Name: Rawhiti

Designer: Logan Bros Builder: Logan Bros

First Owner: A T Pittar (Sydney)

Type: Keel Cutter LOA: 54’ (16.45m) LWL: 37’ 6” (11.43m)

Beam: 9’ 8” (2.92m) Draft: 7’ 6” (2.28m) Launched: 1905

Owners: Andrew Barnes & Peter Brookes

Built in 1904 by Logan brothers for Harry Pittar (who had previously ordered Rainbow), Rawhiti spent most of her early years in Sydney.  Converted to a Bermudan rig, she dominated racing on Sydney Harbour through to the 1930s, when she was effectively retired.

Repatriated to NZ in 1946 by ‘Hec’ Marler, a New Zealand businessman (the sale agreement stipulated that she would never race in Sydney again), she was cruised and raced extensively.  Her main rival was Ariki (“she was the one we wanted to beat”), before she underwent numerous conversions under successive owners. She acquired a doghouse, a wheel and a cut down rig, whilst losing her stern counter and traditional rudder.

Acquired by Greg Lee and Sam Stubbs in 2005, Rawhiti underwent an extensive 6-year restoration by boat builder Peter Brookes from Brookes Boat Builders. Restored to her former glory and gaff rig, Rawhiti has rejoined the A class classic fleet and has rekindled the great rivalry with Ariki which was anticipated, but not fulfilled, when Rawhiti was launched.

In 2021 when she came up for sale and Andrew Barnes and Pete Brookes partnered to purchase her and keep her active in the fleet.