Massive Sailmaking Job

The job of making sails for the biggest hard chine plywood keeler in the world, the 62ft Infidel, owned by Auckland sportsman Tom Clarke, was successfully undertaken by the Gisborne firm of J.F. Jeune Ltd.

The yacht's six massive sails contained a total area of 7620 square feet (the size of seven average homes), made up from 847 yards of terylene.

Laying out and sewing such enormous quantities of material were challenging tasks for the firm. Using the War Memorial hall the men were able to lay out the sails for cutting and shaping. They were then transferred to the sewing room for seaming.

Since its launching the yacht has competed with distinction. It won the Auckland to Bay of Plenty race in record time, and was the first A Class keeler home in the Auckland Anniversary Regatta.