Whitby/Brewer History
Whitby 42s are comfortable fiberglass cruising ketches 42 feet long, with 3 cabins, 2 heads with showers, galley with propane stove, refrigerator/freezer, & 85 HP Diesel engine. Large water & fuel tanks. They were designed by Ted Brewer. 200 were built by Kurt & Doris Hansen's Whitby Boat Works in Whitby, Ontario (Toronto) between 1973 - 1983. (Serials 1-200) >From 1983 - 1990, Fort Myers Yacht built 32 more ketches (#202-234), 39 Brewer 12.8s (#234-272) & 33 Brewer 44s (#273-306), all based on the W42. So a total of about 300 of these boats were built, around 200 of which are owned by ass'n members.
All have center cockpits, draw 4 1/2 - 5 feet, have 13' beam, & are rather roomy for a sailboat. Some make ocean passages, now in Med, mid-Pacific, New Zealand, Malaysia, S. Africa. Many winter in Bahamas & Caribbean. They aren't the most expensive, usually not racers, but are handsome, well-built, & sail well for their type. Two people can handle them, especially with roller-furling sails. The ketch rig lends itself to cruising, with its smaller sails & variety of combinations. The big 85 HP Ford-Lehman engine permits motoring at 6 - 7 knots if sailing isn't possible, & aids progress against heavy seas.
Many boat classes form owners associations to share information. When we bought our Whitby in 1989, no ass'n existed for this class, so I started one in 1991 with the help of several sailing magazines. We publish one or two newsletters & a member list each year, & have regional groups on Chesapeake Bay & Pacific Northwest. We all help each other by sharing ideas & experiences.
On the first weekend in October, for the last few years, boats & people (owners, crew, & guests) have come from all over U S & Canada to our Annapolis rally. They meet old & new friends, inspect others' boats, get new ideas, & hear talks from members & outside experts on equipment, problem-solving, & experiences. Q & A. Rallies/Gams have also been held in the Bahamas & Victoria, B.C.
Our hosts have been the Rankin & Drenning families, members who have adjacent houses on Whitehall Creek. The last few years, 15 - 20 boats have come here this weekend before the Annapolis in-water sailboat show. Some stop on their way South. Others drive in, mostly people interested in possibly buying a Whitby or Brewer. In 1999, we had visitors from Canada, Texas, Missouri, & one couple who drove from Wisconsin with their 3 little girls. We now start Friday afternoon, potluck that evening, provide meals Saturday & breakfast Sunday on the lawn, usually with a talk or Q & A session after breakfast. Much visiting on boats, discussing problems, looking at rigs & gadgets. Some stick around for the boat show. All seem to enjoy themselves. One year the Victoria, B C group held a "Regretta" with prizes for all racers!
Happy sailing, Bernie Boykin
Hull number example: ZWB 42 156 0980.
ZWB42 = Whitby 42
156 = Serial Number
0980 = Year Built (Sept. 1980)
The hull number is molded into the upper stbd corner of the transom.
