54 Boating New Zealand
starboard) and the inline galley to port.
Having the galley in this part of the boat allows
the saloon to function as an area to relax without
having to constantly step past the cook. Beneath
the spacious cockpit floor is one of the largest
athwartships double berths you will see on a
trailer-sailer, roughly equivalent to domestic king-
size bed in my estimate.
Many of the innovations of the interior came
from co-owner Angela Henderson. She wanted
plenty of room for the children to move while they
were small. It would also be a boat that needed
to grow with the family, including the extra-large
berths, harness points and space for storage.ON THE WATER
Our test sail is in the narrow waters of upper
Lake Aviemore – a couple of miles upstream of us
is Benmore, New Zealand’s biggest hydro dam.
Our crew comprises owners Angela and Peter
Henderson, their children Brackley and Ruby and
a possie of boatbuilders from Bruce Keen’s yard.
The mix of racers, cruisers and children is a sure
test of the modern trailer-sailer concept.
Stepping aboard Hettie’s Gift is like being on a
small keeler. The freeboard and space belie the fact
you are on a trailer boat. The next impression is of
a clean and wide cockpit with room for a race crew- or the entire family – depending on the mode.
Under engine the boat manoeuvres well
with plenty of grunt in the Parsun. Under sail
the outboard lifts out of the way. With a fickle
westerly of five knots the 25.3m^2 Zoom Sails
mainsail and 15m^2 jib get Hettie’s Gift gliding
along nicely.
The 8m CR has the same rig configuration as
the 8m racing version so there’s plenty of power
in the 10m double-spreader rig. She is quick to
accelerate in the puffs and drops her leeward chine
into the water which stiffens her up noticeably,
and having the sail controls in close proximity
makes for quick and easy trim adjustments.
The helm remained nicely-balanced with the
twin rudders working well. On a long run the
windward rudder can be lifted and this makes
the helm even more responsive. Down-wind the
retractable carbon prod is extended and the 80m^2
masthead asymmetrical spinnaker is set. This gives
her the sail area to glide in the dying breeze and the
odd puff shows her ability to get up and scoot.
On deck it is all go with an experienced racing
crew having fun. In the cabin the kids are strapped
into their car seats, happily watching a movie,
while Angela is busy in the galley. It is perhaps this
dual vision that best sums up the whole design.