If there’s a theme for this edition, I guess it’s bringing old boats back to life – or at least turning a vessel that was getting a bit tired into one that will continue to provide its owners with many additional years of service.
There must be thousands of older boats, essentially sound but with tired machinery, old systems, wiring and electronics, and decades’ worth of general wear and tear, that would benefit from the sort of comprehensive refit Zamari and Reformed, both featured in this issue, enjoyed. Both of them were already good, solid vessels, making them worthy candidates for a full makeover.
It takes a fair bit of courage – and no small amount of cash – for
a boat owner to commit to work on this scale, but to replace either of these vessels with a new-build would have cost much more. And with the work finished, both vessels are like new inside and out – only their lines give away their true age.
This type of refit work, and many more refits on a lesser scale, are becoming more frequent, helping keep many wholesome older vessels relevant and still fulfilling the needs of their families. Refit, repair, and restoration work is also keeping boatbuilders, marine engineers, and boatyards in work, which is a good thing.
Projects like Zamari and Reformed are somewhat different from our third featured makeover this issue, a major restoration of the antique 1912 yacht Curlew by her English owner. A boat of this age has already lived a long and eventful life, so restoration work is almost always more extensive and more involved than may initially have been imagined. So too with Curlew. But as the story illustrates, the end result of such
a sympathetic and meticulous restoration is stunning.
Thankfully, there are many New Zealanders similarly inclined to save living examples of our boating history. And let’s be honest, our recreational boating fleet is aging, with many boats 50 years old or older – definitely vintage. And while some are in poor shape, there are plenty more sound, wholesome older vessels still ably serving their owners that would make worthwhile candidates for a makeover.
