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A SAILOR’S GIFT
TO COASTGUARD
C
has Strange is a familiar sight
around Whangaroa Harbour. The
adventurous sailor has built nine
vessels over his lifetime – most
recently Twilight – launched just over four
years ago.
He’s written a book about it – A
Strange Live-Aboarder. It draws on his
vast experience of building and sailing
adventures, boat logs and personal
philosophy.
Chas has also been a Coastguard
member for many years and recently
decided to leave a gift in his Will to help the
volunteers who save lives at sea.
“Volunteers are dedicated, unselfish
people, putting themselves out for people
who are in peril or distress. I have always
admired them. It’s a pleasure to make a
bequest.”
Coastguard volunteers in Whangaroa
held a special presentation for him at
Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club. He was
awarded with a pin as a token of thanks.
He was a little overwhelmed at becoming a
Coastguardian (those who decide to leave a
bequest to Coastguard), but is really “quite
chufed about it and will wear it with pride.”
Coastguard is a charity and it takes
considerable funds to train and equip its
volunteer crews. Lives depend on their skillsand Coastguard needs to find $5,000 to
fund their training for one week.
Gifts in wills, big or small, can help pay
for wet weather gear, life jackets, safety
equipment, rescue vessels and training –
equipment that ensures the crews are able
to respond swiftly in a crisis.
If a Coastguard bequest is something you
might consider, visit http://www.coastguard.nz
To speak to someone at the organisation
in confidence, call 09 489 1510.Letters to
the editor
POPULAR NAME
Even though we are real sailing enthusiasts we enjoyed your
article about the game fishing boat Yeah Buoy (March 2018).
What a coincidence: we are also a German-born couple and our
27ft Catalina is also called Yeah Buoy! It has been a very original
idea by our son following up on our previous trailer sailer Bloo
Buoy. Our tender is called Baby Buoy.
So we thought we had the game on words sussed, but it looks as if
we found some (German) competition! However, we have pipped
them in the race for ofcial recognition since our boat is registered
with Yachting New Zealand under its iconic name (Reg# 9533).
Happy boating/sailing!
Martin Esser, WhangareiDo any of your readers have information on a yacht currently
called Sylvie? She’s 25-feet long, built, I believe, in Napier by TH
Lewis in 1947 out of 11/4” kauri planking. I am currently refitting
her in Dunedin and would really appreciate any information or
pictures. I believe there is a Sylvie Cup raced for by members of
the Napier Sailing Club.
Nicki Atkinson, DunedinIn your Editor’s Note (March 2018) you touch on how elite
yachting is thought by some as a sport for rich pricks. Well I can
tell you that what you print in your magazine isn’t helping.
You had a double-page report in your March issue regarding
the Millennium Cup sailing up here in the Bay. An event run by
highly-paid people for superyacht owners.
Also in the Bay the same week 70-odd volunteers were running
what is thought to be the best sailing regatta in New Zealand
for every type of yacht that wants to enter, and there was NO
coverage in your magazine.
So who are you looking after? Probably the rich pricks, from
where I am sitting.
Also, I believe that counting your journalistic contributors,
which adds up to seven I think, none of them can get out there
and make a decent yacht race article. A lot of articles come
from old classic stories which are being reprinted.
You need to put some efort in and make the mag interesting
to sailors again. The best New Zealand sailing news is in foreign
magazines, makes you look dumb!!!
John Grant, Russell
Ouch! Still, your comment is fair. We should have carried a
piece on the BOI regatta with a writer covering it from a variety
of angles. A list of winners three weeks after the event isn’t of
much interest to anyone other than the winners. The images of
the superyachts, I hope you’ll agree, are at least spectacular.
We will do better! EditorANYONE KNOW SYLVIE?WE ARE NOT RICH PRICKSR
on Holland grew up obsessing
about yachts, sailing ships and
crossing oceans, an obsession
that so seriously interfered
with schooling he failed to pass School
Certificate – twice.
Despite that, few would have predicted
that he’d not only become one of the
top IOR yacht designers worldwide, but
also become one of the world’s premier
superyacht designers.
All The Oceans details Holland’s
inspirational journey from his boyhoodsailing adventures, his teenage ocean
crossings, his shoestring yacht design
that won a World Championship, the
tumultuous years at the top of the IOR
scene, his production boats and his latter
career designing superyachts.
Throughout the book, Holland’s
approach to seizing life’s opportunities
stands out. Whenever he was asked if he
could do something – a sailing opportunity
or a yacht design – the answer was always
“Yes.” Figuring out how would come later.
It’s proof – once again – attitude and
passion can take someone a very long way.
As a book, All The Oceans is a
magnificent, quality production and
extraordinary value for money. Besides
being easily readable, Holland’s text is
excellently supported by numerous quality
photos and drawings.
Grab yourself a copy while you can and
prepare to be inspired.By John MacfarlaneWRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BY RON HOLLAND, 2018,
HARDCOVER, 382 PAGESRRP $90.00, AVAILABLE FROM BOAT BOOKSALL THE
OCEANS