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Denis Doyle’s Legendary Moonduster Is Nearly A Ghost Ship In Viking Hands

14th May 2024
Just one step from becoming a ghost ship. The very unused classic 1981-vintage Frers 51 Moonduster seen recently languishing in Trondheim in Norway
Just one step from becoming a ghost ship. The very unused classic 1981-vintage Frers 51 Moonduster seen recently languishing in Trondheim in Norway Credit: Michael Pearn

In the Spring of 1981, Dens Doyle’s Frers 51 Moonduster was launched at Crosshaven into a glittering 20-year partnership in which she and her very special owner-skipper became a much-admired feature of the European offshore racing scene. It was a wonderful double act that ended with his death in 2001, shortly after completing his final Fastnet Race aged 81 aboard his beloved boat.

When all was hope. The new Moonduster on the cover of the June-July 1981 Irish Boats & Yachting, a briefly-used title for Afloat.ie as we emerged from the economically dead days of the 1970s. Photo: W M NixonWhen all was hope. The new Moonduster on the cover of the June-July 1981 Irish Boats & Yachting, a briefly-used title for Afloat.ie as we emerged from the economically dead days of the 1970s. Photo: W M Nixon

It’s difficult to live in close proximity with a very tangible half of a legend in your midst, so there was something approaching relief in Crosshaven in 2002 when Moonduster and a Dubois 52, which was also stored in the yard, were sold to a seemingly well-resourced Norwegian. He planned to set up an offshore sailing and adventure school at his home town of Trondheim well north along the Norwegian coast, and at first, things seemed to go well.

NORWEGIAN NEWS NOT GOOD

But as communications back to Ireland tapered off over the years, any news coming through was not good. The Dubois 52 was destroyed in a fire, and Moonduster was unused, languishing in the inner dock in Trondheim.

Every so often cruising people bound north, or sailing folk in Trondheim on some other business, have been taking a walk around the harbour to see the boats and admire the character of Trondheim’s sea-trading links to the ancient Hanseatic League. But then their entire day is knocked astray by coming upon this increasingly ghost-like ship of eternal elegance. It can become a sort of haunting, partially exorcised by sending the images of Moonduster’s long slow demise to Afloat.ie, where we have carried the story for more than a dozen years in several features, but all with the message that the owner doesn’t seem to want it to be any other way.

The fact that this area of Moonduster was once so full of life, with legends of sailing from Cork and abroad, now serves only to emphasise its current near-death situation. Photo: Michael PearnThe fact that this area of Moonduster was once so full of life, with legends of sailing from Cork and abroad, now serves only to emphasise its current near-death situation. Photo: Michael Pearn

The latest is Michael Pearn, who is English and lives in England, but somehow has become a member of Howth Yacht Club thanks to Susan Kavanagh’s very special administration of the HYC Cruising Group.

TOTALLY MOOD-CHANGING SITUATION

He was recently in Trondheim for his 15-year-old Norwegian grand-daughter’s Confirmation, of which he says: “It’s a big deal in Norway”. Clearly he is not overly familiar with Ireland in First Communion time, regarding which we recently published this universally applicable photo:

First Communion in a sailing community in Ireland. Photo PSD NixonFirst Communion in a sailing community in Ireland. Photo PSD Nixon

Be that as it may, Michael was taking a stroll around the harbour when he was brought up sharp by finding Moonduster as the grey ghost. Confirmation and First Communion should be times of faith and hope for the future, yet for a while he was mentally knocked astray by this very effective but decidedly scary memento mori.

Knowing that some serious but rejected offers have been made to Trondheim to remedy the situation, we publish these latest images of Moonduster without comment, for her situation is now beyond words.

When the going was good. Moonduster in her prime in 1995, in the lead soon after the start, and on her way to winning her first Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race. Photo: Afloat.ie/David O’BrienWhen the going was good. Moonduster in her prime in 1995, in the lead soon after the start, and on her way to winning her first Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race. Photo: Afloat.ie/David O’Brien

WM Nixon

About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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About Moonduster

The queen of all fleets. Denis Doyle's legendary Moonduster was the flagship of Irish offshore racing for twenty years. Doyle's enthusiastic support moved the Round Ireland Race into the international league, and his regular participation set performance standards which greatly enhanced the event. 

Doyle owned four different Moondusters in his long career. His last boat, arguably the best known, the varnished Frers, was sold to Norway around 2005 where she is still sailing but not in the same state of repair as she had been in Crosshaven.