On Saturday 22nd October 2005, a new addition to Sydney’s fleet of Historical 18ft Skiffs was launched at the Sydney Flying Squadron.

The replica of The Mistake was built by Robert Tearne, using the lines derived from the full model of the original 1933 hull, for owner John Winning. The boat is dedicated to Bob Cuneo, Sam Monkhouse, his son Cliff Monkhouse and Stan Higgins. The timber spars were made by Ian Smith, with sails by Graham Herrick.

	18 Foot Skiff replica "The Mistake"

The original boat was built in 1933 by Lance Watts at the yard of A.J. Whereat in Brisbane, for owner/skipper Bob Cuneo of Sydney, funded by the W. Arnott Biscuit Factory, with sail insignia of 2+2=5. This boat proved to be the start of the trend for some Sydney based owners, towards the 7ft beam, heel-less, skiff type 18 footer - as opposed to the heavier 8ft beam with built-in-heel style of boat promoted by the Sydney Flying Squadron at the time. The introduction of this boat had a direct link to the formation of a break-away movement which in-turn led to the formation of a new club, the NSW 18 Footer Sailing League, in January 1935.

18 Foot Skiff "The Mistake"

The Mistake replica was christened by Anne Higgins, wife of Stan Higgins. Stan was on the inaugural Committee of the NSW 18 Footer League when it formed in 1935, and retired from sailing in 1962 after sailing 18s for four decades. He sailed forward hand for Bob Cuneo in the original boat.

Anne was assisted with the christening by Grace Monkhouse, wife of Cliff Monkhouse. Cliff was a great supporter of the Historic Skiffs and was very excited about the building of The Mistake, as he sailed in the original boat as a boy when his father was skipper in 1938. Sadly, Cliff missed this event by a matter of weeks and his passing is a great loss to the sailing fraternity and the Historical Fleet.

Also on hand to assist with the christening ceremony, NSW MP and Minister for Sport and Tourism, Sandra Norrie, who then joined the crew to compete in the boat’s first race.

	18 Foot Skiff "The Mistake"

The Historic 18ft skiffs race ever Saturday out of the Sydney Flying Squadron (SFS), with a spectator ferry which follows the race, leaving from the club at Careening Cove at 2pm – unfortunately, one of Sydney’s best kept secrets, go see for yourself.

In January, the SFS will be conducting and Interdominion event for the Australian Historic 18s along with the New Zealand 18ft M-Class skiffs. This event was run previously 4 years ago and was a huge success, bringing together many skiff sailors and followers of the sport from years gone by, with some great sailing and a lot of fun in the process. Not to be missed, this event will run from Sat 21st January 2006 through to Sat 28th.