First F-33 SHADOWFAX Now In The USA
After sailing for a few of months in Sydney the first F-33 SHADOWFAX was then shipped to new owner Del Jacobs in the USA. Port of Entry was Vancouver, Canada, and Shadowfax was then re-assembled in a friend's backyard which was conveniently located nearby in Surrey (BC).
Soon after arrival and being re-assembled
At the ramp, with mast just raised
Happy owner Del Jacobs (at left) and helper Hans von Loessl, just before launching.
Many others also helped out including Australian Doug Smith, Bernd Giese (owns
an F-24 Mk1 #13), and "of course" Sigi.
Shadowfax was then relaunched to become the first F-33 to be sailing in Australia, Canada, and the USA. Del reported that he achieved an average of 14 to 15 knots (by GPS) in 15 to 17 knots of wind on the delivery trip to his home at Port Ludlow, just west of Seattle.
Professionally, Del led the design and prototype teams for the F-15 and F-23 Stealth fighter design programs (kits or plans definitely not available from Farrier Marine). Del has owned an F-9A for many years, so a new F-33 with its more advanced design technologies, higher performance, and greater cruising capability was a logical next step.
Sailing at last! Del and Sven Donaldson, technical editor of the magazine "Pacific Yachting"