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to shape in criss-crossed layers which gave it incredible strength. The frames had no joints and

the deck beams had to be constructed to form an integral part of the frame, again adding
strength and reducing weight. Sonny Levi visited the site twice during the build and became a

firm friend of the Hares, giving his blessing to name her Speranza, after his own boat. Twin
Perkins marine engines were mounted in the hull. On her completion in May 1961 she was

hauled out of the shed by a bulldozer and launched by the matriarch of the family, May Hare,
at the docks in Cape Town.

The brothers put Speranza through her paces in sea trials in False Bay and were delighted with

her performance in stormy conditions. Skippers of competing boats, however, were skeptical
about her ability to deal with local wave and wind conditions. They challenged the Hares to a

race from the Roman Rock lighthouse to Cape Point in a very strong 25-knot southeaster. Her
competitors were amazed; Speranza’s ability to plane over rather than through waves meant

that she arrived at her destination in half their time. She had proved to be a game-changer in

the design of sports fishing craft in the Cape. Later, Speranza’s Perkins engines were replaced
with more powerful Volvo marine units and her top speed increased to an impressive 27 knots.

Teddy took on the responsibility for keeping her and her engines in peak condition. (Figs. 4.57
– 4.62).

On many occasions Speranza went to the aid of boats in difficulties. In December 1965 a 32ft

SA Navy cutter with eleven on board was becalmed near the reef outside Kalk Bay harbour.
Suddenly a set of steep waves came up, the boat capsized and was swept onto the reef. (Fig.

4.63). Desmond, Vincent and three volunteers put to sea in Speranza. The waves were so high
that only a lookout in the tunny tower could spot three men struggling in the water. Vincent, at

the age of 55, dived in with a rope tied around his waist and eventually managed to get all three
hauled back and into the boat. Sadly, despite intensive artificial respiration, one of them died

before they could reach shore. Seven men lost their lives in the tragedy that day and Desmond

and Vincent were presented with SA Red Cross Gold Medal awards for bravery.

Desmond had always been an extremely enthusiastic fisherman, in 1964 he improved the All-

Africa record for Bluefin tunny twice in one month. One weighing 273.4kg was caught on
th
th
December 13 and the other of 303kg on December 26 off Fish Hoek. He captained the
Springbok Deep Sea Angling team several times, representing South Africa in international

competitions in Cairns, Australia. Speranza was one of the craft commissioned when these
competitions were held in South Africa. (Figs. 4.64 & 4.65).