Auckland Wooden Boat Festival

In 2003 Larry Paul was invited to join the crew of 1894 Robert Logan Snr gaff cutter Waitangi as bow crew. Fast forward twenty years he is now Skipper of Waitangi, and contemplating stepping back from the organisational and physical aspects to enable the opportunity for someone younger with big boat experience to take on the challenge.

Larry Paul, skipper of Waitangi — Larry Paul (right) is skipper of Waitangi

Larry explains that Waitangi truly is a world famous vessel with a big history: built at Devonport by Robert Logan Snr as a purpose built race boat for a Wellington syndicate in 1894, she moved to Auckland in 1920 and was owned by no less than five Royal New Zealand yacht Squadron Commodores and crossed the Tasman Sea three times. She was acquired by a Melbourne syndicate in 1986 and fully restored to her original configuration and relaunched on her hundredth birthday in 1994. When Waitangi was put on the market John Street recognised her importance to our maritime history, and purchased her to return her to New Zealand.

Larry says “Sailing classic yachts like Waitangi is physically challenging: the boats are big, powerful and without winches need team strength to sail them. With a crew of 12 to 16 the advantage is that more hands can be added to any rope to add power.”

“The Classic Yacht Charitable Trust fleet has developed a large active community of classic boat enthusiasts and everyone is most welcome to join in the fun out sailing, helping with maintenance, youth outings, or organising events or fundraising. I welcome anyone with these interests whether dinghy sailors, keel boat sailors, sail training programme graduates or non-sailors to become involved and share in an amazing heritage experience. It’s a pathway with fantastic rewards: adventure, experience, thrills, friendships and being part of keeping the majestic boats sailing.

As part of its outreach program, the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust provides people from all walks of life with a role in the maintenance programmes of the vessels and benefit from the community connection this provides them. It provides skills training in caring for bright-work, rope and rigging; hull and engine maintenance and organises events, - including helping to shape the inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Festival, where Waitangi will be on display.

There are many opportunities for keen sailors of all levels to get involved in classic boating. Find out more about sailing onboard CYCT boats on their website:

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