Stella "Libra"
Owners: Jan Dark and Chris Straw
Home Port - Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Australia
| Jan writes: "Stella 'Libra' is co-owned by myself and my partner, Chris Straw, since December last year. We have lived in our current home on the shores of Lake Macquarie, near Newcastle, for 3 years and for the whole of that time we have been looking for an affordable traditional boat to put on the mooring in front of our house (and to sail, of course). Libra at home - this is Libra moored in front of our house (yes, it is the house and not the boatshed). Although the house is a disaster we think we have the best location in the world and are constantly grateful for the pleasures offered by the environment. |
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Libra in slings - this is Libra returning to the
water after some recent work at a local marina on the propeller
shaft housing.
We know little of Libra's history as yet but we believe she was built at Hal Venables yard in Sydney and launched in about 1967 but that is still unconfirmed. One of her previous owners has sailed her to Lord Howe Island (off Australia's coast) and to the Whitsunday Islands, off the coast of Queensland so we hope to take her on some coastal voyages as well as regular sailing in Lake Macquarie. Chris wants to enter races but I am still not confident - we'll see. |
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Looking aft - note that there is a seat across the companionway,
making it a little tricky getting in and out of the cabin but
soooo comfortable for a crew member (me) sitting athwartships
that we plan to keep it.
Looking for'ard - self explanatory! |
Reflections - just a beautiful picture. |
Some years ago Chris's father owned a Stella in Melbourne
and it was coincidental that we also settled for a Stella - however,
the man we bought her from (in Sydney) said his father also owned
one so I have developed a theory that owning Stellas must be
hereditary!
Of our own history, I should say that Chris was born in South Africa, went to primary school at Woodbridge on the Deben and is now an Australian - I've been Australian since my first breath. Libra is owned by Jan Dark and Chris Straw click here to contact them. |
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Solus, Sail No:OF5244 Owner: Bernard Alleck Home Port: Sydney Harbour |
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Bernard is a member of the Stella Class Association, BUT also a member of the Stella and Folkboat Association of Australia (S+FAA), which represents some of the 16 Stella's built in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in the 1960's. |
The entrance to Sydney Harbour can just be seen above the horizon in the photo above. The heat of the fire created a 6 knot sea breeze and Solus is only using a #4 jib to drive her along (The main is stowed along the boom). |
This photo's above and right were taken 2 miles off the coast during a devastating bushfire in Christmas 1993 |
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Solus's 'nutshell' dinghy |
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Solus racing in Sydney Harbour Winter Series 1997 |
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Solus is owned by Bernie Alleck, click here to contact him. |
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Australian Stella's were built using the same simple building principles of original builders Tucker Brown. The construction used mahogany planking, but on spotted gum (the more readily available Australian equivalent of oak) ribs. Small lightweight engines were installed with the drive angled through the starboard stern side, and the fractional rig adopted. A list of known Australian Stella's is given in Boats & Sail Numbers. The Secretary of the Stella and Folkboat Association of Australia (Peter Davison) can be contacted at the following address: 18, Blarney Avenue, Killarney Heights, ,2087, New South Wales. Would you like your Australian Stella featured on this page? Contact The Website Manager We would love to hear from you! |
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