Albacore 7700

A special project by Ontario Yachts for sailmaker and Albacore Racer John Clarke, this boat was intended to become a world class Albacore specifically built to win the 1989 World Championship. It has a number of unique features.

7700 was originally built from the Skene MK-II mould (which OY bought when Skene went out of business) and extensively worked over. Built without a gelcoat exterior, OY was free to extensively modify the exterior shape. The hull was faired to a great degree to incorporate more smoothly the centre keel and bilge keels. The stem was made slightly narrower and the stern area was both widened and flattened.

Once 7700's final shape was arrived at, the hull was primed and painted white with a tough epoxy finish.

The goal of winning the 1989 World Championship was fulfilled by John Clarke in 7700. (John also won the 1989 Canadian Championship)

Subsequently 7700 was allegedly taken back to Ontario Yachts and used as a template for the creation of a new Albacore mould out of which came every modern Ontario Yachts production boat.

7700 was subsequently sailed by Tof Nichol-Griffith for North Sails who enjoyed prominent racing success. 7700 remained in the North Sails boat stable for a number of years and made a brief appearance at the 1997 Canadian Championship in Hamilton, Ontario sailed by North Sails salesman Larry MacDonald.

It was purchased in 1999 by Chris Gorton and partially restored and rechristened Baldrick's Cunning Plan (with the aid of adult beverages and a dry British comedy series) by Chris with Henry Pedro in preparation for the 1999 International Championship in Rehoboth, Delaware. Chris and Henry placed third and enjoyed some success thereafter in national and local competition.

7700 was fully restored, new standing and running rigging designed and installed, and hull repainted in 2003 by Henry Pedro with the help of Chris Gorton and Ontario Yachts in preparation for the 2003 International Championship in Kingston, Ontario where Chris and Henry again placed third. Baldrick's Cunning Plan is currently co-owned by Chris Gorton and Henry Pedro.