fellow sailors swapped stories and, on occasion, launched into pirate versions of well known sea shanties, led by the 'muso in residence' our very own John Bailey!!

For a taste of S97 cruising, please click here: Hejira / Silver Fern / Capricious Wind

 

  "Hejira" wins 2010 Metropolitan Series

John Bailey and his dedicated crew on 'Hejira' sailed an outstanding series to dominate the S97 Metropolitan Championships this year.  Taking place over a  number of weekends at the start of the sailing season and with races run by several different yacht clubs, this challenging event tested the navigational skills, boat handling and persistence of the fleet over a variety of courses. 'Hejira's well organized team demonstrated why they have become one of the most consistently fast boats in the fleet.  'DNA', skippered by Neville Johnson, and his enthusiastic crew were  second overall on a count-back after a tie on points with the ever consistent Bill Quinn in 'Dejà vu'.  'Hejira's win followed up their recent second place in the Short Course Series and it is clear that they will be a serious challenger for the State Championships later in the season. .

Results:

1st    Hejira    John Bailey          9 pts   (1,5,1,1,5,1) 

2nd    DNA    Neville Johnson   19 pts   (5,2,5,4,3,5)

3rd    Déjà vu    Bill Quinn        19 pts   (4,3,6,3,DNC,3)

 

"Silver Fern" wins 2010 Short Course Series

After a very close fought series run over two consecutive weekends at South of Perth Yacht Club, Alastair McMichael's team on 'Silver Fern' emerged winners by a tight four point margin over John Bailey's 'Hejira'.  The first two boats were both from Royal Perth Yacht Club with early series leader 'DNA', skippered by Neville Johnson of the home club, only a further two points adrift.  The competitive fleet fought tooth and nail for every point around a tight course, which tested the crews' boat handling skills and tactic to the limit!  Consistent sailing by 'Silver Fern' gave them the final advantage by a small margin.  South of Perth Yacht Club are to be congratulated for organizing a great race series in sometimes trying conditions and competitors are already looking forward to a repeat of the very successful formula.  The fleet results are available here.

A new initiative for the fleet was the introduction of a "team event" by re-scoring the fleet in pairs, combining the elapsed times of the fastest and slowest, second fastest and second slowest and so.  Generous prizes donated by the event sponsor WesTrac ensured that this competition was as hard fought as the main prize!  The team results are available here.

 

S97 "Total Recall" wins 2009-10 Offshore Success Trophy Series

Congratulations to Kevin and Kathy Brownie and crew on "Total Recall" for winning Fremantle Sailing Club’s 2009-10 Offshore Success Trophy in IRC Division II. The Success Trophy is a series of five offshore races organized by Fremantle Sailing Club. These are the George Law Foundation Offshore Race, Gordon Hazelhurst Coventry Reef Race, Halls Head Ocean Race, Point Robert Return Ocean Races and The Westender Night Race. This result demonstrates the strength and diversity of the S97 class.

 

"Capricious Wind"  triumphs in 20010 S97 State Titles

Capricious Wind made it back to back State Titles when Terry Foster and his most able crew led the fleet home in nearly every race on Owen Anchorage on the March Long Weekend. Denis Vincent’s Wyuna snuck into second just ahead of DNA skippered by Neville Johnson.

Strong winds and close sailing resulted in fancied contender Hejira being holed in the first heat forcing John Bailey and his disappointed crew to limp back to port with bilge pump working overtime, ending their long anticipated weekend of racing.

Stress Management’s campaign was also cut short leaving the consistency trophy to be claimed by a very consistent Bill Quin and Déjà Vu.

The S97’s sailors were most impressed by the hospitality shown to them by the S80’s.

S97 State Championships - Kindly supported by UK HALSEY SAILMAKERS

New S97 Launched

BUSSELTON yachties gathered at the Port Geographe Marina on Monday 16th November to celebrate the launching of Ron Jensen's yacht the ‘Next Phase' which he built himself.

To the friendly jeers of fellow yachties ("got your bucket ready . . . got the bung in mate?") Ron watched his three tonne ‘baby' slip gently from the cradle of the crane into the water. "It was a very special moment," he said. "I was really happy with what I had achieved, I felt excited and immensely relieved."

For the past three years Ron's family, friends and neighbours have watched him toil away on the 9.7m sailing boat. While he admits it has been a fairly "lonesome" job, Ron said he couldn't have achieved it without the support of his family and friends. "So many people helped me stay enthusiastic and positive about the project over the years," he said.

The launching ceremony was a momentous occasion for Ron and his wife Sue who Ron credits with being "particularly accommodating" over the years. This is the fourth yacht he has built and it's been his challenging project to date. "Next Phase is by far the biggest yacht I've built - it was always going to be daunting and it was always going to be expensive," he said.

With the hard work now finished, Ron hopes to be sailing the ‘Next Phase' by mid December. "I just need to get the motor going and put up the mast, and we're off," he said. Ron will join the local S97 fleet in competitive and social sailing events.

Those who have followed his endeavors will be keen to see whether the ‘Next Phase' turns out to be the ‘last phase', or whether yacht number five remains in the making.

 

Special Thanks to www.Seabreeze.com.au