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lines of latitude, which are only the same as longitude at the equator. So, as long as we stick
to the ancient system of measuring a circle in 360 subdivisons, which we call degrees, the

nautical mile of 2000 yards, each of 36 inches, will survive.

My own experience with the two crashboats that I have owned and operated is that there is

no difference at all in fuel consumption at brisk displacement speeds of about 10 knots and
true planing speeds of around 25 knots. Absolute fuel consumption is, however, high. The

inefficiency at low speeds of the hull form of a true planing boat, like the crashboats, is so
proved. I am unable to speak about other planing hull forms like the so-called monohedron

type first developed by Renato Levy, the designer of Speranza and many others, but I
suspect that they display similar inefficiencies at low speeds, compared to a true

displacement hull.

Compared with Sir Abe bailey’s Clewer, Felicity is more modern in concept and would be

what is known as a cabin-cruiser. According to the description available she would

probably have had a top speed of around 18 - 20 knots, powered by a V12 petrol engine.
She was designed and partly assembled in the USA, and then shipped to Cape Town where

she was assembled by Joe Nardini.

The date of her arrival in Kalk Bay is uncertain but it would seem from the type of boat to
have been in the thirties. During WW2, probably some time in 1942, she was

commandeered and sent to the Far East. It seems from Tromp’s own writings that he owned

two boats prior to Felicity: Edna No. 1 - which he describes as a speedboat - Tromp, (Fig.
3.29) which he describes as a fishing boat, and then, finally, a boat called Veronica, which

appears to have been a fast inboard run-about. (Fig. 3.30).

Tromp’s boats represented a departure from the traditional hull form found in Kalk Bay at
that time, although standard displacement hulls and pleasing refinements of that form

continued to be popular. One thinks for example of boats like Snow Goose and Primrose,