Sailing

A Fine Old Lady of Auckland

This is the tale of Aoma, a classic Logan Bros built yacht from the famed yard of Robert Logan, a yacht builder who has become almost a household word among yachtsmen in New Zealand. Built in 1899, she spent all of her life in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. This lens is to assist her restoration and return to Auckland to join the other classic yachts being restored there and given a new lease of life.

It is intended that this lens plays a role in bringing Aoma to the attention of those empowered with keeping New Zealand classic yachts alive and well for the pleasure of all. Logan yachts are protected by New Zealand heritage laws as cultural icons, and may not be permanently removed from the country!

Ranelagh Yacht Squadron at Mt.Eliza

Living to Sail Under the Red Cliffs of Ranelagh

I had sailed since I was a kid, you know, mucked around in a Mirror, learned from Dad, capsized a lot and had a lot of fun off the shores of Ranelagh Club, Mt. Eliza on Port Phillip in Melbourne, Australia. A Jack Holt design was just the thing in those days and we sailed against other Puffin Pacers and Penguins. Mt. Eliza in the 1960's was a great place - reefs to crack your centreboard on, good fishing and enough choppy weather to teach you a thing or two about sailing.

Graduated to an Australian catamaran called an Arrow. From memory, Neil Fowler famed for the Mosquito designed this great cat and ours was one of the first prototypes with aluminium crossbeams and trampoline, like a Paper Tiger. Those Tigers always thought they had the edge, but come on, without a jib, how close could they really sail to the wind, eh?

Carrying a total sail area of 10.2m2 the Arrow does well on all points of sailing. Like most cats she is very fast on reaches. With a Jib and Trapeze in fresh breezes, the more advanced Arrow sailors can show some transom to the rest of the 4.5m class boats.

I grew up ogling Cobras, QB2s and Stingrays. When I was 17, I met Lindsay Cunningham and interview him for a physics project. Lindsay designed the Quickcat, QB2 and famed Little America's cup challenger Miss Nylex, the first boat to succeed in international competition using solid-sail technology with its articulated wing sail. I remember going to a Little America's cup film night and meeting John Buzaglo, the skipper. What an honour!

That was only topped when meeting John Bertrand at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre at the Boat Show after he returned from winning an Olympic bronze medal in the Finns at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and won the Ampol Yachtsman of the Year, many years before stealing the America's Cup from the Yanks in 1983...but that's another story.

My First Keelboat

Light on the Pocket, Hard on the Head!

In the teenage years, I went sailing with the family to the Whitsundays and fell in love with the Islands. Still sailing there all these years later too but read my lens about it at Sailing in the Whitsundays. Great stories too about the Whitsundays and Far North Queensland but it fueled my desire for a real boat, something that didn't flip over in 15 knots and throw me in the drink! It was to be another 14 years until I was 29 years old that I found Mia, my first keelboat.

She was a beauty, a converted 5.5 with deckhouse and sloop rig. Don't stand up too quickly because you'll lose your head inside or under the boom. 5.5's are a great Aussie deign and lead many to graduate to Solings and other very competitive classes.

She taught me everything about Port Phillip weather and real sailing. For 2 years, I went out in every month of the year, learned to reef down, sail her single handed, sailed at night just to prove I could, learned to sail up to a mooring without the motor and did it in the dark one night by myself when I wrapped a halyard around the prop!

All was well, until I saw Aoma. And now the tale just begins...

Classic Yachts

Classic Yacht Sailing in 1930s with Alfred Mylne: by davidjgray | video info

51 ratings | 28,565 views

curated content from YouTube

Falling in Love with Aoma

Aoma - Maori for 'White Cloud'

If you don't get wooden boats and the passion that people have with them, then you never will. Boaties of old yearn to sniff that varnish, jam their finger while caulking a seam and stub their toes on anchors. Only a good wack in the head with a gybing boom or a winch handle across the shins really lets you know you're alive.

Once you're hooked, you forget and forgive the leaky hulls, torn sails, flaking brightwork that took you hours to perfect and the worn rigging that costs your next holiday to replace. Eventually, the choices must be made between those fillies with the long legs that endeavor to force your choices - silly move that!

In 1994, I met a chap who owned Aoma. He was leaving town and Aoma was looking for a new owner. I was unaware of her pedigree as she had been refurbished in the 1980's (not restored i the true sense). She was watertight, had a good strong rig and promised lots more fun. Teaming up with a sailing mate, Nick, from Ballarat, we cleaned her up and spend the years improving her, sailing to Geelong for the January Australia Day classic weekend, cruising around Port Phillip and generally having a ball!

Aoma had five berths, a simple metho stove and a fresh water tank. She was basic but sailed like a dream. She had lovely old sails from years before, big bronze winches and leaned over in the breeze like an Etchell. For her 43' of length and 8.5' of beam, she was a long, canoe like dream. She didn't race well against her light, long-finned fibreglass counterparts but her gleaming, varnished mast and classic lines were all the pleasure I needed.

She flew downwind with her kite up and handled gloriously in a strong breeze. Nick and I sailed her back from Geelong once in 4.5 hours, surfing down the 2 metre swells of Hobsons Bay in a 30kt westerly and feeling like we were surfing a Hobie cat. She never gave us a problem, save for a once leaky fuel line.

Aoma - 1899 Logan Bros Linear Rater

Aoma, designed by Arch Logan, was built in 1899 in triple-planked kauri by the famous Logan Brothers of Auckland.

Aoma in 2005 at RMYS, Melbourne

Aoma at Williamstown in 1995

Aoma in her berth at RMYS, St. Kilda around 1996

A Lady with a Pedigree

Aoma Won the 1905 Gascoigne Cup

Aoma as I found her - little did I realise what was behind her history!

Type: 8 Metre Cruising Sloop
Designer: Arch Logan
Builder: Logan Bros.
Commissioned: 1899
LOA 13.2m.
Beam 2.6m.
Draft 1.85m.
Construction:
Triple Laminate Diagonal
Planked Kauri

This lens is to be continued. Gentlemen such as Robin Elliot and Harold Kidd from New Zealand, John Street at the Classic Yacht Trust, the New Zealand Classic Yacht Association and chaps like Chad Thomson whose own yacht Prize so inspired me in 2001, have given me the information and impetus to write the history of Aoma and present her to hopefully allow the good folk of Auckland to have her home again after 110 years, never to leave again, like her sister Thelma.

One of Aoma's pedigree items in the literature, confirmed by Daina Fletcher at the Australian Maritime Museum is Aoma winning the famed Gascoigne cup, one of the oldest offshore races on the Australian yachting calendar. The Gascoigne Cup dates back to 1886 when Colonel F.G.F.Gascoigne presented a Challenge Cup to be competed for annually by yachts over 5 tons, until won three times in succession. The course was to be at least 30 miles, including an ocean stretch.

The Gascoigne Cup itself is now a perpetual trophy. The names of many well known yachts that have raced out of Sydney over the past 116 years are engraved on the trophy. Read more about Aoma at the Classic Yacht Association of Australia. You can also read the forum posts at Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand the under Boat Rescue. This is almost a real-time conversation between the local NZ members who ultimately will be responsible for Aoma's return and myself.

Aoma - A Yacht with True Pedigree

Seeking New Harbours and a Kindly Skipper

As this lens is a continuing project, I have collated some information and photos as downloadable PDFs for ease of viewing by parties interested in knowing more. Forum entries at the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand are likely to register some interest and this is where those members may find what they need.

Aoma1

Aoma2

Aoma ideally needs a private syndicate or interested trust to enable her to be shipped to Auckland where she may be restored to her original decklines and gaff rig and sail with her Logan sisters on the harbour. In earlier years when Waitangi sailed in Melbourne, Aoma would often sail with her in Hobson's Bay. Col Anderson of the local classic yacht association knows her well and has offered advice from time to time in regard to preserving her future.

Tim Phillips of the Wooden Boat shop at Sorrento has her sistership Yuelba and it seems unlikely that Yuelba would see restoration from her cradle in the front yard. Wouldn't it be grand for Aoma and Yuelba together to make a return to NZ?

The Classic Yacht Association of Australia has kindly posted some information on Aoma on their website and I thank them greatly for this.

Logan Bros, Auckland

A Household Word Among Yachtsmen in the Colonies

Pictured right: "Rainbow," 36 Footer. Owner, A. T. Pittar, Auckland. Logan Bros., Builders.

The name of this famous firm of yacht builders has become almost a household word among yachtsmen in the colonies. The firm was started in 1890 by Messrs Robert, Archibald and John Logan, and presents a typical instance of what may be achieved by business enterprise. From the very first the firm became popular owing to the high quality of the work produced, and, as the very latest ideas from England and the United States were always closely followed, the success of some of the boats turned out proved little short of wonderful.

Among a long list of victorious racing yachts a few must be mentioned. The 36-footer "Rainbow," after defeating all comers in Auckland, recently won the Intercolonial Championship in Sydney, where she also easily got the better of the Fyfe-designed "White Wings." In the smaller classes, Messrs Logan Brothers built the one-rater "Mercia," which has already won nine races in Sydney, although having to give large time allowance to her rivals, many of which hail from the most famous English yards.

Other racers, which have been built by the firm and have stamped their names in yachting records, are the tenrater "Thelma," the "Aoma," winner of the Gascoigne Cup, and of Mr. Hordern's 100 Guinea Cup, Sydney; the pride of the Auckland fleet, "Gloriana," a constant winner; "Muna," the champion of the Islands; "Mahaki," "Windward," "Moana," "Corinna," the "Kotiri," the fastest 30-footer in Auckland, and a host of others. Among the mosquito fleet most of the one-design Patiki class owe their origin to the firm, and have been large prize winners. Messrs Logan Brothers also make a specialty of steam and oil launches, which they design and build to any draft and speed required.

Aoma Sailing on Port Phillip

Aoma on Port Phillip, Melbourne around mid 1990s

The crew back in the mid 1990s

Under full sail, Lisa & Col up on deck

Mike Black at the helm

Aoma at her launch in New Zealand in 1899

Thelma 42 Footer, Linear Rater

Owners, Jagger Bros., Auckland. Built By Logan Bros

Pictured right: "Thelma," 42 Footer, L. R. Owners, Jagger Bros., Auckland. Built By Logan Bros.

One of the latter, built for the Wellington Harbour Board, is 65 feet long, and has a sixty horse-power oil engine. Another very shapely little model is "Thelma," recently built as a tender to the yacht of that name. She is fitted with a two-and-a-half horsepower Union oil engine, and has attained a speed of seven knots. The firm is determined to keep well abreast of the times, and so long as good and conscientious work of an up-to-date nature, at strictly reasonable prices, can command support, it is safe to assume that in the very first flight amongst the names of shipbuilders will be found that of Logan Brothers.

