| Boat name | Mercedes III |
| Designer | Ted Kaufman / Bob Miller (Ben Lexcen) |
| Builder | Cec Quilkey |
| Year launched | 1966 |
| Rig | Sloop |
| LOA | 40 ft |
| LOD | |
| LWL | 31 ft 11.5 in |
| Beam | 11 ft 3 in |
| Draft | 6 ft 6 in |
| Sail number | R 450 |
| Owner | Martin Ryan |
| ARHV Number | HV000494 |
History
Australia’s first cold moulded ocean racer, the first and fourth fore and aft oregon planking (5/16th”), 2 diagonal layers (3/16th”). Keel, ribs, frames and floors Queensland Maple.
Racing History:
1966: Launched for the Admirals Cup trials, she won 9 of her first 14 races.
1967: Member of the winning Admirals Cup Team (+ Caprice of Huon and Boambillee)
1969: Member of Admirals Cup team, finishing 2nd (+ Ragamuffin and Koomooloo)
1980’s: Raced on Sydney Harbour with a short interlude at RBYC. Completed many Hobarts.
1986: Brought to RMYS by Martin Ryan. Sydney Hobart 1995, 1996. Success on CHS, IMS, and AMS over the years with the Cock of the Bay a favourite. (1st 1989 on CHS and 1st 2008 on AMS)
Mercedes lll won MHYC Offshore division 8 years in succession under A T Clutton.
Crayfish Derby Honour Plate
61,62 Mercedes ll
63 Salacia
64 Freya
67 Salome
69 Boambillie
70 Prospect of Whitby
71 M lll
74 Ragamuffin
Links
- Mercedes III website
- Australian Historic Vessel Register
- 1967 Admirals Cup documentary on Youtube
- Mercedes III Construction story Seacraft Magazine May 1966 (pdf)
