Rona

Name: Rona Designer: G L Watson Builder: Robert Logan Snr First Owner: A H Turnbull

Type: Keel Cutter LOA: 44’ 9 (13.41m) LWL: 29’10” (9.11m) Beam: 7’4” (2.22m) Draft: 4’8” (1.40m)

Launched: 1892 Owners: Rona Trust (Andrew Barnes, Pete Brookes and Larry Paul)

 Reputedly the oldest continuously registered ship in NZ, Rhona was constructed by Robert Logan senior for Wellington merchant and book collector, Alexander Turnbull (the Turnbull library) to a design by G L Watson, the Scottish designer of multiple America's Cup challenges as well as the Royal Yacht Britannia, whose groundbreaking design influenced the later Logan yachts.

In a near derelict state by 1982, Rona was restored by architect John Palmer over an 8 year period and, in 2007, was purchased by the Rona Preservation Trust who made the boat available to the community through sailing days events and open days. Over time a shortage of funds meant that Rona fell increasingly into disrepair and in May 2023, the boat was purchased by the Rona Trust and brought to Auckland with the objective to restore her to her former glory and to race her alongside other contemporaneous gaff-rigged yachts, like Gloriana and Rogue.

Rona demonstrates the challenges we face in maintaining our unique fleet of classic yachts. Maintenance is expensive and without continuous care these precious examples of our maritime history can quickly deteriorate, sometimes beyond repair.

Rona was saved in the nick of time, but without financial support she cannot be repaired. New initiatives are needed, which must include heritage funding, if these proud forerunners of our world beating America’s Cup yachts are to be preserved for, and sailed by, future generations of Kiwis.

If, like us, you care about this piece of NZ history and would like to be part of restoring her, we would love it if you could contribute to her restoration by donating to our Givealittle page here.