| Launched | 9th October 2005 |
| Owner | Norm O’Brien/Mike Finn |
| Purchased | |
| Contact | |
| Configuration | Tall rig with Mk 2 keel and rudder New generation foam sandwich, vacuum-resin technique. Yanmar engine under cockpit with shaft drive/Gori folding prop |
| Colour | White hull with gold cove stripe |
| Berthed | In storage on Gold Coast, Qld |
| Sail Number | RF 4 |
| Australian Registration | |
| State Registration | |
| Call Sign | |
| Builder | Cottesloe Yachts / Swarbrick & Swarbrick Yachts |
| Hull Number | 120 |
| Fit Out | Foam sandwich furniture mouldings, jarrah veneer finish. |
| Previous Owners | Mike Finn, then sold to Norm ‘Brien, with Mike later taking a share |
| Previous Names | nil |
The Yacht’s Story
The Original S&S 12-Meter Constellation
Mike Finn has named his new 34 “Constellation” (a famous 12 metre Americas Cup winner designed by S&S) in respect to the history of Sparkman and Stephens. When searching for an appropriate name Olin Stephens offered his approval of the name Constellation. She soon lived up to her name, winning several major offshore races and the Geographe Bay Race week regatta, before her sale to Norm.
The original Constellation (S&S design 1773) was the S&S 12-meter winning design of 1964 incorporating obvious design innovations. During this period, Olin experimented with how the wetted surface of a hull could be reduced (for less drag and greater speed) without endangering the seaworthy qualities of the boat. As a result of his model testing, he concluded that “wetted surface aft was not as harmful, perhaps, as it was forward because the water by then was already going with the boat,” leading to the creation of a “bustle” in the waterline of Constellation. Constellation’s keel was also modified as a result of his experiments; the keel is short and vee-shaped at the bottom – an innovation that improved windward performance by reducing leeway.
| Name | Constellation |
| Class | 12 Metre Third Int’l Rule AC |
| Year | 1964 |
| SailNo | 12 US 20 |
| LOA | 68ft 4in (20.83 meters) |
| LWL | 46ft 5in (14.02 meters) |
| Beam | 11ft 11in (3.66 meters) |
| Draft | 9ft 1in (2.66 meters) |
| Sail Area | 1,818sq ft (170 sq meters) |
| Displacement | 27.2 tons |
| Construction | Wood – double-planked mahogany on oak frames |
| Builder | Minneford Yacht Yard, City Island, NY, USA |
| Designer | Olin Stephens – Sparkman & Stephens |
| Built For | P.S. du Pont Syndicate (NYYC) |
| Country | United States |
| Home Port | Oyster Bay, NY |
| Yacht Club | New York Yacht Club |
| Skipper | Robert Bavier & Eric Ridder |
| America’s Cup | Winner in 1964 |
| Disposition | Sunk while being towed off Turkey |
Photos
The Launch
The official christening of Constellation, 9th October 2005, RFBYC. Conducted by Elsie Finn, Jessica Hardwick, Amelia Hardwick and Sophia Hardwick. Photo: Steve Laws
S&S34 Skippers onboard Constellation at the launch party. Backrow: Mike Finn (Constellation), John Holder (Morning Flite), Dick Newham (Sulphur), Scott Lee (Aries II), Stephen Owen-Conway (Delphis), Geoff Connor (Kungari). Frontrow: Andrew Walby (Swagman), Tim Dallas (Superstar), Steve Laws (Roma II), Jamie Dunross (Spirit of Rockingham), John Ruocco (Seashell). Photo: Melina Arena
Constellation, 9th October 2005, RFBYC. RFBYC Officals and Mike Finn. Photo: Melina Arena
S&S34 Skippers onboard Constellation at the launch party. Backrow: Mike Finn (Constellation), John Holder (Morning Flite), Dick Newham (Sulphur), Scott Lee (Aries II), Stephen Owen-Conway (Delphis), Geoff Connor (Kungari). Frontrow: Andrew Walby (Swagman), Tim Dallas (Superstar), Steve Laws (Roma II), Jamie Dunross (Spirit of Rockingham), John Ruocco (Seashell), Geoff Rayner & Rick Palmer (Huckleberry).
Click on photos below to enlarge:
Sailing on the Swan River, Perth
Penned in Mooloolaba
In action off the Qld Coast
The Original S&S 12-Meter Constellation. The original Constellation (S&S design 1773) was the S&S 12-meter winning design of 1964
