Remarkable Watercrafts: The Three-Quarter Tonner Yacht 'Impeccable'
In the world of classic sailing yachts, the restoration of the Three Quarter Tonner yacht Impeccable has been a noteworthy project. Originally owned by John Walker, Impeccable has a rich history in close competitive racing during the 1970s and 1980s, governed by the International Offshore Rule (IOR).
John Walker, an Australian entrepreneur, commissioned Doug Peterson to design a competitive yacht suitable for offshore racing under the IOR rule in 1981. The boat was built in Sydney in 1980 and participated in 25 Sydney Hobart Races, with Walker winning the Division in 1986 and 1993.
The restoration process was led by Ben Gray, a renowned restorer of classic sailing yachts from this era. Gray's approach is meticulous, focusing on maintaining the yacht’s original design characteristics while applying modern materials and technology to restore its seaworthiness and enhance performance. His work emphasizes authenticity and respect for the yacht’s heritage, ensuring structural integrity and updated systems without compromising the classic aesthetic or handling characteristics.
The restoration process involved careful removal of damaged or deteriorated wood and metalwork, repair or replacement of hull and deck materials, re-rigging with original or similar spars and sails, updating internal systems to modern standards, and maintaining racing-legal status under historical class rules. Some parts of the interior, such as the galley and the proposed icebox-cum-navigation desk, are yet to be completed.
Ben de Coster of Hood Sails and John Denton, the mast builder and rigger from Whale Spar, were both contacted and offered technical advice during the restoration process. Doug Brooker, the builder of Impeccable, was also consulted, providing valuable insights and advice.
John Walker, the original owner, survived Nazi concentration camps during World War II and received the Ocean Racing Veteran of the Year award from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on five occasions between 1994 and 2008. The original distinctive coloured stripes remained a familiar sight on the Sydney Harbour racing scene until shortly before Walker's death in 2014.
Ben Gray contacted John and Helen Walker's son, Gary, to express his interest in buying and restoring Impeccable. Most of the restoration was carried out alongside the Walker's pontoon below their house on Long Bay. Despite the need for efficiency, Gray decided to retain the running backstays, as they allow for the use of overlapping headsails, a feature emblematic of the 1980s IOR era.
The 1990s replacement mast that John Denton built was found to be in good condition, only requiring some new sleeving close to the deck level. The rot under the mast step and the timber seating under all the stanchions were replaced, while the stanchions were made stronger and safer by scarfing in new plywood seats, glassing the whole deck to hull join, and adding extra bracing.
As the restoration nears completion, Impeccable is poised to once again grace the waters, a testament to the passion and dedication of Ben Gray and the legacy of John Walker. For deeper insights into the restoration of Impeccable or other Three Quarter Tonners, it would be advisable to consult classic yacht restoration archives, Three Quarter Tonner racing histories, or Ben Gray’s workshop/project documentation if available.
Sports played a significant role in John Walker's life, as he commissioned the building of a competitive sailing yacht, Impeccable, in 1980. The boat, designed by Doug Peterson, participated in 25 Sydney Hobart Races, with Walker winning the Division in 1986 and 1993, showcasing his prowess in offshore racing.
