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  

Notice of Race for 2010 Winter Championships

The Notice of Race is now available for the 2010 Winter Championships, to be held at Royal Perth Yacht Club over the weekend 3rd and 4th July.  Interest has been strong and we are looking forward to a very competitive event.  The two previous Winter Championships have seen very close racing from a strong field of contenders.  Click here for link to NOR.

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