Classic boats, big hearts: the couple backing our wooden boat heritage

New Zealand’s classic boat scene has many fans but possibly none more generous and supportive as Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart. Not only are they behind the Auckland Wooden Boat Festival – and other events – through their business, Perpetual Guardian, they are also contributing three of their own boats to the line up at the March event.

Ariki in the 2022 PIC Coastal Classic – Andrew is pictured in the centre facing forwards.

Photo  / Live Sail Die

The boats – Ariki, Rawhiti and Kailua – will feature in Jellicoe Harbour and we’ll tell you more about them below.   

Andrew always loved sailing – but living inland north of London, it was a long drive to the South Coast and he didn’t go as often as he’d have liked. He spent some time windsurfing on England’s infamous gravel lakes but in the cold, it was less than ideal. During a stint in the Royal Navy he crewed on sailing cutters but it wasn’t until he moved to Sydney Australia that he was truly able to experience the joy of sailing aboard what he terms a modern classic – a Cavalier he bought a half share in.

On moving to New Zealand everything changed, Andrew became involved with the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust, sailing on the A-Class Waitangi with Larry Paul which at the time was part of the visual spectacle of the 2003 America’s Cup.

“Sailing these boats is an incredible experience. They are not fast like modern boats but the sheer weight and presence of them is incredible... they surge through the water.”

Andrew Barnes

Photo / supplied

Then he heard about Ariki – in poor condition on a mooring in Bayswater, purchased her, commenced a complete restoration, and the rest as they say is history. Andrew and Charlotte Lockhart have been closely linked to the world of wooden boats and maritime heritage in New Zealand ever since.

What’s next? Andrew has plans to eventually take one of the boats, Rawhiti or Ariki, to the Mediterranean regattas – but he has to decide which one. While Ariki is original and is likely to have a good handicap, Rawhiti is a strong performer in the light. Both boats were scratch performers in their early years, Ariki in Auckland and Rawhiti in Sydney.

Ariki and Rawhiti in the 2022 ABD Group Classic Yacht Regatta. Video / Roger Mills

The boats

Kailua

Designed & built in 1960 by Bob Salthouse. When launched in 1961 she was named Lady Beryl. The hull is made from two skins of heart kauri planking fastened with copper rivets. 

A 34ft traditional displacement Sedan launch, Kailua has always had owners who cared for her including Graham Guthrie. The latest refit 2016 by previous owners Jacqui and Stephen Langton, saw her get her comfortable pilot double seat, a new paint job, galley and name. Kailua now has a 160hp turbo Hino engine, and is therefore deceptively fast as a classic launch. 

She sleeps four comfortably and is the perfect size for a day on the harbour or an overnight exploring the wonderful islands of the Hauraki Gulf. 

Ariki

Ariki was designed by Arch Logan and built in 1904 by Logan brothers for Charles Horton. Designed as a cruiser racer, Ariki was considerably bigger and more powerful than most of the other Logan designed yachts, apart from Thelma. 

Described by the Logan biographers Robin Elliott and Harold Kidd as ‘unquestionably the Logans’ major work, Ariki immediately took control of the Waitemata First Class racing and was the undisputed harbour champion for the next 35 years. 

Despite losing her crown to Ranger, Ariki continued to race under a variety of owners and throughout retained her original gaff rig. Restored again in 1977 to 1981, Ariki returned to the Auckland racing scene. However, due to the ill health of her then owner, she again fell into disrepair, before being acquired by her current guardians Andrew Barnes and Charlotte Lockhart in 2016. 

Ariki underwent a new restoration by boat builder Robin Kenyon and was relaunched at the National Maritime Museum, where she is usually berthed, on the 29th of April 2018. 

Ariki has resumed her decades long rivalry with Ranger and sister ship Rawhiti in the Classic Yacht Association racing series. She also participated in the 2022 PIC Coastal Classic. 

Rawhiti

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 (one of Rawhiti’s current guardians). 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.