Super Bermuda. SB Series

 

The Star Super Bermuda range launched in 1932 and was available in five models SB/1 16", SB/2 18", SB/3 21", SB/4 24" & SB/5 27". An "Up market" addition to the Star range with hollow hulls, plank lined decking, brass fittings and the familiar Bermuda rigged sails. For the first year of production, the yachts used the same hull and weighted wooden keel as the BR Series. The pre-war hulls were painted an off white, cream colour with wooden rubbing strips painted red along the hull sides. The masts for 1932 and 1933 on the SB series were unusual as they were painted white with brass ferrules. The sails in the first year were made from red material, this changed in the next year to a red pin-striped material and in later years to waxed cambric. 1930s versions, when fitted, had a red oval sail emblem denoting the series model which wasn't hardy and soon disappeared, changing after the war to the more familiar five pointed STAR emblem. 1933 - 1939 models were fitted with brass deck badges. Early red sails had an all-round double hem, the leading and bottom edges of the pin-striped and waxed cambric sails were taped, the remaining edge, double hemmed.

First year of production, 1932 SB/1, 16" hull with white masts and red sails, paper roundel deck badge.

Early 1933 SB/4 with varnished masts, pinstriped sails, brass deck badge and scroll bow names. (Pre-wooden rudder version.)

1932 Range introduced. Red sails, white masts & spars with brass ferrules, weighted wooden keels, no rudders, cream hull with red striping on rubbing strip. Paper roundel Star deck badge.

1933 Range given names, Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Baltic and Ocean Star, the bow names are black lettering on a gold scroll background. Red pinstriped sails. Brass deck badge fitted. Later 1933 wooden rudder with three position spring fitted.

1934 Masts & spars now have a varnished finish.

1938 Sails changed to "Union Silk" a mix of silk and cotton material with the leading and bottom edges taped.

1940 Brass deck badge changed to early transfer type with red star.

1941 A few models fitted with a blue star deck badge transfer.

1942 - 1954 SB Series not included in catalogues due to war time restrictions on non-essential goods.

1954 Range was re-introduced and restructured, 16" hull discontinued, 30" hull added, now SB/5, called "Ocean Star". SB/5 has two piece mast with brass joining sleeve. All other hulls dropped a size, 18" SB/2 Pacific Star became 18" SB/1 Atlantic Star. Deck badge now later type waterslide transfer. Sails made of plain waxed cambric material. Bow names now gold block lettering with black outline. Deck planking radiused.

1958 SB/5 renamed "Western Star".

1960 SB/1 "Atlantic Star" model discontinued.

1962 Keel shape changed and brass rudder and automatic steering fitted, retains round stern. Hull striping, rudder and ballast painted gold.

1967 Brass ferrules and bowsies changed to white plastic, bowsies retain same shape.

1971 Larger brass rudder fitted, masts shorter and sails slightly smaller in area. White plastic bowsies changed shape to flat sides. SB/5 has extra shroud for mast positioning. Hulls now painted in brilliant white polyurethane paint.

Mid 1970s stern changed from round to squared off shape

1977 SB series detailing colour changed to orange.

1985 Brass fittings and plastic bowsies made slightly smaller.

1988 Rubbing strip, rudder and leaded keel now in matching colours for model, SB/2 Pacific Star green, SB/3 Arctic Star blue, SB/4 Baltic Star orange, SB/5 Western Star red. The hull detailing colours changed to blue in later production years. Very late models had yellow, blue or red sails fitted.

In the latter years a small amount of SB/3 Arctic Stars were produced in the colours of the SB/3 PLANET, varnished hull with a red band above the waterline, it is not clear if this was a marketing exercise or otherwise, see here for more information. SB Variant.

 

SB/2 Pacific Star SB/3 Arctic Star SB/4 Baltic Star SB/5 Western Star