ROMANCE JUNIOR – AUCKLAND’S FIRST IDLE ALONG CLASSIC YACHT

During the week WW was contacted by Brian Peet regarding ROMANCE JUNIOR, the first Idle Along yacht to appear in Auckland. Brian commented that ‘Romance Junior’ was built by Sam Ford for Master Len Hodgkinson and was launched 3 April 1937. It was initially registered in the Y class as #18 and also carried the class name on its sail  – presumably for promotion purposes. By 1937 the class was already strong in Wellington.

The photographer that took the above photo was AW Powell, a professional photographer of Eden Terrace, Auckland.

Before his death, he passed the photo to his neighbour’s son who’s now passed it to Brian.

WORSER BAY BOATING CLUB – 100TH BIRTHDAY – 2026

Worser Bay Boating Club are celebrating their 100th Birth Day in 2026 and are looking for classic , old school sailing dinghies that were associated with Worser Bay in the early years, as static displays for the special weekend events  30 Jan 2026 to 1 Feb 2026.   As part of the celebrations the club is searching for a functioning ” Idle Along”  and a ”  Zeddie ” and other classic dinghies ( or even old launches used as pickup boats )  associated with Worser Bay for a rigged up static display.

There are lunches, dinners, book launching and club day sailing events for young and old and especially visitors and a classic boat club BBQ.

Our idea is that the sight of these old boats will trigger lots of stories and reminiscences. More Details Below 

1. The events for the weekend registration. https://www.wbbc.org.nz/events/worser-bay-centenary-weekend
2. Buy the book ” The Worser Way”.  100 years of dinghy racing at Worser Bay https://www.wbbc.org.nz/shop