Logan Bros Yard

Two Locations in Auckland,

Yacht building was stimulated by the export of boats across the Tasman. The first export, Thomas Niccol's Secret, was sailed to Australia in 1875. The success of Robert Logan's Akarana (1888) brought prestige and pride to New Zealand boat builders. By the 1880s the family firms of Logans and Baileys had begun a long and productive rivalry.

Against the shed in Logan Brothers' yard are some patiki centreboarders. In the background is the steamer, Kapuni, built for the Coastal Steamship Company. Although they prided themselves on their keel yachts, Logan Brothers built a wide variety of boats. This scene was photographed in 1898.

In 1910, for the planned development of the new Kings Wharf project, the Auckland Harbour Board bought back the 99-year lease on the Logan's yard. It was a generous settlement and the brothers were now reasonably well off. No longer under pressure to continue working at the same pace, the Logans decided to dissolve the old partnership.

Arch Logan then set up on his own in a small way from his Stanley Bay house and boatshed overlooking Ngataringa Bay, on Auckland's North Shore. He designed many significant yachts over the next thirty years and, if you could persuade him, also built launches and small craft, and continued working this way right up until his death.

C.T Brockhoff - A Logan Afficionado

Owner of Two Logan Boats - Aoma & Rawhiti

Aoma was commissioned to be built by Logan Bros by C.T. Brockhoff of Sydney, apparently of the biscuit empire fame. In the mid 1990's I was put in touch with his grandson, a member of the elite Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Sydney Harbour. One memorable evening, I spoke with him for a half-hour and he described a painting of Aoma still on the stairs in the yacht club, the famed Gascoigne Cup still with a plaque testifying to Aoma's win on the harbour and the family's passion with Logan boats.

It was only revealed to me while researching this lens that C.T. Brockhoff later purchased Rawhiti, another Logan classic that was built for Mr A T Pittar, an ex New Zealander living in Sydney. Rawhiti was built in Auckland NZ by the Logan Bros in 1905 and sailed on her own bottom to Sydney. Rawhiti was one of the more famous Logans and is seems that C.T. Brockhoff was a passionate man about the NZ racers.

She was one of the big 4 of the Logan racing boats ...Rainbow, Iorangi, Ariki and Rawhiti. 54 ft on deck with a big gaff topsail , pole mast rig.She was shipped straight to Sydney in Australia after trials and she became the Sydney champion and ruled the roost there for some 30 odd years.

In what's been billed as the most extensive restoration ever of a Logan boat, Rawhiti - a century-old, 54' flush-deck gaff cutter - is being given a new lease on life at the hands of a master shipwright near Kumeu, NZ. As restorations go, they don't come much bigger or more complex than this and the story of her restoration in 2004 is a great example of what may lie in store for Aoma.

The Classic Period : 1890 to 1914

Archibald Logan, 1865-1940

At the age of eight Archibald Logan arrived in New Zealand with his father Robert, a boat builder on the Clyde River in Scotland. He began work in his father's business at Devonport, and in the 1890s joined two of his brothers in establishing a boat-building business. They turned out many small craft, especially keel yachts, from their base at Waitemata Harbour. Archibald was a pre-eminent yacht designer and continued working long after the firm closed in 1910.

The two principal builders in Auckland were the Logan and Bailey families. Robert Logan worked with his sons, as did Charles Bailey. The rivalry between the family businesses was intense, and the racing improved the yachts. Each season, both produced new 2½- and 5-raters that engaged in fierce competition and caught the public's imagination.

By the mid-1890s Australian yachtsmen, who would come to purchase second-hand raters from Auckland, were soon commissioning new yachts from Logans and Baileys. Within a few years New Zealand's yachts dominated keel-yacht racing in Sydney, just as its racehorses were beginning to shine in Australian thoroughbred racing.

Logan Bros and Australia

Logan - Synonymous with Yachting Achievement in Australasia since 1880.

That was when Robert Logan Snr. began producing fast, beautiful yachts which seemed to have an uncanny knack of winning. In fact his first two racing yachts, Jessie Logan and Lala 2, came first and second on their very first outing.

Thus began a golden era of Logan yachting which spanned three generations and saw the Logans produce some of Australia's finest racing yachts.

The beautiful yacht Akarana (pictured right) was the Logan's first connection with Australia. She was built to contest the Centennial International Regatta held in Melbourne in 1888. Unfortunately for Akarana, she was launched at a time of transition in the measurement rules. This meant that, despite being designed to rate at 5 tons, under the latest international rules she rated higher. Therefore Akarana was compelled to race with the larger yachts of the 10 tons and under class. However, despite this setback, Akarana showed her class and comfortably won the 130 first prize, as well as the race for the St Kilda Yacht Club Gold Medal.

After this success she was taken to Sydney and sold. Akarana remained there for the next 98 years until purchased by the New Zealand Government in 1987. She was restored to her original condition and presented by the people of New Zealand to Australia, to mark the Bicentennial. Today she can be found on permanent display at the Australian National Maritime Museum on Sydney's Darling Harbour.

Robert Logan Snr. was a designer of remarkable talent, but it was his sons, Robert Jnr, John and Arch, who really cemented the Logan reputation as designers of winning racing yachts. Between 1899 and 1905, the firm of Logan Brothers built a steady stream of world-class yachts, large and small, for keen Australian yachtsmen.

Their champion 30-foot Linear Raters, Aoma, Petrel, Heather, Culwalla I and Sunbeam, dominated the elite class racing at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club and the Sydney Yacht Squadron.

Sunbeam, in particular, deserves special mention. She was a radical fin-keeler, designed and built to contest the Inter-Colonial Regatta of 1901. However this event was postponed due to the death of Queen Victoria. When eventually it was resailed, Sunbeam performed the task she was designed for brilliantly and won the race.

Also in the small centreboard classes, the Logan-built 1-Rater Mercia totally outclassed all her opposition. In fact, so much so that by 1904 she had no further competition. Having achieved all she could in Australia, Mercia was sold to Durban in South Africa where she became Inter-Port Champion.

Lesser known, but also a prime example of Logan innovation, was the speedy transom-bowed 24-foot centreboarder Southerly Buster. She was built in 1904 for flamboyant Sydney draper Mark Foy, commodore of the Sydney Flying Squadron. After a season of success on Port Jackson, Foy took her to England to race at the Medway Yacht Club for the Anglo-Australian Shield.

Perhaps the most famous of all Logan-built yachts was the big 40-foot Linear Rater Rawhiti, launched in 1905. For almost forty years she was owned by music publisher Frank Albert, who raced her successfully with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club. The Rawhiti Cup presented by Frank Albert is still competed for today.

However, Sydney wasn't the only harbour to witness the mark of the Logan excellence. The 30-foot Linear Raters, Heather (renamed Ranee), Petrel and Culwalla I (renamed Yuelba), were all eventually sold to Victoria, where for many years they sailed with the various Royal clubs on Port Phillip Bay.

Yuelba had a particularly successful career in the early 1920's when she was owned by the Governor General, Lord Forster, who was Commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria. In 1926 he sold her to the Governor of Victoria, Lord Stradbroke.

Living proof of the enduring qualities of Logan design is the old 11-rater Waitangi. Built by Robert Logan in 1894 and sold to a buyer in Sydney in the 1940's, this magnificent old craft has been lovingly restored to her former glory. No detail was overlooked to ensure Waitangi is a true reflection of the original created by Robert Logan over a hundred years ago. Today Waitingi under full sail is a regular sight in Auckland where she was returned after her restoration in Melbourne, Australia. All the yachts mentioned here are part of the legend of the Australian yachting and, amazingly, most of them survived.

Thelma Relaunched

New Zealand Herald Dec 7th, 2007

A classic Auckland yacht that has spent the past 70 years in the Mediterranean is about to be relaunched after a total restoration. The Thelma, the largest Arch Logan design - an 18m vessel launched in 1897 - will be relaunched on Sunday morning at the Viaduct Harbour, joining the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust fleet.

Another yacht, the Gloriana, is also being relaunched after restoration. Trust chairman John Street led the campaign to bring the Thelma back to New Zealand and always intended to have it restored in time to sail alongside the trust's other classic, Waitangi, in next year's Auckland Anniversary Regatta.

Thelma has a colourful history. Built by Robert Jnr, Arch and John Logan, it was launched from their yard in 1897. It was a scratch boat on the Waitemata before being sold to a commercial photographer. During a Pacific cruise it was impounded and passed into the hands of the US Navy in Hawaii. It eventually ended up in the Mediterranean competing in the Prada Cup yacht series, a popular Mediterranean circuit for years. She was restored back in 2002 and was up for sale in 2005.

She was bought by The Classic Yacht Charitable Trust in 2006 and shipped back to her home port of Auckland, New Zealand. Restored with new deck layers and new interior in 2007. Relaunched December 2007. Has just won the large Gaff Rig Division- line and handicap( CIM ), in the recent Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand and 2008 Lindauer Classic Yacht Regatta.

Information courtesy to Tony Blake (Trustee of the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust)

Name: Thelma
Designer(s): Arch Logan
Type of Boat: Gaff Cutter
Year Built: 1897
Built by: Logan Brothers Shipyard, NZ
LOA m / ft: / 73'
LOD m / ft: 18m / 59'
LWL m / ft: / 41' 6"
Beam m / ft: / 11' 6"
Draft m / ft: / 8' 4"
Yard No:
Sail Stats: Sail No. A 2
Construction: Hull triple skinned in NZ kauri using frameless monocoque technique. Deck double diagonal kauri with new ply and teak over. One of very few Arch Logan builds outside of New Zealand.

Thelma Returns to her Birthplace

Around the Globe and Back to Auckland

The Yacht "THELMA" is no ordinary yacht - it was built in Auckland in 1897 by the Logan Brothers. At 60 ft overall, THELMA was the largest yacht ever built by Logans and no expense was spared in her building. THELMA departed from NZ in the 1940s, spent some time in USA, and then on the Mediterranean Sea. She has now been extensively restored in Auckland back into her original race trim and is racing on Auckland Harbour in conjunction with other restored classic yachts.

Thelma was shipped by JAS Jenners Worldwide and they covered the story of the shipping and delivery with some video on their website - it's worth a look!

Thelma - A Lovely Lady

Information courtesy to Trustee of the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust

Name: Thelma
Designer(s): Arch Logan
Type of Boat: Gaff Cutter
Year Built: 1897
Built by: Logan Brothers Shipyard, NZ
LOA m / ft: / 73'
LOD m / ft: 18m / 59'
LWL m / ft: / 41' 6"
Beam m / ft: / 11' 6"
Draft m / ft: / 8' 4"
Yard No:
Sail Stats: Sail No. A 2
Construction: Hull triple skinned in NZ kauri using frameless monocoque technique. Deck double diagonal kauri with new ply and teak over. One of very few Arch Logan builds outside of New Zealand.

