Aotea, grand old lady of Cygnet

Aotea was built at Williamstown, Victora in 1900 by the Nelson Place boatbuilder Clement Blunt to a design by the famous Scottish naval architect William fife Jr.

She certainly could carry some sail, be interesting to know how many crew were on board in this race.

She was built as a lug rigged yawl for use on Port Phillip Bay, allegedly for the Governor of Victora. In her first race at the Geelong Reggata on New Years Day 1901 and was dismasted and was later re-rigged as a sloop. Aotea was not entirely successful under that rig either and before the 1901 yachting season was over she was re-rigged as a cutter with a pole mast and a jack yard. This improved her performance and she was fourth most successful competitor in Royal Yacht Club of Victoria events for seasons ending in 1902, 1903,1905, and third in 1904. Owner A. C. Barber was later a well known Sydney based naval architect.

In 1907, Hobart clerk A. V. Windsor purchased Aotes. Under his ownership, she won the cruisers race at the Hobart Regatta three years in a row; 1908, 1909 and 1910, sailed by Frederick Turner on all 3 occasions. She led the fleet around Cape Bruny in the 1908 100 mile Ocean race, now Bruny Island race) but broke her gaff.

In 1951, with her days as a first class racer behind her, Aotea's then owner, Stan Davidson of the Bellerive Yacht Club had her topsides built up at Cuthbertson's yard at Montagu Bay to make her more comfortable for inshore cruising. Unlike many such conversions it was tastefully done and although it completely altered her character she re-emerged as an elegant craft, her rakish lines set off by oval portholes along her raised hurricane deck. Steve Harvey converted her to a cutter rig with a roller-reefing headsail in 1973/74, making her suitable for singlehanded sailing. (History taken from "Those that Survive" by Graeme Broxam.

Currently owned by Annie Venables of Deep Bay, she is now for sale. Due to a change in circumstances, Annie is now looking for someone new to take over her care. Only the right custodian will be considered.

Annie recollects: "I like to tell the story about all the previous times Aotea had been entered in the Noel Doepel Classic yacht trophy at the Dover Regatta - and never won as they never knew the course. The boys were in charge, and being too busy partying meant they never found out what course was being raced! The first year I enter her, we win, and then continue to win for the next 2 years. Prior planning and all that. Dover Yacht Club helped me find a skipper, Andrew Halford, and a motley crew was gathered from the foreshore.

For more info and Expressions of Interest please contact Annie on 0438 602 502 or vikingfilms@bigpond.com
$20,000 ono
Mooring not included although could be discussed.

Aotea, with Piet Lunstedt and Annie Venables beating upwind during a Kettering to Cygnet Race

She has been in the Cygnet area since 1936 where she has continued to be loved, raced and sailed in the Huon Estuary and Channel some 120 years after she was built.