Progress steady but slow.
During the Covid lockdowns, I (Bernard) was able to continue working alone on the accommodation. Fortunately, the Trust has very low overhead costs, so we were not too badly affected financially.
Crew training.
In July we organised a day sail for crew training. In light winds we tried out the oars, or sweeps. We found these very useful for manoevering in close quarters, helping her through a tack when the wind failed. They will be useful in giving youngsters an insight into the sheer hard work that used to be the sailor’s lot.
Good publicity.
Alex and Leslie Stone took photos from their dinghy as we sailed, and Alex wrote a very nice article for the December issue of Boating New Zealand, and the Waiheke Weekender. He confirmed the Kate ‘s place as a valuable living part of our maritime heritage.
Inspiring fundraiser.
A major inspiration and boost to our finances came in September, with Trustee Mike Delamore’s solo voyage round New Zealand in his sloop Cavatina. Hayley Hay re-built the website with a facility to track Mike’s progress, read his daily blogs and donate via Give a Little. This proved very popular; it was exciting following his exploits in real time as he dodged the Southern Ocean gales, sheltered from pouring rain in Fiordland and ran before a storm past Banks Peninsula.
We raiser about $7,000, which was sufficient to finish the interior and to purchase an electric outboard for the tender. This is used for pushing the Kate in light winds, and has proved effective for steering in and out of her mud berth.
Mahurangi Regatta
Our target for completion in cruising trim was the Mahurangi Regatta at the end of January. Situated about 25 miles away, this is the major annual event for traditional craft.
With a crew of 6 we beat out of Putiki Bay on Friday 29th into a strong south-westerly, which blew up to near gale force. We put a second reef in the mainsail, and gave her a teal testing, Once around Park Point it was a fair wind, but we noticed the steering was loose, and found a crack in the rudder stock. With a temporary repair we carried on, and next day rigged emergency steering ropes to the rudder blade which enabled us to sail among the hundreds of classic yachts on the Saturday, and return safely on Sunday. A good time was had by all.
The rudder is repaired stronger than before, and tiller stops fitted to prevent similar stresses occurring again. Other minor problems with the rigging have been rectified, and we now have a nucleus of competent skippers and crew.
The engine, fundraising.
This is the final hurdle to completion, necessary for running to a schedule, compliance with MNZ rules for a passenger sailing vessel, and safety. The engine we want is on order from the UK, a new Beta 30 hp, and fundraising is under way. We need $23,000 including propeller, shaft and associated gear, so donations via Give a Little are greatly appreciated.
Survey.
On the advice of Robin Williams, registered surveyor, we will apply under Rule 40E, novel ships, which means we write a Safety Plan for approval by the Director of MNZ. Once the engine is fitted we will perform an inclining test, and complete as-built drawings for a naval architect to do stability calculations. The Safety Plan for working under sail is almost complete.
We look forward to getting the Kate fully commissioned as a sail training ship.
Bernard Rhodes, trustee / manager.