The Classic Yacht Charitable Trust was formed in 2002 as an ambitious project to restore and showcase spectacular examples of New Zealand yachting history. The submission is a fascinating read and history behind the recent yacht restorations.

Tawera - Logan Classic Restored

Tawera is a big, beautiful Logan boat and the photos of her sailing are enough to pull at any yachties heartstrings. She is the essence of all that wooden boat followers yearn for and her restoration, along with Rawhiti and Thelma, set the path for other Logan boats like Aoma to return home.

I thank Chad Thompson ahead of time for filling in the gaps with this story and eagerly await his email to assist here.

Iorangi Logan A class

Restored and Relaunched in 2003

Built for Alexander Turnbull (1901) Iorangi is the only Flush Decked Logan that is likely to come on the market in the foreseeable future. Rainbow has been restored, Rawhiti is also being restored and will appear next season. Ariki has been restored and has been in the same ownership for 30 years.These 4 boats are considered to be the "superyachts" of their era (see Harold Kidds articles in Boating NZ).

Iorangi is 52ft by 9 ft by 7ft3, she was professionally rebuilt over a 5 year period and relaunched in 2003. The deck was replaced, new hatches, deck beams, new interior. The hull was completely refastened, recaulked puttied and strengthened where required. The boat has been setup for shorthanded cruising and racing. The rig was designed by Brett Bakewell-white and built by yachtspars. All deck gear is less than 4 years old. (Rutgerson blocks and Anderson self tailers) Raymarine wind gear, compass, speed and depth. The boat has a fridge/ freezer, 4 burner gas oven and stove. Vhf, Alpine stereo, Lister petter 30 hp diesel. Lewmar fully automatic anchor winch (launch from forard or cockpit)Fully battened main, 3jibs (on Furlex furler), code zero, gennaker (on new Baymar furler) 2 Spinnakers (in sock). Iorangi sleeps 6 in comfort, and has cruised extensively with 2 adults and a 12 year old. Iorangi represents the pinnacle of classic yacht design in NZ having been designed AND built by Logan bros (Logan Bros were only in business till 1910. Any Logan after that date is built by someone else.

Iorangi won line honours in the Auckland Anniversary regatta just passed and took all 4 guns in the Lindauer Classic Yacht regatta. See Iorangi's photos for some lovely images. I am unaware if she is still for sale.

Waitangi

Pictured on Waitemata Harbour, the flagship of Auckland's classic yacht fleet, Waitangi, shows off her sleek black hull with gold scrolls. The last yacht of significance built by Robert Logan, she was launched in 1894. After winning her first race, the 1895 Wellington Anniversary Regatta, she was prominent in racing for the next decade.

In the 1990s, I would often see Waitangi sailing on Hobson' Bay at the north end of Port Phillip. The Classic Yacht Association of Australia has actively raced their boats int his area for years and it was in the mid 1990s then that I met Col Anderson who was active with the group sailing out of RYCV at Williamstown. I understand Col was active with Waitangi's restoration as well has his own boats Acrospire IV and Sayanora which were stunning to see on the bay under a full gaff rig.

Waitangi was eventually was returned to Auckland in 2002 and her story set the path for later returns like Thlema.

Logan Bros Yachts

A Classic Era Not Forgotten

The Akarana was built by Robert Logan to compete in Australia's centennial regatta in 1888.

Akarana was restored to her original condition and presented by the people of New Zealand to Australia, to mark the Bicentennial. Today she can be found on permanent display at the Australian National Maritime Museum on Sydney's Darling Harbour.

Akarana sailing in modern times on Sydney Harbour

Aoma in the original Logan Bros yard in Auckland, most likely just before she was shipped to Sydney in 1899.

Thelma has a colourful history. Built by Robert Jnr, Arch and John Logan, it was launched from their yard in 1897. Construction: Hull triple skinned in NZ kauri using frameless monocoque technique. Deck double diagonal kauri with new ply and teak over. One of very few Arch Logan builds outside of New Zealand.

On 7 November 1898 logan Bros launched their fastest yacht to date, the 36ft linear rater Rainbow for A.T. Pittar. The cutter Rainbow has often been described as Logan Brothers' masterpiece.

Rawhiti (variously translated as %u201Csunshine%u201D or %u201Cbreaking dawn%u201D or %u201Cthe east%u201D) was built and launched in 1905 by the Logan Brothers She was one of the big 4 of the Logan racing boats. As restorations go, they don%u2019t come much bigger or more complex than this.

Tawera restored and sailing in a regattas in Auckland

Tawera built by Arch Logan in 1935

The last yacht of significance built by Robert Logan, Waitangi was launched in 1894. After winning her first race, the 1895 Wellington Anniversary Regatta, she was prominent in racing for the next decade.

Akarana - An Early Logan classic

Generous Centenary Gift to Australia

The Akarana was built by Robert Logan to compete in Australia's centennial regatta in 1888. It is shown on Sydney Harbour in 1893, after being sold to an Australian. In Great Britain and the United States, keel yachts were built to the Thames rule, an archaic formula which required a narrow beam. To regain stability, yachts were heavily ballasted with lead. They were not very seaworthy. Most New Zealand boat builders ignored this rule, but one of the few built to the correct dimensions was the Akarana.

This diagram is based on the reconstruction of the Akarana in 1994. Built of strong kauri, it had a diagonal triple-skin and frameless form. Although built by Robert Logan to international rules, the Akarana was characteristic of Auckland boat building in the 1880s.

Some years ago I corresponded with Daina Fletcher at the Australian National Maritime Museum to confirm Aoma's early history on Sydney Harbour. I have her letter describing Aoma and some early references to her. Daina wrote a marvellous book about Akarana and the early 'plank on edge' design. I have viewed her in Darling Harbour at the Museum but not seen under sail before. I must plead with Daina to let me know when she may be seen on the water and beg for a sail!

Akarana by Daina Fletcher by Fletcher, Daina, 1959-
[Roseville, N.S.W.] : Published by the Beagle Press for the Australian National Maritime Museum, 1991

Akarana - Her History

1888 Gaff Cutter Racing Yacht

The museums oldest vessel, built in 1888, is a rare example of the periods narrow, deeply ballasted racing yachts.

Akarana was built in Auckland by Robert Logan to compete in the Australian Centennial regattas held in Melbourne and Sydney in 1888 and 1889. As well as being a fine example of a specialised type of racing cutter of the period, Akarana exemplifies the long, friendly but often fierce sailing rivalry between Australia and New Zealand.

When launched, Akarana was patriotically given the Maori name for Auckland, presented with a burgee of the Auckland Yacht Club and packed off to Melbourne on the steamer Nemesis, accompanied by Logan, his skipper Jack Bell and crew.

After a racing successfully on Hobson's Bay, Robert Logan then took Akarana to Sydney to compete in the National Regatta on Anniversary Day, January 1989. Akarana won the principle event of the day, an open race for the first prize of 20 pounds and three cases of Moet & Chandon champagne.

Logan then sold the yacht in Sydney, where it remained, passing through several owners and many changes, until one hundred years later, the time worn remnant of the yacht was located and acquired by the New Zealand Government. It was rebuilt in New Zealand and then presented to Australia in January 1988 as a Bicentennial gift and symbol of the close ties between the two countries.

Subsequent research and reconstruction of the keel, rudder and rig, much-modified during the vessel's lifetime, have returned the vessel to her 19th-century specifications.

Builder Robert Logan, Auckland, NZ , Launched 1888
Length Overall 11.88 m
Length Waterline 8.83 m
Beam2.03 m
Draft 1.98 m
Displacement 9.35 tonnes
External Ballast 5.10 tonnes
Sail Area 167.2 m2

Construction: Triple kauri strip planking, (two diagonal).
For more information on this vessel see the Australian Register of Historic Vessels

Classic Yacht Association of Australia

Masterful Resource for Classic & Wooden Boats

The Classic Yacht Association was formed in 1994 to promote the ownership, knowledge and appreciation of classic sailing craft in Australia and to preserve them for future generations.

It now has approximately 250 members and 120 boats on its register. It organises and supports sailing regattas and events in four states, and produces a quality magazine twice a year. Its website is a work of art in itself and photos by Roger Dundas who I used to race Tumlarens with (my own ex-Tum Zara is another story!) has added beautifully to the website. Worth a visit. The picture at right is Sayonara restored by Col Anderson and a dream to watch sailing.

Find out more at CLASSIC YACHT ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA, 343 Ferrars Street, Albert Park. Victoria 3206 admin@classic-yacht.asn.au

Pot of Gold Eludes Rainbow

New Zealand Herald - Jan 29, 2008, Isaac Davison

A newly restored classic yacht could not achieve a winning return in the most anticipated race of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. The completely restored Rainbow (1898), in its first Anniversary regatta for 50 years, was not without teething problems yesterday. It lost its competitive pace in the Classic Yachts A Class when its jib broke and, although quickly remedied, it finished fourth.

Rainbow skipper Hamish Ross said the race was very challenging, with "flukey changes in wind direction". The yachts dribbled over the start line in a slight breeze, touching on 8 knots. But as the regatta wore on the wind stiffened to over 15 knots and intensified by the finish.

Rainbow's crew were not the only ones to suffer technical problems. Tawera lost its spinnaker on the homeward straight. Ross said there was a great bond between the classic boat sailors. After the race he joined the crew of the Ariki, another Logan brothers boat, for a rum. "I feel that the win-at-all-costs attitude of some sports means you lose something. There a sense of camaraderie here, which is important in sport."

But Ariki captain Chad Thomson said that the race was still "fiercely competitive". After a "beautiful day of sailing", Ariki placed second behind clear winners Iorangi. Waitangi finished third. Iorangi skipper John Gorter was quiet about his victory. But his crew felt that their lead was a comprehensive one. "We whipped them."

The first four boats over the line were all designed by the Logan brothers around the turn of the 20th century. Ross said that despite decades of sailing, he was always relearning the skills of racing a classic yacht.

The Logans: New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family

Authors: Robin Elliot & Harold Kidd , David Ling Publishing Limited 2001

The NZ Herald Auckland Anniversary Regatta generally has a big turn-out of classic yachts. In 2002 there was considerable interest in Logans following publication of the Harold Kidd-Robin Elliott book on the famous Auckland boatbuilding dynasty.

It is fitting that in a year when the Anniversary Regatta is again sponsored by Wilson and Horton Ltd, publisher of the New Zealand Herald, one of the most beautiful of the Logan creations took part. Ariki was built by Logan Bros for Charles Horton and later owned by Willie Wilson.

