December 11, 2007 - Together at Last: but not in the water just yet

It's no exageration to say Ierne and The Truant stole the show at Earls Court. Ierne, fresh from an 18 month renovation, was jaw droppingly gorgeous. Did we detect a quiver of recognition as these two majestic old ladies were reunited for the first time since 1914? Maybe, certainly there will be no love lost when they Duel again in June.

The Duel of the Fifes will take place over ten days, each day with places for six guest crew, three on each yacht. You spend a morning on one, pause for lunch then switch to the other for the afternoon so you get to compare how they sail. Members can come as individuals or why not get two crews of three together and make a match of it. 75 points per place including lunch.

December 11, 2007 - Finally she is finished

Just in time to sit with The Truant either side of the main stage at Earls Court.

The show opened on Friday and on Thursday he mast was stepped and sails hoisted for the first time.

September 11, 2007 - Ierne: Nearly there

August 3, 2007 - Truant sets sail once more

After languishing in a barn in Crinan awaiting renovation for 13 years she has finally got back out on to the water. She was there for the last day of the 8Metre Worlds in Rhu and then went straight back to Crinan for the Inaugural Crinan Classic Regatta.

June 11, 2007 - Ierne: Deck in Teak

May 11, 2007 - Ierne: Rudder is reinstalled

April 11, 2007 - Ierne: New Iron Floors

A source was found for a complete set of wrought iron floors and two hefty ring frames were added to take the stressess imposed by Irene's massive mast. Bill has worked with Joe on the whole project.

April 6, 2007 - Ierne at the end of May. Her hull was finished and she is now receiving her 15 coats of Blakes

April 6, 2007 - Ierne

Beams in place and keel back on. The new planking can be seen below the waterline

March 22, 2007 - Truant coming along nicely

Work has been progressing apace in Lochgilphead. Ross has 4 shipwrights working full time to make sure The Truant is at the Worlds in July. They have been trying to keep as much of the original as possible. You can see how much planking they have kept. Most below the waterline was not saveable but above, despite spending most of the seventies submerged they have been retained.

All the iron floors have been remade and replaced. This is easily said but every one is different each has to be fabricated individually. Deck beams are all new too.

Ross has decided to keep the coach roof. It was added in the twenties and is very low so doesn't look out of place.

March 12, 2007 - New Aft Deck Beams for The Truant

Work is continuing apace in Crinan

March 11, 2007 - Ierne: Begining to take shape

Deck beams back in place after working from November 06

January 24, 2007 - Truant under restoration

"The Truant" was built in 1910 for the then commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron. In her first season were she had a few rigging problems i.e. she went through a couple of masts, but once these problems were resolved she was normally in the top three on the 8 meter circuit until at least 1915. She was the fastest on the South Coast in 1911 and won the Stockholm Cup the following year. From 1916 she spent a few years in Sweden and then she was in Norway for 20 years. Little is known about this period and the following one where she was on Ireland’s South Coast. Ross Ryan’s Godfather, Bob, found her in 1956 in Loch Swile in Northern Ireland. She was lying in a potato field on one sheer leg, painted from lead to topsides in bright yellow. She was then rigged as a yawl in preparation for the previous owner’s transatlantic ambitions. Perhaps he came to his senses as his ambition was never fulfilled. Bob sailed here hard for the next 20 years on the West Coast of Scotland were she was a regular winner of Tobermory and West Highland Week. So successful was she that she had to be asked not to compete to give others a chance. Since 1994 she has been stored awaiting the inspiration for an extensive renovation. The inspiration for Ross is to allow his Godfather to see her compete in the 2007 8 Metre World Championships in Rhu.

When surveyed by one of the leading Fife authorities it was noticed that The Truant was one of the most original Fifes in existence. The intention is to keep as much of her original structure as possible.

October 11, 2006 - Ierne: Frames

Frames were removed and new ones installed one by one

March 9, 2006 - Ierne: The work begins

After Ierne arrived in Hull at Joe Irvine's yard in February the first job is to assess what can stay and what can go. Deck and deck beams were obviously in the latter category.

February 17, 2006 - Not just any old Ierne

Indeed. Ierne was the last of the First Rule 8 Metres and the first to carry a Marconi rig. Unbeatable in anything under a 4 she proved it when a Norwegian crew to her to Gold athe the 1920 Antwerp Olympics.

She has arrived in Hull after her overland journey from Portugal. Here you can see the unmistakeable Fife dragon motif on the bow . The has engaged Jo Irvine, a gradute of IBTC in Lowestoft to manage the renovation. Jo has a fabulous track record being the first boatbuilder to create a wooden Dragon since 1970.

July 11, 2005 - Ierne: You can't really find famous old boats hidden in barns can you?

Ierne spent the last 16 years in a barn in Portugal. Her only company was three guard dogs.  She was glad to emerge into the fresh air!

July 11, 2000 - 1914

Ierne and the Truant Dueling and sailing on the Solent in 1914