2963 :: National Firefly Association

2963	Date Posted: 22 Jul 10 22:50
Hi just trying to find out some history on this boat. Currently in poor condition but slowly making progress. Thanks Iain.
Author: Iain Scott	Message ID: 299

2963	Date Posted: 23 Jul 10 20:58
Iain - thanks for your enquiry! I care for the sales/building ledgers kept by Fairey Marine from the very start of the class until the mid '70's, plus some 4000 index cards kept by the NFA! Your Firefly was built in 1963 and supplied new 13 December to Birmingham College of Advanced Technology who named her 'Pisces' She was built on mould number 4, to the Mark l layout, weighed 161 lb against the then class minimum of 160lb and supplied 'all varnished' Her shell number (a Fairey stock control record) is noted in the ledger as 2214 which would suggest the hull had been in store for perhaps a year or more after moulding and before completion, or perhaps the entry is incorrect, or perhaps I have simply misread a now rather pale pencil record! Terylene sails made by Ratsey and Lapthorn of Cowes were supplied. She was with a Birmingham private owner by 1973, (Midland SC) and in Kent by the early 80's owned by Sevenoaks School, still very much a hotbed of Firefly racing. A couple more private owners into the '90's and then, sadly, contact lost! Over the years she seems to have been named 'Aries' then 'Yeoman' and perhaps lastly 'Laura' Does she need much work? What are your plans for her? Where will you keep her? Best wishes! Peter Lanham ... NFA BoatSearch
Author: Peter Lanham	Reply ID: 869

2963	Date Posted: 27 Jul 10 23:02
Thanks so much for the message. Restoration is my interest so will try to keep as original as possible. I stripped back the hull over winter and dug out all the soft wood and am currently rebuilding the holes, transom etc. Just looking forward to getting her rigged for the first time. If the repairs dont look too bad I might try to keep the original varnished look. Still have the original sails too.
Author: Iain Scott	Reply ID: 875