Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

The Return of 'Evolution' - Dean Barker's P-class

by Gun Caundle on 23 May 2014
Evolution on display at the Hutchwilco NZ Boat Show 2014 - Day 1, Weta Dinghy Central Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz
When Dean Barker came home from work on his 40th birthday and saw Evolution floating in his swimming pool, he was blown away.

It was fully rigged with its original Tanner and Tauranga Cups winning sail (which Ray had carefully stored since 1988) with the hull restored to how Bob Senior had built it in 1985.

Evolution was built in 1985 by Bob Senior for his son Geoff who sailed at Murrays Bay. It was built with minimum beam and lots of forward rocker in the keel. The aft sections are straight and flat and although Evolution was average up wind, it was a downwind flyer. Geoff Senior was runner up in Evolution in the Tanner Cup in 1985 & 1986, and won the Tauranga Cup in 1986.

Dean Barker was sailing a P Class at Murrays Bay that time, a couple of years behind Geoff Senior. He and his father Ray had always admired Evolution from observing how well Geoff Senior performed in it. When Geoff won the Tauranga Cup, Ray Barker wanted to buy Evolution. Bob Senior initially wanted to keep it for his younger son but later changed his mind and Ray Barker eventually bought Evolution in March 1987. In 1988 Dean Barker won the Tanner Cup and Tauranga Cup in Evolution.

Dean had long harboured a desire to have Evolution back in the family. He shared this with his wife Mandy and his father Ray. With a work associate, Dean tracked Evolution down to the Buchanan family in Charteris Bay near Lyttleton. After enquiring, the work associate reported to Dean it was not for sale. In actual fact Dean’s work associate knew of Mandy’s idea to buy Evolution as a surprise for Dean, so he told Dean a porky.

Ray Barker bought Evolution off the Buchanan family in 2012 on behalf of Mandy, who asked Ray if he could oversee the restoration back to its original condition for Deans 40th Birthday.

Mike Pearce boat builders in Silverdale undertook the restoration with the work being done by Peter Webster and Mike Pearce.


Rooster 2025Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERAllen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

Aussies hunt 'Ashes on Water' win
The BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance in Portsmouth Fresh off a bruising weekend in New York, the BONDS Flying Roos are looking to bounce back with a vengeance as they take on long time rivals Great Britain in their home waters at the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix, held in Portsmouth.
Posted today at 9:27 pm
4 Ultim rocketships to contest Rolex Fastnet Race
The giant 32m long by 23m wide flying trimarans are taking part in the 100th anniversary edition While the 50ft flying catamarans competing at SailGP Portsmouth this weekend will be impressive, charging out of the opposite western end of the Solent will be giant 32m long by 23m wide flying Ultim trimarans taking part in the 100th anniversary edition.
Posted today at 6:45 pm
SailGP comes to Portsmouth!
We speak to the sailors ahead of the weekend The Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix | Portsmouth takes place this weekend, with the 12 teams competing in F50 catamarans close to the waterfront, where a massive grandstand has been built for the spectators.
Posted today at 5:41 pm
SailGP: No practice racing at Portsmouth
The Practice Race was a fizzer, however the future of the SailGP fleet development was revealed. The scheduled Practice Day failed to fire at SailGP Portsmouth, after the forecast, admittedly light, breeze failed to male an appearance. The self propelled start marks were making a much better speed than the F50s.
Posted today at 4:14 pm
McIntyre Mini Globe Race Leg 3 Preview
The race to South Africa starts from Vuda Marina Fiji on 26th July In a world-first sailing challenge, 15 solo sailors from eight countries are navigating identical 5.8-meter (19-foot) self-built plywood yachts around the globe— The fleet has enjoyed a five week stopover in Fiji at the end of Leg 2.
Posted today at 1:26 pm
Third time Finn World No.1 for Alessandro Marega
Maintaining the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List Italy's Alessandro Marega maintains the top spot in the Finn World Ranking List for the third consecutive release. He remains World No. 1 with an 80-point lead over France's Laurent Hay.
Posted today at 1:18 pm
World Sailing Nations Cup to make grand return
After a seven-year hiatus, World Sailing has officially opened the bid process for host cities After a seven-year hiatus, the World Sailing Nations Cup, the ultimate event to crown the world's top match-racing nations, is making its much-anticipated return.
Posted today at 9:08 am
J/99s the in Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race
There will be a race within a race taking place in the 63 yacht fleet When the fleet of 63 yachts set off in the 2025 Noakes Sydney Gold Coast (NSGCYR) on 26 July, there will be a race within a race taking place.
Posted today at 6:53 am
2025 WASZP Pre-Games in Weymouth Day 2
A classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and drizzle The second day of the WASZP Pre-Games served up a classic British summer's day as sailors launched beneath a blanket of grey cloud and with a hug of fresh drizzle.
Posted today at 5:25 am
Moth take a big step forward at Garda Worlds
The just concluded Int Moth Worlds at Lake Garda, Italy were technically much more complex than NZ The just concluded Int Moth Worlds at Lake Garda, Italy were technically much more complex than the 2024 World Championship, held just six months ago in New Zealand.
Posted on 17 Jul