Magical Mahurangi
The fleet passes Haupa Island. Image by Roger Mills.
A few weeks ago, Stephen Horsley signed up to receive the weekly email from us at Southern Woodenboat Sailing. I remembered meeting him about 10 years ago when we crossed the Tasman and competed in the Mahurangi Regatta in New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf.
I had never really appreciated the history of the event, so when I realised that Stephen was the editor of the impressive annual publication the Mahurangi Cruising Club Yearbook and that the 2021 event had just taken place, I thought we better have a chat.
We spoke on the phone for half an hour and he updated me on many of the goings on in the world of Classic Yachts out on the Gulf. He started by telling me about his 1904 40ft’8in Chas Bailey Gaff Cutter NGATIRA.
In 1964, before Stephen owned her, NGATIRA was converted to a fractional rig so that she could sail with the famous K Class yachts. They moved the mast back 3 feet and installed a cabin and a doghouse. When Stephen found the vessel, he had seen a picture of her up on the slips and decided that this was how she was meant to be, so a six year program began involving a Yacht Restoration School north of Auckland.
NGATIRA Hauled at Judges Bay, 1909. Image Henry Winkelmann. Auckland Museum
Things didn’t quite work out with the school and so Stephen spent the last year finishing the job by himself and as you can see by the pictures below the effort was certainly worth it.
NGATIRA is triple skinned Kauri construction (the famous and ground-breaking construction technique developed by the Logan Bros at the end of the 19th Century). She is currently out of the water as Stephen is addressing some leaks around the mast, laminating new frames, replacing hood ends, garboards and fitting a new rudder box. Stephen has the skills do this work himself so as the work continues, this year for the regatta he sailed on the famous RAWHITI.
NGATIRA images Stephen Horsley
The regatta was revived in 1977 by the ‘Friends of the Mahurangi’—long since Mahurangi Action—and included beach and rowing races, and a leave-your-wallet-at-home philosophy reflecting the conviction of the committee, the majority of who had experienced or witnessed the privations of the Great Depression, that it be a day when less affluent parents weren’t forced to deny their children.
In 1990 the sailing aspect of the weekend was revived after two locals, Peter Bailey and Peter Oxborough, had rowed around moorings leaving letter-in-a-bottle invitations in the cockpits of wooden yachts they judged to be of pre-1955 design.
The two Peters were successful in reviving the sailing aspect with a strong emphasis on the ‘no clubrooms’ and a ‘laissez-faire attitude’ towards the formality of other well known boating clubs.
The original event began in 1858 but died out shortly after WWII. The event mark II soon gained momentum and in 1999, in celebration of the achievement the club’s archivist Ian Free and Stephen started the “Mahurangi Cruising Club Yearbook”. Since then, only one year has been missed, the event cancelled due to a south straying cyclone!
Images courtesy Roger Mills
The first edition was basically a record of entered boats and as they were lucky enough to secure the skills of an American photographer, Billy Black, the publication got rolling.
Stephen’s “Editors Notes” for 2021 give you a flavour of the informal but authoritative tone of the current publication.
“A year to forget or a year to remember–fake news, foiling America’s Cup monohulls and a pandemic that brought the world to its knees. And yet here we are still enjoying life out on the water as though nothing has happened. …. Hydrofoils are nothing new, in fact first patented in England by a Frenchman in 1869, and an Italian inventor was zooming around Lake Maggiore on one in 1906. I remember the hydrofoil Manu Wai that used to do the run to Waiheke and back, in the late 60’s and early 70’s. The French have dominated the sail-powered hydrofoils of late with their big speed-smashing trimarans and catamarans, and the Vendee Globe boats have made it the norm to fly around the globe in 70 to 80 days. Foiling Opti’s, foiling Lasers, Kite boards, Moths, even surfboards, everyone is doing it. But foiling America’s Cup monohulls have taken it a step further. A sight to behold as one flies past you at an eye-watering speed, making you think the anchor must have fallen off your boat. As you read this, I imagine we will have an idea of who will be a worthy adversary to contest the 36th America’s Cup. I like the quiet and sometimes gentle motion of sailing my 1904 gaff cutter with half a leadmine bolted to its deadwood and original square-top mainsail. There is definitely a contemplative zen that you are lulled into, but “yes please” I would sometime love to experience white knuckle, goggle– and helmet–wearing sailing at 50 knots. On the bucket list! Dizzying heights and speeds aside, the Mahurangi Regatta grows each year (as well as the spectator numbers) and the Yearbook celebrates all that comes with this wonderful event visually with ample supply of stunning photos and some grand stories and articles to boot… We endeavour to bring you something worthy to read and keep as a memento of the Regatta… Sit back and enjoy the read. If you hear a hum and a whistle it’s probably a foiling yacht that has just passed.”
