Siska
Launch Date : 1939
Siska at 50'6" LOA is believed to be Australia's only 40sqm.
She was built by Darkie Griffen in Sydney.
David Reid who sailed on this yacht had this to say,
I sailed on a 40 square designed by Knud Reimers from 1952 to 1956 out of RSYS in Sydney. Named Hiawatha by the owner Len Easy she was a cutter rig made of triple skinned Kauri with teak laid decks . There was no self draining cockpit or engine - essentially a day harbour boat. Sail number was 88. I believe Hiawatha was sold by Len Easy to someone in Western Australia and I note that a Hiawatha [number 140185; 15.24 metres, built 1939] is registered in Fremantle.
Len Easy most likely sold her to John Hargreaves who had her renamed Kirribilly and relocated her to Perth.
Rolly Tasker purchased her from John and had her modified and strengthened to handle offshore conditions. She had her stern clipped and planks added and a new cabin and accommodations. Her sail locker was stacked with a bigger range of options including her 3000 sq foot spinnaker. Her keel was alteredwith more weight and a spade rudder fitted.
True to her new form she had an impressive offshore is career sailing from Perth to Sydney and then competing in the Sydney to Hobart race with a 4th place across the line. She then returned to Perth.
Rolly sailed her over 85,000km and ransacked Western Australia's offshore trophy cabinet winning every event.
Her next owner sailed her to Melbourne before entering her in the Melbourne to Osaka race which covers a whopping 10,000km.
Osaka Japan is where she currently resides.
LOA 50'6"
Beam 8'6"
Draft 5'9"
