fivepointfive - April 2023

Jason said, “My next 5.5 Metre project will be Sjöhäxa (Arvid
Laurin, 1951, SWE-001 CAN-004b). She will need a lot more work
than Jill, along with a new deck and deckbeams. The plan is to
start her in 2025, after taking time to enjoy sailing as well as to do
some maintenance on my R Boat Marcarle. Sjöhäxa may take
three to four years to complete.”
Camaraderie is a hallmark of the North American fleet and William Turner
(left) of the Texas Corinthian Yacht Club and Midland Bay Sailing Club
commodore Hugh Loughborough officially exchanged club burgees. The
MBSC burgee is hanging proudly at TCYC by the models of the 5.5M fleet
Next steps will be to do the chain plates, planking, splining
and fairing. Once she’s in the water the rig will have to be fit into
the boat with new shrouds and rigging. With some hard work she
will be ready for August 2023. For now, some original sails will
pull her along, but Jill will be strong and with a fleet again.
Jill’s restoration will continue in the fall. Some work will
need to be done to the deck and the mast partners are split and
cracked. The cockpit surround will need work too – the main
deck beam at the forward end has a vertical crack in the middle
and there is some rot in the corners. The longitudinals in the
cockpit and side deck beams will also need repair.
The final plan will be to put some teak covering boards on her,
along with a new cockpit surround to go with the existing teak
sole. She will be painted a darker shade of blue with white cove
stripes and waterline, with teak trim and stainless ascents.
MEANWHILE ROSSI CONTINUES to rebuild his personal fleet
of 5.5s which includes Purple Haze USA 51 and Savage USA 75
with Jalapeña USA 96 expected to make an appearance in 2023.
She was originally designed and built by Norman Owens in Texas
for the Worlds held there in the mid-1980s. “Story has it that one
of his sons had the boat in California, but then it made its way to
Maryland where she laid for many years – fortunately out of the
weather.”
Rossi said, “The rebuild is progressing and getting down to
final paint and installation of hardware. She will be sporting a new
rig and sails.”
With three boats available Rossi generously lends his boats to
introduce other sailors to 5.5 skippering and several Midland Bay
Sailing Club members have taken him up on the offer over the
years, including club commodore Hugh Loughborough. Rossi said
refinements on all of his boats continue, including likely swapping
out Savage’s rig with one that came out of Firestorm.
Speaking of the Texas team Rossi said, “A big season is
expected for the Texans with Firestorm, USA 87. Last year it was
nice to see William jump back in and buy another 5.5, after his
earlier attempt ended in unbelievable circumstances which resulted
in a boat being destroyed due to the lack of proper paperwork.
They are a force to be reckoned with and are currently honing their
skills on waters closer to home club racing in Texas.”
The North Americans look forward to regattas in Midland,
Ontario, Canada June 22-25 and August 21-25. Rossi said the
NAs are also following the discussion and planning to have the
Worlds in Newport, Rhode Island in 2024 with great interest.