History: Saskia II was relaunched after a major
restoration performed by Mark Wallace, http://www.markwallaceshipwright.com, outside
Sidney, B.C.
Saskia II was built for Sir A.S.Young to race on the Clyde,
in a very active fleet of six meters, and represents the superb
craftsmanship of the Fairlie builders at there peak. It is a
testimony to the skills of these hardy men, who produced these
“stradivarius’ of yachts, on the cold shores of the
Clyde in Scotland, that these boats are still being appreciated
and revered. Saskia II was chosen as part of the 1934 British
team to compete in teh British American Team Race Challenge in
1934, and was shipped to the states, but was unsuccessful against
the American 6 Meter’s which were then starting to dominate
the class. Saskia II found her way to the Pacific Northwest in
the 50’s or 60’s where there was a very active fleet.
As do all Fife meter boats of this era, Saskia II had wrought
iron floors in her bilge's, which after 70 years haves wrecked
havoc on frames and planking. The entire bottom of Saskia II
has been rebuilt, all iron work replaced with cast silicon bronze
[to the original Lloyds specifications] damaged frames and planking
have been replaced or repaired. she is just completing a stem
to stern authentic restoration that will take her back to her
original 1934 configuration.
Saskia II was shipped back to Newport, Rhode Island in September 2009 for the International 6 Metre World Cup, placing a very respectable 6th of 24 in a highly competitive field. In 2010 Saskia made the trip to both Port Townsend, where she won the Olin J Stephens II Classic 6 Meter North Americans, and to Port Madison, where she was among the boats used for the Queen Christina Nations Cup.
Saskia II at the Boundary Cup, West Sound, Orcas Island
