Please select your home edition
Edition
Armstrong 728x90 - HA Foil Range - TOP

World's biggest maxi yacht made in NZ

by NZ's Stuff on 4 Oct 2003
The world's biggest maxi yacht was unveiled in Wellington last week, where it has been built for a prominent Wellington businessman to compete in the gruelling Sydney to Hobart race.


Boat builder Paul Hakes said he was extremely proud of Zana, the 30m yacht, built under cloak-and-dagger conditions in a refurbished boat yard near the airport on Wellington's south coast.

'We don't want competitors getting a look,' Mr Hakes said as he shepherded photographers away from any vantage point identifying it's state-of-the-art design features.

The boat was to be launched in three or four weeks, at which time the owner would be officially revealed.

'The man behind Zana has a real passion for yachting but he doesn't want to end up with egg on his face and seem like he was full of hot air by hyping up himself at this stage.'

However, Yachting media web site's said Wellington yachtie and businessman Stewart Thwaites was Zana's owner.

The web site said the partnership between Mr Hakes and Mr Thwaites had flourished and resulted in the construction of the giant maxi as well as a yard set up to produce racing yachts on a continuing basis.

Mr Thwaites would not comment yesterday.

In addition to being a contender for the Sydney to Hobart race, Mr Hakes said Zana – worth between $5 million and $10 million – transformed Wellington's boat building industry.

'The fact that we got the contract to build what is the world's largest mono hulled super maxi here in Wellington meant we had to set up what is a spectacular facility to make boats, which has to be good for the future.'

He had employed 'a lot of good people' including skilled boat builders who previously had to leave Wellington to get work.

'Everything (about Wellington) seemed to fit. There's a real history of great sailors and a lot of skilled labour.'

And he's committed to staying.

'In the short-term we've been reliant on investors in the super-maxi but we've already got a full calendar booked for next year and have a contract to build Z39 40ft keel boats, so we're here to stay and build boats.'

Valued at $465,000 each, the Z39s are lucrative business. Mr Hakes expects to sell between six and 10 over the next two years and 10-20 in the three years after that.

Hakes Marine employs 16 fulltime staff and nine subcontractors. It expects to employ more as business increases.
Maritimo M75Selden 2020 - FOOTERHyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
ClubSwan 28 American Series launched
US-based regatta series unites high-performance design with competitive racing. Nautor Swan today announces the launch of the ClubSwan 28 American Series in collaboration with Terry Hutchinson and American Magic, a new high-performance racing circuit designed to ignite competitive sailing in the U.S.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Safe Harbor Race Weekend starts Friday
Exciting racing, unforgettable shoreside festivities on tap Ever growing in popularity and caliber, the three-day Safe Harbor Race Weekend will host an impressive fleet of 73 boats on August 8 when it begins its fifth annual edition in Newport, R.I.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug