The Yachts

Knee Deep

Knee Deep

 

This famous yacht was originally launched as Yendys for Geoff Ross and went on to win the 1999 Hobart race overall. Philip Childs rescued the yacht at auction after finding her in a deplorable state in Sydney in 2006, and has become a regular Rolex Sydney Hobart competitor since.

Renamed Knee Deep and now 14 years old, the Farr 49 is nevertheless in good racing condition and in just the right size band to still be able to give it a crack for an overall win. It last raced to Hobart in 2011 and finished 54th overall and 12th in IRC Division 2. Over the last six months Knee Deep has had a refit that includes a new rig, kevlar underbelly on the boom, re-design of the traveller system and some new sails.

Took Division 1 victory In Western Australia’s 12-race Offshore Series, consisting of races between 20 to 50 nautical miles. Competed in this year’s Fremantle to Geraldton race and finished sixth overall under IRC. The crew of 14 consists of the core from previous Hobart challenges with the addition of several very experienced offshore sailors. Knee Deep is skippered by Knee Deep Wines owner and Perth surgeon Phil Childs.

 

Competitor Details

Yacht Name Knee Deep
Sail Number HY161
Owner Philip Childs
Skipper Philip Childs (5)
Navigator Russell Balding (4)
Crew C Saxon (1), D Armstrong (2), J Chaston (2), J Delfos (1), J Alp (3), S Hartley (6), W Koolhof, P Thomson (1), C Campbell, J McMullan (1), J Weeden (2)
State WA
Club Hillarys Yacht Club
Type Farr 49
Designer Farr
Builder Boatspeed
Construction Carbon
LOA 16.54
Beam 3.99
Draft 3.37