Robin Elliott records that with one exception the Wilson family (brothers and cousins) never bought anything but Logan-designed boats. He believes that had it not been for the Wilsons' near 50 years of patronage, New Zealand would not have had these wonderful boats and the Logans would not have become so famous.

The Logans - continued

Authors: Robin Elliot & Harold Kidd , David Ling Publishing Limited 2001

Pictured right: Ariki

Since the 1880s yachts and launches from the yards and sheds of the Logan family have always stood out as shining examples of the designer's and builder's art. Contemporary reports would invariably describe these boats has having the Logan 'style' or 'finish', immediately marking them as something special.

Their racing yachts became champions and their cruisers and launches performed well above their owners' expectations giving the Logan name a mystique and pedigree that is still highly valued today. While their boats have become well known through- out New Zealand, the people who created them, Robert Logan Sr, his sons John, James, Robert Jr, Arch and Willie, involved in various aspects of that consummate firm known as Logan Bros, and Arch's sons Jack and Doug, are largely unknown to us.

Their aversion to publicity and self-promotion during their lifetimes was almost pathological and, instead, they let their boats speak for them. "The Logans" by R. Elliot and H. Kidd is illustrated throughout with photographs and plans of their yachts and launches, and details of every known Logan vessel. With previously unpublished family photographs it also gives a rare insight into a complex family of Scottish origin, its brilliant individuals and into the times when they were turning out the very best yachts and launches in the Southern Hemisphere.

Winkelmann's Waitemata: Classic Auckland Yachting

Henry Winkelmann (Photographer), Robin Elliott, Harold Kidd, Rodney Wilson

Henry Winklemann was, and remains, an iconic figure among NZ's photographers and the clarity and composition of his work examplifies his expertise with the camera. While working as a bank clark he purchased a camera in 1892 and by 1897 was a professional photographer.

Today he is best remembered for his maritime photos taken on the busy Auckland Harbour from the late 1800s to the late 1920s when he retired. This "album" is devoted to yachts and yachting, mainly on the Waitamata, with some coastal cruising. Fortunately his magnificent photographic collection is preserved at the Auckland Museum, which contributed to this excellent publication.

The first 25 pages of the book background the photographer and his art, with a number of informal studies. The remaining 45 pages (index excepted) carry photographs of Auckland yachts, from classic fleet leaders to the small and very popular mullet boats. All illustrations are b/w, many full page and all with extended, informative captions. 80 pages, including index.

The Lives of Jessie Logan

The Story of New Zealand's Oldest Yacht

PAL and NTSC format. Running time 49 minutes.
Jessie Logan is New Zealand's oldest yacht. She could have been a relic of New Zealand's maritime history had she not been restored to her former glory. She was relaunched in Auckland in January 2001.
Jessie Logan was built in 1880 by Robert Logan, a Scotsman who had emigrated to New Zealand in 1874. She was New Zealand's first champion yacht, but in her 121 years has undergone many changes in appearance.

This documentary explores the history of the vessel, the traditional skills employed in her restoration, and the personalities who in combination made this venture possible. One of a series produced by Gaffrig Productions, New Zealand's specialist classic boat production company, it is enticingly filmed and beautifully presented.

This is one of a series produced by Gaffrig Productions, New Zealand's specialist classic boat production company. The Lives of Jessie Logan has been enticingly filmed and beautifully presented.

Harmony on the Harbour

New Zealand Herald, Dec 22, 2001 by Robin Bailey

New Zealand's maritime history owes a huge debt to two men, Harold Kidd and Robin Elliot. Kidd is senior partner in an Auckland law firm. Elliott is general manager of a freight-forwarding company.

So much for their day jobs. They are equally successful in pursuing their other passion - researching and recording this country's marine past.

Their latest effort is The Logans, New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family, and the title says it all. The large-format allows the pictures of the lovely Logan craft to be properly reproduced. The words that accompany the pictures reveal the lives and times of the incredibly reclusive Logans.

Included in his foreword to the book, yacht designer and builder Des Townson has this to say:

"The static shapes of the Logan boats are fair from any angle but once under way they express a harmony which is difficult to define but understood in a similar way to some music, which has universal appeal.

"Apart from their grace, the Logan boats were much respected for their performance. The design parameters used were largely intuitive and based on experience. However, it is notable that when they are subjected to scientific analysis today, they are remarkably modern in concept."

The authors contribute the popular Vintage Viewpoint column to Boating New Zealand magazine. Their association began 10 years ago when Elliott was researching Emmy, the book that was to become the definitive history of the M-Class.

They met while delving into separate projects in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron archives and found they had complementary interests.

Elliott: "We each have our own databases so our material can be matched one source against the other. This sometimes creates a certain amount of discussion, but eventually we manage to reach a conclusion that gets things as correct as is possible.

"Harold's interests lie more in the area of mullet boats, keelboats and launches. Mine veer toward sailing dinghies and centreboarders. It's a complementary effort and we can test ideas on one another."

Their story of the Logan dynasty begins with the arrival in Auckland from Scotland of Robert and his young family in 1874. He quickly established a reputation for his skills, for innovative use of native timbers and for the exceptional yachts he produced from his Devonport yard.

Sons Robert jun, John, James, Arch and Willie followed him into the business, setting up Logan Bros in the early 1890s. In a short time they became the foremost boatbuilders in the Southern Hemisphere. This business lasted less than 20 years but turned out some of the most famous yachts of those decades and several to follow.

Of Robert Logan sen's eight children, only Arch married. The others usually lived together in the same house in Devonport, Remuera and later in Newmarket. While the Logan boats quickly became well-known, the family's aversion to publicity and self-promotion during their lifetimes was almost pathological. They let the boats speak for them.

Now Kidd and Elliott have fleshed out the story with flair and tenacity. It's all there, the histories of some of the most famous Logan boats and insights into those who owned them. Many of them, restored with care, devotion and money, are still racing. For the New Zealand Herald Anniversary Regatta on January 28 they will be among the classic fleet racing back to Auckland from Mahurangi. Among the Logans due to finish off Orakei Wharf in mid-afternoon are Rawhiti, Little Jim, Spray II, Moana, Victory and Jessie Logan.

* About the authors:

Harold Kidd has sailed almost all his life. He began in P-Class and graduated to Idle Alongs, Frostbites, and eventually the unrestricted 12-foot Q-Class. In the 1980s he bought and restored the E-Class keeler Loloma. He also owns an interest in the 1880 Robert Logan yacht Jessie Logan and was the driving force in her restoration and eventual re-launching in January this year.

Robin Elliott began sailing in Frostbites, 12-footers and the 18-foot M-Class, one of the few traditional racing yacht classes that has survived the relentless march of progress. He owns a share in the 1947 Bob Stewart-designed Matara.

* The Logans, New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family, David Ling Publishing, is available from most booksellers and Boat Books at Westhaven ($49.95).

Aoma Expected in Sydney

Brisbane Courier - Sept 1899

The text in this excerpt from the Brisbane Courier on 4th Sept 1899 says "Logan Bros of Auckland have very nearly completed a 30-footer to the order of a Sydney yachtsman. The owners name is not disclosed, but the new craft should be very welcome, and should provide some good races with Meteor, Bronzewing and Fairlie."

The paragraph was in a column called Aquatics Sailing Notes by the author "Bobstay" under the National Library of Australia http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3700887, found while researching this lens. I don't mind telling you I was pretty chuffed since I've had Aoma for 15 years and these researchers tools online were not available until recent years.

Aoma Arrives in Sydney

Sydney Daily Telegraph - Nov 4th 1899

"Logan Bros., of Auckland, have very nearly completed a 30-footer to the order of
a Sydney yachtsman. The owner's name is not disclosed, but the new craft should be very welcome, and should provide some good races with Meteor, Bronzewing and Fairlie."

Meteor had performed so well to date on Sydney Harbour, the Auckland builders received a flood of orders from Sydney yachties and so was responsible in part for Aoma's order. The crack 2 1/2 rater Meteor had been previously owned by Mr. A. T. Pittar, of Parnell but he sold her in Sydney after she had put up a record against the crack yachts in that harbour. His next yacht was Rainbow which is now restored and sailing in Auckland.

This was published in the Brisbane Courier 4th Sept 1899, 2 months before her arrival was heralded in Sydney by the following article. The paper did not disclose C.T. Brockhoff as the owner but it seems that the racing pedigree of Meteor was already well established.

"According to the Sydney "Dally Telegraph" Mr. Brockhoff's 30-footer Aoma arrived on Saturday in Sydney by the steamer Waihora. The craft was built by the Messrs. Logan, of Auckland, N.Z., and is a very shapely little vessel. In appearance she's somewhat like White Wings, (Mr. S. Hordern's new yacht, only smaller.

Her principal dimensions are :-L.o.a., 41ft.; w.l.,27ft.; 9in. beam, the draught being 5ft. 6in. The sails are from 'Lapthorne's loft. The new arrival will be an acquisition to the yachting fleet, and some good rating races should result between White Wings, Meteor, and Aoma (Maori for white cloud). She will most likely carry a racing flag on Saturday next in the opening race of the Royal Yacht Squadron's opening event."

This document was only found May 11th 2009 while researching this lens and I was astounded to find a copy of the original newspaper online. It was in fact The Brisbane Courier relating a paragraph out of the Sydney Daily Telegraph and I have provided the PDF right here to be downloaded. Find Page 7, 2nd paragraph down in the middle column.

Awanui (1906)

Renamed Culwalla III, then later Eu-na-mara

Now beatifully restored and competing actively still today, Eu-na-mara has a wonderful story and is well known along the East coast of Australia for her competitive sailing. he only relationship to the Logan boats is her former name Culwalla III, not directly related to Culwalla I one of Aoma's sister linear raters.

Truthfully, I just love this picture of her driving hard into the breeze. I will update her story as it is a great one of a classic restoration already well described by the Classic Yacht Association of Australia. Note in the Pittwater Regatta entry below that Aoma and Culwalla III competed together in 1907.

Classic Wooden Boat Resources

Australian Wooden Boat: A wonderful resource with links to many other associated sites. Has news, boat registry, boat sales, trade directory and photos.
Classic Yacht Association: The Classic Yacht Association was formed in 1994 to promote the ownership, knowledge and appreciation of classic sailing craft in Australia and to preserve them for future generations. Mark Chew does a brilliant job of maintaining this.
Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand: The Classic Yacht Association promotes the ownership, preservation and restoration of Classic Yachts and Launches. It reflects the significant role harbour and coastal sea craft have played in the development of New Zealand communities and encourages the fellowship that grows and exists between all men and women who delight in the pleasure of the sea and craft that sail those seas.
New Zealand National Maritime Museum: New Zealand National Maritime Museum - Where the past meets the present.
Classic Boat Magazine: Excellent website and resource for all wooden boat afficionados
The Restoration of Rainbow: Rainbow is one of the 'big Logans' ... a select group of outstanding yachts of the Classic period of Auckland yacht production comprising Thelma, Moana, Rainbow, Iorangi, Rawhiti and Ariki.

