Rainbow II nearly home
by Alan Sefton on 20 Jul 2012
Rainbow 2 goes into action soon after the start of Race 4 in the 1969 One Ton Cup off Heligoland, Germany. The large overlapping genoa and small main were encouraged by the rating rule of the time. SW
Rainbow II’s long journey home is nearly complete. Aboard the Maersk Line’s Maersk Brani, she is due in Auckland (from Balboa) early Tuesday morning (24 July).
Once entry formalities have been completed, she will be trucked to the Percy Vos shed in Hamer Street (in the Wynyard Quarter) where she will undergo a complete restoration under the direction of Max Carter, the man who built her in 1967.
The 36ft Sparkman & Stephens design that, in the mid to late 1960s, launched New Zealand into international offshore racing, has been bought by her original owner Chris Bouzaid and shipped home from Bermuda, her base since Bouzaid sold her after winning the One Ton Cup off Heligoland in 1969.
Her restoration will be viewable by the public. Ultimately, it is hoped she will go on permanent display in the Voyager Maritime Museum in the Viaduct.
All shipping for Rainbow II is being organized by Bill Speedy, of Oceanbridge Shipping Ltd
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