C’EST LA VIE
details & photos from Ken Ricketts & Mason Clipper facebook page
In 1964 Tony Mason designed and built C’est La Vie, a 33 ft Clipper, for Tony Betts, from Masterton, to be based on Lake Taupo, the second of only two 33′ Clippers. In 1966 she was moved back to Auckland so the Betts family could cruise the Hauraki Gulf.
Powered by twin Interceptor 427 BBL Ford petrol V8s, at 300hp each, through Borg Warner velvet-drive gear boxes, to Henleys 19×18 props., on SS Shafts, she had an impressive top speed of 35 mph. Fuel capacity was 600 litres. She needed those tanks 🙂
Update – this may possibly be the above boat – ????
http://www.tradeaboat.co.nz/detail/marine/boats/mason/clipper-10.5m/73578
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Hi Anthony
we may have purchased Cést La Vie but not to sure because we believe she was renamed Korari 11 if it is her we keep her at westhaven N38
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Anthony leabourn here.my dad Rodney leabourn owed this boat in the eighty’s. Awesome boat.we’re is she now?
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Hi Angus we have recently purchased Korari 11 and apparently she was named Cest la vie if you are still wanting to know where she is (if she is now korari 11 let me know
Paul
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Angus, see the trade-a-boat link above, which I provided to Alan H. Looking under all the “improvements” and past the name change, I am sure this is Clipper Cést La Vie
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Hi peter, my grandfather was the original owner of Cest la vie and was wondering if you know where she might be today.
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If ya like Mason Clippers or just want information about “C’EST LA VIE” take a look at this site:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mason-Marine-Clippers/160543284101217?fref=ts
A facebook page managed by Peter Miller – son on Gordon Miller, owner of 3 Mason Clippers – Diana – Argo – Argo II
He also race C’EST LA VIE in the Atlantic 100.
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Thank you for sharing that. A phew years back I went to Wesley Intermediate -’59 -’60. I went by bike from Avondale and had to go along Stoddard Rd (a burgeoning industrial area). Sutton Mason had a shed there and my bike mysteriously used to slow down terribly as I passed. The hours I spent watching those gorgeous boats go together -sometimes I was late for school even (blamed it on my bike!) it is amazing I didn’t go boatbuilding. Sorry, fellers, I had to pour that out. I still get a tight chest when I see a Clipper.
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