128 Boating New Zealand
Sailing a classic yacht is always a special experience, but Rawhiti
elevates it to a diferent level – not only because of her exquisitely
accurate restoration, but also because she commands such a
distinguished place among New Zealand’s fleet of classics.
She is one of only a handful of A-class gaf-rigged boats still around- her illustrious contemporaries include Rainbow, Ariki, Thelma,
Rawene, Waitangi and Frances.
Her racing record is complex and convoluted – settle back with
a glass of your favourite cabernet and lap-top and Google search
‘Rawhiti – Logan Brothers’. Her trans-Tasman history in particularly
intriguing. She ended up in Australia soon after launching and was
the undisputed champion of Sydney Harbour (and the fastest yacht in
Australia) for some 30 years.
The Rawhiti Cup remains a key event on the Sydney yachting
calendar to this day, and there are two oil paintings of her hanging in
the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron’s dining-room. She’s won both the
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta and the Classic Yacht Association
Regatta for the last two years.
A former director the Auckland museum – Dr Rodney Wilson –
describes her as the most important yacht – historically speaking – in
Australasia. Her restoration (completed in 2012) was carried out by
Peter Brookes (Brookes Classic Boats) – widely regarded as the leading
restorer of classic boats in the country.
Innismara’s nicknames ofer an insight into her presence and
performance. On account of her narrow beam she’s often referred to as the
‘pencil’ or the ‘war canoe’ – and her pennant is emblazoned with a pencil.
Her racing record hasn’t really finished – she continues to take line
and handicap honours at the annual Classic Yacht and the Auckland
Anniversary regattas – an elegant old lady who relishes the opportunity
to hoist her petticoats and embrace life afresh.
For me, the best perspective on the significance of these boats
comes from Innismara’s youthful skipper, Paige: “These boats may not
be the future – but they’ve most certainly helped shape the current and
future yachting scene.”
The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand was formed in 1995 to
promote the ownership, preservation and restoration of classic yachts
and launches.
A cool video of these yachts sailing can be viewed at the link
below. Crew on board when it was filmed include two of ETNZ’s
America’s Cup winners from Bermuda.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/01/auckland-
anniversary-holiday-celebrated-with-regatta.html
For more information visit www.classicyacht.org.nz.
A TASTE OF HISTORYheritage – and investing in them inancially.
“I like to think we are temporary custodians of the boats- and we have a responsibility to ensure they’re cared for and
passed on to future generations. But crucially, we also want to
keep the spirit of classic sailing alive. And that means they need
to be used – and, of course, maintained.”
Sailing yachts from yesteryear is fun but can be quite
demanding, points out Malcolm. “With limited mechanical aids,
Rawhiti, in particular, can be a handful and needs a decent-sized
crew to tame her. So relying on casual ring-ins doesn’t always work.
“She needs a reasonably dedicated bunch who are happy to
spend time getting to know her wiles and charms – and not to put
too ine a point on it, for people who have invested in the boats,
that dedication is, by deinition, a given.”
Ideally, continues Cook, “we’d like to ind people who are
prepared to invest the time and develop the skills to take
the boats out independently of any of us. Who are keen to
ind and nurture additional crews. Individuals with the right
LEFT A diferent
video of Rawhiti
under sail is available
on your smartphone.
Install a QR-code
scanner app (many
are free). Launch the
app and hover your
phone over the code.RIGHT Rawhiti under full
sail – it’s hard to resist the
romance.
FAR RIGHT Her gloriously-
restored interior.