Boat International – September 2019

Tasman

Sea

Laptev Sea East Siberian Sea

You know how little boys love planes,
trains and ships, then they get over it as
they get older? I never did – and I now
have one of the largest travel agency
businesses in the US. It started when my
grandparents travelled back and forth to
Europe aboard the Queen Mary, and their
stories sparked my interest.
I was about eight when I
read A Night to Remember
about the sinking of the
Titanic, and finally did my
first crossing at age 15. The
great French liner, the SS
France, was being withdrawn
from service and I took my summer job
earnings and reserved a first-class cabin.
It was the best week of my life.
I bought Ariadne because I like to
travel in a calmer, old-fashioned style.
When everything is so hectic, one can
escape by boat. My first trip was taking
Ariadne up the East Coast as a passenger.
I love the cool air, the smell of the sea

• even the fog – and my favourite place on
  the boat is in one of the teak deckchairs
  on the sundeck so I can
  watch where the
  captain is going.
  I saw the listing at a
  boat show in Florida
  andIjustlovedthe
  classiclinesanddark
  hull.Sheneededarefit,whichtook 18
  monthsbutwhenIsteppedonboardfor
  herdebutattheNewportCharterYacht
  Show,thecaptainfinallysaid,“We’re
  there,”andhappily,Iagree.

This month: Robert

Goodrich, owner of

37.8m Ariadne

My Life in Boats

PHOTOGRAPHY: FEADSHIP; GETTY IMAGES

Interview Grace Trofa

Charlotte Devereux

and Simon Greenwood

Yacht: Sea Breeze III

Length: 30.78m

Year: 1976

Location: Auckland

How long have you owned Sea Breeze III?

Simon and I bought her last November, and she

is about to have a summer facelift

What kind of boats did you have before?

Simon grew up sailing dinghies and went on to

sail bigger yachts, becoming a grinder during

New Zealand’s first America’s Cup challenge on

KZ3, 5 and 7. My family and I have a 9m double

skin kauri called Turakina, built in

1949 bymy uncle. We hunted

itdown ten years ago

and restored it

What motivated

the purchase?

We wanted a

heritage boat that

was classic and

boutique so we

could run a charter

business in New

Zealand that offered

something unique. We envisioned family

holidays cruising around and with a combined

family of eight we required a boat that could

accommodate our whole tribe and their mates

Where are your favourite cruising grounds?

For short day trips we love going to Rangitoto

Island as it holds very special memories of

family trips sailing there as children. This

anchorage provides the perfect spot for a long

lunch and perhaps an adventure (it’s known as

“Drunks Bay”). Lots of fun! Over Christmas we

may wander in the Bay of Islands. One of our

favourites is called Whale Bay; dolphins are

often seen frolicking here

Any tips for cruising New Zealand?

For the summer – December through to April

• we get settled weather with light north-
  easterlies. Most superyachts make Fiji the first
  port of call, as it’s only 2,100 kilometres away.
  Once in New Zealand, allow time to visit all the
  magical spots, as there are many hidden gems

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