The 42-foot steam launch Ti Tu was built in Fremantle in 1901 for Septimus Burt, WA’s first Attorney General, and remained in the Burt family until she became a ferry to Garden Island. In 1956 she was purchased by Frank Marchant, who subsequently sold her at a much-reduced price to the Fremantle Maritime Museum, where she remains on permanent display.
A long-standing member of the South of Perth Yacht Club, the late Frank Marchant initiated a time trial which is now run annually by his club to commemorate the significance of this grand Western Australian vessel.
Forty seven power boats from three different clubs took part in this year’s competition, taking them all the way to Quarry Spit near the Old Brewery and across the river to Lucky Bay Spit on the Attadale foreshore before returning to South of Perth Yacht Club for a very entertaining “Wide World of Sport” themed after party. Frank Marchant’s son Kim was on hand to present trophies to the winners.
Troy Dalglish and Dee Kelly with Dalusional joined John and Lynne Cooper on Purrfect to jointly win the Ti-Tu Trophy, each with the loss of only six points. These two teams are now regularly featuring on the podium and with Club Champion Sunhunter having missed some events due to work commitments, the battle for supremacy in this year’s championship honours is hotting up!
