It is with great sadness that we report the passing of James Sutton Harrison (2/8/25-17/5/19)

A few words from Jay Harrison, son of Jim Harrison.

“Jim Harrison has been a member of the Club since 1955 after sailing 12’ skiffs at Vaucluse. He paid Harry Watkiss two thousand pounds for Sarie Marais, a 33′ cutter built by Norm Wright in 1950. He raced her with the Club on the harbour and offshore until the mid 60’s when the stiffer beamier new yachts began to make it too difficult.

His wins included a Centenary Regatta in 1960 in Division C, a Paul Royal Memorial race and a couple of C. Division Point Scores. Jim was also Rear Commodore in 1964.

Offshore racing was his love. Jim raced to Hobart 14 times. Several as sailing Master on Ilina for Rupert Murdoch, on Akala with John Bleakely and with Vince Walsh on Boambillee. He was part of the Australian One Ton championship winning crew on Bushwacker with Graham Newland, Hugh Treharne and Hans van Whye and sailed in Sardinia with Nick and George Girdis on Marloo.

I think his favourite time was on Boambillee with Vince Walsh, Bill Ratcliff, Frank George, Dave Mutton and Paul Pinnock to name a few. They loved it and each other.

Jim, having spent his working life as an electrical contractor (competing against Geoff Lee all week as well as on the weekends), he was renamed ‘5 amps’, or just ‘Amps’ in the end.

At the end of his racing career Jim became the agent for Cheoy Lee in Australia. He bought out a 52’ motor sailor before letting the agency go and entertained both on the harbour and from the poop deck of the monster which was located about six boats out on the old A marina to the South.

Jim was a good seaman. He never shouted, always stood his watch and was always welcome back. He used to love the conviviality in the club afterwards with the likes of Keelty, Cottee and Mickleborough, though he was no match for Don with either the women or the jugs.”