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A classic Auckland yacht that has spent the past 70 years in the Mediterranean is about to be relaunched after a total restoration.
The Thelma - an 18m vessel launched in 1897 - will be relaunched on Sunday morning at the Viaduct Harbour, joining the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust fleet.
Another yacht, the Gloriana, is also being relaunched after restoration.
Trust chairman John Street led the campaign to bring the Thelma back to New Zealand and always intended to have it restored in time to sail alongside the trust's other classic, Waitangi, in next year's Auckland Anniversary Regatta.
Thelma has a colourful history. Built by Robert Jnr, Arch and John Logan, it was launched from their yard in 1897.
It was a scratch boat on the Waitemata before being sold to a commercial photographer.
During a Pacific cruise it was impounded and passed into the hands of the US Navy in Hawaii.
It eventually ended up in the Mediterranean competing in the Prada Cup yacht series.
