Godwit, $95
If I am not mistaken, there are more century-old yachts still sailing in New Zealand than in any other part of the world. This is a remarkable achievement, given our relatively short history and our (on a global scale) minuscule population.
That so many of our early vessels are still in use, often meticulously restored, is tribute to the dedication of a small group of men and women who locate, rescue and repair these vessels or support those who do.
In his latest book, yachting journalist and photographer Ivor Wilkins pays homage to these people and to the boats they have restored.
Classic: The Revival of Classic Boating in New Zealand, published by Random House off-shoot Godwit, is a magnificent near-450-page celebration of the classic yacht movement. Evocatively illustrated with Wilkins' photos of the boats both under refurbishment and then superbly restored and sailing, the book covers all aspects of the revival.
Yachts such as Waitangi, Rainbow, Ariki, Little Jim, Rona, Akarana and Arcturus all have their own, very different stories and Wilkins has researched them thoroughly. He presents them here with a light and loving touch, constantly enticing the reader to turn the page.
This is no dry, historical tome (although our maritime history leaps from every page); nor is it a mere chronicling of that history. Rather it is an immensely readable, highly visual celebration of our past and a recognition of those who have not only kept that past alive but have made it very much a part of our present.
Buy it ($95 is incredibly cheap for a work of art like this) and refer to it often.
This is the sort of book for which coffee tables were invented.
