Spitfire
Details
Built by Alec Lacco in 1951 20’ Spitfire is planked with NZ Kauri. She originally worked as a fishing boat at various locations around Port Phillip. In 1984 she was purchased by Tim Phillips’ OAM father-in-law James Gibson. For a number of years, she was used as a pleasure boat around Portsea & Sorrento. In 1986 she was tragically sailed under near Portsea Pier. The wind and tide were such that she ended up in the Portsea Hole. The Portsea Hole is a depression in the seabed where the Yarra River flowed during periods of glaciation, it is 100’ deep.
A few years later Spitfire was discovered by divers, and in 1990 salvage began. After she was bought to the surface, she dried out at The Wooden Boatshop ahead of a full restoration. In 1999 she was purchased by her current owner who races Spitfire regularly in Division Two at SSCBC. Spitfire has been fastidiously maintained. In recent years she has had a new planked floor installed, new rigging & chainplates, as well as repairs to the tabernacle and mast. Spitfire comes with a full new set of sails, including a #2 jib with furler & boat cover. Her Yanmar diesel engine is only 3 years old.
Her mooring, sitting at EET 148 is also available for purchase. In September the mooring was fitted with new galvanised chain & shackles. Peninsula Underwater Services has advised it has swing room suited to a vessel up to 10m. Spitfire is a classic, well cared for Couta Boat ready to be enjoyed by a new owner or syndicate.