A page dedicated to the history and restoration of the historic Class 1 Cougar race boat Notareal - Sitting next to the Victory boat, was the neglected Cougar.
Commissioned in 1989 by wealthy Finnish businessman JP Mattila, the ‘NOTAREAL’ Cougar first raced across Europe in 1990. That year it competed in the Monaco race that tragically took the life of Prince Stefano Casiraghi. In 1991 the Cougar was sponsored by the Finnish propeller manufacturer FINNSCREW. Built for rough water conditions, the Cougar saw little success in Europe and was purchased by Gr
ahame Horne in New Zealand where it raced as Fleetlease. In 1996 the Fleeetlease Cougar was involved in a horrific accident in Auckland harbor. The open cockpits were destroyed and the Cougar Hull was purchased by Tony Low and imported to Melbourne. Here, a new, safer canopy was added, as well as BPM drives and a rudder. The Cougar was back and racing as “Smorgan Steel” in 2004 an Escape hatch fell off post race, causing the boat to sink. The Cougar sat on the bottom of the Gold Coast seaway for 3 days before being salvaged and returned to Tony Low’s factory in Melbourne. Tony purchased the Ex Steve Searle Victory Cat and the Cougar was retired. Over time another canopy was fitted but the Cougar was never rigged. Circumstances saw the old hull parked up in a paddock in Braeside
Here it sat until 2014 when Mat Humphrey flew to Melbourne to inspect the Victory Cat he was hoping to purchase. This chance sighting began an 8-year passion project for Mat to restore and the old Cougar back to her former glory, with the dream of one day seeing her back racing again. Mat would like to thank his sponsors and the Offshore Racing community across the world, for all the help and support they have given. In particular;
Maritimo Racing. Bill Barry Cotter, Tom Barry Cotter, Ross Willaton, Kurt Davis
222 Racing. Peter (Muddy) McGrath. Mark Tolcher
Race Marine. Simon Isherwood
Priest Family Marine. Malcolm Priest
Briggs Engineering. Michael Briggs
Dave Pitman
The Gilbert Family
His wife Jeanan
All have sacrificed their own time to help make the Cougar roar again. Thank you all.
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