Boat Designer's micro economy

By Karyn Scherer

No-one knows whether Dennis Connor has one. But Ringo Starr is a proud owner, and so is Mick Jagger.

For that matter, so are New Zealand yachting identities Penny Whiting and Charles St Clair Brown.

What this unlikely group of personalities have in common is a passion for pint-size sailing boats, known as Electron micro-yachts.

At just 1 metre long, they might look like fancy toys for lucky little boys.

But Auckland businessman John Lindeman can testify to the fact that it is mostly big boys - and the odd big girl - who can't resist playing with them.

The brainchild of Auckland-based boat designer Des Townson, Electrons are highly sought after by both top international yachties and rock stars alike.

Still recognised as one of the finest boat designers in the world, Mr Townson has made more than 640 of the miniature boats over the past 12 years. His craftsmanship is so sought after his order book is full for the next eight months.

The boats have become so popular some buyers are displaying them purely as collectors' pieces - such as one Auckland businessman who ordered two to match the colour scheme of his office.

Around 20 per cent are snapped up by overseas buyers and this week, Mr Lindeman will personally oversee the delivery of two of the yachts to Nepal, where he used to own a trekking business.

He is hoping to persuade Nepalese sailor and keen America's Cup follower Himalaya Pande to establish a yacht club especially for the boats - a move that could see Nepal hosting the Electron World Sailing Championships next year.

The event would be timed to coincide with Nepal's famous elephant polo match, held each year at the Tiger Tops jungle resort.

"The idea is that we will all attend the elephant polo and then travel the next day to Pokhara Lake for the match racing."

Mr Lindeman has talked Mr Pande into being commodore of the club, and he is hoping the King of Nepal will agree to be its patron.

"I don't know at the moment whether Nepal has a navy, but I believe it has, and if indeed they do, we would need to invite the Commodore-In-Chief to be a patron also."

A keen sailor, Mr Lindeman became hooked on the micro-yachts the first time he saw them being raced.

"I was intrigued by their incredible handling ability and the way in which they performed. Many of my friends were sailing them and they were very serious sailors - they're certainly not toys."