: i { 4 d AE EREEE, TE. | SOD TE ees nee smn ee ? structor Wednesday, December 1, 1976 By Grania Litwin Steve Vagvolgyi considers himself first and foremost an industrial designer. But this doesn’t stop him from. giving sailing lessons, faking a deep interest in theatre, designing beautiful houses in Vancouver and writing numerous — technical papers and training manuals ona variety of subjects. Vagvolgyi is a_ self-starter who came to Sidney about four years azo with a dream to start his own boat manufacturing business. That vision had now become a reality since the designer moved into a spanking new warehouse at 2072 Henry in Sidney October 1 and has succeeded in building and launching 25 boats in the last 18 months. But Vagvolgyi’s vast knowledge of design will not be limited to boats for long. has already developed the model of a storage unit to fit on the roof of a Volkswagon Beetle. The box is a semi-egg shape, perfectly contoured to fit exactly, and boasts about four cubic fect of storage space. The Hungarian-born naval architect. came to Canada in 1956 at the age of 20 and studied arts and architecture at the University of British Columbia. After that he apprenticed in structural enginecring for about four years. He had hoped originally to take up the career of dramatic director which was a favourite pastime in Budapest but was disappointed in the limited opportunities provided by Vancouver. He had been acting all through school with professional groups following a passion which, he explained, is almost a national institution in his homeland. “There are at least three dozen theatres in the city and _plays are performed seven days a week 50 weeks a year...il isa big industry.”’ But a family which had designs on him to become a radar engineer like his father directed him to study at a technical university, . When he came to ‘Canada hie spent some time investigating . the theatre scene but gave the idea up and took architecture at UBC. . After receiving his degree Vagvolgyi discovered a new interest in boats. Asked why, the architect replied simply: ‘‘Why do you fallin love?”’ , Starting with an eight metre boat, the designer soon discovered that costs of upkeep were rising faster than his wages. He had to start moonlighting on two other jobs to support his hobby and then wa. struck by the thought of starting his own sailing school, This presented a problem since he himself was no expert, Undaunted, Vagvolgyi went to the public library and decided to learn the hard way. He taught his first students by taking them out on his boat and joked that, “hb was) in- and student at the sume time -- | was always just one step in front of the group,” While he was at it Vagvolgyi Wrote a manual on the sailing und in his last summer was leaching more than 400 young sailing enthusiasts, One of his students, a young womidn training to become a doctor, became Vagvolgyi's wile, Stephanie. After having enough of tuaching sailing, Vagvolgyi decided to study naval are chitecture and received his degree from Western, Conneticut, by correspon- denee, The course lasted two years and after that he moved lo Sidney, His first job here was with Case Lixistological where he worked an. the he Ferry expansions of 1973, He also designed four federal fisheries protection vessels which measured 65 feet. After that interim measure he decided to po out on his own, His wife set up oa peneral Practice in Sidney and Varvolpyi has been designing his own boats and other ‘pecialized —induatiail pieces ever since, Right now, at the PHenry Avenue factory, there are six boats onthe go, The largest yet designed by the architect is for a Victoria buyer, It is a 106-foot steel schooner, claimed by THE REVIEW DESIGNER HAS A MULTITUDE OF INTERESTS ~ : Aa . 2 a ? SS SES... MEN AT WORK on Vagvolgyi designed vessel. Vagvolgyi to be the first such craft built in B.C. since the Second World War. Twenty-two feet wide, it will displace about 75 tons. The three-masted, Gaff-rigged schooner is to be built in a Victoria shipyard. Another intriguing ~~ boat recently designed by Vagvolgyi is a 2-foot multi chine, aluminum double ender. Designed for an engineer who is president of the Steel Institute of British Columiba, the boat will be constructed in Saudi Arabia where the owner has been transferred. The designer pointed out that the advantages of such a craft is its sea-worthy hull. “The boat has good sea Christmas ‘Kettles’ To Appear This Week The Salvation Army’s ‘Christmas Kettles’’ will again be seen on Victoria streets beginning Friday, December 3 through Christmas eve. , Contributions received from the kettles, which will also be set up at the various shopping centres, g0 the the Christmas Cheer and. Winter Relief programme of the Army. In 1974, over 400. needy | families ‘received. ” food ‘Vouchers * 2a toys? Tor Christmas. It is expecied that this figure will be surpassed this year. Persons needing assistance this Christmas can contact the Army at 386-6306. Other projects of this Christmas Season will see the Army’s League of Mercy members visiting patients and residents of hospitals, homes and — institutions, — bringing Christmas greeting and small treats to more than 2,000 shut- ins. Inmates of the focal prisons will also be visited and a Christmas program presented, A Christmas dinner, complete with all) the trim- mings will be served at the Men's Social Service Centre, §25 Johnson Street, on Saturday, December 10 at 5:00 pm. for transient and homeless men. For the third successive year, a similar dinner will be held for women on Wednesday, December 22 at 1:00 p.m. Tickets for these events are available at the Centre front desk, Those 673) a Bit SIDN EY HOTEL WEDNESDAY Talent Night FRIDAY & SATURDAY Featuring Sour Grapes, County Rock & Rock & Roll, in the Cabaret FREE 9:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. SUNDAY Evening Smorgasbord : 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. '6°0 Por Parson DAILY — Salad Bar RESERVE NOW