Launched | 18/6/79 (date of construction contract) |
Owner | Melanie Piddocke |
Purchased | November 2016 |
Contact | |
Configuration | Mk1, single spreader, deck stepped mast |
Colour | White |
Berthed | Mackay, Qld |
Sail Number | |
Australian Registration | |
State Registration | |
Call Sign | |
Builder | Swarbricks |
Hull Number | 73 |
Fit Out | |
Previous Owners | Original owner was Werner Schlaw. He sold her to BL Francheschi in 1998. She was then bought by Steve Middendorf who sold her to Melanie Piddocke Nov 2016 |
Previous Names | Lorelei is her original name. |
The Yacht’s Story (From Steve Middendorf, 2009):
Warner was very proud of Lorelei as am I. When I bought her she had the original (cutter on a highfield lever) rigging which passed survey. Apparently Warner had oiled the swages every Saturday. Many of the original sails are still in use and in fact I just blew out the 140% genoa this week returning from a cruise down to Jervis Bay. I’ve sailed her up to far north Qld over three different winters and to Lord Howe Island just last year where she took (in stride) a real pounding both coming and going. When I bought her, I spoke to the guys at Rolly Tasker. They remembered Lorelei and said at the time that she had the most expensive rig they had done up to that point.
As far as improvements, over the past 10 years, I have converted the 12/24V alternators to completely separate and redundant 12V charging systems for house and start. I’ve added dual 80W solar panels on the aft life lines along with Stega regulator. I’ve installed a Fleming 301 wind vane, the holding tank/macerating toilet, a Maxwell 1000 windlass, and converted the vee berth to storage along with a raised section to provide extra headroom for the chain castle. I have replaced the original 24V danfoss refridge with a 12V eutectic system from OzeFridge of SA and the Autohelm 4000 wheel steering with the Mark II wheel adaptor and the Series 6000 electronics. The electric anchor winch was the final addition just this past month and once Australian registered she will be putting on many many more miles around the South Pacific.
Further history:
Since then, she has been bought by Melanie Piddocke, who has undertaken a major refit over 2017, see the website here and pictures below.
Photos (from M Piddocke Oct 2017, click to enlarge):
Photos (from S Middendorf Oct 2015, click to enlarge):