A History of the fleet Support Vessels
With the 2025/26 around the corner, we thought a quick history lesson was called for.
They are the five vessels crucial to race-day operations at Manly 16ft Skiff Club – named after some of the most significant people and events in our history.
And while they may be familiar sights to anyone involved in the sailing program or checking out the moorings while enjoying a beer on the deck – not everyone knows the background behind these boats.
Matana – Start Boat
It’s hard to believe the Manly 16ft Skiff Club once struggled to win a single Australian Championship.
We may have dominated the regatta in the first quarter of this century, but winning didn’t come as regularly in the decades preceding it. In fact, it took until the 1975/76 season for Manly to claim the crown for the first time when the crew aboard Matana – having crossed to the other side of the country – saluted in Perth.
Considering the first national 16ft title was held in 1908/9, it was a helluva long wait for the drought to end. Named after the first Manly skiff to claim the coveted trophy, Matana is our official start boat – and a constant reminder of those who went before us.
George Fitzgerald – general support boat
Georgie Fitz only stood a little over 5ft tall but he was a giant of the Manly Skiff Club fraternity.
Awarded life membership in 1980, George was an active sailor until the late 1950s before taking on the role of club captain and turning his attention to officiating and administration.
A tireless worker, he was often the first there of a Saturday morning, busily preparing the club flags and duty boats and crew to ensure a smooth day’s sailing. Always armed with a smile on his face and a warm greeting, George was one of the club’s genuine characters and a wonderful contributor.
The boat named after him monitors the fleet and responds to skiffs and crew in need of assistance/rescues etc.
George Johnston – general support boat
George guided the club through some turbulent times, particularly in the 1960s as we struggled to stay afloat and ensure financial stability.
He was Manly’s first president following the incorporation from a club to a public company in 1972, overseeing our inaugural board of directors.
George held a number of positions over a long association with the club and rewarded with life membership in 1968.
His boat performs the same duties as the George Fitzgerald.
Ian Richardson – pin boat start line
Ian was a tireless worker – on and off the water – for decades.
He was an official with the Flying 11s for several years and a long-serving board member.
Ian was the catalyst for much change, overseeing major work to the clubhouse and restricting much of our administration.
He was awarded life membership in 1996 and stayed committed to the Manly cause until his passing.
The Ian Ricardson is in communication with the start boat during pre-start and starting sequences before acting as a general support boat.
Hugh Cooke – mark laying boat
They say no-one is irreplaceable, but Hugh Cooke was the closest thing to it.
He was Manly 16ft Skiff Club’s ‘everywhere man’, selflessly giving back to the sport and those involved in it for more than five decades.
Hugh joined the Manly 16ft Skiff Club in the mid-70s, sailing in the F11s class with his children Gavin and Phillip along with winning the season point score in 1981 with daughter Ellen.
He competed right up until the 1981-82 season before throwing his time and energy into sailing administration including a training program for the juniors, which was always such a strong passion of his.
Hugh remained a big part of the Manly club right through the decades becoming Commodore and a director in 1992 holding that position for 14 years, with the Club honouring him with Life Membership in 2005. He then went on to join the club race management team as assistant starter right up until till his passing in 2017.
Bob Holmes – RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
Earlier this season, Manly 16ft Skiff Club officially launched the new youth and junior 4.3m RIB support boat, christened “Bob Holmes”.
Bob was as an integral figure in helping shape a sailing program at Manly 16ft Skiff Club that is envy of clubs around Australia. He was a champion sailor in the 18s and 16s before turning his attention to administration on the Manly committee. He was Commodore/Vice-Commodore of the club for four years and a member for 50, launching and promoting many of the initiatives that continue to bear fruit to this day.
The Bob Holmes – the club’s newest RIB – is a support and training craft focused on the 13ft fleet. It is used extensively during junior sailing on Sundays,
