TARANUI Approaching The Ton
Having just found a new owner for the John Gladden built motor-salier – Taranui (heading south), I uncovered another yacht of the same name deep in the WW files.
The Taranui featured above was photographed in Oct 2022 by Dean Wright at the Havelock marina.
At the time we learned that this Taranui was owned by Evan Walker and she this year is about to celebrate her 97th birthday.
Built in Pigeon Bay Banks Peninsula by Edwin Bailey. Has had only 4 family owners since 1926. Robin Kidd did a piece on her in Boating NZ in November 2000 not long after we took her over from my father.
09-0902023 UPDATE EX OWNER EVAN WALKER – Her exact launch date is not recorded, but the log of her building in Pigeon Bay kept by the first owner Campbell Hay, has Edwin Bailey and Joe Wheeler leaving in December 1926. So we assume that she was launched about then. Surprising really as the log is meticulous and lists all the work as it was done, the hours worked, and includes a full list of materials.
Weather permitting I’m boating today – aboard a grand old Lady, if it happens, photos to follow 😉
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Sorry Harold, my bad in some earlier notes to WW. You recalled the whisky! That is however NOT recorded in the log. But the Hay family were very clear that Campbell Hay and Edwin Bailey were limited to 1 bottle of whisky per day during Taranui’s build. The Hay family joke was that Taranui would never rot as her timbers were pickled by the fumes…EAW
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I think it records the bottle of scotch per day. Harold (not Robin) Kidd
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Not quite right. Dean Wright’s photos were in October 2022 not 2020 when Taranui was rising 96. So 97 at the end of this year, 100 in 2026. Her exact launch date is not recorded, but the log of her building in Pigeon Bay kept by the first owner Campbell Hay, has Edwin Bailey and Joe Wheeler leaving in December 1926. So we assume that she was launched about then. Surprising really as the log is meticulous and lists all the work as it was done, the hours worked, and includes a full list of materials. Cheers Evan Walker
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