This great story was written by Club member James Hollings, owner of Cantilena, a Townson Moonlight design. Bruce Askew was well-known as a capable naval architect able to turn his hand to a wide range of craft, as Gavin Pascoe has so eloquently explained in his recent article. What many may not know is that he was also a designer of a very successful Wellington racing yacht, one that came close to making the famous 1971 One Ton Cup New Zealand Defence Team alongside Rainbow and Wai Aniwa and Young Nick. In 1969, Chris Bouzaid had pulled off a sensation…
Author: Gavin Pascoe
25 Years of Rum Racing – Congratulations RPNYC! By my reckoning that’s around 450 bottles of rum so a big shout out to all those sponsors over the years too. While it may not be the classiest series in the racing calendar, for plenty of skippers and their crews it’s right up there as an opportunity to finish the week with a bit of fun on the water, build crew skills in a racing environment and of course the perfect channel for bringing new talent into the club by way of the Grads programme. Now in my 22nd year as…
We are sorry to learn of the passing recently of Hon. Life Member Bruce Askew. Bruce joined the Club in 1946, and remained an integral Club member. Never taking senior positions, he nevertheless worked behind the scenes in committee roles, particularly in the sailing committee and acting as measurer and safety inspector. He is most well-known of course as a boat designer of great dexterity, and his hand can be seen in many of the boats which have passed through the Club register over the years. He was a joy to be with and listen to, and will be sorely…
Brent Dewhurst writes a short account of a delivery trip to Fiji. It includes incidents which he glosses over in typical style, but would have many people dramatising as an inspirational book. All in a day’s work… (well 7.5 in fact). I was asked to help deliver a Beneteau 47.3 to Fiji from Whangarei. They also needed another crew, so I thought Cameron (Hodges) will be up for this too. There were 12 yachts leaving the same day we left. Marsden Cove at 8.30 having cleared customs. Gusting 35 and cloudy, it was SW.25 by the time we were off…
Club members have been well represented in all of the armed forces through the years, but it comes as no surprise that the closest affinity over the years has been with the Navy. As the Royal New Zealand Navy was only created in 1941, most members joined up as reservists with the Royal Navy during the war years. A good introduction to the Reserve system may be read here During WWI, New Zealand yachtsmen, and indeed yachtsmen from around the colonies were in demand, particularly for patrol and escort duty in the North Sea. These were taken from the ranks…
Please accept my sincere thanks for the part you played in making the 2022 CentrePort Youth International Match Racing Championships the success it was. This type of event is never a small undertaking and there are just so many jobs to be done and so many moving parts. This year was no different – and with the curve ball(s) that were thrown at us – lets just say – I wondered if it was all going to come together. But it did – and it was amazing…. From my couch and laptop the only feedback I received from our visitors…
For once we got two write-ups for the same race – thanks both Gucci and Blink for your input! From Gucci What a great last race to end the main season 2021-2022 on with the Ship Cove Race on Saturday. Thank you to Jim Gordon, Geoff Herd, Deb Williams and Elle Eagle for doing race management. Here is a report from Brent Dewhurst, skipper of Gucci. Friday nights briefing forecast Northerly 30kts and rain. Managed to find another crew so that made six. On the start line at 12 noon there was Gucci, Blink, & Laissez Faire. With no3 and…
Atalanta is a storied vessel, registered with RPNYC from 1895-1979; and from 2015. No other boat has such a long association with the Club. The Wellington Classic Yacht Trust plans to restore her to her original configuration and join her stablemate Lizzie in sailing her in local events and racing. There is an open invitation to Club members and Trust supporters to sail with us. The Trust is seeking donations to finish the redecking and building of a cabin for Atalanta. Considerable work has already been done in straightening her twisted hull, refastening, caulking, and repair to various areas of…
Most of the pictures and memorabilia are now back on the walls of the Clubhouse. They are organised (more or less!) There are areas for: Current champions Photos of the current Inshore, Offshore, and Fleet champions, and boat of the year are on the wall near the leaners. Current Club boats and crews This is for photos of current members and/or their boats. If you have a framed photo you would like to see on our wall, please let me know. Significant Boats through the years These are between the two trophy cabinets, and includes boats from the Club’s very…
Greetings all and I’m excited to share my new adventure into sailing with you. I’m originally from the United States. I grew up in a small town in Washington State, Kennewick. I spent most of my boating life water skiing, deep sea fishing, and even owned a little 16ft bluewater ski boat for a while. So I have quite a bit of experience with boats on rivers and lakes, but none to speak of with sailing. I moved to Wellington about 11 years ago and only recently thought to myself, I wanted to get back on the water, and what…