Pretty in Pink - Mermaid joins the D-Class fleet
by Jeni Bone 26 Jan 21:44 PST
Mermaid, the Derwent Class yacht undergoing restoration at Tasmanian Shipwrights & Co, will soon take her place among the D-Class fleet - standing out from the crowd with her hot pink hull.
Mermaid is D11 and the second D-Class in the family for the owners of D18, Merlin, adding to the local fleet racing in regular twilight sessions in Kettering.
Rebuilt using Celery Top Pine planking, Mermaid required bucket loads of WEST SYSTEM epoxy products, E-fibreglass, Technifill R1160 and Epifanes gloss varnish for the final finish, from ATL Composites.
Matt Stevens, shipwright and Director at Tasmanian Shipwrights & Co described the project as "complex and complicated".
"For the amount of work in the six-month time frame, it was very tricky. We worked every day, some very long days, to get Mermaid ready for relaunch at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in February."
The last step is the installation of the rudder, waterline mark and the considerable mast, which at 36-foot long is quite the stick for a 24-foot boat, as Matt points out.
Key to Mermaid's immaculate appearance is the range of products from ATL Composites, including WEST SYSTEM epoxy resins, Technifill R1160 fairing compound and Epifanes clear varnish in high gloss.
"Epifanes is a beautiful, traditional varnish that protects the timber and gives it a brilliant gloss finish. It's easy to work with and delivers superb results," Matt comments.
The team is also applying their considerable craftsmanship to other resto projects, including 40-foot timber yacht, Tradition and 30-foot Cayzer motor yacht, Floki.
Tradition will be among the myriad of wooden boats on show at this year's AWBF, to be held in Hobart 7 to 10 February.
But first priority is to celebrate Mermaid's official launch on Wednesday 5 February, with a line-up of all the D-Class yachts in the region, including Gremlin, Nymph and Minerva for enthusiasts, media and the public to admire.
Mermaid's hot pink hull has caused quite a sensation around the yard and garnered mixed responses, according to Matt.
"You can't miss her, that's for sure. But the colour choice will make sense when they're all lined up. Nymph is yellow, Minerva is purple and Gremlin is a dark forest green."
Her owners are very happy with the head-turning hue and the quality of the restoration. "We have worked closely with them, and they can't wait to get on board and sail her."
ATL Composites is exhibiting at the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival, 7 to 10 February.