Sail of the century

From the DominionPost

A 1944 Staysail Schooner boat, currently moored at Wellington's Chaffers Marina, is up for auction with a starting price and reserve of just NZ$1.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A yacht with more than 70 years of history and an insured value of $800,000 is up for grabs on TradeMe – with a starting price and reserve of just $1.

Following her divorce in 2015, Wanaka-based woman Fiona Campbell decided it was time to sell a 1944 Staysail Schooner she had bought for her former husband and start 2017 with one less thing to worry about.

Campbell said the vessel – known as Ruah – had been moored at Chaffers Marina in Wellington for too long and she hoped someone with a passion for boats would win the auction.

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Campbell and her former husband spent many years renovating the 73-year old boat.

"It needs somebody who loves it, knows about it and is there to keep her in tip-top shape," she said.

"It should be out there in some magic bay with a family on it having a great time."

KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ.

While Campbell had gifted the boat to her "seafaring" former husband in 2012, she took ownership following the divorce.

The listing has only been up a few days and has already attracted more than 5000 views and bids in the low six-figures.

While Campbell said the schooner has a lot of sentimental value and memories attached to it, she was ready to let it go for whatever price the auction ended at, hence the $1 reserve.

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The 20-metre long vessel has six private cabins in total.

"I would love to get what she's worth but trying to assess the worth of the boat is hard. I just want to find her a good home for a good price."

Campbell, who was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2010, is based in Wanaka but has been holidaying on the Kapiti Coast, allowing her to meet with interested buyers keen to tour the boat.

Ruah is a long-distance cruising vessel that was designed and built for the Australian Navy in 1944 as a survey ship.

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The 1944 Staysail Schooner boat has made several long-distance journeys including successfully making it across the Tasman in trying conditions.

 
Over the past 15 years, Campbell said the boat had undergone an extensive "high-quality conversion to become a supremely capable and comfortable private yacht".

She hoped someone would get as much joy from the "approachable beauty" as she had during her four years of ownership.

"We used to anchor up at some beautiful spot and kayakers would come up to us and start a conversation, hop aboard and we'd give them a tour. It was pretty magic," Campbell said.

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Seller Fiona Campbell hoped the auction winner would love the boat as much as she had over the past four years.

She was looking forward to not having to worry about the boat and hoped the auction winner would love it and keep it in good condition.

"She's like a fine wine, she gets better and better with age. If she's maintained she just gets more and more awesome, historic and lovely."

The auction closes January 16.