There was a twelve year period where Lyn Bergquist took over the design and editorship and was later joined by Kelly Grove-Hills as editor. But when they both resigned two years ago, Stephen stepped back into the breach.
Nowadays, there are three great photographers who generously donate their pictures to the publication. Peter Le Scelle from Perth, Ivor Wilkins (“The Revival of Classic Boating in New Zealand’) and Roger Mills
A print run of 1000 copies per year finds most go to participants and members and always end up being a great memento of the weekend’s sailing.
If you’re a sailor, yet to participate in the long weekend spanning Mahurangi Day and Anniversary Day, you’ve missed one of the world’s great classic yacht sailing festivals - and you’re incredibly fortunate - you have a real treat in store.
More than 100 racing vessels and an accompanying fleet of spectator craft, depart the Waitemata on a Friday afternoon, sent on their way by the start boat JANE. Managed by the Devonport Yacht Club, the boats race north up the east coast, arriving in the relatively well protected bay on dusk, at Mahurangi.
Having anchored that night the sailing fleet prepares for the Saturday Regatta Race held around Te Haupa Island (Saddle Island) and the small harbour. A large Launch Parade kicks off Saturday morning boating events with a running commentary from the beach as Launches motor past close to shore. The day concludes with a band and bbq in a marquee on the beach.
Images by Ivor Wilkins
On the Sunday the fleet races back to Auckland harbour in time for the big event on Monday - Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta.
There are multiple divisions.
Here’s a selection to give an idea of the diversity of the fleet:
TE HAUPA DIVISION
For traditional small boats under 20 ft overall. This includes all traditional New Zealand classes Like Zeddies, IA’s etc. Includes any other traditional style of boats such as sailing outriggers, proas, and sailing dories.
A CLASS DIVISION
For yachts previously registered as A Class yachts and other pre 1985 yachts over 12.2m (40 ft) length on deck. They sail for the A Class Trophy and the Logan Trophy.
MAHURANGI DIVISION
For wooden boats pre 1955 design. Only for all-wooden construction. Includes other Mullet Boats.
L CLASS MULLET BOAT DIVISION
Traditional class of 22 ft ballasted centreboard yachts.
TRADITIONAL SPIRIT DIVISION
For boats of any age, type, materials and construction that conform to the traditional spirit of a design pre-dating 1955 and is not eligible for the Mahurangi Cup. I.e. Is a modern design which is a close replica and built in the spirit of a traditional design but perhaps has more modern materials or construction. Includes H28 Class.
MID-CENTURY CLASSIC DIVISION (Modern Classics)
For yachts of any construction designed before 1985 and are longer than 6m (20 ft) on deck and not eligible for the Mahurangi Cup or the Traditional Spirit Division. Includes Stewart 34 Class.
Even if you haven’t been involved in the regatta the publication itself is a wonderful 100-page record of the goings on in New Zealand’s wooden boat world over the previous year. With stunning photography and diverse and informative articles it’s worth every cent of the $20 cover price.
To get your copy contact office@mahurangicruisingclub.org
EDITOR // Mark Chew
NGATIRA Squadron Ocean Race, 1915. Image Henry Winkelmann. Auckland Museum
NGATIRA sailing 105 years later. Image Peter Le Scelle
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