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The winning crew of Beach Inspector . From left to right : Dave McDonald , owner Graham Jones . Richard Hudson and Robbie Cole .
Nearing the finish of the last raee Quartermaster was still in front bur Quarter Flash narrowed the winning gap to only 10 minutes as U1e tleet slowly made their way to the finish off Willian1stowo . The win counted double poinisand Graham Jones and his crew came ashore the 1983 World Quarter Ton champions .
Racing throughout the series was exceptionally close , with sailing skill ( and a little luck ) being the key factors to success ralher than any design breakthrough . In fact , the four top boats , one Dubois and three Davidsons , were quite similar in hull shape and rig .
The Dubois-designed Quartermaster was the biggest boat in the series , with a displacement of 3000 _ lb · and she carried the largest rig , a decided advant < ige in the light breeze of the final race .
Quartermaster was built by Dave Warren of Gosford , using kevlar / klegecell sandwich construction , and simplicity was the keynote of her layout .
She has all North sails on a double spreader rig with diamonds . Her new Norcon spinnaker and genoa were an asset . The transparent Norcon genoa is made from . 9-ounce material and the crew used this sail in up to 12 knots apparent wind . The spinna · ker just tloated when the . half-ounce kites were collapsing on other boais .
Runner-up . Quarter Flash also useil Nonh sails , while the Queensland boat , Ocean Racer Chaser . used Frank H ;, unmond sails from the Melbourne lofL
Qtuirretmasrer was sailed exceptionally well Ji all conditions · by Jones , AnriU and Tunbridge who were joined for the series by experienced Melbourne yachtsman , Tim Doming .
Quartermasrer finished with two firsts , two seconds and a third in the five-race series , Quarter Flash had tltree seconds , a third and a fourth , Ocean Racer Chaser placed 1-2-1-5-4 and Shambles 4-5-4-1-3 .
Beach Inspector trails Sagacious and Gretel at the start of the Sydney Mooloolaba Race . Beach
Inspector went on to win ! he race and also take out the Ampol Tasman Sea Trophy forihe 1980-81 season .
An E22 start on the Palm Beach Circle .
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