Peter Blake's Lion New Zealand has 18mth long restoration
by NZ Sailing Trust 7 Mar 2019 16:04 AEDT
7 March 2019
Designer Ron Holland - Lion New Zealand - Restoration - NZ Sailing Trust - March 2019 © NZ Sailing Trust
Sir Peter Blake’s Lion New Zealand will return to the Auckland Viaduct Harbour on Monday 11th March at 4pm following an extensive 18 month restoration at Yachting Developments, Hobsonville.
To celebrate this milestone, there will be free Public Open Days in Market Place, Viaduct on the 15th and 16th March. The public are invited to view Lion New Zealand, learn of her history and the role of the NZ Sailing Trust. A gold coin donation would be welcomed.
Lion New Zealand’s major restoration was required after 34 years of wear and tear. The project brief between the NZ Sailing Trust and Yachting Developments focused on retaining as much of her original configuration both above and below deck with some modifications to meet current maritime standards and the demands of her current role.
With a budget in excess of $1.1 million the restoration has been extensive. A complete strip and replacement has been undertaken including all electrical and engineering systems, navigational hardware, keel, rudder and mast as well as sailing hardware. The NZ Sailing Trust has raised the majority of the funds however additional funds are still needed to complete the final touches to the restoration. A Lion New Zealand 300 Club is the current fund raising initiative. click here to see how you can help
Better known for her Line Honours at the Sydney to Hobart in 1984 and her subsequent second place in the Whitbread Round the World 1985/86 campaign, Lion New Zealand is owned and operated by the NZ Sailing Trust. The Auckland based charitable Trust has delivered youth development sailing programmes on both Lion New Zealand and Steinlager 2 to over 8000 young New Zealanders.