Cherub - Flat Stanley

[Andy Webb]

Flat Stanley is in need of a new guardian who would be in a position to complete a refurbishment programme and put him back on the water for some serious fun sailing and competitive CVRDA regatta participation.

Flat Stanley is a Murry design built in New Zealand in 1979. He was shipped to the UK to participate in the 1980 Cherub Class World Championships and was placed overall winner of the event. Under new UK ownership he went on to win a further six National Championship titles during the 80’s plus many classic dinghy competitions such as the ‘Bloody Mary’. He made it into the ‘Top Ten Yachts and Yachting Readers’ Most Iconic Sailing Dinghy’ competition.

The hull is particularly special in that it is one of the earliest composite foam sandwich constructed racing dinghies utilising Kevlar in the layup, he has a gelcoat finish below the paint. The decks and internal structural stiffeners are plywood/timber.

The current sail plan is the 1991 rules set, asymmetric spinnaker (x2), mylar mainsail, dacron jib, single trapeze. The hull is fitted with a spinnaker chute moulding which allows for easy hoist/recovery and would be ideal for a retro sail plan conversion back to a symmetrical spinnaker. This sailplan is ideal for lighter weight couples, parents/kids, grandparents/grandkids combinations. The boat is complete equipment wise, some of the replacement items sourced will need fitting including the manufacture of a replacement spinnaker service tunnel if one chooses to continue with the asymmetric sail plan.

Progress to date, replacement mast section of suitable length (aluminium) and specification purchased, replacement adjustable lower mast strut fitted, epoxy work carried out to stabilise plywood where water damage has occurred, a considerable amount of paint removal has been carried out, replacement asymmetric spinnaker pole sourced, daggerboard fully refurbished. I can give a full account of where he is at and what remains to be done over the telephone to any seriously interested members.

Flat Stanley has been dry stored for at least five years, a box base road trailer is available together with a full all over cover. This is not a basket case refurbishment and would make a fantastic addition to the CVRDA regatta scene with a unique pedigree and historical relevance in the evolution of racing dinghy development. The new owner would be most welcomed at any Cherub event.
Please contact Andy Webb, 07941940459 to discuss further or send a message via this forum. More picture available (one is attached) Flat Stanley is based at Harwich, Essex.