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Siandra
Siandra under spinnaker in race
Siandra under spinnaker in race

CountryAustralia
Boat TypeLion Class
Sail Number46
MH46
ClubMiddle Harbour Yacht Club
RigSloop
LOA10.72m, 35.2f
LWL7.31m, 24f
Beam2.66m, 8.74f
Draught1.7m, 5.6f
Displacement6.2 tons
Year Build1956 (age 68)
Owner (s)Jamie and Nikky Perryman
Former OwnersGraham Newland
Designer (s)Arthur Robb
Laurent Giles
Builder(s)Ron Swanson
Former CrewFrank Likely
Graham Newland
Nev Mcenally
Pod O
Ron Swanson

Siandra

 Siandra is a 35' Lion Class, designed by Arthur Robb, built by Ron Swanson and owned by Graham Newland. She was an outstanding yacht of the 50's and 60's.

In 1954 Graham Newland  commissioned Ron Swanson to lay the keel of Siandra in the backyard of his engineering works. For the next 2 years, he spent his spare time building the boat which was finally launched in 1956.

That year she was 2nd in her division in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1956. In 1958 she went on to win the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1958 outright and also the Middle Harbour Yacht Club's Racing Shield and their offshore series. She also won a Montague Island race.

Then again she won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960, giving her a double.

History of Siandra

Launch of Siandra at Frank Likely
Launch of Siandra at Frank Likely's Boatshed 1956

Siandra and her two sister yachts were built in the period 1954/6 with much co-operation between the 3 owners as far as the purchase of timber etc. was concerned. Ron Swanson was employed by Graham Newland to build Siandra before Ron extended business for himself.

The difficulties of building a yacht in this period were profound. Australia was still suffering from great shortages caused by World War II. The purchase of the north coast White Beach for the planking gives an idea.

Sufficient timber for the construction of 4 yachts was required, three Lion Class yachts Siandra, Kaiyu (Bill Henderson), Malohi (Nev McEnallyy), plus Eos for Tom Flower. All owners wanted full length planks so the only way was to purchase eleven trees in the forest where they stood. No local timber mill could handle these logs in their full length, so they were railed to Sydney. After much searching, a timber jinker was found that could carry the logs to a mill with a 40foot run-out in Baulkham Hills. Here the logs were cut into planks.

The mill however did not have a planer. So the 4 owners, with some help, loaded the planks onto a semi and they were transported to Hayman & Ellis Mill at Manly for planing Again the owners provided the labour, together with the reloading onto the semi for distribution to the various building sites.

Siandra and her sister Kaiyu were built in the rear of the factory nearly opposite the Mater Hospital in Crows Nest. Siandra was launched in 1956.

Her first season was very successful including winning Second Division of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. But for the failure of a forestay, turn buckle only a few miles from the finish, this could have been a win overall. She won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1958 and again in Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960

Today (1995) Siandra is halfway through a world cruise. Her young owners have been through a major cyclone and report that the yacht has performed to their highest expectation.

Story Courtesy of Graham Newland

Note about Kaiyu

As sad note about Kaiyu from Scott Ryrie and Malcolm Lambe (current owner of EOS):  "Kaiyu" Siandra's sister ship was taken to the tip by the MSB. She was moored in Careel Bay in a pretty sad state. The RMS towed it to their mooring at Quays Marine, Church Point, where it sank. It was refloated and at least two reputable shipwrights/yards wanted to save it but RMS refused. It was put on a low-loader and sent to Kimbricki Tip, Terry Hills two weeks ago (14th Aug 2019). I presume it was broken up. 

Owner was a boat painter. 

Both vessels were built at the same time in 1956 and from the same log of Beech from Wauchope. They were railed down from Wauchope and milled at Baulkham Hills.


Siandra Launch 1956
Siandra Launch 1956
Lurlene Newland and Graham Newland at the launch of Siandra
Lurlene Newland and Graham Newland at the launch of Siandra
The other man
The other man's boat Siandra Page 1
The other man
The other man's boat Siandra Page 2

Pictures and Articles

General

Pictures collected by Graham Newland and donated by Jan Newland (daughter)

Siandra in an add for Rydge
Siandra in an add for Rydge's
Below decks on Siandra
Below decks on Siandra
Lurlene Newland in centre
Lurlene Newland in centre
MHYC Article in Northern Life. Siandra
MHYC Article in Northern Life. Siandra's crew when she won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht race 1958
Middle Harbour Yacht Club leads in the Blue Water 1961
Middle Harbour Yacht Club leads in the Blue Water 1961
Seacraft 1961 Siandra
Seacraft 1961 Siandra
Siandra at the Spit
Siandra at the Spit
Siandra Crew
Siandra Crew
Siandra Crew
Siandra Crew
Early offshore Competition at Middle Harbour Yacht Club
Early offshore Competition at Middle Harbour Yacht Club
Buoy Catches Lion Siandra 1958
Buoy Catches Lion Siandra 1958
Siandra at the Spit

