Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Idle Along 80th Anniversary and Moffat Cup Regatta this weekend

by Keith Salmon on 23 Feb 2010
The Idle Along class is celebrating it’’s 80th Anniversary SW

The Moffat Cup for Idle Alongs will be sailed at Birkenhead on the weekend of 27 and 28 February for the first time in over 40 years. This year also celebrates 80 years since Alf Harvey's first Idle-Along was launched in Wellington.

From 1936 until the mid 1960s some of the cream of NZ's yachties competed fiercely for this trophy in annual competition. Among the best known winners was Peter Mander who later went on to win Olympic gold.

On the weekend of 27 to 28 February, some of the old Moffat Cup hands will be at Birkenhead Wharf to watch a new generation compete for the cup over five races. Amongst them will be the last Aucklander to win the trophy, Don Barn of Mount Eden who won in 1965 for Auckland. Don still sails a boat of his own design and is to see the Moffat Cup revived and looks forward to watching the Moffat Cup revival regatta.

A key force behind the Idle Along revival regatta, is West Auckland boat builder Gary Matthews. Gary has many stories to tell of the Moffat Cup days in the 1960s. Over recent years Gary has built six new IAs, restored five and repaired countless others for enthusiasts. Gary will be racing Conspiracy for its owner Birkenhead yachtie Peter Money who retired recently from competition in his 80s. At 70, Gary will be one of the oldest competitors, but a new generation of keen IA skippers are coming through in their 30 to 50 year age group, some of them children of the past generation.

Recent Auckland championship winners Maree and Peter Sharp will be coming from the Bay of Islands and should be amongst the hot favourites to win the trophy. Another keen contender is Tony Smith from Kaitaia.

The event has been organized by the Idle-Along Association of NZ in association with the the Wellington Yachting Association who are custodians of the trophy. John Grace, W.Y.A. president has said that his association is keen to preserve the status of the Moffat Cup and to support the revival of the Idle Along Class.

The revival of the Moffat Cup was a big factor for two Auckland men deciding to buy an Idle-Along, Pilot Tom Logan of Milford is keen on classic boats and bought Diana from veteran skipper Ian Black. Tom hopes to form a group of IA owners who would like to sail with their sons and daughters. The IA is an ideal family boat for this as it can race with a crew of two or three and it can cruise with a family of children.

Like many IA enthusiasts, Tom used to sail IAs in his younger days around the gulf. Graham Rowe of Helensville has sailed in many dinghy classes and bought his IA from another veteran skipper Ron Maskell. Graham is keen to try his hand at the legendary Moffat Cup.

So far 15 boats have registered for the event but organisers are hopeful a few more will appear on the day. All old IA hands and fans are welcome to watch the race and to meet old faces at the Northcote & Birkenhead Yacht Club after the races.

Next year it is planned that the Moffat Cup will be held in the Bay of Islands. Plans and advice will be available for anyone who wants to build or restore an IA for the event.

For more information about the regatta, ring Idle-Along Association secretary Keith Salmon on 021 240 9414.
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignX-Yachts X4.0Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER

Related Articles

Facing Everything and Rising
Henri-Lloyd is proud to support Jazz Turner as her official clothing partner Some vessels carry more than crew and sail; they carry a mission. At Henri-Lloyd, we're proud to spotlight individuals like Jazz who embody the spirit of exploration and innovation.
Posted on 19 Jun
Rolex TP52 World Championship preview
The pinnacle event of the 52 SUPER SERIES will be held at Cascais The annual Rolex TP52 World Championship represents the top tier of monohull grand prix sailing. Held as the pinnacle event of the 52 SUPER SERIES, of which Rolex is also Official Timepiece, the regatta is one of the most revered in the sport.
Posted on 19 Jun
Gitana 18, a new off the wall work
A 32-metre long and 23-metre wide flying carbon giant is taking shape For the past eighteen months, a new Maxi Edmond de Rothschild, a 32-metre long and 23-metre wide flying carbon giant, has been taking shape hidden from view behind the doors of the CDK Keroman shed in Lorient.
Posted on 19 Jun
Competitors readying for epic battle
Distance racing is inherently an uncomfortable sport Enjoying a spectacular evening cocktail reception overlooking Newport Harbor, one competitor in the upcoming Transatlantic Race 2025, which starts tomorrow off Castle Hill Lighthouse just after 1 pm.
Posted on 18 Jun
Finn World Masters in Medemblik day 3
Pieter-Jan Postma continues to lead after 5 races Pieter-Jan Postma, from The Netherlands, continues to dominate the Finn World Masters in Medemblik, The Netherlands, after a fifth race was sailed on Wednesday in a north-westerly breeze building from 8-12 knots during the afternoon.
Posted on 18 Jun
Collinson FX: June 18: Markets tumble again
Markets tumbled again overnight, with the Israeli war on Iran, totally pre-occupying markets. Markets tumbled again overnight, with the Israeli war on Iran, totally pre-occupying markets. The war rages on, with devastating air attacks launched and received, from both sides.
Posted on 18 Jun
24th Argentario Sailing Week day 0
Historic boats from 9 nations have gathered in Porto Santo Stefano Historic boats have gathered in Porto Santo Stefano to take on the 24th edition of the prestigious Argentario Sailing Week, organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the tangible support of the Monte Argentario Municipal Council.
Posted on 18 Jun
29th Superyacht Cup Palma fleet is ready to go
Crews are now able to size-up the competition in their respective classes The owners, captains and crews of the spectacular array of yachts gathered for the 29th edition of the Superyacht Cup Palma are making their final preparations ahead of the start of racing next Thursday.
Posted on 18 Jun
Swan One Design Worlds kicks off
Practice race and opening ceremony in Costa Smeralda The crystal waters of the Costa Smeralda once again set the stage for one of the most anticipated events in the international racing calendar: the 2025 Swan One Design Worlds, hosted by Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in collaboration with ClubSwan Racing.
Posted on 18 Jun
Class40 top guns enter Rolex Fastnet Race
One of the most successful genre of offshore race boat ever Now 20+ years old, the Class40 has proved itself one of the most successful genre of offshore race boat ever.
Posted on 18 Jun