1985 cowes - torquay preview - Powerboat Archive

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IT began in 1961 as the Cowes-Torquay,
then in 1968 became a round trip to
Torouav and back to Cowes. Offshore racing
boats became smaller and hence less
seaworthy, and in 1982 the format changed
completely, making it a multi-lap contesi
within the confines of the Solent. Now
almost a quarter of a century after that first
memclrable race, the world-famous Cowes
meeting will once again become a genuine
offshore event on Sunday, August 25 with
a 233-mile course to Torquav and back.
Sadly the race's creatoi, Sir Max Aitken,
did not live to see it turn full circle.
Although he went along with the changes,
he was never really happy after 1982 with
what could only be described as circuit
racing on salt water, feeling it did little to
imorove the breed
-
his main aim when he
first conjured up the idea of a boatbreakirrg
course over two decades ago.
At first glance, particularly when looking
at the course plan shown opposite, this
year's race appears virtualiy identical to
those organised between 1968 and 1981.
Indeed it is in most respects except for
-
one verv important modification: competing
craft will now enter Torquay harbour
for an hour-long refuelling stop.
This is very much a sign of the times.
Offshore powerboats, apart from the current
16-1itre Class I monsters being raced in
Italy and the Unitecl States, now have
smaller hulls with smaller engines; hence
they are slower in genuine offshore conditions
and seldom have fuel tanks large
enough to give more than 100 miles range.
With the return course to Torquav standing
in at over twice that distance, no British
racing craft currently on the scene apart
from a handful of Class Il (12-litre) contenders
would be capable of completing
the round trip.
There is a second reason for the Torquav
stopover. The world governing body of
powerboat racing, the Union Internationale
Motonautique, some years ago
introduced new rules for the Continental
championships which included minimum
course distances for qualifying heats.
Britain forms a part of the European series
and the Cowes event is the second of three
British heats.
Unfortunately little thought was given
to the effect these new course lengths
rvould have on the sport as a whole. The
end result is that the accepted average is
now little more than the minimum 100
miles; this means thai the 128-mile leg to
allocated
Torquay is long enough for the leading
boats
- almost certain to be Italians to be
-
points on entering harbour
regardless of the outcome of the second
half of the race back to Cowes. In fact it
would be ouite within the rules to retire at
this ooint ind still be credited with championihip
points. But trophies will only go
to those who complete the full course.
Whatever the reasons for the change, a
return to the original course is an exciting
prospect. No one really knows whether
the oast three vears has resulted in a lowering
bf design standards and seaworthiness
being sacrificed for speed, but the proof of
the pudding will be the number of competitors
arriving back at Cowes if the
weather is less than kind.
One group almost certain to shrug off
fears of choppy conditions will be the
MOTOR BOAT & YACHTING
growing band of drivers supporting the
National Cruisers. The number of racing
cruisers has grown dramatically during the
time the race has been confined to the
Solent. To some extent it was the lobbying
of these drivers that oersuaded the
organisers to revert to Torquay.
Cruisers, of course, made up the fleet in
the first five Cowes-Torouav races. It was
only pressure from the UtM, on the introduction
of the first world offshore championship
in 1966, that forced Sir Max
Aitken to accept pure non-cabin racing
boats. It was a decision he made with some
reluctance, believing the cost of such craft
would be detrimental to the future of the
race. In this respect he was entirely correct.
Until a matter of four weeks aqo Britain
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Sebtembet 1985
only had three Class I craft registered. The
youngest of them is over three years old,
and none has yet taken part in an offshore
event this year. However, there was
recently an exciting addition to the fleet
(see preview boat No. 86), which could
easily provide top-class competition for
the Italians with their many brand-new
Class I craft.
It is uncertain who will enter from Italy,
but whoever does will almost certainly be
led by Renato della Valle, who has won at
Cowes every year since 1982. His driving
ability and equipment is such that it would
be ouite a shock if he doesn't make this his
fouith win in a growing row.
Della Valle won the first five heats in this
year's European Championship and with
2000 points to his credit would, until this
season, already have the title in his grasp.
But the UIM have since changed the rules.
