Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2014-06-11, 13:05:34 | version 1.30.01
148 Bothspinnakersheetsandbraceshadfigureeightorstopperknotstiedinthecockpitends(adefiniteno-no)which,whentheywerelet go,immediatelyjammedhardagainstthecockpitturningblocks. Thisallowedenoughpowertoremaininthespinnakersoastokeep the boat pinned on her side,spreader tips nearly touching the water. The cockpit then partially filled with water as the boat spun out. When the call came to blow the spinnaker halyard, the mast man discovered that the halyard’s cover had stripped away, causing it to jam in the exit box (the hole where a line comes out of the mast) so that it could not be released. Polaris, with her spinnaker still half full was then on her side, rounding up in the direction of Rangitoto Island, for what must have seemed to all on board to be an eternity. Theknifethatisusuallykepthandyforjustsuchemergencysituationslikethiswasnothandy. Aquickslashthroughasheet,braceor halyard would have instantly ended the ordeal. Just when the situation appeared to be hopeless, one bright spark on board came forward to save the day. He grabbed an emergency flare and fired it right through the spinnaker, neutralising it instantly and bringing Polaris under control before she ran into Rangitoto Island. It is not known who paid for a new spinnaker. Portrait Sail No.4727 Builder: CoastalYachts/John Rea Launched: 19 November 1981 Construction: Fibreglass Portrait’s hull and decks were purchased from Coastal Yachts with the finishing started by her original owner Andrew Dibble. She was purchased by Peter and Rosemary Kennerley of Thames who finished her and christened her Portrait. The Kennerlys set her up more for cruising than racing. The first page of Portrait’s log, submitted by David Marshall: “Sept. 19, 1981 - Travelled to Auckland with Ro, Megan and Tony Smith to bring Bachelor’s Wife back to Thames for Owen Smith. Saw advertisement in Herald for a Stewart 34. Ended up purchasing her from Andrew Dibble,Albany.The boat was being finished in John Rea’s Boatshed,Glenfield. Launch dateisset for Nov. 19th .After hectic finishing to interior - paint, squabs, instruments & engine. All is ready. Brian Kennerley is a big help with Epiglass 199 undercoat 2 coats & antifoul 2 coats - EType. All isready.BoatHaulageLtd.-DaveWyliedoestransport. Launchinggoesverysmoothly.” The last page entered in log book by the Kennerleys says:“27/3/88 Goodbye Portrait!” The Freemans owned Portraituntil May 1990 when they sold to Dr.Dick Climie who now lives inAustralia. She was purchased on 23rd July 1993 by her present owners David and Roz Marshall of Gulf Harbour,who wrote: “Portrait has its original engine,a 23hp 2 cylinder Volvo and an 80litre fuel tank which is in accord with the Kennerly’s wish to cruise rather than race the boat. She has a furling headsail,self tailing winches,lazy jacks,spray dodger,and a small boarding platform which can be raised and a boarding ladder fixed to the stern. Since we have owned Portrait,we have purchased a fully battened mainsail and a No.3 genoa which we’ve found a very successful combination for the type of cruising we enjoy. Over the years we have explored in Portrait all the destinations in the Hauraki Gulf. We have also sailed as far north asTom Bowling Bay around North Cape, spent time at Houhora, Karikari Peninsula and many times at Mangonui Whangaroa Bay of Islands and south to Great Mercury andWhitianga. One of our favourite places is Fitzroy Harbour at Great Barrier. WehavehadsomeexcitingrunswiththespinnakerandpoledoutgenoaupanddownthecoastandouttotheBarrier. Wehavealways found Portrait to be well behaved and with a little help from following seas,have had her easily surfing at 10-12 knots. Now that we have married children and grandchildren, we occasionally wonder whether we should get something a little bigger, but everytimewehaveatentativelookatwhat’savailable,there’snothingthatseemstomatchup.AtthisstageweplantokeepPortraitand continue to cruise the Coast and Hauraki Gulf.” Portrait reaches along comfortably under her small spinnaker Stewart Association Collection