1946 Jack Guard 35

Step aboard Gipsy and step into a living legacy. At 35 feet, built from heart kauri in 1946, this classic launch isn’t just another pretty hull – she’s a rare survivor from a golden era of Kiwi boatbuilding, and a direct link to one of New Zealand’s most storied maritime families. Now fully restored and listed for sale on Tradeaboat, Gipsy offers what few boats on the market can: authenticity, provenance, and a backstory as rich as the waters she’s sailed.

Gipsy was crafted in the post-war years by Jack Guard, a Nelson-based boatbuilder whose name resonates deeply in maritime circles. She was built tough for commercial work, ferrying supplies to D’Urville Island and supporting humpback whalers off the wild Marlborough coast. Her lines are honest, her layout purposeful, and her construction a blend of muscle and finesse – a classic Kiwi working launch with a soul.

Jack Guard wasn’t formally trained. Like many of the greats, he was self-taught – a Havelock lad whose obsession with boats began early. His first dinghy was sunk by his own parents, who feared it was unsafe. But Jack persisted, and by adulthood, he was turning out vessels that would become local legends: Rex, Rex 2, San Antonio, I’m Alone, and The Gene among them. He nearly lost a hand in a workshop accident but refused amputation, determined to keep building. That grit shows in every plank and join of the boats he left behind – and Gipsy is no exception.

Just this month (May 2025), Jack’s grandson, Darren Guard, released a 14-minute video tribute on The Gleam Fishing Channel titled ‘Jack Guard, one of the greatest boat builders in New Zealand’. It’s beautifully done – rich with archival photos, family stories, and Darren’s own reflections on growing up around the boats Jack built. The documentary doesn’t just showcase Gipsy’s pedigree – it helps you feel it.

Darren recalls Gipsy as a scallop boat owned by Mike Harris in the Marlborough Sounds. Today, she’s gleaming with fresh life: powered by a four-cylinder Perkins 4236 diesel, cruising at 7.5 knots, with updated systems throughout. Her topsides shine, her decks offer walk-around access, and there are dual helms – one sheltered in the wheelhouse, the other in the cockpit for close-quarters handling.

Down below, there’s more than 1.8 metres of headroom, two berths, and a galley that keeps things simple and practical. The electronics are sorted: radar, plotter, autopilot, VHF, fish finder, and depth sounder. She carries 700L of diesel, 200L of water, and has solar, inverter, LED lighting, and safety gear already onboard. A recent survey is available for peace of mind.

Importantly, the restoration work has been done with a light touch – respectful of her origins, steering well clear of gaudy over-modernisation. What you get is solid timber, clean lines, and the kind of craftsmanship that lasts.

She’s on the market for $59,000 (recently reduced), which makes her an exceptional opportunity.

If you’re in the market for a classic launch with real provenance, Gipsy deserves a close look. She’s more than a boat – she’s part of a story that started in the Marlborough Sounds over a century ago, and which still floats strong today.