May 27, 2019
New life Jenetta
Shipyard Robbe and Berking restored the historic 12-meter yacht Jenetta built in 1939 – soon the historic ship will return to the start of sailing regattas, adding to the fleet of 12 meters in the Baltic Sea.
The story of Jenetta began like this: the yacht was built for businessman William Burton at a shipyard in Scotland. William Burton, who grew rich on sugar, was an avid fan of sailing regattas. After the America's Cup, which was held at that time on giant class J yachts, Burton returned to the “meter” yachts. His first 12-meter was built in 1924, and the "Jennet" was already his fourth yacht of this class.
However, Burton had few opportunities to enjoy the performance of this boat at the competitions: firstly, his age was already noticeable – in the year of the “Genetta” launching, he turned 75 years old. Secondly, the season of 1939 ended too early – because of the outbreak of war. But still, “Jenetta” became the only yacht that year, which was able to beat Vim, the unbeatable yacht of that season.
After the owner's death in 1942, the “Jennet” arrived in Canada (apparently, in the 1950s). What happened in the following decades with the yacht, it is already impossible to know for sure. In any case, since 1985, she stood on Lake Pitt until she drowned at Christmas 2008.
And now the Flensburg shipyard Robbe & Berking has restored the vessel according to its original drawings. The shipyard owner, Oliver Berking, discovered Dzhenetta about ten years ago on Lake Pitt near Vancouver, Canada, where she was anchored. He decided to buy a boat. But while he was negotiating to buy, she sank. As a result of the unsuccessful rescue work next year, the already heavily damaged hull was damaged even more, so the Berking shipyard had no choice but to completely rebuild the “Jennetta”.
But only the lead keel and some fittings could be used again. Wood paneling and steel frames have rotted completely. New ones were created in accordance with the original drawings of the Scottish yacht designer Alfred Milne. Flensburg shipbuilders have been able to take advantage of these drawings, as the company Mylne Classic Yacht Design still exists. And soon the yacht will leave the shipyard and, possibly, will again fight with her old opponent.
With a length of 21.7 meters, the “Jennet” is the longest 12 meter ever built and, therefore, one of the fastest. The first formula for measuring the 12-meter class was established in 1907, and then modified twice. Jenetta is built on the third version of the 12mR class rules. (Note that the creator of "Jenetta" Alfred Milne was one of the authors of the original formula for measuring 12-meter class.)
119 May 27, 2019 # 9036
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