John Spencer's designs

[Tanton]

Not too long ago there was a thread abt. Spencer and Ragtime.
Try: Ragtime lines Maybe.

[M Spencer]

A lot of his plans are still extant, though many in a fragile condition, that makes reprodution difficult at this stage.

Most photographs were liberated from his Northland home after his death . There return would be appreciated.

IF you have practical reasons for requiring some of his designs , an E'mail
stateing such will be answered.

[MCH]

Originally Posted by jda

Did you ever find the design info you were after? I'm looking for design info on a John Spencer 32 and am not sure where to look.

I built a Spencer 32 in the early 80's with a few modifications (became a 34). Brilliant boat and way ahead of its time. Its still around as are the plans

[C 249]

MCH, can I ask where the 32/34 is now and what she is called? I've got a modified 28 and and like to keep in touch with other Spencers in Oz.

[rayman]

I bought the "Adrienne" plans back in about 1963, they have been well studied but there was always reasons beyond my control to prevent building.While living in Mandurah (WA) I owned a diamond, quite a hairy thing to sail short handed and there is a fleet of 20-30 over there,one in steel and a beauty in alloy. Several have been fitted with coach houses for cruising. There is one in Brisbane goes nearly every year in the Bris-Gladstone race
regards Ray

[Gary Baigent]

The Adrienne was Spencer's worst design - and one of his earliest - it quickly became extinct in NZ, too narrow, no power, a plodder. But then he designed the superb 35 foot Sirocco-type - and that was in a different world.

[rayman]

Gary, thanks for the reply, by no power I presume you mean she was under canvassed, or was she a taildragger, could'nt get out of her own way. Had the plans out again last night, to me she looks like a goer, but I have not done any sailing. (only tugs "n"barges and scows, Nth Cape / East Cape) and here's me thinking speed came from long skinny canoes.And thanks for the downloads on the early 1/4-1/2-tonners. Where on earth did some of those names come from?? late night beer n bickie sessions?? could you flash up a pic or 2 of "sirocco" please. regards ray

[Gary Baigent]

Sirocco was one of a number of Spencer 35's and the original was Scimitar, so the 35's were called Scimitar class - and the top boat was Tom Clark's Saracen which he campaigned before having 67 foot Infidel, later Ragtime, built. These are the only images I have of the class. There is the Sabre included, which was an advancement on Adrienne - but look at the horrible skeg rudder. The Adrienne lacked hull stability, that was her biggest problem.

[San Fran]

I am looking for any information on this design. Who, where, when 'San Fran' (sail number K3211) was built. Is there any association or owners group anywhere? Any info would be appreciated. I have reregistered with Yachting NZ but they cant help me other than the barest details.

[kiwi in spain]

Hi everybody. Just thought I'd post this here as I see there are quite a lot of threads about the John Spencer design Buccanneer. I was up in Valencia today to go sailing at the Real Club Nautico de Valencia and my eye was taken by a grey hulled yacht that was clearly in an advanced stage of refit. I asked one of my Spanish friends about her and was surprised to be told that it was Buccanneer - freshly painted and with new teak decking. It seems that the yacht turned up in Palma a few years ago where she had been traded for a powerboat. The broker had no idea what to do with her and she fell into disuse and disrepair. Eventually she came to Valencia and was acquired by some people who have spent the time and money required to put her right. Sadly she no longer sports the distinctive coachhouse that I remember so well from my days as a kid growing up on the Hauraki Gulf - but never-the-less she does appear to be well cared for again. FWIW.

[mektoub]

Hi everybody! I´m one of the new ship owner of the Buccaneer (by J Spencer), now in VLC. I´m looking for some news, picture,... abouth the ship, if you can help us we wiil be very grateful! Regards

[kiwi in spain]

Hola - tengo un libro Neo Zealandes con informacion sobre tu barco. Se Llama " A Century of Sail " escrito por Noel Holmes como historia oficial del Royal NZ Yacht Squadron publicado en 1971. En el capitulo llamado "The Ranger Beaters" se habla bastante de tu barco en terminos de su diseno y su lugar en el desarollo de diseno indigena Neo Zealandes el epoca.

[mektoub]

Hola! Mi nombre es Concha. Gracias por tu rápida respuesta. Me interesa mucho poder acceder al libro citas, no se si estás cerca del Buccaneer, pero me gustaría poder ver el contenido, y desde luego poderlo adquirir. Si pasas alguna vez por el barco, te agradezco que me avises para poder coincidir. Por cierto, de que conoces el Buccaneer? Cuentame, pls... Un saludo,

[kiwi in spain]

Hola Concha.

Bueno - resulta que el barco era muy famoso en NZ en esta epoca. Tambien su dueno Tom Clarke (ya muerto desde hace tiempo) es todo un mito en el avance del deporte de "Ocean Racing" Neo Zelandes y gran inspirator de todo el desarollo de Team NZ desde sus principios. "Buccaneer" era un barco totalmente emblematico de los principios de esta gran aventura. Me acuerdo del barco siendo yo un joven chaval navegando an la Bahia del Waitemata y tambien segiendo sus aventuras como cualquier aficionado por la prensa nautica del dia. De vez en cuando estoy en VLC (a lo mejor esta Viernes) y no tengo inconveniente ninguno en ensenarte el libro y lo escrito sobre todo aquelo - Seguro te va interesar.

[mektoub]

Genial! Te agradezco la información. Y si no te importa, avisame cuando estés en Valencia y si quieres puedes visitar el barco, también en el interior. Si fuese posible, me encantará ver el libro. Yo suelo pasar todos los días a ver q tal van los trabajos, de hecho ahora iré hacia allí, pero los viernes puedes encontrarnos seguro. Ya me dices si te puedes pasar. Un saludo, y gracias de nuevo.