Classic Yacht Restoration: Popular Past Time

Classic Yacht Owners Interviewed: If there is one things kiwis love it is sailing, and New Zealand has impressive record in international sailing events. So perhaps it is not surprising that the restoration of classic yachts is becoming a popular past time for businessmen who love the sea. This is an interesting video from 3news.co.nz
Sailing Heaven on Waitemata Harbour Video: See the restored Rainbow, Thelma and Waitangi sailing on Waitemata Harbour. 3news.co.nz covers the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.

Waitangi A6 Gaff Cutter- Logan Bros 1894

Waitangi is the largest surviving early Logan yacht and is an outstanding example of Victorian design and craftsmanship. She was built of diagonal and horizontally planked kauri over kauri frames. Her purchasers offered a bonus to Logan if she proved successful and became the Wellington champion. She won handsomely and the bonus was paid.

Waitangi has had a succession of owners and has been raced in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland for much of her history. Regrettably she was later modified and then fell into disrepair. In 1986 she was purchased in Australia by the Waitangi Syndicate, a group of Melbourne businessmen and sailors who undertook extensive research to restore her to her original condition. The work took eight years and Waitangi was relaunched in 1994 to celebrate her 100th birthday. Her rigging, sail plan, hull and interior are exactly as built by Robert Logan down to the
smallest detail, and her restoration is spectacular.

She was shipped to Auckland from Melbourne to participate in the Logan
Classic in 2000. She returned to Melbourne and has now being bought by the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust of Auckland. She has returned home to sail in New Zealand waters permanently. Credit to Will Calver of www.oceanphotography.co.nz for the photo.

Ariki - Logan Bros 1905

Ariki was designed by Arch Logan and built by the Logan Brothers at Auckland in 1904 and launched in 1905. She has had a distinguished career as a racing and cruising yacht. Ariki is a classic spoon-bowed, counter-sterned cutter yacht. Her design was based on the Logan brothers highly successful Rainbow of 1898, which was inspired by the Geo Watson designed Royal Yacht Brittannia of 1893. Ariki is planked in three skins of kauri, copper fastened in the typical Logan Brothers fashion. She is gaff cutter rigged, with a jackyard topsail. Her only modifications are an anchor winch and a 34hp diesel motor. Credit to Will Calver oceanphotography.co.nz for the lovely photo.

Back to Classics

In July 2003, around forty beautifully restored wooden yachts gathered in Cowes on the Isle of Wight for the second British Classic Yacht Club regatta. Filmed over the course of the four-day event, Back to Classics provides a unique opportunity to look more closely at some of the most beautiful and cherished yachts of their time.

Combining stunning action footage with interviews and historical narrative, Back to Classics is a fascinating glimpse into the world of classic yachts.

From small day-boats to 60-foot ketches; from a legendary America's Cup challenger to a century-old gentleman's cutter--design classics from the pens of Laurent Giles, McGruer, Fife, Nicholson, Holman, and Rhodes all sail together in a spectacular celebration of times gone by, proving beyond all doubt that the renaissance of classic yachting at Cowes is alive and well and truly underway.

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Aoma Arrives in Sydney - Nov 1899

Sydney Daily Telegraph - Nov 4th 1899

"Logan Bros., of Auckland, have very nearly completed a 30-footer to the order of
a Sydney yachtsman. The owner's name is not disclosed, but the new craft should be very welcome, and should provide some good races with Meteor, Bronzewing and Fairlie."

Meteor had performed so well to date on Sydney Harbour, the Auckland builders received a flood of orders from Sydney yachties and so was responsible in part for Aoma's order. The crack 2 1/2 rater Meteor had been previously owned by Mr. A. T. Pittar, of Parnell but he sold her in Sydney after she had put up a record against the crack yachts in that harbour. His next yacht was Rainbow which is now restored and sailing in Auckland.

This was published in the Brisbane Courier 4th Sept 1899, 2 months before her arrival was heralded in Sydney by the following article. The paper did not disclose C.T. Brockhoff as the owner but it seems that the racing pedigree of Meteor was already well established.

"According to the Sydney "Dally Telegraph" Mr. Brockhoff's 30-footer Aoma arrived on Saturday in Sydney by the steamer Waihora. The craft was built by the Messrs. Logan, of Auckland, N.Z., and is a very shapely little vessel. In appearance she's somewhat like White Wings, (Mr. S. Hordern's new yacht, only smaller.

Her principal dimensions are :-L.o.a., 41ft.; w.l.,27ft.; 9in. beam, the draught being 5ft. 6in. The sails are from 'Lapthorne's loft. The new arrival will be an acquisition to the yachting fleet, and some good rating races should result between White Wings, Meteor, and Aoma (Maori for white cloud). She will most likely carry a racing flag on Saturday next in the opening race of the Royal Yacht Squadron's opening event."

This document was only found May 11th 2009 while researching this lens and I was astounded to find a copy of the original newspaper online. It was in fact The Brisbane Courier relating a paragraph out of the Sydney Daily Telegraph and I have provided the PDF right here to be downloaded. Find Page 7, 2nd paragraph down in the middle column.

Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School

New Zealand's First Dedicated Traditional Boatbuilding School

The Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School is dedicated to providing tuition, expertise and resources to ensure that the heritage, knowledge and skills of Traditional Boatbuilding in New Zealand is maintained for the future.

Pictured at right are the founding trustees: Bruce Tantrum, Robert Brooke, Harold Kidd and Ron Jamieson. This photo is copied from the ATBS website. Harold Kidd is one of the authors of the book reviewed on this page, "The Logans: New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family" written with Robin Elliot.

The website has been revamped recently to the address above but while the old ATBS website is up and about, it is very interesting browsing. This article written by Justin Henehan appeared in the December 2007 issue of Boating New Zealand and is reprinted with their kind permission with wonderful photos of traditional boat building classes and crafting skills.

The Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School is registered as a private training establishment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority under the provisions of the Education Act 1989 and is accredited to provide education and training based on the Boating Industry Training Organisation's Units of work.

The Classic Yacht Association (CYA) really kicked it off. They wanted people around to keep traditional boat building going. The founders financed it themselves in the early days, with help from the late Frank Stark of Stark Brothers Boat Building in Lyttleton, who donated finance and much of the kauri for the schools projects. Since then the schools trust has welcomed John Street of Harken New Zealand as patron and David Glen, an owner of the classic yacht Rainbow, and Ian McRobie as trustees.

Wairiki - Logan Bros

A Logan Restoration Underway in Auckland

Having joined the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand internet forum in the last 2 weeks while writing this lens, the knowledge of the Logan boats, their active restorations and the key local Kiwis involved in this movement have come to light. Harold Kidd, JasonP and JohnB (the same Jase and JohnB mentioned in the Wooden Boat Forum below) Steve Cranch, Steve H and Deacon Blues have been good enough to contribute and enlighten me as to Aoma's origins and show interest in her return to NZ.

Of interest, JasonP has recently acquired Wairiki, one of the small Logans. The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand forum (you need to register first to view it) posts over four pages discussing work done with photos under Forum/Classics Around the Yards/Wairiki.

Her designer was reportedly Arch Logan, the same as Aoma, and my own comments in the forum state that her lines from bow to stern are remarkably similar to Aoma's.

Surely, Aoma and Yuelba must come home to NZ to sail alongside Wairiki. What a marvellous sight that would be! I have taken an original image of Wairiki off the forum and posted it here without permission but I hope JasonP does not mind. Check the gallery of photos below of Wairiki being stripped and brought back to a bare hull to be restored to original lines.

Wooden Boat Forum

Looking for Aoma!

It is 19th May 2009 as I write this, very late one night. I have just come across three entries in The Wooden Boat Forum all relating to Aoma. As the internet has come of age, these comments and listings are easier to find. As the owner of Aoma, I was not browsing the Wooden Boat Forum in recent years so had no idea enthusiasts in the U.K. and N.Z. were swapping comments on her whereabouts and getting her back to New Zealand, the very thing I am now trying to do.

Mention should be made of the gents in this forum John B and Jase from Auckland who may be some of the key folk who will be instrumental in repatriating Aoma. Read the three forums to see how folks have been searching for Aoma for a while.

Pittwater Regatta

102 Years Competing at Pittwater, Sydney

A marvellous article about the Pittwater Regatta contains a reference to both Aoma and her Logan sisterships Petrel, Rawhiti and Meteor sailing in 1911 at Pittwater and the waters of Broken Bay. Peter Campbell, author, is a renowned Australian sailing writer.

The article is of interest in noting Aoma still racing 6 years after she won the 1905 Gascoigne Cup and a new owner in C. Fleming. It is already noted above that Aoma's original owner C.T. Brockhoff (who commissioned Arch Logan to design and builder her) had sold her to acquire Rawhiti, one of the more famous Logans.

"According to The Australian Boating Annual, Pittwater has been the mecca of yachtsmen since the early 1860s, particularly during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Today, of course, it is a wonderful waterway for hundreds of yachts, sailing dinghies and catamarans to race each weekend and on weekdays, too, summer and winter. Regattas were held at Pittwater at infrequent intervals between 1880 and 1900.

Such was the success of the inaugural Pittwater Regatta that the local residents decided it should be an annual event. The regatta quickly grew in popularity and for the fifth regatta in 1911, a race for big yachts was added to the program, starting from Fort Denison in Sydney Harbour, thence up the coast to Broken Bay and Pittwater, a distance of 30 nautical miles.

It was a very slow race, with the fleet becalmed off the south head of Broken Bay for many hours. Line honours eventually went to the famous Sydney yacht Culwalla III, with her owner Walter Marks at the helm, just before midnight. Other starters were another famous yacht of that era, Rawhiti (F. Albert) along with Petrel (C. Trebeck), Aoma (C. Fleming) and Meteor (O.B. Dibbs)."

Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron - 1899

The Brisbane Courier - 27th Nov 1899

This excerpt found describing a close race between Aoma and others only weeks after her arrival. The Brisbane Courier published the report but it likely came from the The Sydney Dally Telegraph. Pictured right is one of the most successful Bailey boats Meteor.

"The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron decided a race for yachts of 42ft. linear rating. White Wings (scratch), Isca (11min.), Meteor and Aoma (17min.), Actaea (21min.)and Fairlie (32min.) started. Handicaps were given at the start. After a good race, Actaea won by 2min.30sec. from Meteor, which was in turn 1min.65sec. ahead of lsea."

