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Another Townson rally is being pencilled in for February 2023 after the overwhelming success of last weekend's rally involved 27 Townsons of all shapes and sizes.
The idea to hold a rally was conceived and organised by Jason Butterfield, Derek Brebner and Tony Kendall and as many as 27 lined up at Orakei Wharf to start at various intervals on their passage towards Waiheke Island. One owner even flew to Auckland, not wanting to miss the experience.
The original intended destination was Awaawaroa Bay, on the southern side of Waiheke, but the fleet settled for Rocky Bay on the south-western corner.
Light and shifty winds meant for some challenging conditions but it also saw some of the smaller yachts sailing alongside their bigger counterparts due to some favourable wind shifts and tidal movement knowledge.
This was supposed to be a cruising rally, but tell that to any warm-blooded sailor when two yachts get close together," Tony Kendall said. "So it wasn’t a race but many were sailed very efficiently with others so close.
"To have so many of these beautifully-shaped yachts sliding so smoothly to windward was an exciting moment never before experienced since the 2000 Millenium Regatta. All had that similar bow profile and that Logan sheer line curve. Townson traditionalists had never had it so good. The boats looked beautiful and inspiring."
The bigger boats stretched their legs at Motuihe Passage when the breeze settled into about 12 knots and the fleet also ran into Balvenie, Des Townson’s largest design at 48 feet as she passed through the passage with the fleet.
It meant they had Townson's largest keelboat nearly through to his smallest design, the Townson 25. The 22-foot Pied Pipers were due to join the rally but, as Kendall said, "must have got lost somewhere".
Many gathered at Rocky Bay for the night, where chatter of another rally in 2023 surfaced.
""Sunday morning was unique," Kendall said. "Never before have we had so many Townsons in any one bay at any one time. It was glorious to sit and admire these designs in the early morning sunlight."
You can find out more about the Townson Owners Association here.
- Photos: Hummingbird Photography
