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N1903 Slick-Chick

Started by National 12 Webmaster, 19 Jul 2007, 07:11

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National 12 Webmaster

The life of N1903 Slick-Chick. Design: Mark 9, designed by: Ian Proctor in 1959
Original boat name: Slick-Chic.


Winning boat of the National Twelve Class 85th Anniversary 'Mary Deare' Grand Pursuit Race,
at Northampton Sailing Club, Pitsford Reservoir, 12th September 2021, sailed by John Sears and Catherine Sears.

edwillett

For sale on eBay October 2014. Located in the Hope valley. A sad state for the once famous Slick Chick!

edwillett


landslide

I learnt to sail with John Sears in Slick Chick. Early 70's at Burton Sailing Club, Branston. Cycling from Repton, legendary times. Even bought a mark 9, then Maxwells Demon from John, Rumpuss from Mal Macdougall and then Landslide from Dave Peacock. What has happened to the 12s now, we used to have 35 at Salcombe, nearly a hundred at Burton Week and 30 at Norfolk week. Tvsc and Middle Nene 40 boats. Too expensive? yes. What happens next? Demise of the class or new ideas. Food for thought? Richard Watson

John Sears

Slick Chick was my first 12. We purchased her in 1968 for £140. I was 14 and raced her at Trent Valley with my mother crewing at first. John Royce owned her from new and sailed her with great success in the Midlands during the 60's. She was a tippy boat but fast in light airs, especially with our light weight. The first race my mother and I did was a running start in little wind on the river. We managed to go past all the other boats racing which included notables such as John, Alan Brunton, Clive Robinson and even Paul Turner. When we reached the top mark in the lead we had no idea which way to go round. Even when we were told Port it didn't help as I was unsure whether that meant the port side of the boat or the mark itself! Needless to say we resumed our rightful place at the rear of the fleet on the beat down the river.
John Royce performed epic feets with her in blowy weather. Peter Copley's books have pictures of her. One was taken of John & Rosie tearing down the river, both sitting right back with an enormous wake coming off her transom. I was told that John won the Trent Valley open meeting in her when it was so windy that everyone else dropped their mainsails at the windward mark. I wonder if the picture was taken on that occasion. John bought a Mr Jones when he finally sold her after 8 years. The person he sold her to (in London) wrote to him later that summer saying the boat was too much for him. By chance we were making enquiries about 12's for sale at Trent Valley and were directed to see John. He told us about Slick Chick and everyone said "you have to have that boat" Somehow we persuaded my father of this and bought the boat unseen. John drove down the motorway early on the August bank holiday morning to collect her and bought her to the club. We raced in the RNLI pennant event and won it despite my feeble crewing. The jib was sheeted straight to the foredeck and was only tight enough when the knot in the clew was at the fairlead. There was no way I could hold it that tight! Needless to say we fitted cleats!
She had laminated, narrow side decks which were fitted in the early sixties. The original Wyche & Coppock decks of the time were flat and uncomfortable. Apparently at the end of one season John & Rosie held a party to take the decks off. Everyone was given a hammer and gathered round the boat. At the signal the old decks were smashed out of her, ready for the new ones. These were much narrower inboard which increased her effective width for sitting out (and also let the water in easier).
A measure of how well she performed was Harry Dalby's copy of her (Hurricane, N24??) built at the same time as China Doll. Harry made his boat wider but the underwater shape was the same (and just as tippy!)
After 3 years I sold her back to John for Rosie to sail (which happened rarely). Jessica Wilmshurst bought her later and eventually sold her out of the club.
I always assumed she had broken up a long time ago, so the pictures on Ebay are a real surprise. As Richard comments they bring back happy memories as well as sadness seeing her so derelict now. I fear she is past restoration but maybe we can find room for her in the garden. RIP

John Sears

I am pleased to say that Slick Chick is now back in my ownership again, after a gap of 42 years.
Here is a picture of her being posted into storage by Paul Turner's tractor.
We shall review our options over her restoration. Her bow and centreboard case are reasonable but the stern planks are decidedly soggy. She will need new decks too. At least we have the original mast, centreboard & rudder.

John Sears

More pictures of Slick Chick being rescued & going into storage.

John Sears


John Sears


John Sears


John Sears


John Sears


grazz

More photos pre-renovation

John Sears

Slick Chick is now in the tender care of Gerry Ledger and undergoing the first stage of her restoration. She has enjoyed 6 months drying out in Paul Turner's barn. Gerry reports that this was so succesful she only caught fire twice when he was stripping the remaining paint off with a hot air blower. Apparently dry rotten wood is prone to this. I have posted a few pictures of her taken by Gerry as he progresses.
Eventually I hope to repaint her & fit her out with most of her original gear which I have. This is my "retirement" project, but as I have a few years to go before I stop work I may have to do a bit in my spare time.

John Sears


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