Pot of gold at end of Rainbow

One of the most successful yachts built by Logan Brothers in Auckland was Rainbow, launched in 1898. Now, 108 years later, the lovely 50-footer is nearing the start of a new life after a complete restoration.

Marine historians Robin Elliott and Harold Kidd, in The Logans, their book about New Zealand's greatest boatbuilding family, dwell at some length on Rainbow and her exploits.

Their beautiful old yacht is about to recreate some of those great sailing moments. Behind the restoration are a dedicated team of classic yacht enthusiasts. David Glen, whose grandfather Joe Patrick was one of the owners of the then gaff-rigged racer from 1936 to 1947, is spearheading the project.

Alongside him are members of the Dimock family whose father Les sailed her out of Nelson and Picton from 1960 until his death last year. The restoration team is completed by Hamish Ross and Brad Butterworth, from Team Alinghi, now otherwise occupied with America's Cup stuff in Valencia, but keeping an electronic eye on the work in progress.

Glen had been chasing Rainbow for around 10 years and went after her last year when she went up for tender. Ross, with a long association with the Classic Yacht Association and a couple of successful restorations completed, had also been looking out for her. He contacted Glen and in no time Butterworth had been invited aboard and jumped at the opportunity.

After their father's death the Dimock family Paul, Valance, Hugh and Rodney and their sister Jocelyn Broom, wanted to retain the yacht.

Paul Dimock says: "We all grew up on that boat and we wanted to keep ownership of her. But the decks were soft, the hull was getting tired and she needed more maintenance than the family could provide.

"The present arrangement is the ideal solution. My dad resisted putting modern stuff like power winches on the yacht, but he had to make some modifications to make her a more comfortable boat to sail. Now she is being returned to as close to her original state as possible. The family is thrilled."

Once Rainbow arrived in Auckland boatbuilders Paul Tingey and Laurie Smith took charge of the project. The deck beams, keel floors, cockpit, saloon and galley and the old Gardiner diesel were removed to make way for complete replacements. The Bermudan mast and rigging had been discarded in Picton.

Glen and Tingey say the restored rainbow will not be 100 per cent authentic but will be as close as modern regulations allow. They say she will be a day racer that is comfortable enough for weekend cruising.

"On-the-water performance is a factor in our planning," says Glen. "But we are more interested in retaining the heritage features of the boat. We are not putting winches on her, because she never had them until about 50 years ago. But when fully restored she will once again be a great performer."

The partners have set no deadlines for Rainbow's re-launch, but they are hoping it will be in time for the classic regatta next February.

The Rainbow story will feature in the July issue of Boating New Zealand magazine.