Custom-Boats Arthur Robb Auckland A-Class for sale in Barcelona Spain

This striking, 12-Metre-like Arthur Robb-designed Bermudan cutter remains well remembered personally and by reputation in Auckland despite almost half a century sailing far from home waters. In the hands of first owner, Lawrence D. Nathan, KAHURANGI became a household name in New Zealand in the years before America’s Cup fever, when the legendary A-Class were the sailing gladiators of Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. The strength and longevity of triple diagonal kauri construction is well proven, looking after KAHURANGI in extremis during her blue waters years, while her elegant and practical accommodation offers both privacy and communality for long periods afloat, or for race-minded friends when this easily sailed Sydney-Hobart line-honours podium veteran races in classic regattas.

Brokers Comments

This striking, 12-Metre-like Arthur Robb-designed Bermudan cutter remains well remembered personally and by reputation in Auckland despite almost half a century sailing far from home waters. In the hands of first owner, Lawrence D. Nathan, KAHURANGI became a household name in New Zealand in the years before America’s Cup fever, when the legendary A-Class were the sailing gladiators of Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. The strength and longevity of triple diagonal kauri construction is well proven, looking after KAHURANGI in extremis during her blue waters years, while her elegant and practical accommodation offers both privacy and communality for long periods afloat, or for race-minded friends when this easily sailed Sydney-Hobart line-honours podium veteran races in classic regattas.

Refits

2022
- New standing and running rigging
- New electrical cables inside mast
2018
- New, larger chain plates
- Strengthening of rigging connection to deck and keel
2016
- New sails by Hood
2008
By Orion Yachts, Göcek, Turkey:
- Unstep mast; engine and rudder out
- Total stripping of the hull to bare wood
- Hull re-caulking; no need for any plank repairs
- Prime and antifouling of underwater hull
- Fairing and epoxy painting of topsides
- Removal and servicing of all deck hardware
- Manufacture of a new 12 mm teak deck
- Laid over the original kauri deck which was in good condition
- New butterfly hatches to the original plans
- Non-original fwd trunk cabin removed
- All deck and superstructures renovation in teak
- Mahogany trunk sides and aft deck rail renovation
- Aft cockpit seat and teak border renovation
- Aft cockpit entrance steps modification
- Mast and spars maintenance
- Standing rigging renovation
- Rudder system maintenance
- Refurbishing of engine
- New insulation in engine box
- Exhaust line modification
- New propeller shaft
- New stainless steel fuel tanks
- New black and grey water tanks
- New chain locker with drain over waterline

