Imp

Launched at Battery Point in 1886 as Clairetta, Imp was built to race in the 21-foot overall class on the River Derwent. She won numerous prizes in 1890 and 1891 and was one of the founding yachts of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania. E. H. Webster also wrote about her in A Hundred Years of Yachting.

A piece of Tasmanian sailing history

Imp has Huon pine below the waterline and kauri above. Her large sail plan and low freeboard would have made for lively sailing in a strong sea breeze.

According to the original Denman Marine account, she is the sole survivor of the 21-foot overall class. Records of her history span from a newspaper clipping about her launch to more recent years. She was accepted for inclusion on the Australian Historic Vessel Register.

From Hobart to the west coast

After her racing years in Hobart, Imp moved to Tasmania’s west coast. Over time, she served several purposes and was fitted with a deckhouse and inboard engine. She was once used to carry patients from Kelly Basin to Strahan. She also survived collisions, groundings and sinking.

The restoration

The Deegan family, who had owned Imp for many years, gifted her to Denman Marine for restoration to her original sailing configuration. The original project page described the work needed to undo later changes and return the boat to her historic form.

The photographs show her batten-seam carvel planking and the distinctive sheer that survived more than a century of use. The original page noted that most of her Huon pine frames were in good condition.

The original restoration plan was to return Imp to sailing condition and eventually make her available to the public for youth sail training from Constitution Dock. This was the plan when the earlier page was written; the current project status should be checked before publication.

Get in touch

If you would like to ask about Imp or support the restoration, please contact us.