The profiles listed in this Register have been documented from the stories and photos contributed by custodians and others who willingly shared information. Readers who have additional information about the history of any Couta Boat are invited to forward it to couta_profile@coutaboat.com.au so that it can be added to the Register.
Harry Clark design.
Custodian: Gordon Mellards; 1992
Christine was built by Gordon Mellards in 1992, in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington, Victoria. She is a Harry Clark design and is built of Huon Pine.
Gordon Mellards had a keen interest in making furniture and used his skills to build an inlaid herringbone deck. Her current owner Lester Wise declares:
There is not a Couta Boat in Australia with that Herringbone deck; each of these deck timbers has a curve on it. Even in the centre-plate on the very top board is inserted with an inlay.
Custodian: Bill Vautin; 1992 – 2007
The next custodian of Christine was Bill Vautin who sailed her out of Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) on Port Phillip under sail number SM19.
Custodians: Glenn and Linda Fitzgerald; c2007
Christine then came into the custody of Glenn and Linda Fitzgerald.
Custodians: Tony Weeks and Fiona Johnson; Late 2000s – 2020
Tony Weeks and Fiona Johnson were her next custodians. They sailed her competitively for three to four years at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, then brought her to St Kilda at the northern end of Port Philip where she was moored.
Custodian: Lester Wise; 2020 – Present
In 2020, blue water sailor Lester Wise sighted Christine in the St Kilda Marina and was taken by the beauty of her design. And after some negotiations, he became her new custodian. On a recent visit in her to SYC, Lester says that she was well remembered and admired by many.
Lester intends to sail Christine in events conducted by the Classic Yacht Association of Australia out of Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Williamstown in Melbourne.