Clutha - Hot Contender from Hobart

Another mention of Aoma appeared in the same edition discussing a crack boat Clutha from Hobart...I must say that Clutha sounds fascinating and look at her waterline length to overall length - amazing! I found a beautiful photo of her sailing on the Derwent River and published in 1900 in the State Library of Tasmania catalogue. She is described as "built by Robert Inches in Hobart and considered the fastest for it's time."

"The Fife-designed 21-footer Clutha, of Hobart, has been sold by Mr. F. N. Clarke to a syndicate of Hobart yachtsmen, who have purchased this crack cutter with the object of defending the southern portion of the island in the annual North v. South Challenge Cup Race. Those who have seen this boat sailing contend that she is much superior to anything her own length in the Australian colonies.

Her new owners are apparently determined to put their crack to the test, for they have expressed their intention to send her ito Sydney, and pit her against the best of the Johnstone's Bay Club's 22-footers, provided the club offers a sufficient stake. The matter Is under consideration by the Sydney Club.

The Clutha is a decked boat, designed by W. Fife, jun., and though but 21ft. on the walerllne, her overall length is no less than 42ft. and beam lift. Without her centreboard she draws only 18in., and she carries a 5ft. board with cwt. of lead attached. Without a doubt Clutha is an advanced type of racing machine, and we question very much whether our half-decked 22-footers would have a chance with her.

Provided a fair prize is offered, Clutha's owners would be willing to bring her up next month, and they also express their willingness to race either Aoma or Meteor on level terms. The Johnstone's Bay Club is In recelpt of a communication from the Derwent Sailing Club (Hobart) on the subject, which will be considered at the next meeting, on Monday night."

Wairiki - Logan Classic Under Restoration

A Credit to JasonP of Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand

Sitting at her mooring prior to arrival in Auckland for restoration. Sitting a little low in the stern with probable gear stored back there.

Sitting at her mooring prior to arrival in Auckland for restoration. The Logan pedigree of long counter stern is recognisable.

Unloading Wairiki at the Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School, www.boatbuilding.school.nz/

Parked at Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School, www.boatbuilding.school.nz/

Decks removed showing long canoe like bow

Stripped back, anchor well removed from stern

Fibreglass removed from topsides, stripped and ready for work.

I went out this morning and busted some white haired vandel taking to her with an axe!! or was it an adze....

Shaping the new stern from existing timbers

The Logan Classic Sunbeam

January 26th 2008 written by Gary Baigent, New Zealand

At the turn of the 20th Century the Logan Brothers built an extreme, high performance keelboat, a development with similarities to the Patiki types but one which was considerably larger with long overhangs, and instead of a centerboard, carried a deep draft bulb keel, this was the 30 foot Linear Rater, Sunbeam.

She was a yacht that was unbeatable against other keel boats (except in a lumpy sea) and so fast (like other avant garde designs), was too good for its own good.

The result was that Sunbeam was jealously denounced as a vicious rule cheater and a class killer. Sunbeam's bulb fin keel and separate under hung rudder was the first keel boat in New Zealand with that configuration and more than 50 years ahead of its time.

However the Logans knew of Nathaniel Herreshoff's work for he had developed the world's first bulb keel/separate rudder yacht with Dilemma in 1891; a light displacement design that so fast it was banned from competition...the pretext being that fin keels were structurally unsound.

The Logan boat was launched in 1899...so the brothers were not producing an original but the Auckland club reaction was the same as in the USA. Sunbeam, like Dilemma, had a fine, light hull with ballast in the bulb keel, carried a tall and large rig like Dilemma but which in New Zealand conditions, contributed to making Sunbeam pitch sharply in Hauraki Gulf seas.

This was seen as a major fault by influential critics and as usual, the media followed status quo lines so that the radical Logan design lost favour. So the disappointed owners sold Sunbeam to Australia where the yacht did extremely well.

Indeed the more open minded Australians appreciated all the champion Logan and Bailey & Lowe designs like the Patiki and Rater craft that arrived there: Meteor, Aoma, Mercia, Sunbeam and Coorya and thought New Zealand designers and builders were a class above everyone else.

Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats

Could This be Aoma's Saviour?

The power of the net has proved to work wonders. A link to this lens was posted at the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand forum where it was noticed by Simon Sadubin of Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats. He posted a comment in the Guestbook below and we then spoke on the phone. Simon is very familiar with the old Sydney linear raters and is passionate about seeing them restored. He had been to Melbourne to see Yuelba and had discussions with Tim Phillips at the Wooden Boat Shop about her.

Simon has the right connections in Sydney and would like to host an information night at one of the yacht clubs, say the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, to raise interest for a syndicate to restore Aoma and possibly any of her sisterships that may become available. We are currently investigating Petrel's location somewhere in Sydney.

The possibility of relocating Aoma by truck to Sydney to a Pittwater mooring to showcase her better to local interests is becoming the best idea to date to put her in front of the right eyes. It appears that David Payne from the Australian National Maritime Museum has already done rig diagrams from old records and this will be reproduced here shortly. I thank Simon for his time and interest and recommend a visit to Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats at Chowder Bay Boatshed, Building 10, South End, Chowder Bay Rd, Mosman NSW.

Aoma's Bermudan Rig

David Payne at the Australian National Maritime Museum, where I have visited years before to admire Akarana, the plank-on-edge Logan vessel, kindly sent me a newspaper image from "The Australian Motor Boat and Yachting Monthly", Nov 15th 1932, detailing Aoma's conversion from gaff rig to bermudan rig. I was always curious to know in what era her gaff rig ceased and of, course, her boom would have been shortened. The measurements were done at Morrison and Sinclair Ltd's yard in Balmain, NSW. The location of this shipyard at Long Nose (now Yeroulbin) Point, is not far from the Museum at Darling Harbour.

Windward

1929-1931: Edwin H. Webster. Registered in Hobart.

Windward II was built in Hobart in 1929 of the finest Australian timbers. She measures 44 ft on the deck and displaces 13 tonnes. Windward II spent most of her time on Sydney harbour. She raced with distinction during the 1930's and 40's winning several major championships in the hands of businessman J M Hardie before advances in yacht design reduced her ability to compete. I note from her website she won the 1933-34 the Gascoigne Cup as Aoma did many years before so they share a rare distinction of Sydney's local sailing history.

After spending time in Brisbane, she came to Melbourne in 1990 where she races against classic yachts of her vintage and undertakes corporate charters. To arrange a sail on Windward II, please contact James Woods on 03 8611 2610 / jwoods@ecollect.com.au or talk to your eCollect account manager. Windward II was extensively restored in 2006 following a collision on the racecourse. I recommend her website for viewing some beautiful photos. I know Windward II well as my pen neighbour at RMYS. I note the website is copyrighted and have requested permission to use the photo above.

Classic - The Revival of Classic Boating in New Zealand

It is a tribute both to the original builders of these magnificent craft but also to their current owners and restorers, who have gone to what might seem incomprehensible lengths to btring them back to their former glory and return them to home waters. This book tells the fascinating stories of these boats and at the same time tells a story of New Zeland's own history.

Weighing in at 2.7kilograms and measuring 40 x 31 x 40 centimetres, Classic is a heavyweight, and not just in terms of its physical attributes. Wilkins is an award- winning writer and an acclaimed photographer whose work has been published internationally. He also writes Breeze, the bi-monthly newsletter of the Classic Yacht Association.

During his visit to Cowes for the America's Cup jubilee in 2001, Wilkins discovered that the beautifully presented classic wooden America's Cup boats generated an eye- widening emotional response, with hardly a second look taken at the beautifully presented modern sleek carbon jobs.

Classic is essentially about the restoration of prominent classic boats from the previous two centuries, undertaken this century. Each chapter is introduced by a double page photograph. In fact, the photographs are the main feature of the book, contributing almost half the content. Wilkins took the majority of the photos, skilfully composed and either full page, a page and a half or a photomontage. Many are without captions, and initially this irked me. But when I studied them more closely, I found these photos told their own story, capturing the essence of classic boat restoration and sailing.

Unsurprisingly, yachts are the staple; but there are also steamboats, launches, dories, dinghies and even the steam tug William C Daldy in a tugboat race! Just as importantly, Wilkins wanted Classic to honour all the designers, builders, crews and, I don't use this word lightly, enthusiasts. Their inclusion adds zest.

Wilkins uses his story telling skills to narrate anecdotes that are always interesting and often amusing. His text includes history, background information, stories and enough technical data to satisfy interested readers without boring them. Obviously, though, Classic as mainly suited to a person interested in boating in general, and yachting in particular.

Classic is an authoritative tome, beautifully presented and written in an easy unassuming style, well-balanced between text and photographs. Far more than an evaluation of boats and boaties, it passes on the spirit of a bygone era and shows where it fits in present-day boating.

Classic Yacht Revival Part I

Copied from AFLOAT June 2011. Written by Bruce Stannard

Waitangi reaching along Auckland's North Shore (copied from AFLOAT June 2011)

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, trans-Tasman yachting came to be dominated by beautiful vessels designed and built with meticulous care by two of New Zealand's great boat-building rivals, the Bailey and the Logan families of Auckland.

Fiercely competitive, innovative and gifted, Charles Bailey and Robert Logan and their sons sought to outdo each other in creating boats that were the noble epitome of speed and grace under sail.

Glorious gaff-cutters like Ngatira, Ariki, Rawene, Viking and Rainbow became household names and the racing exploits of their smartly clad crews were eagerly followed by a keenly interested and knowledgeable sporting public.

It was much the same on our side of The Ditch. Great racing yachts like Sayonara, Waitangi, Rawhiti, Akarana and Yeulba were either built for Australian clients or came here to campaign in the cut-throat racing that then characterised Inter-Dominion competition.

As different as they were, Logan and Bailey boats had one magic ingredient in common: they were all built from Kauri, undoubtedly one of the finest and most durable boat building timbers in the world. It is Kauri (Agathis australis) that deserves much of the credit for keeping so many of these classic boats alive.

Now strictly protected and a restricted export, the giant Kauri, once among the biggest and oldest trees on the planet, was logged in such vast numbers that by the end of the Second World War the species seemed to be endangered. Today. The Waipoua Forest, just north of Auckland, has 9,000ha of big Kauri and nearby Trouson Park has a further 450ha.

At the close of the colonial era, some 35,000 square kilometres of New Zealand's native forest had been cleared. Among the fallen trees were some that were 2,500 years old. The great Kauri logs, including many that were up to 75 feet in girth and well over 100 feet long, were felled, snigged out of the forest and hauled down to the coastal mills.

There they were often allowed to lie in salt water for up to two years before they faced the pit saws. Thus pickled, the honey-coloured, knot-free, straight-grained Kauri, already rich in natural resins, became impervious to rot. Provided it could be kept free of fresh water it would last indefinitely.

