F 8 Still Sailing
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505 F21 is in SPECTACULAR condition, built in 1955 and still going strong.
Those of you who have been on the 505world e-mail listserver for some time will recall the report on F8 - this is not a typo, I really mean the 8th 505 built and registered - sailing recently. F8 needed a new mast, having broken the original wooden mast in a stiff breeze with three people in the boat, one on the wire and two hiking (I'm not sure my Proctor D would stand that either!) F8 was built in 1954, which makes it 45 years old. Imagine how much our world has changed in 45 years, and yet the 505, both the design and in some cases the original boats, goes on into the next century...
Here is an update from Jean Baptiste Dupont:
F8 sailed over the week end on an inland lake by Paris. The boat is fully rebuilt and reshaped and looks terrific... We were able to go out on the wire that day... Francois Salle, a French journalist and photographer was there to; he intends to write an article and publish some photos in one of the most read yachting magazine in France Voiles et Voiliers which published last month a very interesting article on the Duvoisin rigging used by Philippe Boite. (very nice two pages). I will let you know when we will get the photos... On the other hand, It is likely that F 8 will be on display at the next world in France...
Ali - Why not have F8 race the Worlds?
Wow !!!
Jean-Baptiste
The 5o5 number 8 sailed again this winter, around Paris (probably the first time since the 75's). We rejoined also the Class during the Paris Nautical Exhibition in December. Our boat will be shown in Quiberon, during the World ChampionShip, from July 2nd to July 5th 1999. The 2 owners will be there: me and Dominique LAMBARD (the helmsman).
We are still searching for information concerning this boat (the Fairey Marine shipyard, John Westell the designer, ...). We managed to get in touch with the first owner who received the hull number 8 in 1953. Yes ! He's alive and not far from the centenary ... The boat was rigged and did her first regatta in 1954.
Best Regards
SAM
The F8 team, Dominique LAMBARD and Samuel HEDOUIN