Our yacht, Mirrool, is a Clansman 30 GRP Sloop. She splashed off the Fairlite Plastics construction line in Gosford, New South Wales Australia, in 1969 .
Her first owner, Charles Ure, entered her in the inaugural Trans-Tasman Solo Yacht Race. This contest starts in New Plymouth, New Zealand and ends in Mooloolaba, Australia, some 1300Nm distant. Of five vessels, she was the sole Australian entry. Joining her were three New Zealand registered yachts and one entry from the USA. She joined the second race four years later in 1974 but was dis-masted in a ferocious storm and was unable to complete the course but Mirrool and Charles survived the ordeal.
The original sail plan is still in use today with a conservative 35sq.m combined fore and mainsail area, complimented by a 41sq.m asymmetric spinnaker for use in winds under 20 knots. The mast has reinforced aerofoil welded spreaders and oversize rigging. Mirrool is 4100kg. The hull is hand-laid solid GRP and the moulded keel carries 1800kg of lead ballast.
The original Buhk 1 cylinder diesel engine has been replaced about 20 years ago with a Yanmar 2GM20 which, while looking a bit worse for wear, is still clattering along with Troy’s occasional attention.
She has been Troy’s full time home since 2015 and Pascale a little more recently.
