I bet everyone has probably forgotten how good the good old day’s really were. Today we hop in a car and go to the pond to sail our small yachts. But does anyone remember how it was 80 years ago? Probably not!

Below is an excerpt from “Sydney’s Model Racing Skiffs” by Stephen Crewes (page 15) describing how a couple went to the sailing area for a picnic, and a fun day of sailing:

“ There is one account of a young bloke called Harry McGoogan in Balinain taking his girlfriend, Margaret, sailing. She rode her bicycle from her home in Lilyfield to his place, and they would then both ride to where Harry kept his rowing boat. She would take their lunch and afternoon tea on her bicycle, he would carry the model skiff and all the gear on his bicycle. This is how he managed. He took the mast and the spinnakers, rolled on the booms and placed them along the bicycles main bar and tied them on. He placed the model skiff hull in a bag and put it over the left shoulder and 4 sets of sails were rolled up and put in a bag and it went over the right shoulder. The 2ft long keel was held in the left hand. The right hand was used to steer the bicycle, as well as using the brake and for stopping and giving hand signals.”

How many people do you think we would get out sailing if they had to go through the routine above every Saturday. I am willing to bet our hobby would deteriorate very quickly. Thank goodness for prosperity, cars, and some free time to enjoy ourselves. I really don’t know how good the good old day’s really were, except that some great boats have disappeared from sight.
The Sydney Model Racing skiff were small boats carrying tremendous amounts of sail. Open water boats were 12”, 18” or 24”. Since these boats sailed before remote control operation existed, the skipper’s would have to chase their racing skiff’s in row boats in the harbor. A day of sailing usually consisted of a picnic lunch and one race for the day.