Hi Niall
This may never be read, but I stumbled across your post whilst looking for any record of my old boat.
I was skipper of Loraine (only one ‘r’) for two years 1990/91 for her long-time Italian owner, based at his marina in Civitavecchia, near Rome.
Loraine was designed and built by Arthur Holgate, a South African amateur naval architect, for his own use. I know very little about her early years. Holgate went on to design Antares - also for his own use and sadly lost in the Caribbean in late 80s - and Jessica, now Adix, commissioned by Argentine ‘businessman’ Carlos Perdomo…
Holgate had a fine eye for the gaff schooner rig, and drew very nice underwater lines, but his topsides styling left a little to be desired. She was a lovely sailing boat, easily handled, responsive and fast with a beautifully balanced rig, but the owner ran her on a shoestring budget and she was a bit of an ugly duckling!
My boss had owned her for a good many years and I know she remained in his hands long after my departure, but I know very little of her recent history and cannot find any trace of her now.
What else would you like to know?
cheers
Jeremy Parker