Shetland Inter-Club Yachting Association

Bluebird D3

 

Club: Delting

 

Built by: Andrew and Gordon Laurenson at Hagdale, Unst

 

Owned and Sailed by: Frankie Tait

 

Inter-Club Sailing Details: winner of the Devon Bowl in 1960, the Linklater and Cruester Cups in 1958.

 

Note: Frankie was working in Unst in the 1950’s and sailed the Still while he was there. He drew the Maid of Thule in a hat race and, after winning the race, was so impressed with the performance that he arranged for the Bluebird to be built on the same lines as the Maid of Thule. Rigging on an outboard motor, Frankie, together with his brother-in-law John Robertson, motored the new boat from Baltasound to Brae, stopping for a time in Yell to replace the engine after the first one broke down, arriving at the North Brae Ayre late in the evening. Next day a team of men dragged the Bluebird from Sullom Voe to Busta Voe  and he motored to Aith, where Frankie was living at the time. This was the first maid style boat to be built for a Shetland Mainland owner.