There’s not much of this yacht that’s salvageable, but that’s not unusual among many restorations. Besides very deep pockets, one would need vision to imagine what she could become—or to visualize what she was originally. Brian Amble of California had the vision, but not the wealth. But he did acquire her and make a start. As the largest all-wood sailing yacht ever built by Herreshoff, and as a genuine, topsail-carrying sloop (or cutter, if you will), VAYU (or more properly, DORIS, the yacht’s original name), fully restored, would be a show-stopper.
This sharpie was launched at Lake Wyvenhoe, Queensland, Australia. It was built by John Hockings over six months, and was inspired by Bill Schwicker's Egret and his 3 fathom sharpie. Hockings' search for drawings for a canoe-sterned 20' sharpie in the style of Schwicker's boats led to Ross Lillistone who drew the beautiful lines for him. The boat will live in the Great Sandy Straits, a boating haven adjacent to the World Heritage listed Fraser Island.
