This area was a production line of State and Australian champions - Dallas Eggins, Rex Solomon, Ian Ruff, Gary Hobson, Gary Barnard and Phil Lindfield to name just a few.

In all five crews from the then Manning Vee Ess Sailing Club (now Taree Aquatic Club) won five Australian titles and the Manning was the strongest country club in the nation.

In fact a Manning boat winning either a State or national title each season almost ranked with death and taxation as the only certanties in life.

However, interest in the class started to wane around the early to mid-1990s which cheaper boats requiring less crew members became popular. Now Vee Esses are rarely seen on the Manning.

There's only three clubs in the State that still race Vee Esses - Lake Macquarie, Hawkesbury and Gosford.

However, the glory days will be recalled on March 7 at the spiritual home of the class - the Vaucluse Yacht Club, when Vee Ess sailing marks its 70th anniversary.

Former local Mick Northam now lives at Lake Macquarie and is still sailing the esses. He's been in the area recently to spread the word about the reunion and he is hoping there'll be a strong contingent of former sailors who will make the trip.

"I started sailing VJs on the Manning when I was about 10 - that's 50 years ago,'' he recalled.

"I graduated into Vee Esses when I was 18.''

He rememebers sailing with Gary Barnard in Barnard's Sports Store in the early 1980s when the boat won just about everything going - club, State and national championships.

"I've spoken to John Northam and a few others and I'm hoping we'll get a few from the Manning to go down to the reunion,'' he said.

The reunion will co-incide with the class's State championships.

Anyone wishing to attend the reunion should register with Adam Kelly on 0404 891 941 or vs70threunion@yahoo.com.au