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Dear People: Back in the 1970's I saw an excellent boat which I THINK was designed by a bloke named Len Hedges. From memory it was about 16 feet long, shaped like a dory, and I have a memory that it was lug rigged.
I watched it being launched several times by a quite elderly man and I was always impressed at how effortlessly this was accomplished.
Can anyone help me get a line on this design?
Thank you. Bobbo.
Did a quick search online.
I think this is out of date, since the current phone book for the area doesn't list anyone called Hedges at that address: http://www.hotfrog.com.au/Companies/...en-Boat-Design
There is a Hedges living at Banora Point but I don't know if they're related.
Also found this: http://www.peakmonitoring.com.au/dory.html
And this bloke may (don't actually know) be the original Len's son: http://www.crusaders.edu.au/while-se...d-wooden-boat/
Thank you for taking this trouble. I thought that Len Hedges was an editor of a sailing magazine, and as such I imagined he would be reasonably well known but this does not seem to be the case.
I have seen a magazine article from a long way back telling the story of this sailing dory.
As a matter of interest...The original boat that I used to watch being launched dissapeared along with it's solitary crew in the middle of the seventies. It was the cause of a long search but as I remember it the only evidence ever retrieved was a panel of orange ply that was washed up on a beach. ( The boat was painted orange.)
My 2c is I'd start by trying the bloke in the last link. Since he's got the same name and is talking about boats his dad built, I think there's a fair chance he's Len Hedges Jnr. Worth a shot. :)
Yes Sir, you are quite right. Logic decrees that I give him a shot but I was rather put off by the heavy reference to "God" in his writing. I know this brands me as a bigot but my old Dad had a saying...." If your neighbour has religion...count your cattle twice a week." Alas! My experience of life has proved this old adage to have a very strong kernal of truth. Everything has a cost, I suppose, so I may never track down my Len Hedges. Heigh-Ho!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sumbloak
Thanks for your input anyway. If I do get lucky I will send in a postecause I remember this as a very practical little boat.
Some religious people can be quite civilised. I'd be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.
Hey bobbo
Did you have any luck tracking Len Hedges?
I believe he may be a kiwi boat designer. My dad owned a boat in the 60s which was one of his designs. I'd love to get a copy of the plans in the hope of one day recreating my dad's boat. I haven't had any luck searching.
Thanks for the reply, Steve. I found a good reference on [email protected]
This chap has built a 6 metre dory and rigged it with a lugsail. It was an interesting site. I have been searching though my plans drawer and found the plans for a 15 foot Safari that I have had for years. Since I have these plans and the boat will do all I need, I will pass up on Len Hedges and get stuck into this one.
Thanks for your interest. Bob.
Len Hedges was/is ? a boat designer who lived in the Sutherland Shire, Woolooware/Caringbah area. He focused on ferrocement hulls and had a good reputation. He also catered for the home builder with ply designs. I bought and built a Nord 11' pram sailing dinghy.
This was in 1966 or thereabouts.
There was a Len Hedges design, A 6m Salar Dory. I have an AB No. 117 November 1983 that has an article on the boat. A very capable boat. I always wanted to build one. I have built at least 10 boats, at least two smaller dorys and never got around to it. Maybe I should. Let me know if you want more of the article.
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I am grateful to everyone that took the time to reply to this post. My circumstances have changed and I am no longer interested in tracking the boat down, but if I were, with the help I received here it could have been done.
Thank you people.
Bobbo.