Adagio 72 building in New Zealand
New Zealand is a special place to build yachts. In many ways it’s similar to another small island nation whose maritime history gives its citizens a special affinity for ships and the sea. It’s just located halfway around the world from that tiny rock whence Captain Cook sailed in 1768 to search for the legendary Great Southern Continent, but rediscovered New Zealand instead. The kiwis combine a “can do” attitude with a first world infrastructure and love of sport- especially sailing, and their best boatbuilders are the equal of anything Holland or Italy or England or the good ole USA has to offer.
I first travelled to Kiwiland in 1983 for that year’s “Yacht Vision” world design conference. It was an eye- opener. Since then we have built four yachts there- two sail and two power ranging from 63 to 80 feet in length, all in welded aluminium construction. Oh, and let’s not forget my little gem in cold molded wood, the “Redwing 10 1/2”, a scaled down Herreshoff 12 1/2 that will grace the boat deck of Adagio. I’ll be in N.Z. in early June to sea trial Adagio and Redwing, if you’d like to join me.