Please select your home edition
Edition
Pantaenius 2022 - SAIL LEADERBOARD - ROW

The restoration and launch of Rainbow.

by John Bertenshaw on 21 Nov 2007
Rainbow shows off her classic layout and fine decklines, after her launching in Auckland. John Bertenshaw

Last Friday, another classic yacht Rainbow was launched in Auckland, after a full restoration undertaken by the partners, Hamish Ross, David Glenn, Brad Butterworth and the Dymock family of Nelson.

Now 108 years old, Rainbow is one of the iconic boats of the Waitemata, where she was launched and raced.

Writing in 'A Century of Sail' veteran sailing writer, Noel Holmes described her genesis:

It’s a bold character who will thumb his nose at fashion and turn away from the traditional in any sphere of human activity. The great U.K. marine architect George Watson was such a character. In the 1890s he abandoned all the recognised principles of yacht design and set out to blaze a new trail with Britannia, ordered by the Royal Family.


One would almost think Watson deliberately chose to shock, for his innovations were the precise opposite of what was then thought to be desirable in a hull form. Deep forefoots were the fashion. Watson abolished them. Where bows had been allowed to curve, the curve was inwards, clipper style. Watson reversed the line, inventing the spoon bow. Bilges had been slack. Watson made them full-bodied.

English yachting men were appalled. They had nothing against experimentation as such, but were indignant that Watson should have introduced his radical ideas in a craft commissioned by Royalty.

Controversy raged as Britannia was launched, in 1 893, but fell away quickly as it became apparent the Prince of Wales’ yacht was an outstanding success. The critics suddenly forgot their objections. Britain had shown the world a thing or two.

Ripples of interest spread around the globe. The ripples reached Auckland. The canny Logan brothers noted the new ideas and itched for a chance to put them to trial. Their opportunity came when the ubiquitous A. T. Pittar asked the brothers to build him a fast fifty-foot cruiser. This was the big moment. The Watson principles were applied at a drawing board in Auckland, The lines of the ‘fast cruiser’, a modest description if ever there was one, were lofted.

And Rainbow was born.


Here was one of the most graceful yachts ever to adorn the Waitemata Harbour. She was thirty-four feet on the waterline, beam was 8.8 feet and draught 6.8. Bow and counter were lean but her midship section showed firm bilges, and her fore and aft underwater lines gave a flat run. She carried her 1,200-odd feet of sail (gaff cutter rig) quite comfortably. She was immediately Auckland champion. Forty years later she was able to give the longer (sixty-foot) Ranger, then the latest thing with her new-fangled Bermudan rig, a close run for her money.


To link to a full photo log of the restoration of Rainbow on the Classic Yacht Assoc website
http://www.classicyacht.org.nz/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=7&thread_id=4!click_here and go to Classics Around the Yards, and then Rainbow

The next launchings for the Classic Yacht Association are expected to be a joint launching for Gloriana and Thelma on 9th December 2007.

Stoneways Marine 2021 - FOOTERSOUTHERN-SPARS-OFFICIAL-SUPPLIER-52-SS728-X-90 BottomMarine Products Direct 2023 - Calypso FOOTER

Related Articles

2023 Foiling Awards
The prizegiving ceremony of the sixth edition took place in Milan The prize-giving ceremony of the sixth edition of the Foiling Awards took place at the Museo della Scienza e della Tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci in Milan, in front of an audience of more than 250 guests.
Posted today at 7:49 pm
Cape Horn is now behind them
But its significance in The Ocean Race was immense Cape Horn is now well behind the sailors in this edition of The Ocean Race, as leader Team Malizia battles Holcim-PRB for the stage win at Itajaí.
Posted today at 7:21 pm
The start of The Ocean Race generated €71.6M
Over 1,200 full-time jobs created in Spain The start of The Ocean Race created over 1,200 full-time jobs in Spain and attracted more than 300,000 visitors during the opening period of Ocean Live Park in Alicante Puerto de Salida.
Posted today at 6:28 pm
Entries lining-up for Superyacht Cup Palma
This year offers a new 90ft Class aimed at smaller performance-orientated cruiser-racers Superyacht Cup Palma is celebrating an influx of entries since the recent publication of the Notice of Race detailing the 27th edition of Europe's longest-running superyacht regatta.
Posted today at 6:15 pm
New Spring Arrivals at Musto
When it rains 148 days of the year, British designers know about keeping you dry If warmer weather gear is what you want, then look no further than our new Spring arrivals. A collection of classic tees, mid-layers and light jackets will see you into the new season with style, come rain, hail or shine.
Posted today at 6:00 pm
The Ocean Race Leg 3 Day 32
Team Malizia neck and neck with Team Holcim - PRB As the calendar ticks over to the 33rd day of competition on Leg 3 of The Ocean Race, Team Malizia and Team Holcim-PRB are as close as ever.
Posted today at 5:58 pm
Barton appoint new Production Director
Promotion of Operations Manager Dermot Bealey to a directorship role Barton Marine are pleased to announce the promotion of Dermot Bealey to a directorship role at Barton Marine. Dermot takes the newly formed position of Production Director having previously worked as Production and Operations Manager.
Posted today at 4:00 pm
British Sailing Team set for Princess Sofia Trophy
The largest - and most loved - Olympic classes regatta in the calendar The Princess Sofia Trophy regatta in stunning Palma de Mallorca is arguably the largest - and most loved - Olympic classes regatta in the calendar. It also happens to be the 2023 season opener - and what a season this promises to be.
Posted today at 1:30 pm
Streaker Southern Paddle Series at Tamworth
A challenging day picking the right shifts and managing the gusts Six visitors and two home helms arrived at Tamworth SC on the morning of Saturday 25th March to be greeted by sunshine and a good strong breeze. It was set to be a challenging day on the water of picking the right shifts and managing the gusts.
Posted today at 12:37 pm
RS400 Winter Championships
Rooster National Tour and Trident UK Northern Tour kick off in some style Both the Rooster National Tour and the Trident UK Northern Tour kicked off in some style this weekend, in a combined event, with winds to test the fittest competitors. 16 boats braved a big wind forecast to take to the water.
Posted today at 12:04 pm