Blue Moon: Classic Boat of a Lifetime and 3/4 Tonner of yesteryear
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Years pass, but the passion remains. It happens more with boats than other things, that one is enough. After all, we have often said, they are not exclusively objects, but almost living creatures and sometimes our extensions.
Having an ‘old’ boat, a Classic Boat, often means having an important connection to an equally so object. It is not just a boat, an icon of a time, or a fragment of nautical history. It is, of course, but when it is ours, it can be even more than that. For a second time, we leave it to one of our readers and, of course, his boat,
Blue Moon
.
If you missed previous articles, please visit our Classic Boats section. – In the meantime, continue to share your stories and boats with us, leave a comment with photos or email us at deluise@panamaeditore.it
“It’s been a long time. Blue Moon? And who remembers it anymore. And then the upper Adriatic is a pond that doesn’t make the news. Here, this is perhaps a story of enthusiasts and amateurs who, against all evidence, wanted to race to win a World Championship. A world that has perhaps disappeared.”
– Eng. Lucio Godini
Blue Moon – story of a Three Quarter Tonner
“Blue Moon was a major design by Scott Kaufman, built by Piro Onoranti and the San Vitale shipyard in Ravenna, for the 1983 IOR 3⁄4 Ton Cup World Championship in Trieste. At the top of the technology of the time. A milestone of the latest classic IOR design, a masterpiece of technique and construction craftsmanship. It is a unique specimen that deserves special attention, reserved for an elite of amateurs or collectors.
The construction is light, yet extremely rigid and strong: epoxi-glued mahogany with Kevlar and carbon reinforcements, for a boat with high weight stability, with 50% fin ballast (lead). Highly sailed and with an easy sail plan, she is rigged at the masthead with non-structural flyers (check stay). The mast is a Stearn with three very thin spreaders, rod rigging, Stearn hydraulics on BackStay, BabyStay and Vang.
He has been racing mainly in the Upper Adriatic for ca. 15 years, with excellent results. In those years there were two 3⁄4s to beat-Blue Moon and Serbidiola-who always alternated on the podium. After the advent of the IMS, Blue Moon was used for cruises in the Mediterranean, Dalmatia, Greece, Turkey, limiting competitive activity to classic events only.Blue Moon finally passed ownership in 2008 to one of the “Historical” crew members (yours truly) and its history started again.
Between 2009 and 2012, it underwent a heavy conservative renovation project, involving LGX engineering resources, to bring it back to like-new condition. It was to preserve it for the future, taking advantage of newer site technologies and materials. The work involved hull, deck, interior, exterior, systems and accessories, with replacement of all obsolete and/or worn out rigging and system (electrical and plumbing) components.
Between 2012 and 2020, the boat was then continuously maintained and updated.In particular, the engine, transmission and propeller, deck equipment, services and facilities, rigging, sails, halyards, sheets, and other materials subject to wear and tear were replaced.
Some people still ask me: but was it worth it? Yes, but only if you prefer Meissen porcelain. It is not a problem of practice, it is a problem of culture. Someone still asks me: and today that you are 76 years old, what do you do with the little jewel? Nothing, family day sailing on summer weekends. A good style of sailing (very British). Things of other times.”
– Eng. Lucio Godini
Three “tidbits” about Classic Boats
- Want to learn more about the world of Classic Boats (1967-1998), the iconic boats of the period, the legendary designers, the stories and races of the “golden age” of sailing? Check out our section dedicated to Classic Boats!
- Do you have a Classic Boat to sell? Put it (for free) on our classifieds market!
- Do you have a Classic Boat? Participate in the SAIL CUP with your boat. There is a special ranking for you! Find out which stage is right for you!
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