Paul Whiting designer

Evening all

I have found some posts dating back to 2008 re Whiting Quarter Tonners (Magic Bus, Newspaper Taxi etc) and mention of Smackwater Jack and Paul's loss when that boat disappeared on the return to NZ after a S2H.

My syndicate has very recently been successful in purchasing a Whiting 30 from Sydney, currently named Dire Straights and originally (??) named Bare Necessities. We purchased this sight unseen apart from the Ebay photos, so may have well purchased a pig in a poke, but our plan is to truck it down to Yaringa, re-rig it and get mechanicals etc checked out, and then sail back to Tassie. Worst case we figure we'd get our money back by breaking it up and selling the components etc.

Our internet searches have really only turned up mentions of Quartertonners, 32' ers and One Tonners etc, but no mention of a 30. I'd be interested in any info anyone can provide about the design generally, or this boat specifically.

thanks

Peter

 

Hmmm....I'm not sure that's a Whiting. That looks as if it could be the old Industries, designed and built by legendary skiff champ Ken Beashel for the '77 Worlds, when she ran about 6th and beat the top Whiting. She was heavily modified later and living in Sydney. The boat seems to have a chine, which would fit Industries. The shape looks wrong for a Whiting.

Industries was in the Lane Cove river in the green paint scheme shown in the pics some time ago. She's a cool boat. Colin Beashel has a website; he could probably provide more information.

 

Yep, that's the boat we purchased

 

Frustrating that for all the data contained ,Industries, even though listed has no accomping picture.

http://www.histoiredeshalfs.com/Half Liste.htm

 

Whiting 30?

The underbody looks more like a reactor or whiting 29. Paul did a lot of other designs apart from rating ton designs.

 

I've found my pic of Industries, before she had the cabin changed. The stern outline is the same, so I'm even surer that it's the Beasho boat.

 

Here's Magic Bus and then Newspaper Taxi - with typical Whiting distortions; don't think Dire Straights is a Whiting.

 

I spoke to Ken Beashel tonight, and have emailed him some photos, so we should be able to hear from the horses mouth so as to speak

This is actually quite exciting, as the boat may have a far more interesting history that we thought. Ken also said it was originally a centreboard boat, and the keel was a later addition. There apparently was a couple of cockpits too, so this supports the 2 floor levels that it has.

CT249, it would be great if you could post the photo if you're able to.

cheers, and thanks everyone for their interest and help.

Peter

 

Magic Bus

I note that Magic Bus is up for auction in Auckland on trade me.co.nz for about $10000. It has been refurbed with some new gear and the auction closes on Sunday 27 November

 

OK, Ken got back to me Friday after looking thru the photos, and he indicates that while the transom is the same shape as Industries, he doesn't think the interior, particularly the stringer at the chine, is as he recalls having built. As the boat was originally built as a centreboarder, and the keel was a retrofit, I guess it's possible the interior may have changed, but Ken really didn't think it was Industries, so it probably is a Whiting.

Will wait until we take delivery and can have a good crawl over, and check things like sail number etc, which may provide some further clue.

However, I may contact Paul's sister and see if there's any records on builds / plans sold etc. I found a good video on the RG Blogspot about the return of Magic Bus to NZ, but it is sad to see that it was converted to a cruiser per the current Trademe.co.nz advert for it.

cheers

Peter