The Yachts

Helsal 3

Helsal 3

 

In last year’s race, Rob Fisher and Paul Mara were hoping to replicate their PHS overall conquest of 2014, but it wasn’t to be when they finished seventh overall under PHS.  Prior to last year’s Sydney Hobart, Fisher let it be known he wanted to be home in Hobart quickly, and he got his way, placing second overall in PHS and first in Division 1. The previous Hobart, with neither owner aboard, Helsal 3 finished 15th overall in PHS. Mara, a Gundagai doctor, bought into partnership with Fisher just before the 2013 Hobart. Helsal 3 was originally Arthur Bloore’s ‘The Office’, then Tony Fisher (Rob’s dad) bought the yacht and gave her the name they gave all their famous yachts, racing with success in the late 1980s and early 1990s before they sold her and then repurchased her in 2007.

What a story this yacht has to tell. Bloore pulled her out of the ‘84 Hobart on Day 1 with a torn main, but repaired and broke the Pittwater Coffs race record a couple of days later. Pulled out of the Hobart again in ’85 after breaking the mast prior to start, so was scored DNS. Was badly fire damaged in 1986 when Fisher purchased and restored her, finishing eighth on line in the ’87 Hobart and fifth in ‘88. He sold her to John Wertheimer who finished seventh on line in the 1990 Hobart. Chartered in ’91, she finished seventh on line before Fisher repurchased her.  

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name Helsal 3
Sail Number 262
Owner Paul Mara
Skipper Rob Fisher
Navigator Paul Mara
Crew A Goode, C Oliver, D Clarke, D Mealey, S Stephenson, J Thomson, J Wood, M Flynn, R Jackson, S Collins
State TAS
Club RYCT
Type Adams 20
Designer Joe Adams
Builder McConaghy
Construction GRP
LOA 20
Beam 4.6
Draft 3.4