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View Full Version : and Thad, speaking of Strange men......

John B
08-13-2002, 01:15 AM
LOL.
I went to our annual Classic Yacht assn dinner on Friday night . It was funny , I looked up to the upper floor , and there was the Americas cup, just sitting there.( in it's bullet proof glass vest)

Anyway, the point of the post, I met a friend there from way back. Nicest guy you'd ever meet, John, who owns the Albert Strange design REVERIE. I met John in about 1986 or so out at the Barrier when Kirsty and I were cruising around in Waione. John is literally a seaman and he keeps Reverie like a new pin.I haven't got the details to hand, but she's about 25ft perhaps, marconi( one of the first marconi in NZ if not THE first).
We had a good old chat and I mentioned your name and your boat.Here's some of the data/ gossip which came from it.
1.The "Chairman"? of the Strange Assn had relatively recently been in NZ and was impressed at the condition of John's boat.Kauri, 1927 ish, fabulously put together.
2.The smallish boat I'd remarked on in another post and which I knew nothing about is most likely to be IMOGEN an apparently quite famous Strange.Anyway, shes here now and I'll be a lookin out for her on the water.This is very probably her.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid20/pdc208a44b70a6439742be7ae8d053382/fdbc808f.jpg

enough Strange gossip. Still haven't been to see Sheila II.
Thad
08-13-2002, 07:00 AM
John, Thanks for the Strange information. Reverie: built in 1924 by R.B. Brown at Aukland, Bermudan sloop, 29'6" x 7'11" x 4'6" -- great size. There is no mention in the John Leather book of a design number or designation. There is also no hull description except weight. I wonder if she is countersterned and a slightly larger NURSEMAID. There are two IMOGENs in the list, one a transom yawl, the other (yours) a 22' canoe yawl built in 1899 -- and looking good in the picture! I do still wonder how Sheila II is getting on.
Thad
08-13-2002, 07:02 AM
Auckland
John B
08-13-2002, 05:06 PM
That must be the measurement with bowsprit Thad. No way is Reverie 29'.In fact if she turned out to be 22 I wouldn't be surprised.She's a lovely wee thing.She's transom sterned with a bumpkin perhaps. ( it's been a few years since I've seen her and I'm ashamed to admit that the photo I have of her is eluding me.)

Imogen is transom sterned as well.( that's if I've got the right boat) . I'm making a connection between a boat I've only seen twice and was curious about and the conversation.I'd remember the name if my mind wasn't useless.
The details I remember are the transom and a beautiful cranked bronze tiller around the mizzen. Also a channel island port on her stern,Jersey I think. Wow I thought. did she sail here?
I'll keep you posted.
John B
08-13-2002, 10:47 PM
Righty oh, I've searched high and low and I've lorst it. I have however found a vintage photo I own. Reverie. Taken in the '40's I would think.
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid28/pc1f679ce45467f02f95c38eb18277499/fd67fdff.jpg
Thad
08-14-2002, 07:49 AM
Great picture John. All my details came from the John Leather book on Albert Strange. I just now sent this thread to Pete Clay, the Honorable Secretary of the ASA. Thanks.