Chopper Cup Regatta - Friday 13th 2009
We're so excited to have the support of the many organisations and individuals that have pulled together to make possible this amazing event on Auckland's stunning Waitemata harbour. Tickets have been selling readily and the stage is set for an amazing day that will, we're sure, prove very memorable for all participants.
We're especially pleased to be able to offer the opportunity for three lucky individuals to race alongside one of New Zealand's extraordinary yachting luminaries - Brad Butterworth. Berths aboard the classic New Zealand designed and built cutter 'Rainbow' are up for auction on Trade Me, who have also offered their support through the waiving of all success fees. You can view the first auction here: Crew With Brad Butterworth!
Rainbow was recently restored and details and photos (including those above) of the restoration process and launching (and further historical information) can be found here.
The promotional flyer for the Chopper Cup Regatta can be found on our Events page.
The Rainbow Story
In 1898, Auckland dentist and successful yachtsman A.T. Pittar changed allegiances from the Bailey yard and ordered from Logan Bros. a fast 36 foot linear rater, intended to be raced in Sydney during the 1900 Intercolonial Regatta.
They built over the winter of 1898 a 50’ yacht to the latest designs appearing in British magazines, many referring to Rainbow’s design as a Britannia model after the GL Watson designed yacht for the Prince of Wales which had been performing spectacularly well since her launch in 1892.
Launched as Rainbow on 17th November 1898 and was described in the New Zealand Herald the next day;
LAUNCH OF A YACHT
Yesterday Messrs. Logan Brothers launched from their yard a new five-rater yacht which has been built to the order of Mr. A. T. Pittar, of Parnell who was the owner of the crack 2 1/2 rater Meteor last year , and which he sold in Sydney after she had put up a record against the crack yachts in that harbour . The new yacht, which has been named Rainbow, is a very handsome-looking craft, and judging from appearances as she sits in the water, should be very fast. Her length overall is 50ft, and waterline , 33ft; beam 9ft; and draft 7ft. She is constructed of Kauri throughout, the fittings on deck being made of teak, with a polished cedar bulwark. Painted white with a gold streak, tends to make the look of the little boat as smart as possible. The interior fittings are very pleasant, being white, picked out with gold, the upholstering being red Utrecht velvet. The chain plates, etc. are all of brass. She is rigged with a pole mast, with patent screws for setting up the rigging. Nothing but the best of materials have been used in her construction, and the Messrs. Logan were cordially congratulated yesterday upon turning out such a handsome-looking craft. The launch was witnessed by a large number of visitors, who expressed themselves in high terms on the appearance of the yacht. The Rainbow will go out for a trail spin to-day and her performance will be eagerly watched by yachtsman generally.
With the British Empire engaged in the Boer War and doing rather badly, she was shipped to Sydney in mid January 1900 to race in the Intercolonial Regatta
Rainbow beat the Sydney based Fife designed White Wings by large margin in warm up races. The Intercolonial race started badly when Rainbow broke her bowsprit in a collusion but was given an hour to make repairs. A mizzen boom was rigged as a replacement. White Wings won the start followed by Rainbow and the rest of the fleet but she managed to pass White Wings to win the Intercolonial race on line and handicap.
Meanwhile Pittar attempted to sell Rainbow in Sydney and it was reported that she was about to be purchased by the Governor General Lord Beauchamp, but the sale fell through and Rainbow was returned to NZ.
She returned the conquering hero which helped counter the Boer War gloom, and in December 1900 sailed to Lyttleton where she won the Canterbury Jubilee Regatta, and, the following month Wellington's Anniversary Regatta. She was sold shortly thereafter and returned to Auckland the following year, but her time in Wellington had inspired successful busdinessman and keen yachtsman Alexander Turnbull to place an order with Logan Bros. for a yacht to match. and challenge Rainbow. Iorangi was launched in 1901 and the two yachts have been racing ever since and sharing the honours.
In 1910, Arch Buchanan took Rainbow out of the racing fleet (much to the dismay of racing sailors) but following his death in 1937 Joe Patrick and his partner Cloke re-rigged her for racing and rejoined the Auckland racing fleet. Leo Bouzaid purchased her in 1949 and, sadly, collapsed and died on board while racing in 1960 leaving his young son Chris and a friend to sail her home themselves. Rainbow was sold to L Dimock and spent the next 45 years quietly cruising the Marlbough Sounds until she was taken into a partnership between the Dimock family, Brad Butterworth, David Glen (grandson of Joe Patrick) and Hamish Ross for full restoration and Classic Yacht racing in Auckland.
Rainbow was one of the first New Zealand yachts to race successfully overseas. Robert Logan built and raced Akarana in Australia during 1888, and that helped establish his reputation as a fine yacht designer and builder. His sons, establishing their own business under the name Logan Bros in 1894, had mixed success in Sydney initially until Rainbow's achievements finally established their reputation outside New Zealand.
Rainbow is part of an unbroken chain of successful yachts establishing New Zealand yachting on the international stage and has, since her launch, been considered by authors and commentators to be the most beautiful of all the Logan creations.