A matter of Faith

By ROBIN BAILEY

One of the most beautiful, and beautifully restored, little ships to ply our waters has found a temporary berth at the National Maritime Museum.

The motor yacht Faith was designed by Alfred Mylne of Glasgow in 1935. In a career spanning more than 50 years, Mylne designed 360 craft from dinghies to steam yachts, including some incredibly swift 18-footers.

Faith is no exception. Dunbartonshire naval architect Ian Nicholson, in a letter to the present owner, Wellington lawyer Peter McKnight, describes Faith as one of the most sea-kindly craft of her type built.

McKnight and present skipper Bill Anderson say that is a reputation the yacht has proved time and again on voyages around the New Zealand coast in some of the worst conditions the sea can throw up.

The double ender is 66-feet long and powered by a big Gardiner diesel that drives a huge 52-inch single screw that pushes the ship through the water at 8 knots at 650 revolutions.

McKnight has owned Faith for four years. His only previous yacht was a P Class. He is justifiably proud of the yacht and of the standard of finish that has been achieved for her present life as a family cruiser with an additional charter role.

Here for the America's Cup, Faith will be open to the public while berthed at the museum.

Find out more about the ship and her history on Faith's website or call the museum on 09 373 0800 to arrange a tour.