Tag Archives: Steve Horsley

NGATIRA – RARE CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT FRESH FROM RESTORATION & READY FOR HER NEXT CHAPTER

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NGATIRA – RARE CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT FRESH FROM RESTORATION & READY FOR HER NEXT CHAPTER

Heads up – when it comes to the 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr. designed and built yacht – NGATIRA, I’m a tad biased. I have known her owner , Steve Horsley for 25+ years, in fact he is responsible for igniting my passion for classic wooden boats. We worked together in the same advertising agency and I used see Steve each year crafting the Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book and view / read the wonderful tales on wooden craft that participated in the Mahurangi Regatta.

At the same time Steve was undertaking a FULL rebuild / restoration on NGATIRA. I witnessed the highs and lows of a hands on, one man, self funded project. The fact he came thru it (twice) is a testament to his fortitude and a very sympathetic wife 🙂

Steve has owned NGATIRA since 1998 and converted her back to original gaff configuration over a 5 year restoration 2005-2010.

Then he undertook a second 5 year restoration in the 2020-2025 period.

As she sits today NGATIRA is in immaculate condition, better than as launched 122 years ago. 

Steve is one of those people you hate, he can turn his hands to just about anything – what you see in the above photos is Steve’s work. Including bespoke traditional rigging, spars, blocks.

She sports a very traditional sail wardrobe – main, topsail, jib and staysail.

Forward propulsion when not sailing is via a Yanmar 3YM30AE diesel engine.

If you have read this far you will be starting to think that NGATIRA is for sale – well woodys she is – now is the chance to own an immaculate classic yacht that is ready to sail away today – either classic cruising  and racing with the Auckland’s classic yachting group. 

Classics with the WoW factor that NGATIRA exhibits are very rare and its a buyers market.  

Interested parties to initially connect Steve Horsley at srhorsley@gmail.com

NGATIRA REFIT UPDATE

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NGATIRA REFIT UPDATE

Back in June 2016 Steve Horsley was on the verge of selling his 1904 Charles Bailey Jnr built 49’ B-Class gaffer – Ngatira, link below to that story. Thankfully he didn’t and not long after he hauled her home onto the front lawn for a few wee jobs. June 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/06/14/20032/

As so often happens the To Do list kept growing and next thing Steve’s into a total refit. Long term WW readers will remember Steve previously rebuilt Ngatira almost single handed. He is a seriously talent man and puts a lot of ’tradesman’ to shame.

I caught up with Steve over the weekend at the Mahurangi Regatta, Steve is a past commodore of the Mahurangi Cruising Club and produces their stunning year book.

I asked Steve how the few wee jobs were coming along and he shared the above photos. Ngatira is now closed in and the varnish (Uroxsys) is getting applied. 

Steves gifted with a very considerate wife – Jo, not many would up up with a 1904 collection of kauri planks to remain at the front door for several years 🙂

I was brave and asked for an ETA back in the water – all I could get was soon Houghty, soon 🙂

23-09-2024 UDATE – Its been a long winter but owner Steve reports that its all down hill now and he will be splashing this summer – fingers crossed.

Classic Yacht – Ngatira 4- Sale

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Classic Yacht – Ngatira 4- sale

Now I don’t do many blatant 4-sale posts on ww but the gaff cutter Ngatira is owned by a long time buddy & all round nice guy – Steve Horsley.
Ngatira was built in 1904, is the finest example of a Charles Bailey Jnr racing boat of this era and is of historic significance. She has recently undergone an extensive restoration / rebuild back to its original configuration e.g gaff, staysail, jib and topsail.

Ngatira is not only a stunner on the water, she is also rather quick and has had good success racing in CYA regattas.
She was a Logan beater when first launched to race against Kotiri and still beats a few Logan’s today. She can be raced easily with a small crew of 3 or 5, and cruised with only two.
Basic but comfortable inside as it was in the day, sleeps up to four.
She is in good condition and has a good pedigree with a well documented history.

LOA 49’
LOD 40’8”
LWL 28’6”
Beam 8’6”
Draft 5’10”

Ngatira is presently hauled out at Sandspit Yacht Club hardstand for viewing.

Sale price $180,000

Contact Stephen Horsley 09 423 8704 – 027 280 7497

Ngatira

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NGATIRA
Designed & built by Chas Bailey Jnr. 1904

One of the many things I like about Steve Horsley (Ngatira)is he does not hold back on putting his pride & joy into the nasty stuff, but when you have rebuilt her with your own two hands, you can back the workmanship. To view the story of Ngatira’s restoration click on this link, its a great tale.