FOR BOXING DAY! We Now Have A New Waterfront Entrance 656- keeping characteristics,’’ Vagvolgyi who added that some speed is __ sacrificed, however, by this design. said Right now there are two sport fishermen boats, and a power cruiser on order as well as a 28-foot trawler Yacht and 31-foot stern cabin racing sloop. Vagvolgyi never builds on speculation. He said he always builds to order and that his four skilled workers are not cnough to fill his rising demand. Most of the business he receives is in providing kits. These he describes as the bare hulk of the boat which owners finish themselves. desiring to attend should obtain their ticket as soon as possible. A full course dinner will be served at the Harbour Light Centre, 516 Yates Street, following the Christmas Day Service which commences at 11:00 a.m. The city corps commence carolling in the residential areas on December 2. Funds scived will go toward the munity services throughout the year, “In the true spirit of giving, we fully expect that Victorians will keep the ‘‘kettle boiling’ and our workers smiling this Christmas, as they share to support the less-fortunate of our community,’? Captain Stan Ratcliffe, the Army’s Public Relations Officer, said. NO INJURIES IN ACCIDENT There was only one minor traffic accident at the in- tersection of Beacon Avenue and the highway over the weekend while the trafic signal was'inoperative. An estimated $800 damage occurred to two cars that collided. One was driven by John Land, Sidney, and the other by Robert Gustafson, Saanichton, Vhere were no injuries. A police spokesman stated “we do not attribute it to the Fact the lights were out."” 1131 capability port” of the’ band’s “com- But he is quick to add that the work shop. has the to produce fully finished boats as well. “} have applied for Lloyds of London certification and if 1 get it 1 will be the only manufacturer in North America with it.”’ He went'on to say that he uses their standards already and unlike many ship builders who go by the Lloyds Yacht standards he follows the fishing vessels standards. The latter, he claims, are almost 100 percent higher than yacht standards. Asked how the = standards differ, he explained that those he goes by require the same materials but ai ‘heavier laminate in the hull and everywhere.’” The building is ‘tmore exacting quantitively’’, he explained. For example when fishing boats are fully loaded with fish and waiting to unload at docks they tie up sometimes as many as three or four deep. If a swell bangs into the outside boats the one on the inside is under a great deal of pressure, he said. The Lloyds sheer (deck edge) be heavier “and that other localized high stress areas are better reinforced, he said. Not the least of the rigorous safety features is the fact that Vagvolgyi equips cach boat with at least two water-tight bulkheads, “This is my highest priority,’’ said the designer. | am .aiming for the highest structural integrity and safety atsea.’ Vagvolgyi claims his boats are unsinkable, or at least, “you would really have to work at it to sink on.” The engine compartments are vompletely watertight so that not only is noise reduced and safety greater in case of fire, bute Saf you pull a strut out, the rest of the boat remains dry."" specifications . for. such vessels requires that... ‘the “Niost of my boats are built Of sandwich construction so that even if the outside skin is punctured the inner one is intact.” if for some extraordinary reason the boat does develop a leak othe | two air-tight bulk heads keep it afloat. Vagvolgyi has a_ portfolio Stock file of three dozen boats, and, as always, the design is of major importance to him. In fact his philosophy ina nutshell is epitomized by a Simple statement he made when interviewed this week, “The industrial design aspect is what) fascinates me most. Of all the worlds designers | think | admire the Secandanavians most. In those countries the craftsmen ae- tually spend =o many — hours designing such everyday items as hanumers,"* As the modest designer concluded, there is always an appreciative client who wants a well conceived and built bathtub or tractor seat, much as there is fora good boat. PETER MALCOLM PICKS A MAYOR!? That’s YOUR Job. vor SHERWOOD “Sidney Citizens for Sherwood’ Committee PUBLIC “The contest for the hand of NOTICE Princess Rosebud has resulted ina tie! HENCE there will be a new test. The prospective suitor, fully armed for battle as a knight, will proceed along the Old Road through the Deep Woods to the Castle. On the way to the castle, he will encounter a fierce lion. If he vanquishes the lion, the next thing he will run into is a huge giant, And if he succeeds in getting past the giant in one piece, he will meet up with a wicked witch. If he is victorious over all three he will be allowed to meet the Princess in person. If she happens to take a fancy to him, he will become her husband and the new prince. BUT Ik’ SHE OFF HIS HEAD.” That is all! DOESN'T LIKE HIM, THE KING WILL CUT “STR SLOB AND THE PRINCESS”’ At Flint’s our shop is clean and fully equipped! Roy takes care of his tools so they can take care of your car! FLINT MOTORS LTD. BEACON AT FIFTH i, - 656-1922 wh 8% i bef Ch. Christmas ¢ morning, delight someone special with Case Toys, miniature Farm sets & trucks with moving parts. LIMITED STOCK AVAILABLE AT Butler Brothers W 2070 Kev tind X Road QHOUP Tele phone: 652. 17.217 Farm Equipment Pumps & Irrigation DL14550 Industrial and t Burnside Plaza Store Pageg 9142 E. Saanich Rd. at McTavish rsa Sans ie Burnside & Tillicum Rds. Vat Bate Mig ite et RINDLESS BURGER PATTIES BEEF 2 LB. BOX APPLES MACINTOSH a ns ] ORANGE JUICE DELNOR : | 7 ¢ 12 02. FROZEN GINGER ALE CANADA TIN FROZEN BREAD AUNT HANNA 8 0 ¢ 5 ROLL LIGHT BULBS 60’s, 100’s, ¢ ; 2 PER Pact nx x) a ORANGE CRYSTALS \ | OT Pat a" 7° MARGARINE : BLUE BONNET $ 1 A9 . 3 LB. : VERSA | | = Prices Effective Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat. or while stock lasts | eo) Oe