1956 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Pictures and articles from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1956. Pictures collected by Graham Newland and donated by Jan Newland (daughter)

Peter Mounsey

Frank Likely

Ron Swanson

Graham Newland

Pod O'Donnell

Yacht run into a stiff blow 1956 Hobart
Yacht run into a stiff blow 1956 Hobart
All Away to a Flying Start 1956 Hobart
All Away to a Flying Start 1956 Hobart
The 28 Heading for 1956 Hobart
The 28 Heading for 1956 Hobart

1957 Montague Island Race

Siandra Wins Montague Race 1958
Siandra Wins Montague Race
Sloop Siandra Wins 10th Montague Island Race 1959
Sloop Siandra Wins 10th Montague Island Race 1959

1958 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Siandra Wins the 1958 Hobart - Collection from Graham Newland, donated by his daughter Jan Newland. Pictures and articles from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1958

In 1958, "Siandra" with Graham Newland as skipper and Ron Swanson, Frank Likely, Pod O'Donnell and Peter Mounsey as crew won this blue-ribbon ocean event.

1958 Hobart Fleet Big Yacht Race Open
1958 Hobart Fleet Big Yacht Race Open
Lucky Puff Catches Tiny Siandra 1958 Hobart
Lucky Puff Catches Tiny Siandra 1958 Hobart
Siandra Sails out of Blue to win 1958 Hobart
Siandra Sails out of Blue to win 1958 Hobart
Siandra Wins 1958 Hoart Race
Siandra Wins 1958 Hoart Race
Middle Harbour Yacht Club celebrates Siandra
Middle Harbour Yacht Club celebrates Siandra's win in 1958 Hobart
Siandra (MH46) - 1958 SHYR start Photo Norman Danvers Photography

Seacraft 1959

Buoy Catches the Lion

Seacraft Article 1959 January 

Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 1
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 1
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 2
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 2
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 3
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 3
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 4
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 4
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 5
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 5
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 6
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 6
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 7
Seacraft Article on the 1958 Hobart Page 7

Article in Power Boat and Yachting Feb 1959

1960 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Articles and pictures from the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960 collected by Graham Newland. They won handicap this year.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race winner SiandraSydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960Siandra Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race winnerSiandra racing up the Derwent on her way to win in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960
Siandra racing up the Derwent on her way to win in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960
1960 Hobart What to look for
1960 Hobart What to look for
Siandra
Siandra's skipper Graham Newland is rewarded with a kiss after winning the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960
Second Win to Siandra Hobart 1960
Second Win to Siandra Hobart 1960
It
It's a Long Haul to Hobart Siandra and Graham Newland
Siandra in Race Win?
Siandra in Race Win?
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960 Prepare for Great Race
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race 1960 Prepare for Great Race
Close finish Yacht Win 2nd Time to Siandra Hobart 1960
Close finish Yacht Win 2nd Time to Siandra Hobart 1960
Siandra in Jan 1961 at Constitution Dock
Siandra in Jan 1961 at Constitution Dock
Win of the Week - Siandra in 1960 Hobart
Win of the Week - Siandra in 1960 Hobart

Powerboat and Yachting Magazine Feb 1961


16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 1
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 1
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 2
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 2
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 3
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 3
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 4
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 4
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 5
16th Sydney to Hobart Article in Powerboat and Yachting 1961 Page 5

1998 Across the Cyclone' Path

An article written for "Sails" magazine by the owners (Nikki and Jamie Perryman) of Siandra in 1998. They took the boat across the Indian Ocean, and this is their story about going through a cyclone and how well Siandra weathered the storm.

Across the Clyclone
Across the Cyclone's Path - Siandra 1998 Page 1
Across the Clyclone
Across the Cyclone's Path - Siandra 1998 Page 2
Across the Clyclone
Across the Cyclone's Path - Siandra 1998 Page 3
Across the Cyclone
Across the Cyclone's Path - Siandra 1998 Page 4
Across the Cyclone
Across the Cyclone's Path - Siandra 1998 Page 5
Across the Cyclone
Across the Cyclone's Path - Siandra 1998 Page 6
Siandra in Race Win?
Siandra in Race Win?
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