A Sailor's Dream Home- The water's edge dream - Auction 22 Nov

by Sail-World on 21 Oct 2014 15 years ago former America's Cup producer Paul France was in Singapore on assignment running a business and finance TV channel.

A kiwi colleague asked if he wanted to go shares in an Opua waterfront property. It took only a little time before it was bought sight unseen. In the end the existing house was largely demolished and the architect designed version of a lovely villa with an attached two-storey boathouse rose in its place.

The house was finished in 2000 and fitted with completely new systems. France returned to NZ in 2001 and since then has shuttled between the Opua paradise and Auckland. Now retirement in one house closer to Auckland beckons for France and his Auckland university academic wife, and the opportunity has come around for others to enjoy this perfect Bay of Islands boatie’s haven.

The house is situated in its own private north-facing bay with the lawn stretching down to the beach. Immediately off-shore is the property’s own deepwater mooring. Situated on the Veronica channel just around the corner from Doug’s Opua Boatyard, the property is only a short walk around the waterfront track to the Opua Store, the Opua Cruising Club, the opua marina and boatyard. It has proven to be the perfect place for France and his family and friends.

'I cannot adequately describe the pleasures this place has given me. An example would be competing in the Coastal Classic and after finishing simply putting the boat to bed on its own mooring and me to sleep in my own bed.'

'Spending summers here has been a joy with a constant stream of family and friends interspersing lovely times of peace and quiet. The house has been specifically designed to cater for a range of generations at the same time and the family have really enjoyed the clever kitchen which can provide space for up to three cooks at the same time,' France says.

While capable of housing a crowd, the design has also cleverly provided perfect accommodation for two couples who can each have a completely private wing with its own bathroom facilities, and enjoy the shared areas and decks as they like. France says the design has proved to be very flexible to meet a variety of demands.

These days the house is connected to the Opua public sewerage system but has its own very substantial roof water supply. 'A large roof, a large tank and a strong robust pump mean a water supply which has mains pressure and plenty of reserve. We have never run short of water,' says France. During the build the power supply from the road up the hill was replaced and upgraded and the house has been wired with two phone networks and an Ethernet as required.

After a long career of racing and a fair amount of Coastal Classic silverware, France is now busy down-scaling and building a 21ft trailerable daysailer which he intends to share with grandchildren and be able to sail from any convenient location. 'I will miss the Opua place terribly, but it’s time for us to make a change,' he says.

'I have found the location perfect for me. While walking with the dog around to the shop in the morning sun I have sometimes thought I have died and gone to heaven. And we have often blessed being on the mainland side and not being restricted by ferry timetables,' he says.

The house is being marketed by LJ Hooker of Paihia. The auction will be held on site at the house at 10.30am on Saturday November 22 unless sold earlier.

Viewing can be arranged through LJ Hooker agent Ann Seed on (09) 402 8638.

The house will available for viewing during Labour weekend and thereafter so if you are racing in the Coastal Classic take the chance to have a look. You’ll see the house from the water as you head up the Veronica Channel into Opua – just look out to starboard for the white villa.

International interest welcome

To see full details and plenty of photographs click here