Varen
In 1961 Major M S B Vernon had Moody of Swanwick build VAREN to an original G L Watson design. The scope and hight quality of build enable an interesting comparison; that she cost more than twice as much as an imposing seafront house on the Clyde at that time.
From the late 1950's the design and building of yachts was undergoing great cahnge. On her commisioning VAREN came to the attention of "yachting World", which noted in her case:
"Scottish yachtsment and architects have never been influenced by the RORC rule to the extent of those on the south coast and....have remained faithful to a more conservative type of cruising yacht having greater emphasis on weight and comfort and with less eccentricity in rig. Change does not always betoken improvement. Indeed it was once considered to suggest decay and some years ago the pure cruising yacht had reached a stage of developmnent in design beyond which much more than changes of detail could hardly be expected to occur
This sloop of most moderate beam for her length, and also draft, and with heavy displacement and long keel, has a slightly old- fashioned air that is not unattractive. Yet if you pause to consider the main features of her design, discounting while doing doing so considerations of rating or devices by means of which the greatest amount internal space or speed may be squeezed out of the cost, you find in a ship like this perhaps as near an approach to the ideal cruiser as can be devised; a boat capable of being kept moving efficiently in light winds or strong, and throughtr long deep water seas as well as the steeper waves of extuaries. And achieving this without demanding too much of the crew".
Varen has had four owners in what is approaching 50 years, the first for 29 and the present one for more than 10. In present ownership she has had a major refit in 2000, a new engine in 2001, a new wooden mast and boom to replace the aluminium one fitted in the 1980's interior alterations in keeping with her pedigree and constant attention to all the liuttle things that maintain a classic yacht in good condition.
YACHT DESCRIPTION
| Owner: | Charles Hunter-Pease |
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| Designer: | G L Watson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class: | One off | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Designed: | 1930's | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year Built: | 1961 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Builder: | Moody Swanwick | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| LOD/WL Ratio: | xxx | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Displacement: | xx tonnes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Thames Measurement: | 11.76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Material: | Wood | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Construction: | Carvel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hull Frames: | Grown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rudder: | Keel Hung | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sail Material: | xxx | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deck & Superstructure: | Timber laid deck | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Superstructure Profile: | Coach Roof &Dog House | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interior: | Classic Cruising | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Steering: | Wheel | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transom: | Aft Sloping | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rig: | Sloop | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine Make: | Volvo Penta | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine HP: | 57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Engine Mounted: | xxx | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propeller: | Fixed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propeller Blades: | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mast Material: | Wod | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mast Configuration: | 2 spreaders | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keel Configuration: | Long | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Keel Material: | Lead | |||||||||||||||||||||||||