Now the championship is split into two
separate groups of heats, with the winner
needing points scores from each.
The following list gives details of craft
likely to enter, although the rules of the
race permit competitors to leave it virtually
to the last minute and certainly after this
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magazine goes on sale
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to confirm or
change their entries. Race number, name,
nationality, colour of hull and deck, class
and construction material are given in that
order.
fhe boats
Note: The prefix P is the official numbering
scheme of the National Cruiser class. All
other numbers shown here are either international
Class I or II racing craft.
1 MIURA
Italy; red; Class I; aluminium
Owned and driven by 1984 world offshore
champion Alberto Petri, this is a 38ft Don
Shead-designed monohull built in Italy by
CUV and powered bv two Mercruiser
petrol engines totalling 1600hp.
P4 GOODMANS/PENTHOUSE
GB; white; Cruiser A; glassfibre
Driven by David Graham-Smith, this little
28ft cruiser was designed and built by
Gerhard Bolz and his Allround company
in West Germany. She is powered by a
singie Iveco diesel using a Bellamy surface
propeller drive and should easily make the
round trip back to Cowes.
8 THE GRANNY ARRAN
GB; red/silver; Class II; wood
This 32ft three-point hydroplane was built
this yearby Ron Wolbold to a Lorne Campbell
design for the Countess of Arran. She
is a very attractive craft powered by a pair
of 350hp Mercruiser petrol engines but has
needed drastic hull modifications in an effort
to achieve a competitive speed.
153
P12 EVEREST FOREVER
GB; white; Cruiser B; glassfibre
This particular cruiser has a useful speed
potential in rough weather. At 34ft she is
one of the largest in her class and it was this
which was alactor in her finishing eighth
in the Round Britain. Powered bv a pair of
Volvo petrol engines totalling 520hp, she
was built last year for her driver, Richard
GriJfith, by Poole Powerboats to a Don
Shead design.
20 RHS
GB; white; Class II; glassfibre
Built by East Kent Marine to a Don Shead
design over ten years ago, the 34ft RHS
was a production cruiser known as a Tiger
Shark. She recently had a new pair of Ford
Sabre diesels fitted producing a total of
1000hp, making her a good all-round contender
which has featured in this event in
the past. Driven by Richard Strutton.
21 CARLSBERG
GP; red/white; Class Il; glassfibre
This 38ft Bertram monohull was designed
and buiit in the US some years ago aud was
bought by driver Ted Toleman in 1980. She
is powered by a pair of 650hp Mercruiser
petrol engines and is extremely competitive
in moderate sea conditions.
P22 RED RUM
GB; red/white; Cruiser B; glassfibre
Built to a Don Shead design in 1973 as the
gas turbine-powered Passing Cloud, this
34ft Tiger Shark was recently purchased by
Colin Curren for cruiser racing. She is now
powered by a pair of 270hp Iveco diesels
and should make a good contender in
moderate to rough conditions.
22 PROPELLER SHIRTS
GB; yellow; Class II; wood
This 32ft catamaran was designed and
built by Cougar Marine last year for the
Everest Double Clazing Rouncl Britain
race. She is powered by a pair of 425hp
Mercruiser petrol engines and will be
driven by twin brothers Michael and Cary
Toleman. Propeller Shirts is extremely competitive
in her class in moderate conditions
ind has every chance of leading for Britain
against the more potent craft from Italy.
P25 FLYING FLIPPER
GB; white; Cruiser B; glassfibre
Driven by stalwart cruiser enthusiast Alan
Webb, this 30ft Scandinavian-designed
and built Flipper cruiser is powered by a
Mercruiser petroi engine developing
370hp. The boat was brand new this year
and has been well placed in her class so far
this season. She therefore stands a good
chance of being among the leading cruisers.
