Thread: Gwen 12

Hi Mate,
I have a Gwen 12, aquired November 2008, I shall add some photos, needs full restoration, it appears to be an interesting version as she has a glass hull (in good condition) and a ply deck and all the rest (in bad dry-rot condition), aluminium mast and boom, spinnaker shoot and trapese, sails (jib, main, spinnaker), boat is complete and in Townsville and is my next project, a pretty little yacht.
The boat was previously owned by a family in Hobart for more than 30years and is believed to have been built in the early 70's - no later, and the spinnaker shoot was added in the very late 70's, very early 80's, and also it doesn't seem to have a name - I will do some sanding to find out later, but the son said he cant ever remember it having a name they just called her Gweny in speach.
Oh - I come from Launceston and I remember that Gwen at Deviot - its the memory of that little yacht that had me looking for one and is getting the very same deck treatment.

Hi Paul,
Good to hear from you. Did you acquire the Gwen in Townsville or come down to Tassie and pinch it ?? How about some photos of the cockpit where the spinnaker shute comes out ?
Only ever heard of one f/g gwen in Tassie and thats still here, so she must have been hidden away. Any other history about her ?
Regards
Graeme

Paul,
A further question. The jib seems to be the later version.Would you be able to send me the 3 outer measurements of the jib please ?
Graeme

Hi Graeme,
Guess what, the only thing I still have of my Gwen is the original jib circa early sixties - blown out years ago. From memory it should be one of Rolly Taskers. Is it worthwhile trying to measure it?? It's in a box here somewhere........

Hi Peter,
If it's an old one, then I have the measurements for them. But the rig was modernised in the 70's I think, with a deck sweeping jib to try and compete with the Cherubs.
Just interested to know what the measurements are.
Graeme

Hi Paul, I have an all glass Gwen with dehaviland aluminium mast and boom built Feb 1971 its name is Aragorn sail No. 2334 its original owner was Bob Woolhouse. I bought it off Bob about 8 years ago with the intension of restoring to full racing condition witch I may say wont take much. The Gwen you showed pictures of has a later sail number plus Bob told me that Aragorn was the only f/glass boat in Tassy at the time he was sailing. Maybe the boat you have was originally from the mainland and bought down here in later years.What was the name of the son. Cheers

Hi Guys, seems no one wants to go any where with the subject of the Gwens what is the go? cheers

Still waiting on your reply re written information

There's one on ebay at the moment if anyone's interested. Needs work. Located brisbane.

Any idea how much a hull weighs ?

Hi Damian
Minium weight was 140 lb or about 64 kg. Don't reckon there are many at that weight any more.
Saw the one on ebay.
have aquired one in Tassie--later version with the open stern, but still looking.

I have a 14' flat bed trailer. I was thinking a gwen might be a nice fun boat to potter around in, and I could carry it on the trailer with beach wheels, saving registering another trailer you see.

So are you saying it's likely to be heavier or lighter ?

I'd probably prefer to build from scratch but there's not been any mention of plans here..

Damian,
Would imagine that old boats would be heavier as they tend to take up water over their lives.
sorry- no help as far as plans. Don't believe you can get them any more, unless you find some-one with a set of old plans.
Graeme

Oh well. It's just my uncle used to campain one back in the day, so I thought it'd be interesting to have one. I might yet bid on the one on ebay. I'm currently boatless and suffering withdrawals

Pardon my ignorance but are they a bit of a knife edge like a 16' and 18' skiff or are they a bit more leisurely ? There are plenty of lasers around but I've always though they were more like a sit down windsurfer than a pleasure boat. I don't know that I'd like to be sailing on a knife edge all the time...I'm too old and fat for trapeze's

You would find the gwen a lot easier to sail than a 16 or 18 footer, Nothing like a laser. As with all old boats there will be plenty of work to do before you get your feet wet.
What info do you have about your uncle's boat ? Sail no, name of boat, name of uncle, did he race it ??