The Ker 32 Hijacker was a popular competitor owned by Stuart Cranston of Strangford Lough YC at Whiterock and the nearby Down Cruising club, but he was struggling to get enough regular crew (eight) so downsizing was the answer, and he will move Hijacker on. The replacement boat is the well-known David Thomas designed Quarter Tonner, Purple Haze.

Stuart says she is a more manageable boat. He bought her from Phil Cook last summer in Cardiff, where she has been raced for years. Phil had bought Dave Cullen’s Half Tonner Checkmate so decided to move Purple Haze on to a new home.

The vintage Quarter Tonner Purple Haze racing on Strangford Lough Photo: courtesy Stuart Cranston

Stuart says “We had her towed home back to Strangford Lough. We only require five to sail her competitively which is great... We raced her over the 2023 season and have totally fallen in love with her and found her still to be very quick with her original somewhat tired sails”.

She was built in 1977 as the prototype for the Bolero Quarter Ton and designed by the late David Thomas who was behind some of the great designs that are still prominent today such as the Sigma 33, Impala and Sonata. She is a past winner of the Quarter Ton Cup, The Round the Island Race Gold Roman Bowl, and the Conquers de Elegance QT Cup.

At the end of last year, Purple Haze was towed to the Medina Yard in Cowes for some John Corby love. He swiftly got stuck in a shed with his team, stripping her back to the bare timber structure.

Purple Haze under restoration Photo: courtesy Stuart Cranston

Purple Haze in her fully restored state Photo: courtesy Stuart Cranston

New North Sails are on order from Maurice ‘Prof’ McConnell for the 2024 season, and John Corby has spent five months over the Winter bringing her back to her former glory. The deck has been glass sheathed and stiffened, new fittings, winches and deck gear installed, along with some new systems to improve sail trim and boat handling. She’s then been given a full respray on the deck as well as eight coats of clear coat sprayed on the topsides to bring back a gorgeous shine to beautiful exposed wood.

It's going to be a busy season for Stuart and his crew. The plan is to head back to Cowes in June for the Quarter Ton Cup 20th Anniversary (25th -27th June). Then to Dublin Bay for the ICRA National Championships at the end of August at the Royal Irish in Dun Laoghaire and the IRC Europeans at the same venue from 12th – 15th September.