History

Lawrence D. Nathan - Auckland businessman, yachtsman, philanthropist and eventual chairman of his family’s L.D. Nathan and Co. retailing chain, the oldest and once largest New Zealand company - commissioned the design for KAHURANGI in 1950 from Kiwi exile Arthur C. Robb who had been making a name for himself in England as a designer of fast, strong and beautiful yachts. Nathan wanted her built by one of Auckland's most respected boatbuilders, Percy Vos of Saint Marys Bay. She was to be for Auckland ‘A-Class’ racing round the buoys, and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's weekend passage races in the Hauraki Gulf. A replacement for Nathan’s 1901 Logan Brothers A-Class IORANGI, which had in turn replaced his 1897 Logan C-Class KOTIRI before the Second World War.
Writing about the KAHURANGI story many years later, Lawrence Nathan recalled: "Robb's first drawing of the boat was 55 ft long, but Doug Bremner, who was to be her first sailing master, saw the plan in London before it reached Auckland, and said he thought the design looked sawn-off. Robb told him, 'that's easily fixed', and with a rubber and pencil put four feet on the bow and three on the stern. Certainly the final design and also the finished yacht are very handsome, and in the many ports we sailed her during twenty eight years her appearance has been greatly admired."
Nathan also revealed that Robb had desired traditional Northern Hemisphere single skin carvel construction on frames, for lightness and speed, while Vos insisted on the traditional New Zealand yacht building practice of triple diagonal kauri layers on stringers, for strength and longevity. After months of lengthy full-and-frank discussion - presumably by telegram - with Nathan as patient moderator, Vos won the day, a decision that would ensure her survival thirty years later.
KAHURANGHI eventually launched on 20th November 1952 and enjoyed the first fifteen years of her life exactly as her owner had planned: becoming one of Auckland’s best known racing yachts both to public, and sailors; her alumni included Sir Peter Blake. Then, in the mid 1960’s, a change of sailing master and a more modern rig, also designed by Robb, brought more of an offshore racing flavour to this obviously capable of it yacht’s sailing programmes.
KAHURANGI's subsequent ocean racing record before the next phase of life as an ocean wanderer includes:
1967
- First ocean race - Whangarei (N.Z.) - Noumea (New Caledonia): 1,300 nm
- 3rd overall in Sydney - Hobart Race: 630 nm
- Alain Colas joined as crew and first met Eric Tabarly
1968
- 2nd Hobart - Auckland Race: 1,500 nm
1969
- 1st and record Auckland - Suva (Fiji) Race: 1,250 nm
1970
- Wally Stuhlman became third captain and co-owner
1973
- 2nd Auckland - Suva race: 1.250 nm
1974
- 1st and record holder Auckland - Rarotonga Race: 1,700 nm
1975
- Auckland - Noumea (New Caledonia) Race: 1,300 nm
In 1975 Lawrence Nathan retired as chairman of L.D. Nathan, now part of an international conglomerate, and began planning some ambitious ocean cruising, eventually departing Auckland in April 1977 on a North Pacific circuit: Tahiti, Hawaii, British Columbia, Alaska, West Coast North America, West Coast Mexico. Then in 1978 through the Panama Canal, transatlantic and into the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Greece and Turkey, 1978/79, and in 1979 back across the Atlantic for a Caribbean season, eventually ending the tour at Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 48,160 nautical miles after departing Auckland almost three years earlier. Lawrence Nathan’s love affair with KAHURANGI ended with her sale to San Francisco based owners in late 1980.
By November 1980 the story was very close to over: less than two weeks after sailing from Fort Lauderdale for San Francisco, she became stranded at Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Jeanne where she remained for almost three months. Despite significant damage, and obituaries appearing in the New Zealand press, that immensely strong kauri structure held its shape. KAHURANGI was eventually salvaged, purchased by New Zealander Jon Olsen, and the hull locally rebuilt on Grand Cayman by Brian Farrar.
KAHURANGI eventually re-launched in the spring of 1985 and was taken to Florida for finishing and eventually another transatlantic to the Mediterranean where her present owner purchased her in 2006. She’s been a Mediterranean and Atlantic Islands based boat ever since, offering charters and taking part in the increasing number of classic regattas in Barcelona and the Balearics - taking 2nd place at the 2016 Illes Balears Classic on Palma Bay, Mallorca - and of course her unique appearance continues to be greatly admired.
©2022 Iain McAllister/ Sandeman Yacht Company Ltd.

Construction

- Traditional New Zealand method
- 3 x Kauri diagonal planking
- Outer layer is longitudinal w. caulked and puttied seams
- Some planking is mahogany used in repairs
- 4 x Kauri stringers
- Laminated floating frames in way of floors
- Pōhutukawa wood keel and floors
- Laminated mahogany upper stem
- All copper and bronze fastened
- Stainless steel reinforcement of mast step area - as designed
- 37mm Bronze keel bolts
- 9.5 Tons lead ballast keel
- 12mm Teak laid deck (2008) on ply over original 2 x kauri deck
- Tropical hardwood superstructures
- Solid trunk and deckhouse roofs glass mat sheathed

Deck Layout, Equipment and Ground Tackle

GENERAL
- Teak laid deck on original 2 x kauri deck substrate
- Low bulwark
- Varnished toe rail
FROM AFT
- 4 x Chromed fairleads port and starboard
- Bronze and teak mooring fairleads port and starboard
- Bronze mushroom vent
- 2 x Bronze Merriman winches on teak mounts (spi)
- 2 x Teak and bronze cleats
COCKPIT
- Low profile varnished cockpit coamings
- Helm position well aft in cockpit
- Engine control
- Access to lazarette from helm seat
- 'Hamble' style ship's wheel
- Engine instrumentation
- Compass binnacle
- Teak and bronze cleats port and starboard
- 2 x Merriman winches port and starboard on teak mounts (jib)
- Forward cockpit seating port and starboard
- Cockpit lockers under
- Sliding companionway hatch to owner cabin
- Low profile butterfly skylight hatch with worm drive
- Raymarine multi
- Raymarine wind
- 2 x Chromed sheave blocks on teak blocks port and starboard (genoa)
- 2 x 'Coffeegrinder' winches
- 2 x Genoa tracks and cars at toerails
- Bronze and teak mid deck mooring cleats port and starboard
- Trunk cabin and house
- Sliding companionway to saloon
- 2 x Varnished Dorade boxes with cowl vents
- Low profile butterfly skylight hatch with worm drive
- Spinnaker pole and jockey pole
- Mast position
FORWARD DECK
- 4 x 'Lemon-squeezer' type deck lights
- Flush forehatch with 2 x 'lemon-squeezer' type deck lights
- Operates as 'escape hatch' from above and below
- 2 x Varnished Dorade boxes with cowl vents
- Removable inner forestay
- 2 x Bronze and teak mooring cleats
- Chromed mooring fairleads on capping rail port and starboard
- Chromed Panama fairleads post and starboard
- Forestay
- Stemhead socket for removable bow roller plate
- 12 V Anchor windlass
- Horizontal chain gipsy and warping drum
- 80 m of 10 mm Galvanized anchor chain
- 35 Kg galvanized Bruce bower anchor
- 30 kg CQR spare anchor - stowed in forepeak

