| Mustang | |
|---|---|
 Mustang when she was at Middle Harbour Yacht Club | |
| Country | Australia |
| Sail Number | MH21 |
| Club | Middle Harbour Yacht Club |
| Owner (s) | Eric Merrit Rod Jones |
| Former Crew | John Irwin John Lutze Rod Jones Ron Merrett Truck Cooper |
Mustang
One of the first boats on the MHYC register in 1947/47.
Also see Dawn
Pictures | Letter to Tig Thomas from Rod Jones Mustang owned by Eric Merrit. From Rod Jones The first picture of Mustang was taken in 1946/47 season. Eric is sailing her, yours truly (Rod) (crewman) is on his right, Truck Cooper (still a member) is just aft of the mast and the other two I cannot recall. By the way of confirmation, enclosed is anther snap of Mustang (Mustang 2) take in 1952/53. On the helm is myself Mustang's new owner on my right John Irwin (deceased), then Ron Merrett (white hat) and John Lutze - both deceased. Nearer to the mast is Truck Cooper. These 2 pictures are obviously the same yacht. Note: the same hinged boom crutch: identical house showing 2 posts, varnished sliding main hatch, canvas covered skylight, same stem and stern and low freeboard. The only noticeable difference is Mustang 2 snap is that in 47 her sponson was varnished; in 1952 I had painted it white leaving the toe rail varnished.  MHYC Register 1946/47  Mustang 2 owned by Rod Jones
Mustang (Rod Jones) from the MHYC The First 60 years book Mustang (Rod Jones) from the MHYC The First 60 years book
"Mustang shown on page 19 is the same old boat except that some 25 years ago I had the original house removed and a new one built by one of the Swanson brothers. She is shown at Lyons shed near Primrose have being re-decked (1997) and fitted with a higher sponson, and wider spread chain in plates." Rod continues: The second error in the book, I believe is recorded on page 42 where in the first line is recorded "The club's first ocean race, up to Broken Bay, was organised in 1954" There were two races in the early 50's. In my possession is a MHYC trophy, a cigar box made out of mulga wood, with an inscribed silver plate on its lid stating: The race as I recall was to Lion Island (rounding mark) and return to Middle Harbour. Another race was to Long Reef and return - this was about 50's. In Mustang's crew for that race was old Don Flanders.
It started off Balmoral in a blinding rainstorm. To keep out the cold we had on board a bottle of 33 OP rum. Don was no.1 forehand, I self-appointed chief barman.
As we flopped around waiting for breeze, Don recommended first a tot of rum all round, all being wet and cold. All agreed. By the time we cleared North Head we were all internally warm - the rum bottle was empty. In came a nice SE, quite a finish. It was a great sight to witness Don set, and later bring in our big balloon spinnaker - all operations on his hands and knees on our foredeck - no life rails - no lifelines on Mustang!
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