Marionette Two Ton IOR Yacht pictured here in 1982 at Cowes Marina. In the Backgroud you can see the hover craft hangers with the Union Jack Flag on them. Do you know who design this yacht and what design she is ?????
Where is this yacht now ?
Is she still racing ?
Two Ton, R.Holland
ReplyDeleteFrom the book "the Admiral's Cup" by Bob Fisher: "Chris Dunning's Marionette, a 44 footer, is the result of the combined talents of Dubois and Humphreys. She did not qualify for the British team in 1985 and was chartered by Singapore"
ReplyDeleteSingapore came ind on a 6th place at the Adm Cup 1985 with the yachts highland Fling, Pocket Battleship and Mrionette.
This can't be MARIONETTE IX (Admirals Cupper 1985 for Singapore). It is probably MARIONETTE VII lost in FasnetRace 1979 or MARIONETTE VIII.
ReplyDeleteAs my old man was onboard the boat for the '79 I'm pretty sure he'd of mentioned the boat being lost!
DeleteI think this is the Holland 46 Marionette VII which was built for the 1979 Admirals Cup but failed to make the British team, I think she later represented Britain at the Southern Cross where she did well. She was later sold and became Moonchaser.
ReplyDeleteThe 1982 date is a bit odd as this should make it her successor however the photos I've seen suggest it was the 79 boat that had the 'M' on the side as part of the white flash.
The next Marionette was the Doug Peterson 44 for 1981 built by Jeremy Rogers in Lymington which missed out on a team place for that years Admirals Cup, this was then followed by the Dubois/Humphreys boat for 1985, again missing out on a team place & chartered by Singapore before being sold & renamed Commanche Raider.
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DeleteNope, With big M it was the VI, ron holland too... : http://www.demi-coques.fr/articlevoile/chrisdunningetsesmarionette
DeleteThe hull shape has been used for the sucessfull Nautor Swan 441
ReplyDeleteJust a footnote to say I had the honour of working for chris dunning between 1987 and 1989 looking after the lightwave 395 incarnation of marionette. He was a true inspiration and one of the bravest and calmest men I have ever met. Anything I have achieved in my life since I generally put down to the trust he put in me as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteIt's true this ship was previously owned by a UK syndicate,
ReplyDeletelater it was bought and brought to the netherlands.
Now it's partly restored, and in yellow and black colors,
privatly owned and in the harbour of Den Helder.
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ReplyDeleteHey Johan, I assume it's you as we pained that hull yellow years back in DH!
ReplyDeleteFound some old pics of this boat when it was named Moonchaser => http://www.clydesailing.co.uk/pxo14/moonchaser1.jpg
http://www.clydesailing.co.uk/index.htm (scroll down)
Hi guys,
ReplyDeleteI am happy to tell u that I am the owner of moonchaser since 2 weeks. She is in pretty rough condition but we will fix her up and her her sailing again.
She is a true Beauty to see and sail.
If u have any information about this ship then let me know!
Hi
DeleteTheun Visser, my father bought Marionette VII in 1985. We refitted her completely and renamed her Gunda after my mother. We raced her with great fun and had many good times on board. For us this boat was a learning platform to big boat racing. I finally got on board as bowman/sailmaker on Equity & Law II during the Whitbread 1989-1990. My sister Tanja crewed on Maiden as bowman//sailmaker in the same Whitbread. We are very happy that our loved old boat will be resqued now and seems to be in good hands again. Please let me help. We have full history, pictures and details available. Kind regards Edwin Visser +31651475322
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