Logan and Bailey boats were often built with double and sometimes triple diagonal Kauri planking. The frames and stringers were Kauri and so were the decks and all the interior fittings.

Classic Yacht Revival Part II

Copied from AFLOAT June 2011. Written by Bruce Stannard

Waitangi's enourmous gaff rig on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour

In later years when many of the magnificent old boats suffered unspeakable indignities at the hands of ignorant and indifferent owners, it was the unshakeable integrity of the Kauri that saved them. With their once lofty spars cut down or hacked off altogether and hideous dog boxes built over their decks, the boats fetched up in various backwaters where they often lay unloved and derelict for decades.

There, one by one, they have been found and rescued by sympathetic souls who were able to see beyond the hideous accretions.
Over the past 20 years, dozens of historic boats of all shapes and sizes have been given a new lease of life. So much so that the Classic Boat Revival in New Zealand has now taken on something of the fervour of an evangelical movement with hundreds of devotees giving rise to an extraordinary flowering in traditional boat-building, rigging and sail-making skills.

All this enterprise and initiative has been meticulously documented in a handsomely illustrated new book: CLASSIC The Revival of Classic Boating in New Zealand by the distinguished writer and photographer, Ivor Wilkins. Its 448 pages, which include hundreds of stunning action photographs and beautifully-drawn sailplans, make this one of the most comprehensive and lavishly illustrated boating books that I have ever come across.

It is, I think, a must for anyone with an interest in maritime heritage for it shows what can be done when dedicated and highly skilled men and women focus on preserving the boats that embody a nation's cultural legacy.

Harold Kidd, the Auckland lawyer and highly respected New Zealand maritime historian who restored the 1880 Robert Logan cutter Jessie Logan, sums up the situation in a perceptive Foreword.

"The love of old boats runs deep in this country for a mixture of reasons," he writes. "Firstly, a large proportion of our population is descended from relatively recent ancestors, both Maori and pakeha, who arrived here in sailing vessels over the last millennium.
"Secondly, no place anywhere in this elongated set of islands is far from the open sea, a lake or a river. These waters have provided us with a source of food and a means of transport, recreation and sport since the earliest days.
"Thirdly, New Zealanders have, until very recently, been so frugal that they don't throw away good gear that can be repaired again and again. Hence, we have an unusual culture where our old, extraordinarily well-designed and well-built yachts, launches and workboats survive in amazing numbers."

Harold Kidd says New Zealand is "embarrassed by riches" when it comes to classic boats and he predicts there are many more restoration projects yet to come. I wish the same might be said of Australia. Although there have been several examples of first class restoration work in Victoria, we still have several historic yachts that are crying out for urgent restoration.

One of these is the lovely Logan brothers cutter Yeulba, which under the ownership of Governor General, Lord Forster, was once Australia's most successful racing yacht. She is now sitting on the hard in Tim Phillips' yard at Sorrento, waiting for just the right person to breathe new life into her lovely Kauri hull.

My note: Yeulba is Aoma's sistership built in the same era of linear raters. The real possiblity exists now for these two champions to be revived, restored and sailed again on Sydney Habour. Register your interest by emailing loganbros.aoma@gmail.com

Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron

Aoma's Present Home

Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats Part I

Copied from AFLOAT April 2011. Written by Bruce Stannard

There are probably more chic, up-market boutiques, high-priced real estate agencies and expensive outdoor eateries in Mosman than there are in any other part of Sydney. But forget all that frippery and come with me; I've got something much more interesting to show you.

We're going back in time for a peep at a little piece of Sydney's past that's hanging on for dear life, a relic of a time-honoured tradition that has somehow managed to survive in a turbulent sea of change.

Wooden boat building, once one of the busiest of all Sydney's waterfront activities, is now very nearly extinct, a fond but distant memory for those of us who cherish hand craftsmanship and the lovely look of boats, not cooked in mass-production moulds, but made the way real boats have always been made: with skill, by hand and eye.

Modern Mosman, with its emphasis on the ephemeral trappings of conspicuous consumption, might seem an unlikely place to encounter a bunch of down-to-earth wooden boat builders, but this is indeed one of the last redoubts of that proud tradition.

We are going to bypass the shops and the galleries and the glamorous, lycra-tight women power-walking their poodles, and steer a course south by east until at last we glimpse the glittering waters of the Harbour. Down there, at the foot of the fragrant Eucalypt-covered slopes, lies Chowder Bay, surely one of the most delightful little snug coves in all the world.

From a buff-coloured weatherboard shed, hard by the water's edge, comes the unmistakeable music of wooden boat building, the staccato tap-tap-tapping of hammers and dollies driving home the silicon bronze nails and roves that fasten the curving planks of a lovely little clinker dinghy.

This is Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats, the place where Simon Sadubin and his team of craftsmen routinely take a pile of lumber and turn it into a work of art. There are two identical bluff-bowed 8-foot dinghies on the slips. One is appropriately called Cooee. The other, as yet un-named, is still under construction. Both were designed by Simon and built with the help of his talented offsider, Bob McLeod and his Kiwi apprentice, Hywel Turner.

Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats Part 2

Copied from ALFOAT April 2011. Written by Bruce Stannard

Windward after restoration at Chowder Bay in 2006

Cooee was built for Simon's son, Archie, a lad not yet three, who was named in honour of the great New Zealand yacht designer and builder, Arch Logan. The second dinghy is a very special little vessel indeed. She is planked entirely in wonderful honey-coloured New Caledonian Kauri - timber which was milled from a giant tree that was planted in Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens in 1854.

When the predations of flying foxes eventually stripped the tree bare and killed it, the noble Kauri had to be felled. It was about to be turned into woodchips when Simon's father, Leon, who is one of Australia's leading furniture designers and makers, successfully proposed that the timber should be distributed to people who could transform it into objects of everlasting beauty.

Simon was lucky enough to be granted sufficient material for the 8-foot dinghy. He and his team took a total of 230 hours to build her, patiently steam bending her planks and her Spotted Gum gunwales and meticulously fitting Kauri thwarts supported by naturally bent Ti-tree knees.

These are the kind of jewel-like vessels that invariably put a smile of pleasure on our faces. Simon Sadubin with the Ben Lexcen-designed Taipan which he restored at Chowder Bay for the National Maritime Museum. / Taipan - Bob Miller's (Ben Lexcen) radical 1959 18-foot skiff during hull conservation and deck restoration work.They could be found all over the Harbour when I was a child. Now we have to go to museums to see them. In Victorian waters it's a different story. There, one finds lovely wooden boats on every other mooring. I asked Simon why he thought Sydney had turned its back on wooden boats.

"I don't know that Sydneysiders have entirely turned their backs on wooden boats," he said. "There's still a fair few people who treasure their wooden boats, hang on to them and are intensely proud of them. It's more a matter of wooden boat builders having to abandon Sydney. They've literally been squeezed out of business.

"Waterfront property prices are so exorbitant now that the cost of trying to run a boat building business anywhere on the Harbour these days is just prohibitive.

"All the traditional harbour-front sites in suburbs like Balmain, Birchgrove, Woolwich and Greenwich, have now become enclaves of the super-rich. Traditional boatbuilders can't pay the rent so they've had to move to the Central Coast, or the South Coast. Some even went west to the Blue Mountains."

Simon also points to what he correctly identifies as the crisis in Sydney zoning laws.
"No waterfront land has been set aside as waterfront-industrial," he said. "There have been plenty of places that could have had that zoning, but the state government has always baulked at it. So there's no way traditional wooden boat building is going to be sustainable in Sydney into the future."

Sydney Harbour Wooden Boats Part 3

Copied from AFLOAT April 2011. Written by Bruce Stannard

Windward sailing on Sydney Harbour in 1926

Simon is however in the fortunate position in having a toehold at Chowder Bay. "It's just a one-off," he said, "but thanks to the vision of the Harbour Trust, we are able to go on working in this wonderful heritage-listed boatshed. There are some serious limitations on operating out of this site. We cannot water-blast or wet-rub boats and it is not possible to put boats alongside for any length of time, but the shed is ideal for serious one-off restorations and traditional new boat builds. We need to do fairly major work to make the shed pay its way.

"However, once we get a boat into the shed, it can rain for three months and every day is productive. I think the Trust is acutely aware of what has happened elsewhere. They recognise that they've got one of the last remaining heritage boatsheds here at Chowder Bay and as their Mission Statement says, they want to keep this place alive."

Larool - Australian Red Cedar 30 square metre racing yacht being relaunched at Chowder Bay.The boatshed was built at Chowder Bay in 1892 as part of a new anti-submarine base. In the immediate aftermath of the Crimean War, a high tide of public paranoia led to much of the Harbour's most important strategic headlands being seized by the government for defensive purposes. Chowder Bay was one of them.
The boatshed built the boats that laid the mines that protected Sydney Harbour.

Although the base never fired a shot in anger, it survived and today the charming village-like cluster of buildings, all beautifully restored in their heritage colours, represents one of the most impressive sites administered by the federal government's Sydney Harbour Federation Trust.
Simon has worked on the restoration of more than 20 boats at Chowder Bay since he came here in 2003. He spent the first three years sharing the space with his boatbuilding mate, Ian Smith and his company, Woodcraft Boats.

When Ian moved out to Canterbury, Simon stayed on to tackle major restoration jobs like the rebuilding of the 40ft gaff cutter Windward built in 1925; Gem, a North Harbour snapper boat built in the 1920s, Bob Miller's 1959 18-footer Taipan, restored for the National Maritime Museum; the 1905 gaff cutter, Sao and the 43 ft Mallana, a 43ft ketch built in 1907.

The impressive list goes on and on. The most recent restoration involved Larool, a Knud Reimers designed 30 square metre racing yacht built out of Australian Red Cedar by Cedric Williams in Bayview in 1954."We would love to build some new Australian-designed boats," he said. "I'm thinking of the Rangers, the Sydney Harbour Coach-house Cruisers such as Hoana and Waitangi and the North Harbour Snapper Boats in particular. But this is where Sydney needs to step up.

"In Victoria, boat builders like Tim Phillips have saved regional types like the Couta Boats, whereas Sydney hasn't really got behind its local boats. It breaks my heart to see lovely old boats lying unused and neglected on so many moorings all over the Harbour.
Windward E1 sailing on Sydney Harbour c. 1926 with her original Gaff Cutter rig."I've tried several times to get syndicates together to save a couple of beautiful 1930 vintage Fife six metres. These are little masterpieces, which anywhere else in the world would already have been saved. They desperately need work or they're going to die."

