With the Sydney to Hobart looming at us in less than two months, let’s take a look at Golden Eagle..
A Farr one-tonner was built in Sydney by Compass Yachts in April 1977 and brought across the continent to Perth to be set up to do the Sydney to Hobart that year. But first, she had to get back to Sydney and that was another story, but she made it in one piece and the mid-range boat was to be one of seven WA boats that year.
She was in the exalted company of Farrawa and Apollo III when they won the right to compete in the Sydney to Hobart in the offshore series known as the Southern Cross Cup. It was a record fleet of 130 that year and a record number of retirees (58). Golden Eagle bore the numerals SP10 for Jim Grainger of the South of Perth Yacht Club and the hard working boat allowed him to campaign heavily offshore. However Jim held true to his thoughts and having sold Golden Eagle to John Harding he had a boat called Golden Prospects designed by Kiwi, Ron Holland and managed to get 40th over the line in a field of over 150+ boats in 1981. It’s not a bad effort really!
As a matter of interest, having bought Jim’s boat, John Harding campaigned Golden Eagle offshore and did well under the South Perth Yacht Club banner. Recently, PC Gerry Drysdale owned Golden Eagle and ran her as a competitive Wednesday sailor.
Several other SoPYC sailors ventured over east… perhaps they may be explored in the future.
Rick Steuart
