TOPIC:

Does anyone know if the HAPCO alb is likely to enter production. After Barneys success with the pre production boat I thought people would be hammering the doors down. Although I do suppose we have to allow Barney and David some credit sailing on home waters[img]smileys/smiley4.gif[/img]
Robert Thomson2008-08-27 11:01:43

Robert, as I see there have been over 50 viewings of this item and no replies it may be helpful if you could enlighten those of us who are "not in the know" as to what Hapco stands for and how the construction of the boat differs from others currently in production

Kind Regards David Hammond Head Honcho7920

Im not sure where Barney is with production version of his boat, but Im sure if he sailed on a bit of 4x2 he would still win!
Link to the Hapco website (old)
hometown.aol.com/hapcomarine/hapco.html
For those not familiar with 8122 here is a pic and a video.

JohnW2008-08-28 16:54:26

HAPCO is Barney Harris and Peter Duncan's Alb business in USA if I am correct. Being unhappy with the quality of hulls from Ontario Yachts which they were rigging and selling in USA they decided to make a plug and mould their own albs based on a Woof hull. As far a s I know the first attempt didnt measure up and a 2nd was made. There were hopes to have half a dozen ready for West River last year for sale or charter. I got the impression that things got a little behind schedule but have no current news.



If I said anything that was out of turn or is incorrect I am ready to be put right but I think that is the story.

Yes as said previously by Ed, HAPCO is the name Barney and Peter Duncan(not sure if others were/are involved) use for boats they repair/fit out and any other Alb goings on. It is I think more a labour of love than a business proper so I imagine things do take precedence over the boats. If anyone does have any updates or if any of the principals happen along I'd be interested to hear how things are going.
Robert Thomson2008-08-28 22:34:40

Hi Guys

HAPCO stands for the three guys: Bob Harwood, Jim Ayers, and John Potter. These guys had an albacore oriented business in the 1970s that included a brick and mortar store front. It was a part time endeavor for all - all dinghy racing enthusiasts. Bob Harwood was a great guy - he died years ago. I spent many evenings at his home working on boats (and drinking his beer...). Jim Ayers is still around but has not been sailing in some time. He is a good guy. No idea where Potter is - but his daughter Katrina still has a boat and occaisionally makes an appearance. The old HAPCO was shut down at some point. Then in the early 1980s, Harwood, John Duncan, Roger Thomas, and Bill Buck re started it. They imported Skeene Albacores from canada. My first Albacore #7109 was one of these. Roger Thomas passed away from stomach cancer in the late 80s. They shut HAPCO #2 down in the shortly thereafter. Then in the late 1990s, Peter and John Duncan decided to re start the business. They obtained a verbal agreement of all previous HAPCO owners to use the name. In 1999 I joined Peter and John as an equal 1/3 partner. I think we have rebuilt around 20 albacores, fitted out 6 brand new albacores, and created the tooling to build hulls, decks, and bow tanks. Seat tank molds are in process and will be done in a couple weeks. We have built and raced our prototype 8122 for almost one year now and have molded the hull shells for 8123, 8124, and 8125. We have three molded decks and one molded bow tank. We developed a measuring jig, along with Jude Brown, that enables a full hull offset measurement in 45 minutes. All of this is a part time, for "fun" (and I use the term loosely!) activity which explains the slow pace as this competes with sailing, work, and everything else for time. We continue to make incremental progress and hope to have some pre production hulls complete pretty soon. I was hoping to get 8124 in the water for US Nationals in Oct - but i am not going to make that. We will get there tho.

Hi Guys/Gals

Just incase you are not sure..... teamspot is "Barney Harris" So Hapco is in safe hands, the current Hapco mold is based on Barney's Mk4 Woof. I'm sure Barney will keep up the info flow once he knows there is interest.



Derek 7176 & 6852