Dear Editor
Whilst in awe and appreciation of Sam and Jen’s restoration of the Nordic to more than her former glory (Boating NZ articles, Sept 2020 and Dec 2024), there would not be a Nordic to enjoy without the tenacity of the original builder’s son, Lew Peek. To set some of the record straight, Lew searched out the boat in Auckland in the late 60s, returning her to Christchurch to restore and immaculately fit her out as a yacht for comfortable family cruising.
Read the article from December 2024 – click here
For around 50 years, Nordic was maintained, repaired, sailed, loved, and adventured on solely due to Lew’s efforts. She sailed out of Lyttelton with Lew, his first wife Gay, and daughter, Ingrid and then second wife, Mardi Blyth – around Banks Peninsula, to Pelorus Sounds twice, and circumnavigating the South Island. With the removal of inner harbour moorings in Lyttelton, she was moved to the Marlborough Sounds and then spent the last 19 years of her time with us moored in Waikawa Marina where Lew and Mardi provided the annual spectacle of hoisting Lew up in the bosun’s chair to maintain the mast.
After that the fun started as they explored the many bays in Queen Charlotte Sound with family and friends.
Nordic was reluctantly sold from the family in 2017 due to Lew’s age and ill health. However the family still retains a swathe of history including the original blueprints, 8mm home movies of her making and launch, and many a happy family photograph.
We wish Sam and Jen all the best of ‘messing about in boats’ for many years to come and hope they cherish the memories they too make over the coming years.
The Peek-Blyth family, by email.
