While it would be something of an exaggeration to say that it has taken the Dublin Bay Water Wags 147 years to become an overnight success, there's no doubting the increasing vigour of the world's oldest One-Design class as we move on further into the 21st Century.
That said, it was 1976 when Hal Sisk of Dun Laoghaire – the leading pace-setter in classic yacht restorations developments - commissioned the building of Good Hope, his new Wag. So maybe it is part of the class's spirit to feel that a new wave is under way at regular intervals.
The latest Water Wag in the Dun Laoghaire suburbs, newly arrived from France. Boris Proutzakoff of builders Skol ar Mor (back to camera) exchanging pleasantries with co-owner Frank O'Beirne (RStGYC) before the serious business of measuring gets under way. Photo: Ian Malcolm
STRICT NUMBER ALLOCATION
But while maybe 200 or so boats have been built to the two Wag designed (the original Ben Middleton double-ender in 1887, and the robust 13ft Maimie Doyle transom-sterned design of 1900), the class is strict about sail numbers only going to boats which measure and have the potential and intention to race.
Frank O'Beirne contemplates the beauty of the materials and the quality of the construction. Note clever load-carrying design of the bronze chainplate. Photo: Ian Malcolm
Judy O'Beirne getting to know the latest addition to The household. Photo: Ian Malcolm
Thus it was quite a moment recently when the latest Water Wag, for former Royal St George YC Flag Officer Frank O'Beirne and his wife Judy, arrived in Dun Laoghaire from France. Competitively built thanks to Government training grants by Mike Newmeyer's Skol ar Mor in South Brittany, the new boat was brought to Ireland by Boris Proutzakoff of the Skol ar Mor staff, as it fitted in with his plans to go across Ireland to see classics builder Steve Morris in Kilrush, the restorer of the Dublin Bay 21s for Fionan de Barra and Hal Sisk.
Serious business. Boris Proutzakoff and WW Class Measurer William Prentice get the business of making Wren a certified Water Wag under way. Photo: Ian Malcolm
International Project – owner Frank O'Beirne, measurer William Prentice, builder Boris Proutzakoff and measurer Guy Kilroy at their work. Photo: Ian Malcolm
TENSE TIME
Sensible logistics it all may be, but the success of everything hinged on the new boat Wren passing her final measurement on delivery. It made for quite a serious little morning in the Dun Laoghaire suburbs, but measurers William Prentice, Guy Kilroy and Ian Malcolm gave the thumbs-up after due deliberation, and the new boat Wren joined the current active Water Wag fleet at Number 55.
"We have a result. And it's the right one". The new Wren joins the Water Wag Class as #55. Photo: Ian Malcolm
Which is a relief for classic boat enthusiasts, as she is a joy to behold. Top grade long-grain silver spruce is more often thought of in connection with spars, but that's the original planking specification. In adhering to it, the builders were able to source an evenly-matched consignment of this special pale timber that glows when it is in still-new top order, but is difficult to match if an elderly boat needs a plank replaced.
A welcome member of the household and a worthy addition to the furniture – the new Water Wag neatly offsets a classic Dun Laoghaire doorway. Photo: Ian Malcolm
WOOD CARVING
As a final touch, the builders commissioned a sweet little carving of a wren at the aft end of the hardwood top-strake. Boris Proutzakoff reports that the hull had turned out so well they insisted the woodcarver do two test works on spare timber before he was let loose on the Wren - will she be Dreolinn in the end? Yet even though the carving turned out looking very well, it was such a nervy business that it's reckoned another time they might get it done before the top-strake is fitted to reduce stress levels so near to the finish of the project.
But that's another day's work entirely. Wren is Water Wag #55, and the 147-year-old show goes on.
Gallant. The wood-carver was required to do two practice runs on spare timber before Skol ar Mor would let him place the finished wren on Water Wag #55. Photo: Ian Malcolm
