Albacore 1554

**196?** Fairey Marine MK2 Albacore hull built. Hull Number 17?3 (3rd digit is very faint, probably a '2'), Sail Number 1554 stamped on hog. Completed with a full height bow tank ~ 2 in front of the mast and full length side tanks. Probably not fitted out by Fairey Marine (Graham Chard's opinion given during rebuild). Measured Jan 1st 1964 !! (RYA records)

Fitted with Fairey Marine rotating mast (aluminium one piece) PART No. A16688 ALBACORE

**1968** Mainsail serviced by sailmaker for or maybe measured by 'Mr Wilson' (faint pencil on sail)

**1975** Purchased from a seller in the Herne bay area by West Runton Camps Sailing Camp. At this time she was already called 'Stingo' and had been sailed at a club with initials 'S.S.C.'. Rotating mast had been fixed and a swivelling adjustable gooseneck fitted. Another Albacore named 'Tawney' *may* have been purchased at the same time (both boats named for types of beer. 'Tawny' had a painted hull. I have a spare sail ex 'Tawney' no. 1872). 'Stingo' was and still is entirely varnished.

Kept in a barn near Lake Windermere and used for training 14-15 year old youngsters on a summer camp based initially at Wray castle then at High Wray NT basecamp and sailing from Low Wray campsite OSGB NY369020.

(Tawney was sold to an instructor in 1984 or 1985 IIRC the Instructor was Andy Houghton who is still with West Runton Camps. Tawney stripped and refinished as varnished with some scorch marks :-) 2 GRP Albs purchased by WRSC to replace Tawney, with 6000 range sail numbers)

**1989** Purchased from WRSC by myself and my mother, complete with spare steel Centreboard. Laid up under a tarp in London while I tried to fix deck and other troubles.

**1998** Redecked and refitted by GRAHAM CHARD - Bob Hoare Racing Dinghies Ltd. Rudder stock and Centreboard replaced.

**1999** New sails from Banks. Cruising spec (heavier less resinated cloth, 2 slab reefs, wooden battens by request!)

**2000** Outhaul on wooden boom upgraded to 3:1 and led forward to near mast.

**2001** Port side deck replaced following port & starboard incident with a Wayfarer.

**2004** Steel centreboard refitted for coastal cruising using a HA kicking strap drum winch to control it. Original 2:1 traveller control sysem upgraded to 3:1.

NB: I have no paperwork pre 1989 and can't find my recipt from WRSC. Any builders papers must have been lost probably pre 1975. All dates pre 1990 are from memory. RYA have reissued the 1964 measurement certificate *AT LAST*!!