Tag Archives: Nahlin

Nahlin

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Nahlin

In the last few weeks the Waitemata Harbour & outer gulf has been graced with the presence of one of the most beautiful vessels afloat – Nahlin. I have posted recently about her but I was sent last week by CYA member Nathan Herbert, two photos of Nahlin from the 1930’s anchored in Whangaroa Harbour. Given that she was launched in 1930 & her first owner Lady Anne Henrietta Yule had requested “a steamship built that could take me around the world in total comfort”, she was probably on her maiden circumnavigation. It took her 80 odd years to make it back, but it was worth it. In between she had a very colorful life – In 1937 King Edward VIII chartered her for a cruise of the Adriatic with Mrs Wallis Simpson aboard. The Kings one request before departing was for the library to be cleared of all books to allow more alcohol to be stowed 🙂

Lady Yule must have been as my son would say – ‘well wedged’, in total she ordered 3 steam yachts from shipbuilders John Brown & Co, all 300ft plus. Lady Yule sold Nahlin in 1937 to the King of Romania for 120,000 pounds, a staggering amount back then.
Before being rescued from Romania in the late 1990’s she had been a floating museum, floating restaurant.
Her restoration was a rocky road with the ship yard going into receivership. She was recommissioned in 2010 & is currently owned by British industrial entrepreneur, Sir James Dyson.

The name, Nahlin is taken from the native american word meaning ‘fleet of foot’ & at 300′, with the top speed of 17+ knots, she is that. There is a figurehead of a native american wearing a feathered headdress beneath her bowsprit.

In the bigger photo, on the right is Milford Island & Peach Island behind, on her starboard side.

b/w photos ex British Museum Collection

A Woody Weekend

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A Woody Weekend

photos from alan houghton & brian fulton.

Just back from the CYA Waiheke Cruise, 9 woodys did the trip to the bottom end & despite the weather forecast – enjoyed stunning weather. It was great to see some of our new members joining in – Seagull (Lyndsay & Paul Burton), Manapouri (Suzie & Mark Sorrenson) & Ngaio (Lancia & Ian Kohler). The hardy souls (yes I was one) that did the Stoney Batter walk on Saturday morning certainly earned the ice cold beer that greeted them back at the beach front Man O’ War Winery. It was extra nice not having the normal long weekend / xmas period crowds.
On the subject of MOW, I have to say that the Spencer family have done Auckland proud with their total Island experience, the farm is beautiful (if you can say that about a working farm) & the winery has added another gem to boaties things to do at the bottom end list. There were a few teething problems in the early days but now it very very slick.

Late Saturday afternoon saw the flotilla move over to Rotoroa Island for a BBQ, again another of Auckland’s old families – the Plowmans – need to be thanked for their generosity, the Island & it facilities are amazing. The sunset was the icing on the cake.

On route to Rotoroa we had one of those wow on the water moments – the 300′ super yacht Nahlin cruised by. Most saw her berthed at the Viaduct but out & up close in our gulf – a breathtaking sight. I used to say Rawhiti had the best bum in the fleet (technically she still does) but the stern on Nahlin is a work of art. As Barbara Cooke (Trinidad) commented “I think she’s the most beautiful thing that ever floated on water. Hauntingly and nostalgicly romantic”.

Enjoy the photos, we enjoyed the weekend.

Keeping Fine Company

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Keeping Fine Company

photos ex Brian Fulton
Anchored this morning at Rotoroa Island along with a fine collection of classic woodys. Yesterday after lunch at Man ‘O War vineyard (Waiheke Island) several of us where motoring across the Waiheke Channel when we were ‘joined’ by the rather grand 300′ super yacht Nahlin, owned by British industrial entrepreneur Sir James Dyson. Truely a magniciciant 1930 ship.
The CYA gang all went a shore for a BBQ dinner at Rotoroa & later a very shinny black chopper landed to collect Sir & Lady James who had spent the day on Rotoroa.
We were treated to a stunning sunset.

A Woody Weekend

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Nahlin
Nahlin
Nahlin
Tall Ships
Tall Ships
Tall Ships
A
A
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Raindance

Woody Weekend on the Waitemata

The Waitemata Harbour was a pretty magical place this Labour weekend – we had an impressive collection of wooden classics visiting.

The classic 1929 motor yacht Nahlin, owned by industrial designer / inventor James Dyson is currently berthed alongside the CYA’s Heritage Landing. Nahlin has a very impressive history of ownership & was once ‘The Royal Yacht’ – details on her history & restoration at the link below.

http://www.glwatson.com/detail/Nahlin__Classic_Motor_Yacht/527/26.aspx

We also had the ‘Tall Ships’ berthed at Princess Wharf for the long weekend & their arrival & departure was very impressive.

At the other end of the scale the super yacht (ship) ‘A’ was anchored in the middle of the harbour, this boat divides people into to camps – love it or hate it – me I love it. One of the crew skills is the ability to abseil – thats how they clean the windows 🙂

And even my favorite woody made it off the marina for 3 days of spring boating.