Issue date
On Friday 25 January the Port Chalmers Yacht Club was host to the launching of a recently completed yacht by member Rob Wood.
Rob has just wrapped up the build of his new yacht “Te Waka” a 650 Leech Carbon Fibre Sportsboat. Te Waka is the first new build launch at the club in recent years and quite a large turnout of members and friends came to witness the launching after a traditional Maori blessing conducted by local Kaumatua, Noi Hudson.
Also present for the launching was the yacht designer, Dan Leech, along with the designer and builder of the sails, Magnus Doole from North Sails. Following a brief trip out on the water everyone retired to the Port Chalmers clubhouse for a traditional Friday night Fish n Chips evening at which Magnus gave a presentation on the latest development in sails technology. 3DL and 3DI sails will be on everyone’s shopping list down south now.
Rob’s 650 certainly represents a push into the Sportsboat area for the Otago region and it is pleasing to see that Rob is not alone in this direction. Broadbay Boating Club member, Brian Geary, has also recently launched an 8 metre Dan Leech. Along with a number of Elliots and Ross 780’s on the harbour the 2013 Winter Series could be quite an exciting event at the performance end of the fleet.
Rob, a Secondary School Teacher in Dunedin, built the 650 in his carport at home, managing to achieve an incredible high standard in finish. Rob previously owned a Humphery designed Keeler ‘Potamos’ that he raced for a number of years on the Otago Harbour
Banner photo: Te Waka just after being launched outside the Port Chalmers Clubhouse
