GHOST – Sailing Sunday
Today’s story is the result of a hunt for a long lost launch photo and I came across a file tagged ‘Ghost’. The above photos were sent to me by Peter Robinson back in late 2016 and somehow the file slipped between the cracks.
Peter wrote asking for help locating information on the history of Ghost.
Given the 3 year incubation period , it would be nice to think that we could help Peter out 😉
13-01-2020
Harold Kidd Input – Designed and built by Bert Woollacott in late 1938 for himself. Later owned by Ken Brown who did the 1948, 1951 and 1952 TransTasman races in her. Based on Bert’s Vectis design. I thought she had gone offshore?
Murray Deeble Input – Harold is right, the Ghost went offshore and was wrecked–the vessel pictured is Kehua wrongly advertised as the original Ghost in the 80’s and 90,s Kehua has an unusual past herself featuring in one of the first Suva races -(washing ashore near Whakatane eventually.)
And more from HDK – KEHUA = GHOST in Maori. Built by Selwyn Matheson and Peter Ashcroft in Whangarei (?). Bert didn’t like the changes to his design.
waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily 
OK so I went for a sail last weekend and finally had the wit to look at the mainsail…the number on the sail is 840. Which is the number for Kehua…
Harold and Murray you were absolutely right.
My portion of humble pie duly consumed. In my defense she is certainly no longer a ketch and others were adamant she was a different ‘Ghost’. Kehua she may be but still a great yacht for me.
LikeLike
Just had a look at the Woollacott yacht register. Victus is apparently a NADA design: 25′ WL. Kehua is a Ghost design 28′ WL but was apparently ketch rigged. My boat ‘Ghost’ is 28′ WL and is cutter rigged no sign of it having been anything else. The only modification I have seen is double backstay converted to single, and the headsail to roller furling (still have the original headsail …
Looking at historical photos the coachroof is the same. Also the oversized fore hatch which I was told Bert made that way (and fell into one day…)
Hope this helps
Peter
LikeLike
Hi
I spoke to a Mr McQuarters who says he raced against this boat then named Ghost some decades ago and also Mike McCormick (Rigger) who also said he raced against this boat called Ghost at the time – maybe 40years ago? Scotts father said he had pictures of the boat still the same design but sadly passed away before I could see them.
Bert did have a Ghost design and I was told by the above that this boat was a Ghost design built by either Bert himself or one of Johnny Wray’s mates. However other reports were the original ghost ended up in Adelaide.
It would be interesting to see pictures of Kehua and Victis and compare.
Apart from rigging etc we have over the last 4-5 years removed a lot of clutter and put her back to the way she originally was, excepting a boarding platform at the back.
Whatever the provenance she is a lovely boat to sail and feels very safe in a sea.
Peter
LikeLike
Alan can you give me an email address
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
LikeLike
KEHUA = GHOST in Maori. Built by Selwyn Matheson and Peter Ashcroft in Whangarei(?). Bert didn’t like the changes to his design.
LikeLike
Hi
Email the photos to me and I will add them to your comment.
Kind Regards Alan H
LikeLike
I have a picture of Vectis built same time as my boat Medina and Vectis doesn’t look much like the pictures of Ghost shown here to me, looks more like Medina. Sorry I don’t seem to be able to add the picture here.
LikeLike
Harold is right, the Ghost went offshore and was wrecked–the vessel pictured is Kehua wrongly advertised as the original Ghost in the 80’s and 90,s Kehua has an unusual past herself featuring in one of the first Suva races -(washing ashore near Whakatane eventually.)
LikeLike
Designed and built by Bert Woollacott in late 1938 for himself. Later owned by Ken Brown who did the 1948, 1951 and 1952 TransTasman races in her. Based on Bert’s Vectis design. I thought she had gone offshore?
LikeLike