Maroro – built in 1907 by the Matheson brothers at St Mary’s Bay for themselves. Her plans came from Rudder magazine and she was therefore rather unusual in design in the local context. For example she has a “spoon” bow and a vee transom. She gained fame from being the winner of the RNZYS Rudder Cup Ocean Race of 1908. A foray was made to Great Barrier on Saturday 22nd August 2009 by Colin Pawson, Alan Houghton and Harold Kidd to inspect Maroro at Okupu and make decisions as to whether the launch was worthy and capable of restoration and the logistics of doing so. The launch is in extraordinarily original condition. The only major additions to the hull are a very sensible dodger which was built on to her in 1920 by the Lane Motor Boat Co. and sponsons both sides.
Late 2009 Maroro was barged back to Auckland & is now in storage awaiting restoration.