Long-awaited $20m superyacht leaves Whangarei

New Zealand Yachts has launched its long-awaited 33-metre Wavepiercer superyacht, Spirit.

The twin-hulled Wavepiercer, one of the largest of its type ever built - worth more than $20 million - left the company's Whangarei shipyard yesterday afternoon farewelled by a large crowd of employees and family members.

CEO Jim Podein said it had been "a team effort".

"Its completion is a testament to the boat-building talent in Whangarei," he said.

After an extended blow of the horn, Spirit slipped gently into the water.

Construction of Spirit had taken two-and-a-half years, considerably longer than first anticipated.

In October 2000, then NZ Yacht managing director Dennis Maconaghie said the 33m Wavepiercer model would be delivered to its owner before the end of 2002.

The yacht, which has been sold to an unnamed investor, is to undergo sea trials and commissioning, before a formal hand-over ceremony later this year.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)