THE RADICAL PROTOTYPE
In 1952, Fairey Marine built a 22ft (6.7m) cruising boat, by splitting an Uffa Fox-designed Swordfish dinghy longitudinally, then widening and lengthening it. Simple accommodation was provided in two cabins, one for’d of the cockpit and one aft. Additional space was created using a tent over the cockpit. The boat was designed by Alan Vines, a Fairey Aviation employee and keen sailor, and was called Sujanwiz after his three daughters – Susan, Jane and Elizabeth. Sujanwiz sailed very well, cruised extensively and crossed the Channel. Susan recently commented that “She was a fast and exciting boat, but extremely wet!”
The Vines family often visited Uffa Fox in Cowes. Between them, they hatched a plan to persuade Fairey to develop the design into a 24ft (7.3m) cruiser. Fairey agreed and they built a prototype with twin retractable keels in 1954, named Atalanta after the last flying boat built by Fairey Aviation.
INNOVATIVE DESIGN
The design was radical, combining as it had the precision aviation engineering and manufacturing experience of Fairey Aviation, the inspiration of Alan Vines and the design remains unique. A lightweight semi-planing hull form, with full bows to lift the bow in waves, and flat run aft. in full cruising mode weighs barely one and a half tonnes. The centre cockpit keeps weight away from the stern and forms a large social space between the two cabins. The vertical whipstaff tiller uses very little space. The twin, side-by-side lifting keels allow easy passage between them, hinging on large-diameter bolts with simple lifting arrangements and well-engineered clamping plates to prevent movement at sea, while allowing them to ride-up on grounding. Accommodation is for four adults in two cabins, or for six with the optional cockpit tent. The roll-edged deck moulding provided great strength with little weight, reducing windage while maintaining headroom.
