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Rudder from 39 foot gaff cutter AKARANA
Rudder from 39 foot gaff cutter AKARANA

Rudder from 39 foot gaff cutter AKARANA

Datec 1987
Object number00001655
NameRudder
MediumNew Zealand kauri, greenheart wood
ClassificationsVessels and fittings
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the New Zealand Government
HistoryAKARANA was built in Auckland, New Zealand in 1888 by Robert Logan, an established boat builder in 19th century New Zealand. It was primarily built as a racing vessel and its name derived from the Maori transliteration of the English place name 'Auckland'. AKARANA was shipped by Logan to Melbourne specifically for the 1888 Centennial International Regatta to be held later in the year. In the Melbourne regatta, AKARANA won a lead up event and then one of the feature races on the programme but fared poorly in another two races when the gear failed early on each time. It then came to Sydney for the Anniversary Regatta in 1889, and won the race for its class on handicap. Logan then sold the boat in Sydney but the new owner and other subsequent owners used the AKARANA mainly for cruising. It was well-known on Sydney Harbour and Broken Bay, and sailed up the Hawkesbury River toward Windsor on one expedition. Over many years AKARANA underwent a number of changes to its keel, rig and layout. After having numerous owners, the AKARANA became neglected in Sydney Harbour up until 1987 and the New Zealand Government purchased the yacht. They funded a major restoration project and AKARANA became a Bi-Centennial gift from New Zealand to Australia in 1988.SignificanceAKARANA is a yacht from the late 1880s designed and built to the tonnage rules for yacht racing. It has close connections to Australian yacht racing and recreational sailing from 1888 until the 1960s and is representative of the close ties between Australian and New Zealand yachting. AKARANA is also a rare Australian example of a design by Robert Logan, NZ, and shows his unique method of triple-skinned yacht construction.