Superyacht watcher's guide

Here's our guide to some of the biggest and best luxury vessels visiting Auckland. Most of these yachts were on hand for the America's Cup defence in late 2002 and early 2003.

You can click on most of the yacht names for more information.

Looking for pictures of the America's Cup racing yachts? Visit our racing yacht picture gallery.

How do the superyachts get to Auckland?

While many are sailed "on their own bottoms", several are shipped aboard a specialised

yacht transporter

.

Other notable visitors in 2002/2003:

The Italian Navy's sail training ship

Amerigo Vespucci

visited Auckland from October 2002 to March 2003.

The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's whale protection ship

Farley Mowat

called at Auckland before and after her mission to confront Japanese whalers in the Antarctic.

Highlights from the 1999-2000 America's Cup

Millennium Cup regatta

72m motoryacht Boadicea

Super sloops Splendid and Starr Trail

Classic schooner Shenandoah

1933 J-boat Velsheda