27 WARRIOR
GB; white/red/blue; Class Il; glassfibre
Built for the 1984 Round Britain race as
OCL/Suzuki, this 28ft Steve Bakerdesigned
Phantom monohull has been reengined
with a trio of Mercury outboards
totalling 600hp. This was after she rvas sold
to newcomer Richard Carr and renamed
Warrior a title she is fast living up to. She
-
led the recent London/Calais until running
aground and later gave the more powerful
contenders in the Cancer Research Trophv
a run for their money. Watch this bttat.
continued overleaf

MOTOR BOAT & YACHTING
29 FRESH & CLEAN
Italy; white; Class I; glassfibre
This is the Round Britain winner under a
different name. Formerly White hteco, and
measuring 46ft overall, she was designed
and built by FabioBuzzi at his S&B yard in
Italy. She is powered by four Fiat Iveco
diesels producing about 2000hp and will be
driven by 1984 World Class II champions
Emilio and Marco Riganti.
31 WAR LORD
GB; white/red; Ciass II; glassfibre
Owned and driven by Alistair Kendon, the
31ft War Lord was built by Phantom Boats
to a Steve Baker design in1982. Although
this will be one of her last appearances/ a
650hp Mercruiser petrol engine usually
gives a competitive speed good enough to
place her among the leaders.
P32 BIG'N'BEEFY
GB; white/blue/red; Sports Cruiser A;
glassfibre
Powered by a single 290hp Volvo petrol
engine, this is another Don Sheaddesigned
Plancraft/Revenger. She
measures 25ft overall and will be driven bv
Maurice Williamson.
P33 SHERRY & HAYCOCK
GB; red/white; Sports Cruiser B;
glassfibre
A 25ft Plancraft/Revenger, this little
cruiser began life two years ago in the
hands of the Countess of Arran as Laura
Lucy. Her twin 260hp Mercruiser petrol
engines give her a competitive speed and
should give her new owner/driver William
Haycock a good chance of featuring.
P35 SNAPLOCK
GB; white/blue/red; Sports Cruiser B;
glassfibre
Driven by veteran Colin Stewart, this 25ft
Plancraft/Revenger cruiser finished f ourth
overall in the Round Britain last year,
when she was called Disprin the Fast One.
She is powered by a single Mercruiser
petrol engine and is still capable of setting a
high pace in calm to mcderate weather.
P39 KIRSTIE KOO
GB; white/black; Sports Cruiser B;
elassfibre
+,
this 25tt l'lancralt'ltevenger cruiser has
carried her driver Charles Sinclair to a position
among the leaders in his class championship
this year. She is powered by
BMW petrol engines totalling 380hp and
should be well placed for a prize.
P4O PUFFA
GB; white; Cruiser B; glassfibre
Designed and built by Jeff Hunton, this is a
very successful 29ft Gazelle cruiser. Her
owner/driver, Phillip Warner, is a strong
supporter of cruiser racing and finished
seventh overall in the Everest Double
Glazing Round Britain last year ahead of
several potentially faster craft. Puffa ts
P43
powered by a pair of Mercruiser petrol
engines totalling 580hp the maximum
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for her class and is highly favoured.
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SHADOW WARRIOR
GB; black/white; Sports Cruiser B;
glassfibre
Designed and built in the United States by
Wellcraft, this 27It cruiser is driven by Ian
Morton. Wellcrafts usually put in a respectable
performance in the cruiser classes
and the good offshore design of this craft
together with her 370hp Mercruiser petrol
engine could be an ideal combination for a
race of this length.
44 BRUT
GB; red/white; Class II; glassfibre
Brut was commissioned by husband-andwiJe
team Peter and Jan Armstrong last
season for the Round Britain race, where
she gave an outstanding performance,
finishing third overall and first for Britain.
She is a 28ft Steve Baker-designed Phantom
monohull, but unlike theirew in her
sister ship Warrior (27), who stand, the
Armstrongs have adopted a sitting position
which is more punishing, especially in
rough weather. This coupled with three
150hp rather than the trio of 200hp Mercurys
fitted to the stern of Warrlorhas tended
to hold her back somewhat this year.
However. experience is vital in a race of
this length, -which is where the Armstrongs
have the edge.
46 PEGASUS
CB; silver/blue; Class ll; aluminium
Pegasus is a 35ft catamaran built for Colin
Gervaise-Brazter by Souter of Cowes to a
Don Shead design above five years ago.
