History: The Classic Period of Yachting
Raters:
As the economic depression started to ease in the early 1890s, New Zealand yachtsmen ordered yachts known as raters, built to new overseas racing rules. They were keen to have the same type, even though truly international competition was unlikely.
From the end of 1892 until 1905 there was a golden age of keel-yacht building in Auckland – mainly the international 2½-raters, about 35 feet (10.7 metres) in deck length, and 5-raters.
The two principal builders 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.
Australian interest:
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.
Classic yachts:
The large number of raters and similar yachts built from 1890 to 1913 remained the major yachts in Auckland and other ports, especially Wellington, for another 40 years. The majority still survive because of the strong multiple-skin construction, the lasting qualities of kauri timber, and the love and care of their owners. These boats are at the core of the fleet maintained by the Classic Yacht Association.
Clubs:
By the 1890s there were yacht clubs in Auckland, Onehunga, Wellington, Nelson, the Christchurch estuary, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Invercargill. They organised racing outside the regatta days. From 1900 onwards the number of clubs increased, especially in Auckland. Apart from a brief period of New Zealand championships (1892–96), yachting remained largely a local sport.
Harold Kidd. 'Sailing and windsurfing', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 9-Jun-2006URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/RecreationSeaAndSky/SailingAndWindsurfing/en
As the economic depression started to ease in the early 1890s, New Zealand yachtsmen ordered yachts known as raters, built to new overseas racing rules. They were keen to have the same type, even though truly international competition was unlikely.
From the end of 1892 until 1905 there was a golden age of keel-yacht building in Auckland – mainly the international 2½-raters, about 35 feet (10.7 metres) in deck length, and 5-raters.
The two principal builders 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.
Australian interest:
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.
Classic yachts:
The large number of raters and similar yachts built from 1890 to 1913 remained the major yachts in Auckland and other ports, especially Wellington, for another 40 years. The majority still survive because of the strong multiple-skin construction, the lasting qualities of kauri timber, and the love and care of their owners. These boats are at the core of the fleet maintained by the Classic Yacht Association.
Clubs:
By the 1890s there were yacht clubs in Auckland, Onehunga, Wellington, Nelson, the Christchurch estuary, Lyttelton, Dunedin and Invercargill. They organised racing outside the regatta days. From 1900 onwards the number of clubs increased, especially in Auckland. Apart from a brief period of New Zealand championships (1892–96), yachting remained largely a local sport.
Harold Kidd. 'Sailing and windsurfing', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 9-Jun-2006URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/RecreationSeaAndSky/SailingAndWindsurfing/en
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