VERY SALTY WOODEN YACHT – BEACONLIGHT

During a review of classic wooden craft stories from the Riwaka Inlet in Nelson I realised that I had overlooked the above photos of the yacht – BEACONLIGHT.

I took the photos back in March 2018 so there is a possibility that BEACONLIGHT may have been relocated.

Can anyone tell us about the yacht.

24-08-2025 INPUT ex ROBBIE WILLIAMS (aged 91) I certainly can comment on beacon light I watched VAL POLLARD build her in 1955 and was lucky enough to be part owner of her in 2005 with TOM ROWLING ( present owner ) and KEVIN BANTON in the photo top left hand corner is shed roof where she was built I hand sewed a new suit of sails for her and still have the headsail VAL POLLARD sewed for her when new I’ve enjoyed many great voyages aboard her.

INPUT ex TOM ROWLING – Beacon Light under sail

25-08-2025 INPUT ex PETER – The photo below, maybe late 1960’s, is of BEACONLIGHT leaving Torrent Bay with Noel and Dorothy Pawson, who owned her at the time. The Pawson’s went on to own the Mariner, the family boat built by Val Pollard for Dorothy’s father. I believe it was the largest vessel that Val built, and is still owned by the Pawson family and still kept at Riwaka.