The latest addition to New Zealand's classic yachting books has finally arrived. Filled with photos and stories, this book showcases the history and the spirit of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's 'glamour class' – the K Class fleet.
'The Ks were beautiful boats to sail. When I look at them today, and I think of all the things we used to do in them - bloody hell! We were all pretty gung ho...'
~ Kim McDell talking about his time with Waiomo
In 1944 the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron held a world-wide competition to create a new class of keelers that would be just as comfortable racing as cruising in the sparkling waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.
The K Class fleet developed from this competition – 13 yachts designed by well-known local and international yacht designers such as Arch Logan, Arthur Robb, Bob Stewart, Bill Couldrey, James McGruer, and Olin Stephens.
Referred to in their hey-day as the 'glamour class' of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Ks were similar in size and shape to the International 8 Metre boats popular in Europe.
This book traces the history of the K Class and offers a glimpse into what it was like for those who were lucky enough to spend racing and cruising on them. Although the fleet was small, their beauty and performance touched the hearts of many sailors, and left the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in no doubt they had created a very fine class.
From Bob Stewart's Helen to Sparkman & Stephens' Sapphire, the fleet has impressed and delighted many of New Zealand's yachting fraternity for almost seventy years.
Page after page of photos, from both professional photographers and family albums, highlight the joys of sailing such beautiful boats.