She is powered by a single Mercruiser
petrol engine developing 650hp and is now
owned and driven by Reg Steele. Originally
called Goldrush, she had a chequered
career and has not been competitive in recent
events.
P48 PRACTICAL
PHOTOGRAPHY
GB; white; Cruiser A; glassfibre
Owned and driven by John Copeman, this
28ft Jeff Hunton-designed Gazelle cruiser
is new this year. Her owner completed the
Round Britain course in 11th piace driving
one of the lowest-powered craft in the
race. He therefore 6as a great deal of experience
in long-distance racing which
should prove useful on the lonely crossing
of Lyme Bay. Practical Photography is
powered by a pair of Volvo diesels
developing a total of 330hp and is the only
cruiser currently racing with the relatively
new Duoprop form of transmission.
5O VODAFONE VENTURE
GB; white; Class II; glassfibre
This 27ft boat is a standard production
monohull designed and built in the late
Seventies by Pantera Marine in the United
States. She was bought this year by disabled
driver Bob Storey, who has invested
a great deal of money and effort in bringing
her up to scratch. Fitted with three 200hp
Mercurv outboards. this outfit is certain to
reward her new owner sooner or later and
this could be the occasion. She is potentially
a winner but probably'needs
moderate to rough weather to get into her
stride.
52 NOOXY
Italy; grey/white;
Class I; aluminium
Driven by Angelo Spelta, this is a 38ft Don
Shead-designed CUV monohull. She is
powered by two 750hp Isotta Fraschini
diesels and is another possible contender
for overall honours.
P54 HOT CRUMPET
GB; blue/white; Cruiser B; glassfibre
This is another cruiser belonging to the
popular Hunton Gazelle line of craft.
Measuring 27ft overall, she is powered by
Mercruiser petrol engines totalling 540hp
and will be driven by Stan Ford, who currentlv
holds fifth position in his class
chrmnionchin
P58 MANHATTAN
GB; white; Cruiser B; glassfibre
This 27ft Northshore cruiser's owner/
driver Ron Windmiil has been a keen competitor
in the cruiser class for over two
vears and currently lies fourth in his
iategory after four' races. Manhattan is
powered by a pair of Volvo petrol engines
developing a total of 340hp.
62 JAGUAR THE LEGEND
GB; white/green-gold; Class I;
aluminium
Powered by two V12 turbocharged Jaguar
engines, this 39ft monohull was designed
by Don Shead and built in Miami four
years ago for Ted Toleman. She is now
owned and driven by Colin Cervaise-
Brazter, but has not yet competed this
season and has a historv of Door
mechanical reliabilitv so will- do well to
feature.
P66 TNN
GB; black; Sports Cruiser B; glassfibre
Owned and driven by Terence Nicholls,
this 25ft American Wellcraft competed as
Hewitts until two years ago. She is
powered by a pair of Mercruiser petrol
engines developing 520hp and achieved
much success in the hands of her previous
owner, Peter Hewitt.
P69 MAKE A BREAK
GB; white/red-stripes; Cruiser B;
glassfibre
Thb is one of the very successful Don
Shead-desiened Sunseeker 34s which
competed uhtil this season as Minster Heatwaue.
She was recently sold to her new
owner/driver William Hillman, who has
since become a keen supporter of cruiser
racing. Make A Breakis powered by a pair of
Volvo petrol engines totalling 580hp and
barring mechanical problems should
feature high in her class.
69 DOUBLE TWO SHIRTS
GB; yeilow/white; Class II; glassfibre
This Don Shead-designed craft began life

September 1985 155
ten years ago as a Class I contender. She
was re-engined with two 500hp Ford Sabre
diesels for the Round Britain race last year
derating her into the Class II category. At
40ft overall, Double Two Shirts will be very
competitive if the going gets rough and
could easily feature in this marathon
event. She will be driven bv her owner,
Tim Hill.
