Gigi is a beautiful example of an 8 meter cruiser race (8mCR) James McGruer was involved in designing the rule for this class and built approximately 15 – 20 in the class. The objective of the class was to allow a lower cost and more versatile yacht than the pre-war metre classes. Arthur Robb, Olin Stephens and David Boyd also designed one yacht each to the class rules. Gigi of Clynder is unique in being the only one to have been fully teak planked and yawl rigged. She only competed once against her class in light winds. Many thanks to Giles for providing the history of this beautiful yacht.
A fascinating process to follow in the yard as Gigi’s mast has been rebuilt using new sections of Sitka Spruce. Firstly we removed all the fittings and placed the mast carefully on trestles, softwood wedges were used to encourage the timber to open up. The glue joints were cleaned back and the damaged sections were replaced. We have then re-glued and clamped the mast until cured. Then the mast has been fully revarnished and we are now in the process of re-installing the wiring and newly galvanised fittings.
She was launched recently and looks beautiful in the water, her elegant lines and colour scheme look stunning, it won’t be long and the mast will be ready to raise.
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