Question For Kiwiracer

[Matt]

Could you tell me a little bit about your boat?
I see from your nz site it's a robson design, is he a kiwi designer? Can't seem to find much on the web either about him, or the hull design.
Thanks
Matt

 

[kiwiracer]

His name is Scott Robson and he lives in Christchurch, NZ.
Some of you may remember a boat that raced in Europe a number of years ago called Sunday News, that was a Robson design, I think it won the World 4 litre champs in the late 80"s.
My boat is a development of that.

 

[kiwiracer]

Here is a pic of my new boat, also a Robson

 

[kiwiracer]

This boat is 8.05 metres long and 3 metres wide, powered by 2 x 280hp Merc 2.5's, top speed is 104mph but we are able to do this in anything, it is a massive rough water boat.
My yellow Robson I demolished and sunk at the second to last race of the season.
We were back racing two weeks later in this new boat which was built for the worlds that were held out here in 2000.

 

[Jon Fuller]

Is the 4 litre boat you speak of the '88, or '89 NZ-1, which won the 4 litre worlds over here, and was then sold to an english fella who re named it 'Blighline'?

If so, it was the inspiration for a boat over here, known as a 'Puma', designed by Joe Donohoo, NZ-1 had a big influence on the last 25' 4 litre boat he designed, 'Hospitality Inns'

 

[BluFin]

Was that the red one that won in Gurensey Argentine Guy was 2nd or 3rd. Bothe were nice carried out a repair on the NZ Boat Had a hole punched in the front LH sponson race 2.
Argentine had what I thought was the best looking outfit but he got docked some points hence the 2nd place. Another on of these results settled by the officals. Anybody chip in coz I'm losing it !

 

[kiwiracer]

Yes, that is the boat

 

[Ciao]

Twas 1988, things got real heated between the kiwis ( Sunday News ) and the Argies ( Frigidaire ).
Was only 7 years after the Falklands and the teams decided to carry on the hostilities!
For the record David Allenby came third in Assagai.
The Brit who purchased the Robson cat was Mike Mannings.

 

[Tony Davis]

I thought it was 86 !!!!! It was the year Me and Alan Gorry were told by Howard Wreatham that "if we ever beat him he'd eat his hat".

After a blinding start by him at Cowes, we found him floundering in the water with a dead motor, and we won the race.

We spoke to his wife and asked what he hated most to eat, and at the Guernsey prize giving reception presented him with a marzipan hat. He had a bit of a sense of humour failure!

The same year that Alan was wheeled out naked in front of the mayor on the sweet trolley!

 

[kiwiracer]

1986 was the year that the worlds were held in NZ
I think the classes were 3D and 3E plus the Class 1 and 2 boats

 

[Ciao]

yep you are right ! 86 3d and 3b worlds! I was 20 miles from winning the 3b worlds when I snapped my saddle in the Gauliot and eventually finished 4th overall.

How many more Miss Fitz stories have you got!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jon Fuller]

I particularly like the "Miss Fitz Cocktail" stories!

 

[Adam]

yep you are right ! 86 3d and 3b worlds! I was 20 miles from winning the 3b worlds when I snapped my saddle in the Gauliot and eventually finished 4th overall.

How many more Miss Fitz stories have you got!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fowey alone would provide a book full.

 

[Adam]

Is the 4 litre boat you speak of the '88, or '89 NZ-1, which won the 4 litre worlds over here, and was then sold to an english fella who re named it 'Blighline'?

If so, it was the inspiration for a design over here, known as a 'Puma',designed by Joe Donohoo

The boat ended up on the Isle of Wight and was rotting away. I went to look at it as I needed a cat trailer - but that was past it too - so did not take it any further.

Anyway last year the owner of the yard decided he was going to burn the boat if it was not removed. I told the boat museum near Blackpool about it and they took it on as they want to have a 4 litre cat as an exhibit.

They also took the 2 litre 'Shaken not stirred' Wright cat from the island as well.

 

[Jon Fuller]

'Shaken not Stirred'

Scott Eliss's cat?

boy did he fall out of that that one in a big way at Eastbourne one year!

The old 'Blighline' boat was at Clive Bakers for a while a year or two ago. (for sale! )

 

[Ciao]

I told the boat museum near Blackpool about it and they took it on as they want to have a 4 litre cat as an exhibit.

They also took the 2 litre 'Shaken not stirred' Wright cat from the island as well.

Unfortuantly I have to go to Wigan on Sunday, if I get time will pop in and take som photos of the race boats.

Scot Ellis bought my old 21' Campbell -was it definately a Wright?

 

[Jon Fuller]

Speaking of museums, when are we gonna have a boatmad trip to the one in essex?

 

[Matt]

Ya mean chaos' garage?

 

[Jon Fuller]

yeah, where is the useless fkkr these days anyway?

 

[Ciao]

Speaking of museums, when are we gonna have a boatmad trip to the one in essex?

I'd be up for it - I need some boatsad company to go with...last time I took my son -not impressed!!! "daddy its just an old wooden boat..why are you so excited?"