74 TELSTAR
GB; white/red; Class II; wood
Recentlv restored bv her new owner/
driver Colin Baker, the 25ft Telstar is probably
one of the most famous craft in the
contest. She was designed by Don Shead
and built in 1968 for Tommy Sopwith, winning
the race that year when it incorporated
the return leg to Cowes for the first
time. It was not just performance but the
clever tactics of her driver to which she owed
her success on that occasion, and it was
this victory that launched Don Shead as an
international designer. Now powered by a
single Chevrolet petrol engine of 700hp,
Telstar is a welcome contender and it
would be good to see her complete the
course once again.
77 CHAMPAGNE MUMM
GB; white; Class I; glassfibre
This 35ft Class I monohull was designed
and built in the United States in the mid-
Seventies by Don Aronow and his
Cigarette Racing Team. She took part in
the Round Britain as Bloodhound. finishing
17th overall in the hands of her previous
owner, Bernard Cook. She has since been
sold to Bernard's son Robert and had a
name change. Champagne Mwnm is
powered by twin large-block Mercruiser
petrol engines deveioping a totai of 920hp.
77 DON ALBERTO
West Germany; white; Class I;
aluminium
Obviously either this visitor or the
previous craft listed will require a number
change for this event. This 40ft craft was
the first racing monohull to be designed by
the Cougar team, more famous for their
successful catamarans. She was built in
Miami in 1983 for Ted Toleman but was
never really successful and was sold to
West German driver Don Alberto, who is
achieving far better results. She is
powered by three Mercruiser Tempest inboard
petrol engines giving a total of
1000hp and should be among the leaders
back at Cowes.
83 MEDEDIL
Italy; blue/gold; Class II; glassfibre
This is a 32ft Fabio Buzzi-designed and
built catamaran. Powered by two 450hp
Aifo diesels, she will be driven by Antonio
Gioffredi, and could prove very competitive
in moderate weather.
85 IDEAL STANDARD
Italy; white/green; Class I; aluminium
Built bv CUV in Italv to a Don Shead
design, this 38ft monohull won the C/T/C
race in 1980. She is owned by Alberto
Smania, who will be aboard, but may be
chartered and driven by British competitor
Ken Cassir, who drove the first successful
Class I Cougar to victory here in 1977. The
craft is powered by two 500hp Mercruiser
petrol engines.
88 SUPERCAT
GB; white/blue; Class I; aluminium
Designed and built by Cougar Marine
three years ago, the 38ft catamaran Supercaf
is powered by a pair of V12 turbocharged
Jaguar petrol engines developing
1700ho which transmit via Arneson surface
diives. She is extremely fast and her
owner/driver Bill Bonner recently reached
over 115mph on Southampton Water in an
attemot to break the current Class I water
speedrecord. However she has not raced
this year and with little time for
shakedown may find the Cowes contest
somewhat taxing.
404 NTTRO
Sweden; white; Class I; glassfibre
Powered by four Fiat Aifo diesels producing
1800hp, this 44ft monohull was designed
by 1984 Round Britain winner Fabio
Buzzi and built in Italy by S&B. She will be
driven bv Len Bvlock, who crewed Buzziin
Britain and has-a good chance of success.
558 CTNZANO BTANCO
Italy; red/white/blue; Class I; aluminium
Another 38ft Don Shead-desiened Italian
CUV monohull, this time powered by a
pair of V12 turbocharged Lamborghini
petrol engines totalling 1600hp. Her
owner/driver Renato della Valle, the 1982
world champion. has won at Cowes for the
past three vears.
19 THE OUTSIDER
GB; red/white/blue; Class l; aluminium
This is the most excitine addition to the
British fleet for some yeais. T/rc Outsicleris
a large 46ft monohull designed by Cougar
Marine and built under licence bv Stain in
Italy. She is powered by three 750hp Isotta
Fraschini diesels coupied to Arneson surface
propeller drives ind hence is extremely
competitive. She was recently purchased
by Ray McEnhill, who will drive her at
Cowes with brothers Robin and Russell
Cuipan as crew. This could be a winner.
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Ones to watch: three-times Cowes winner Renato della Valle in Cinzano Bianco (5581,
Ray McEnhill inThe Outsider (now 19), Richard Carr in Warrior (27 and, of course, many,
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many more.

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