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ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
131 Pegasus was registered and launched in 1963 by Bill Heath of Northcote. Heath was holder of the Admiralty Warrant and had joined the Squadron in 1961. He purchased Pegasus after he retired from the navy. He was 60 years old at the time and over the course of the next ten years sailed single-handed all around the East Coast of the North Island. In 1978 he sold Pegasus to Niall Cotton who joined the Stewart Association. He was to become another keen and active member and the Chairman for the 1983 season, having been secretary for the three previous years. Cotton sold her in 1979 to Don Hargrave, who recalled: “She was in almost original condition with a Ford 10 petrol motor, and a kerosene stove. She still sported wooden spars, and her sails were very old. I did her up and cruised her for several years, finally selling her to a family in Russell. Hargrave sold her in 1984 to Hillary June Nicholls. Brian and Shirley Thomas were owners till 2007. They had Pegasus out of the water for a major re-fit. As of early 2009 her owner was Stan Frost. She was for sale for $49,500. Pelagian II Sail No. 5014 Builder: Export Yachts Launched: 13 December 1983 Construction: Fibreglass Derek Divers writes about Pelagian’s history: In the summer of 1979 David Innes was looking for a crew for his Stewart Perception and Derek gave it a go. He remembers it being a very fast introduction to controlling the spinnakerwhileatextremepointsof heel.ThenextseasonhecrewedforRichardCraddock on Precedent. During this time various designs were investigated for home build and by the third season of racing Derek decided that a Stewart 34 was for them. He believes that sailing on Bob Stewart’s own boat may have had something to do with this decision. The fiberglass hull and decks arrived down his steep drive and was deposited alongside his house. A half length roof was constructed for the shed and fit-out began at nights for the next 20 months. Racing, babies and overseas work extended the original 8 month time budget. Pelagian was launched on the 13th of December 1983 in time for an inaugural family cruise to the Bay of Islands. The first family cruise began the next week.First stop Kawau,thenTutukaka,DeepWater cove and then the one and only time to cruise the Bay of Islands (too many boats). Being a yachtie and having some fears regarding the reliability of his motor installation, Derek insisted on sailing all the way even when boat speed dropped to 1 knot. The kids (3yr, 5yr, 7 yr) were towed in inner tubes off Sail Rock to keep cool and relieve the boredom. Needless the pitch dark arrival atTutukaka tested the yet to be tried navigation skills and Derek’s firm recommendation is to always try it in daylight for the first time (no reliable leading lights in those days). Pelagian was built to cruise and used to be self sufficient for four weeks (large freezer/fridge, hot shower and extra thick 3 density squabs- sleeping 8, - 6 dive bottles, two dinghies, wind surfer). The isolated cruising spots led one year to Xmas being celebrated one day early but always the certainty of fresh crayfish and scallops. The power of the rig meant that Derek and Jan confidently handled many memorable runs for shelter when the usual Xmas storm came through,including being clocked by a helicopter at 17 knots after getting into the lee of Tiri enroute to Auckland. Jan recalls retrieving their aged German Sheperd as it floated out of the cockpit in one bad knock down (falling through wave at speed) in the Colville Channel. Pelagian was raced extensively sometimes with distinction in short handed events (with Steve McCabe and laterAlexander Divers) especially in windy flatter water conditions.Although used for match racing training by Russell Coutts in his first year into Match Racing,Pelagian’s heavier cruising weight held her back from being truly competitive in the tight manoeuvring. Her smaller rudder and weight issues have since been addressed by Kurt Boyle who took over ownership of Pelagian in 2001.” Pelagian rounds up near Rangitoto in a strong puff on her way home from a family cruise Kurt Boyle Collection