Accommodation and Domestic Equipment

GENERAL
- Accommodation for up to 11 in 5 x Areas
- 2 x Companionways
ENTER VIA MAIN COMPANIONWAY
- Settee to starboard
- 5 x Steps down companionway ladder over engine box to lobby
FORWARD TO SALOON
- L Settee to port
- Stowage outboard and under
- Sideboard/ chart table to starboard
- Ship's electrical panel outboard
- Settee to starboard
- Stowage outboard and under
- Drop leaf saloon table
- Reading lights
- Butterfly skylight in deckhead
- Port lights in trunk sides
- Clock
FORWARD PASSAGE FROM SALOON
WC COMPARTMENT TO PORT
- Jabsco manual toilet
- Ceramic basin
- Shower
- Stowage lockers
FOLDING DOOR FWD TO FORECABIN
- Double berth ot port
- Single berth to starboard
- Stowage in drawers and lockers
- Water tanks under berths
SLIDING DOOR FWD TO FOREPEAK/ CREW CABIN
- 2 x Single berths
- Self draining anchor chain box fwd
- Large forehatch in deckhead
MOVING AFT FROM SALOON
STARBOARD SINGLE BERTH GUEST CABIN
- Single berth
- Lockers
- Dorade vent
GALLEY TO PORT
- Chest of drawers/ sideboard
- 2 x Burner gimballed hob
- Oven under
- Double stainless steel sink
- Mixer tap
- Stowage lockers and shelves under and outboard
- Small 220 V Fridge
- Larger top access fridge
- Dorade vent
AFT WC COMPARTMENT TO STARBOARD
- Jabsco manual toilet
- Stainless steel basin in unit
- Shower
- Stowage lockers
- Opening port
AFT TO OWNER CABIN
- Intimate double berth to starboard
- Single berth to port with stowage outboard
- Reading lights
- Butterfly skylight in deckhead
- Port lights in trunk sides

Rig and Sails

RIG
- 1965 Rig designed by Arthur Robb to replace original Oregon pine rig
- Sparlight painted aluminium alloy mast
- 2 x Sets of Spreaders
- Barlow bronze 2-speed captive wire halyard winch
- 5 x Bronze Merriman halyard winches
- Sparlight painted aluminium alloy boom
- Sparlight painted aluminium alloy spinnaker pole
- 1 x 19 stainless steel standing rigging with bronze turnbuckles
- New forestay and backstay 2021
- Running rigging stainless steel and polyester
- New main and genoa halyards 2021
SAILS
- Mainsail: lazyjack system in cream Dacron by Hood 2016
- No. 1 Yankee in cream Dacron by Hood 2016
- 170 % Genoa.
- Working staysail
- 3 x Spinnakers of different sizes and weights
- Smaller main and genoa for passagemaking

Mechanical, Electrical and Tankage

MECHANICAL
- Perkinshp diesel
- Borg Warner 2:1c ratio gearbox
- 3 x Blade left-handed propeller
ELECTRICAL
- 12V DC & 220 V shore supply AC systems
- Deck flood lights
- Interior lighting
- Radio player
- Water pressure pump
- AC sockets throughout interior
- 220 V fridge
TANKAGE
Water
- 2 x Separate PVC water tanks under forecabin berths
- Total capacity c. 400 L
- Water pressure pump
Diesel
- 2 x 100 L Stainless steel fuel tanks are under cockpit seats
Waste
- Separate grey and black water PVC tanks

Navigation and Communications

- Raymarine C80 Chartplotter
- Raymarine DSM-300 echo-sounder
- Raymarine ST60 GPS and wind indicator
- AIS receiver and transmitter
- VHF radio ICOM IC-M421 with LSD

Safety

- Six-person Zodiac liferaft (2021)
- 8 x Inflatable life jackets
- 4 x Dry powder portable extinguishers (2021)
- 12 V DC submersible bilge pump
- 2 x Manual bilge pumps
- Manual and automatic 406.025 MHz EPIRB

Other Equipment

- Mahogany foldable swimming ladder
- Trailing fishing rod
- 3.10 m Inflatable tender
- 9.8 hp Outboard motor
- Folding passarelle

Disclaimer

These particulars have been prepared from information provided by the vendors and are intended as general guide. The purchaser should confirm details of concern to them by survey or engineers inspection. The purchaser should also ensure that the purchase contract properly reflects their concerns and specifies details on which they wish to rely.