Boating NZ

Change of focus

Job Horton (Joe) Swales, the eldest of the Swales siblings of St. Mary’s Bay, had built the jewel of a 25ft launch Vaiti in 1907 and enjoyed her with his family – his wife Eva, sons Leo and Fred, daughters Aline and the toddler Alwyn, who was born in 1905.

But although a beautiful piece of amateur building with stylish lines for the time, varnished coamings and a powerful Doman engine, she was too small for the boys. Leo cruised and raced on several of the new breed of keelers, particularly the Logan-designed Wairiki.

Joe’s music-teaching practice had become so busy that he no longer had the time to build another boat in his backyard. In July 1911 he commissioned Logan Bros to build a 32ft tuck-sterned launch. He sold to the Edwards brothers who appear to and, in 1920, sold her to Charles Palmer who renamed her .

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Boating NZ

Boating NZ4 min read
Castlepoint Billfish
A good forecast on January 21 looked like the perfect opportunity to get out on the water while Mike’s mother was visiting from Brisbane. Leaving the beach, Mike’s son Max took the helm while they rigged several small trolling lures, expecting kahawa
Boating NZ2 min read
An Exceptional Circle Of Friends… our New Zealand Riviera Family.
WOW what a year it has been – The Riviera Showcase held simultaneously with the Auckland Boat Show was sensational! With two impressive Riviera displays, one located at the R Marine Flagship on water Sales Arena in Westhaven creating the perfect plat
Boating NZ2 min read
Beat Them If You Can
Emirates Team New Zealand launched its new AC75 at Wynyard Point a couple of days before this issue went to press. Launched it and almost immediately sailed out on the Waitemata into the gathering dusk. The weekend saw further testing, which is remar

Related Books & Audiobooks