Small Boats in the Strait
The recent article we published about crossing Bass Strait in a dinghy (Flotsam & Jetsam 23.01.26) inspired Bruce Finlay to write to us to tell of the adventure of the late Ron Spence. Ron was the father of Murray, a lifelong, worldwide sailor, best known for skippering a series of ALFA ROMEO’s for Neville Creighton and sailing regularly the various MARITIMO boats. Together Ron and Murray did a couple of Melbourne Osaka Races.
Ron had made his mind up, that at the age of 70 that he wanted to sail non stop across Bass Strait in a Mini 12 fibreglass sloop. His wife, Joan was adamant he should not do it & didn’t speak to him for two weeks. But that didn’t stop him.
These boats emerged in the midst of the America’s Cup enthusiasm in the 1980s, when sailors and designers thought it would be fun to have a scaled-down replica you could actually sail yourself. The International 2.4 mR class (often associated with “Mini-12s”) grew out of similar ideas but became a separate, competitive class — even used in Paralympic sailing.
This boat was owned by the proprietor of the Esplanade Hotel in Queenscliff, and lent to Ron on the condition that he put the pub’s name on his mainsail. (After the trip it was displayed in a glass case in the foyer of the hotel for many years)
He made a few adjustments to the Mini 12, putting in a heavier rig beefing up the chainplates & gudgeons, making a canvas skirt for the boat which covered the cockpit, with a cut out around his body. The idea was to keep the boat waterproof, his arms above, legs below as the boat was steered by your feet.
Ron used the trip to raise about $5000 for United Way, a charity supporting children education in Geelong.
The Commodore of Royal Geelong Yacht Club said there was no way they would endorse the event, but the club jurisdiction did not extend outside the premises. The local coppers said it was crazy & they would arrest him if he went.
Ron decided to avoid the local police and set out from Apollo Bay. He worked out that police jurisdiction ended a little off shore so he organised for a local fisherman tow the boat a few miles out and them he jumped aboard. He set off in a nice Northerly breeze with friends on a yacht following him for safety. The trip went smoothly to start with, heading for Grassy on King Island, then the breeze turned SW & increased.
By this time it was dark, the safety boat implored Ron to go in to Grassy for safety, he resisted at first, he wanted to go non stop, but eventually sanity prevailed & they went in.
There was a group of people partying on the beach, Between them and the safety boat crew they got Ron out of the boat. He was very cramped, stiff & sore, freezing cold, they warmed him up, fed him & he slept ( I bet like a baby !! ).
The next day the breeze abated, he took off & made it in to Stanley. He had originally wanted to do the return but Joan strongly resisted & eventually he gave up on the idea.
With the ORCV King Island Race only three weeks away, your editor has signed up for the trip aboard a comfortable 60ft cruiser/racer, thirty five years after my first trip down there aboard an Adams 12. I’m sure my admiration for Ron’s achievements will be much enhanced apon arrival in Grassy!