Shark #447 was built by Hinterholler in 1967.  The original owner was a Mr. McMullins of Chicago.  Not much is known about the boat as no log is available and memories distant. I believe the McMullin family had a cottage on Amherst Island and would spend summers there.  The boat was berthed at Loyalist Cove Marina, Millhaven, Ontario, and was purchased for Mr. McMullins' teenage daughter.  Skua laid at Loyalist Cove Marina for years. The boat only saw occasional use and like so many sharks fell into disrepair. 

 

      In 1983 It was sold to my father in-law, Tom Groat who took on to refit the boat.  The interior suffered the most.  Other than extensive dry rot, the boat was in remarkably good condition. The boats' original fittings and sails were in good shape.  As an aside,  Skua to this day is still in her original form.  All fittings from winches to cleats are original and in excellent condition, even the original mercury outboard still works.  Tom, with the assistance of a professional carpenter rebuilt the interior.  A little TLC the boat was good as new.

 

     He fitted her with a roller furling, and had a new 180% radial cut genoa made, a new dingy and outboard were added to the inventory.. The two mains that came with the boat were in good condition.  One of the main sails had only a couple of seasons use, and the spinnaker never saw any use. Once repairs were completed, She saw good use from 1984 to 1990. Skua was used mostly as a family day sailor.  Lee, Tom's son used the boat frequently. Fortunately, a good log was kept as he made many entries depicting the adventures in Skua.

 

     I married Stacey Groat in 1989, and was introduced to sailing during this time. Unfortunately, We moved to Nova Scotia in 1990 and Skua remained at Loyalist Cove. Although we would spend the majority of summers here, Skua didn't see any major maintenance or use until I returned to Kingston in 1994 when I was "assigned" maintenance duties.

 

     During the past 4 years, skua would sometimes sit for long periods of time with rain water accumulating in her bildges.  This led to another onslaught of dry rot.  by 1997, the damage was structural.  Skua again was repaired.  A refit was undertaken by Tom and myself.  Tom now retired and I on holidays, completely rebuilt the interior. Removing the old bulkheads and bunkfronts with care,   we were able use them as templates.  I was surprised how accurately the reproduced forms fit when re-assembled. Within two months the interior was finished.  With a new paint job and antifouling, the boat was as good as new.

 

    I mostly use Skua as a micro cruiser.  Sailing single-handed I installed a tiller line that goes completely around the boat.  I Spliced toe loops on the forward section of the line which enables be to steer while I set the spinnaker. I have just finished buffing the gel coat to remove oxidation and have begun repairing crazing and chips.  All hatch coaming and trim have been re-seated and water proofed.  I recently fitted her with a removable table that fits in the main companion way.  It fits in the track and is supported by a single leg support.  It is actually quite stable, and with enough room for two adults and two children to use. We have weathered many a rainy day under the binimi and the table was a definite asset.  ( My wife complains table is to big) I also installed a bug screen that covers the entire companion way and main hatch.  Using Velcro strips on the inside of the cabin, glued to the fiberglass bulkheads/deckheads not the wooden frames, the mesh is attached.  This with the binimi makes for a comfortable bug free night.

 

     Skua is now berthed at Canadian Forces Base Kingston Yacht Club and is used frequently.  She was used recently to provide sail training to soldiers.  We spent a week sailing between Wapoos and Gananoque.  With a little organization even a shark with four adults can be comfortable.  But that is another story.  I hope you have found the information useful.  Thanks again for the great site.