Spring 2024 Newsletter

Over winter some painting has been done in the rare intervals of fine weather, and the bowsprit was removed, scraped and given 7 coats of varnish in my workshop.  On 5th October we laid the Kate alongside the piles, scrubbed the bottom and replaced the zinc anodes. Then on Sunday 6th we took her…

Newsletter February 2024

The Kate has made numerous day-sails over 2023, and we now have several volunteers who are competent crew. Sailors with some experience are welcome to come and ‘learn the ropes’ with a view to eventually mentoring youth on day trips. Once again we entered the Mahurangi Regatta. We made a…

Planning the future for the Kate

Achievements to date. It’s been 10 years since the Waiheke Working Sail Charitable Trust took over custody of the Kate, as she lay derelict on the beach at the Causeway.  Built in 1898, she is one of only four of the once-common trading cutters still in existence, strongly-built workboats that…

Kate newsletter March 2022

Thanks to several generous donations we are now able to install the engine and propeller. The old ship has been hauled out and water-blasted, with a month’s free hardstand courtesy of the Waiheke Boating Club. The interior framework has been prepared to take the engine, a new 30hp Beta, and…

To Mahurangi on the Kate

The essential maintenance was done, and Covid red meant we could go sailing if we all tested negative, so the Mahurangi Regatta became our target – fortunately not cancelled, but without the usual prizegiving, barbecue, marquee, dance band and other shore activities. Our departure was delayed for a day due…