Simon points to the remarkable wave of wooden boat restoration in New Zealand, which has been so comprehensive that the Kiwis are now running out of early Logan and Bailey built boats to restore. "The New Zealanders have done their share," he said, "but we've hardly done anything. Yes, the 1896 Robert Logan masterpiece Waitangi was restored in Australia, again by a Melbourne syndicate.

"If we can't hold the really important boats like Sayonara, one of the historic cornerstone racing yachts of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, what hope have we got of restoring the lesser vessels. No one in the Squadron was interested and again, it took a Melbourne syndicate to step in and save her."

Windward complete with her new rig.8-foot Kauri dinghy catches the first light of the morning in the Chowder Bay Boatshed. Simon Sadubin raises an important point, one Sydney people need to consider carefully. "Every time I see a boat, weed-fringed and half full of rainwater, chaffing at a fouled mooring, I'm tempted to write a rude note to the owners urging them to 'use it or lose it.' It may sound trite, but that's the message that has to be understood by those who have the privilege of owning a lovely old boat.

"I don't think people realise just how valuable these boats are," Simon says. "To replace classic boats like Morna, or the schooner Mistral II, would cost the earth today. Once you appreciate that, the cost of restoration begins to look pretty attractive."

The Blue Peter Restoration.

By Christine Pirovolakis, The Wall Street Journal, Aug 2011

Mathew Barker was busy trading equity derivatives for Barclays in London and Tokyo in the late '90s when the call of the sea lured him into leaving his job to buy and restore the classic yacht the Blue Peter, with a dream of racing it in regattas across the Mediterranean.

"Against everyone's advice, I bought a 1930s wooden classic yacht," the 45-year-old Englishman says as he prepares the 65-feet Marconi-rigged cutter-a fore-and-aft sailing boat rig with triangular sails-for a day of racing in Mallorca.

"She was lying on the Italian island of Elba when I first saw her in 1999, after being left to deteriorate by a disinterested owner and captain for years." He adds, "I immediately fell in love with her."

Mr. Barker is among an increasing number of sailing enthusiasts who salvage the small number of remaining classic and vintage yachts from extinction, restoring them to their original splendor. The trade in classic yachts has increased in the past decade, according to Steffen Meyric-Hughes, news editor of Classic Boat magazine.

Many owners compare the pleasure and satisfaction of refurbishing and restoring an old boat to that of owning a classic Bentley, Jaguar, Bugatti or Maserati. "They do say that you never own a classic yacht, you are just looking after it until the next person," says Mr. Barker.

The Blue Peter's story starts in 1930 with its Scottish designer, Alfred Mylne, who christenened it after the "P" signal flag, used as the preparatory sign before the start of a race, for luck. It seemed to have worked because the yacht went on to win over 50 races in and around the south of England over the next 20 years.

Built by W. King and Sons at the Burnham-on-Crouch shipyards, the original boat took just six months to complete in 1930, with an army of people working on it. It was designed to be 56 feet long but the first owner, Desmond Molins, the inventer of the cigarette-rolling machine, decided to have it lengthened to 65 feet in 1938 to satisfy his desire for a bigger boat. After World War II, the Blue Peter passed into Italian ownership, where it remained until Mr. Barker came along.

Selling his apartment and car in London, Mr. Barker purchased the Blue Peter in 1999 for around £250,000 and launched a three-year restoration project, which was completed in two phases after moving the boat to the Italian mainland, first in Viareggio and the Francesco Del Carlo boat yard, and later at the Cantiere Navale d'Argentario.

Mr. Barker had his work cut out for him, as the boat's deck and bow, made like the rest of the ship out of oak and Siamese teak that had been cured for 60 years prior to its construction in England, needed a major refitting.

"During the first winter, much of the work undertaken was mainly to get her seaworthy. We had to replace a couple of planks under the water, the sternpost and most of the intermediate frames," says Mr. Barker, adding that fortunately much of the hull and hatches were salvageable.

After spending the summer sailing and testing the boat out, Mr. Barker then moved the Blue Peter to Cantieri Navale d'Argentario, where craftsmen, shipwrights, deck layers and riggers worked to preserve as much of the original boat as possible, restoring the cockpit and stem to its original design, and revarnishing and repainting the entire vessel.

The yacht's wooden mast had to be replaced in 2001, after it suddenly snapped at the top spreader while racing in the America's Cup Jubilee in Cowes, England. Much of its deck was relaid three years ago and all the metal work-including handrails and cleats-have been restored and hatches re-glazed.

"The thing about classic yachts is that it is a constant process to keep on top of the work-we are always replacing or repairing something," says Mr. Barker, who races the Blue Peter in 12 different regattas each year in the south of France, Italy, Spain, Corsica and Sardinia.

Eilean - A Love Affair

By Christine Pirovolakis Aug 2011

The love affair between ardent yachtsman Angelo Bonati and Eilean, a 72-foot two-masted Bermudian ketch, designed and built in 1936 by the legendary Scottish boat yard William Fife, began one spring day on the Caribbean island of Antigua in 2006.

Mastless and left to rust with its interiors gutted, the yacht was abandoned and tied up to a tugboat in Antigua's English Harbour when Mr. Bonati, the chief executive of watchmaker Officine Panerai, first laid eyes on it. "It took three minutes for it all to happen," says Mr. Bonati.

Those three minutes stretched into more than three years of extensive restoration work after the yacht was purchased, on Mr. Bonati's insistence, by the Italian watchmaking company and brought back to Italy on a cargo ship. Eilean, whose design was inspired by the elegant J-Class yachts that competed in the America's Cup during the 1930s, was in the hands of Antigua resident John Shearer when Mr. Bonati discovered it.

According to Mr. Bonati, Mr. Shearer, a former architect who had sailed on the boat as a child, purchased the yacht in the 1970s. For more than three decades he operated Eilean as a charter boat; the yacht's 15 minutes of fame came when it served as the set prop for English pop group Duran Duran in their music video "Rio."

Though the yacht was originally designed and built in just eight months, it took workers at the Francesco Del Carlo boatyard in Viareggio more than 40,000 man hours to bring the ketch back to life and preserve as much as they could of the original body in the process.

"She was in very bad shape when I found her-she had sunk twice and stood under the blazing sun for more than 15 years," says Mr. Bonati.

Under the guidance of Italian naval restoration specialist Enrico Zaccagni, dozens of specialized craftsmen had to replace the frames and beams of the yacht's steel interior structure, which were rusted beyond repair, using a long-outdated riveting technique, while preserving the outside shell as much as possible.

"We are still fine-tuning parts of the yacht's exterior and recreating damaged pieces such as cleats and handrails," says Mr. Bonati. "Classic yachts like the Eilean are not just an extraordinary example of craftsmanship but also bring a part of sailing history and tradition to life which would otherwise be lost."

Classic Yacht Links

The Blue Peter: The Blue Peter is one of the premier classic yachts in the Mediterranean.
She is very competitive on the Mediterranean classic yacht circuit, not only winning races, but often winning trophies for her elegance and immaculate presentation.
The Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand: The Classic Yacht Association (Inc.) is an incorporated society formed in 1995 dedicated to promoting the ownership, preservation and restoration of Classic Yachts and Launches.
Auckland Traditional Boat Building School: The New Zealand Traditional Boatbuilding School is dedicated to providing tuition, expertise and resources to ensure that the heritage, knowledge and skills of Traditional Boatbuilding in New Zealand is maintained for the future.

Squidoo

Aoma - Logan Bros New Zealand Classic Yacht

A Fine Old Lady of Auckland

Ranelagh Yacht Squadron at Mt.Eliza

Living to Sail Under the Red Cliffs of Ranelagh

My First Keelboat

Light on the Pocket, Hard on the Head!

Classic Yachts

Falling in Love with Aoma

Aoma - Maori for 'White Cloud'

Aoma - 1899 Logan Bros Linear Rater

Aoma, designed by Arch Logan, was built in 1899 in triple-planked kauri by the famous Logan Brothers of Auckland.

A Lady with a Pedigree

Aoma Won the 1905 Gascoigne Cup

Sailing Classics

Aoma - A Yacht with True Pedigree

Seeking New Harbours and a Kindly Skipper

Logan Bros, Auckland

A Household Word Among Yachtsmen in the Colonies

Aoma Sailing on Port Phillip

Thelma 42 Footer, Linear Rater

Owners, Jagger Bros., Auckland. Built By Logan Bros

Logan Bros Yard

Two Locations in Auckland,

C.T Brockhoff - A Logan Afficionado

Owner of Two Logan Boats - Aoma & Rawhiti

The Classic Period : 1890 to 1914

Archibald Logan, 1865-1940

Logan Bros and Australia

Logan - Synonymous with Yachting Achievement in Australasia since 1880.

Thelma Relaunched

New Zealand Herald Dec 7th, 2007

Thelma Returns to her Birthplace

Around the Globe and Back to Auckland

Thelma - A Lovely Lady

Information courtesy to Trustee of the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust

Tawera - Logan Classic Restored

Iorangi Logan A class

Restored and Relaunched in 2003

Waitangi

Logan Bros Yachts

A Classic Era Not Forgotten

Akarana - An Early Logan classic

Generous Centenary Gift to Australia

Akarana - Her History

1888 Gaff Cutter Racing Yacht

Classic Yacht Association of Australia

Masterful Resource for Classic & Wooden Boats

Pot of Gold Eludes Rainbow

New Zealand Herald - Jan 29, 2008, Isaac Davison

The Logans: New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family

Authors: Robin Elliot & Harold Kidd , David Ling Publishing Limited 2001

The Logans - continued

Authors: Robin Elliot & Harold Kidd , David Ling Publishing Limited 2001

Winkelmann's Waitemata: Classic Auckland Yachting

Henry Winkelmann (Photographer), Robin Elliott, Harold Kidd, Rodney Wilson

The Lives of Jessie Logan

The Story of New Zealand's Oldest Yacht

Harmony on the Harbour

New Zealand Herald, Dec 22, 2001 by Robin Bailey

Aoma Expected in Sydney

Brisbane Courier - Sept 1899

Aoma Arrives in Sydney

Sydney Daily Telegraph - Nov 4th 1899

Awanui (1906)

Renamed Culwalla III, then later Eu-na-mara

Classic Wooden Boat Resources

The Logans: New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family

by Harold Kidd & Robin Elliot

The Logans: New Zealand's Greatest Boatbuilding Family

Classic Yacht Restoration: Popular Past Time

Waitangi A6 Gaff Cutter- Logan Bros 1894

Ariki - Logan Bros 1905

Back to Classics

Aoma Arrives in Sydney - Nov 1899

Sydney Daily Telegraph - Nov 4th 1899

Auckland Traditional Boatbuilding School

New Zealand's First Dedicated Traditional Boatbuilding School

Wairiki - Logan Bros

A Logan Restoration Underway in Auckland