THE RADICAL PROTOTYPE
Classic Boat|November 2020
Now back on the water, the original, aviation-engineered Atalanta was a pioneer of mass production
THE RADICAL PROTOTYPE

In 1952, Fairey Marine built a 22ft (6.7m) cruising boat, by splitting an Uffa Fox-designed Swordfish dinghy longitudinally, then widening and lengthening it. Simple accommodation was provided in two cabins, one for’d of the cockpit and one aft. Additional space was created using a tent over the cockpit. The boat was designed by Alan Vines, a Fairey Aviation employee and keen sailor, and was called Sujanwiz after his three daughters – Susan, Jane and Elizabeth. Sujanwiz sailed very well, cruised extensively and crossed the Channel. Susan recently commented that “She was a fast and exciting boat, but extremely wet!”

The Vines family often visited Uffa Fox in Cowes. Between them, they hatched a plan to persuade Fairey to develop the design into a 24ft (7.3m) cruiser. Fairey agreed and they built a prototype with twin retractable keels in 1954, named Atalanta after the last flying boat built by Fairey Aviation.

INNOVATIVE DESIGN

Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Classic Boat.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Classic Boat.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

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