As the Kate lies on her new mooring in the Waiheke Marina, she adds classic beauty and interest to the harbour – a valuable part of our maritime heritage and a reminder of how things used to be.
She is asking us to take her sailing in her new role as a vehicle for maritime education, and she has so much to teach us. The short film below shows the fun and excitement of safely learning the ropes aboard.
Become a Mate of the Kate
We’re seeking regular donors, to help keep the Kate going.
By making a regular donation, you can become a Mate of the Kate and join us on regular sailing trips.
We have a pool of competent crew, ready to welcome guests on our regular day sails and our annual ‘thank you sail’ in company with other Mates’ boats.
We have been blessed with several staunch supporters throughout the restoration, some of whom continue to contribute regularly. Any amount you can contribute will be greatly valued, and put to good use.
Donations are tax deductible, so effectively what you donate is two thirds of what we get.
The more you can give, the better job we can do for our young people.
The Kate Sailing Programme Spring 2026
For each sailing we can take up to 6 crew in addition to the skipper and mate. All sailings are free – bring your lunch!
If you would like to come, or know someone – particularly teenagers 14 and over – who would like to come, please contact Bernard by email, bernard.rhodes@gmail.com.
Spring dates to be confirmed.
Activities & topics for learning
If it’s too windy or rainy to go sailing, we meet on board for lunch and then learn and practise some of these essential maritime skills:
- Safety aboard and explanation of Man Overboard drill.
- Rope work – belaying, swigging, coiling, knots, handling the mainsheet.
- Dinghy rowing – style, trim, coming alongside, boarding.
- Chart work – latitude and longitude, buoys and beacons, passage planning.
- Swimming, dinghy capsize drill.
- Hoisting the dinghy on board, and launching it.
- Clouds and how they affect weather
- Winds and tides – how they affect weather
- Mooring and anchoring
Welcome aboard!
