President's Report
Sadly EYAV Founder and First President, Frank Konkoly, Passed away March 2009.
Forty years ago the EYAV began in Victoria in 1969 with Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) acting as host club. Frank Konkoly was the foundation President and Secretary of the Association, and his yacht 'Balaton' was the first Endeavour 24 on Port Phillip. Two other foundation members at that time and are still EYAV members are Frank Hammond, Managing Director of Horizon/ Hammond Sails, at that time with an Endeavour 24 'Charissa', and Bill Whelpton and his Endeavour 24 'Masumi'.
Frank was extremely enthusiastic and supportive of new E24 owners and their crew. Many new sailors had their initial training aboard “Balaton”, and any yacht sailing competitively against Frank, always knew they would have a battle on their hands.
The EYAV grew quickly under Frank's guidance and became one of the most successful Class racers on Port Phillip.
The EYAV Presentation Dinners at RMYS were legendary, and the EYAV trophies were eagerly contested, especially the Konkoly trophy generously donated by Frank.
There were many stories about Frank's sailing adventures that surfaced from yacht clubs and sailors around Port Phillip, one from Peter Davison, RMYS appeared in their newsletter:
Frank Konkoly by Peter Davison
“I was a long haired lanky lout of 17 years when I first fronted up to the back gates of RMYS in 1972, begging a spot as a novice crew with any that would give me a go. It was to my great fortune that Frank had a crew shortage that day and offered me a sail on his Endeavour 24, “Balaton”.
Balaton was one of the first Endeavour 24s on Port Phillip, but by the time I came along they were a fleet of 18 to 20 yachts, the envy of all our sister clubs, and due in no small measure to the untiring enthusiasm and encouragement of Frank Konkoly, founder and then president of the Endeavour 24 Yacht Association of Victoria.
Frank was always enthusiastic about his sailing, very enthusiastic. He was also a very strong man. Perhaps too strong, and perhaps too enthusiastic. It was only after I stopped sailing with Frank that I learned that there was an alternative halyard tension to “as hard as you can possibly get it”!
I still vividly remember a return passage race from Portarlington (The E24s ran 3 or 4 passage races to different destinations around the Bay in those days) with a light following breeze. Balaton was slowly overhauling Aphros, skippered by Russ Fraser. I was trimming the kite, Alison Turner was standing on the cabin top holding out the boom, and Frank was intent on overtaking Aphros to windward. Russ Fraser was not going to let it happen. Every time we tried to move to their windward side, Aphros would shy up and cart us off towards Avalon until we either gave up, or luffed too high and stopped the boat.
As we were closing in on Aphros for the umpteenth time, unexpectedly their kite sheet became disconnected. Frank saw his chance and seized it with both hands! I'm not sure how he did it, but instantaneously he hauled in my kite sheet, pushed down the helm and yanked in on the main. Alas, Alison was caught unawares. Such was the force of Frank's main trimming that she was launched off the cabin top and over the side!
“Man overboard! Man overboard!” yelled Frank. In the light conditions it didn't take too long for Alison to get back to the transom, where Frank hauled her out of the water as if she was a wet kitten. But Aphros got away and remained out of reach for the rest of the race.” Peter's full article is available on request from either RMYS or EYAV. More stories on Frank in future EYAV newsletters.
The Endeavour Yacht Association of Victoria (EYAV) in 1999 began operating from Hobsons Bay Yacht Club as the host club, located at the historic seaport of Williamstown. The Endeavour fleet sails constantly with some of Victoria 's most famous yachts and still performs remarkably well in competition. There are over forty eight Endeavour yachts on our EYAV register, which ensures that Endeavours are still a formidable presence on Port Phillip. We are seeking photos of Frank Konkoly and “Balaton”, also a missing Endeavour trophy, the Damel Endeavour Endurance Trophy . If anyone could assist with information please contact Frank Rendell.
Safe and happy sailing
Frank Rendell, EYAV President
(4 time winner of the Konkoly Trophy)
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“Balaton” was named after Lake Balaton in Hungary – Frank Konkoly's birthplace!
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