Lyngrae > Equinox

Last month thanks to a tme listing we got to have a peek-down-below on the launch 32’ Equinox (previously named Lyngrae) link to that WW story below. She was based on a Shipbuilders / Roy Steadman design and built by H. Sapwell- launched in 1964.https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/10/11/equinox-lyngrae-a-peek-down-below/

As a result of the WW story we were contacted by Richard Cullen, whose father, David Cullen owned the launch from the early 1970’s to early 2000’s. During this period she sent most of her time moored in Coromandel. Richard commented that the family spent many memorable holidays cruising the gulf from Coromandel to Gt Barrier Island, Waiheke Island, Kawau Island and the occasional trip up to the Bay of Islands. 
Richard relayed an interesting tale of a trip his father did in the 1980’s bring the launch from Coromandel all the way up the Waihou River to Te Aroha. On route up the river, she hit a snag and started taking on water – luckily she made it to the old Dairy Factory site where she was quick-smart hauled out. The haul out for hull repairs grew into a substantial refit.Subsequent trips up the river extended no further than the Maritime Park at Paeroa, where over the years she hauled for winter maintenance and also had another major refit that included extending the hull by 3’ and the addition of the portholes. The more ‘modern’ looking photos are at the Maritime Park in Paeroa. 

Richard commented that Lyngrae would be one of the few boats to have been both over and under the old Kopu Bridge.
Fingers crossed that the launch finds a good new owner, nudge, nudge  😉  😉

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