Introduction by Peter Montgomery, written by long time Stewart 34 sailor George Backhus.
Just published, this 182 page, A4 size book documents the extraordinary history of one of the most significant one-design class racing/cruising yachts in New Zealand history. The Stewart 34, early on known as the “Patiki,” literally changed the face of NZ yachting and the world standing of [...]

Continue reading about “Stewart 34 Yachting-the First Fifty Years” book+DVD now available!

georgebackhus on March 1st, 2009

Pacquita and Precedent cross tacks during the 2008 Stewart Championships-Ivor Wilkins Photo 

In 1958 R. L. “Bob” Stewart was commissioned by Peter Colmore-Williams to design a fast 34-foot racing yacht that could double as a comfortable family cruiser.  The yacht Patiki was an instant success on the race course, thrashing her competition and drawing the immediate [...]

Continue reading about The Mighty Stewart 34 Yacht-A Kiwi Icon

georgebackhus on February 15th, 2009

Just another Saturday on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.  We had finished race three of the annual Classic Yacht Regatta on the Stewart 34 Princess and were heading back to Westhaven from the finish line out in the Motukorea Channel.  We passed the Rangitoto Channel just in time to catch race four of the Louis Vuitton Pacific series finals.  Emirates [...]

Continue reading about The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

georgebackhus on January 26th, 2009

If you were lucky enough to be in  Auckland on this year’s Anniversary Day, you would have been treated to fine weather, beautiful sailing conditions and beautiful array of classic yachts taking part in the annual Anniversary Day Regatta.
My mates Bill Falconer and Charles Scoones invited me aboard their classic 1960 Stewart 34 Princess for [...]

Continue reading about Auckland Anniversary Day

georgebackhus on July 25th, 2005

July 23, 2005
Sometimes the most difficult aspect of cruising can be saying farewell to friends we’ve met and places we’ve visited and come to enjoy along the way. This was certainly the case with Darwin.
We had spent just a little over two weeks in the lovely little Tipperary Waters Marina, just outside of town, and [...]

Continue reading about The Darwin to Kupang Rally

georgebackhus on October 14th, 2004

 

 

 
New kite.

The travel brochures describe the weather in Queensland as “beautiful one day, perfect the next.” The thing is, it’s really true. In the three months I’ve been here, I can count the less-than-perfect days on one hand. This is probably the reason that hundreds of yachties come to the Whitsunday Islands each spring [...]

Continue reading about The “Hams and Hogs” Regattas: Spring Break for Adults

georgebackhus on June 10th, 2004

June 5, 2004
Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour was a bustle of activity yesterday morning. Fourteen of the yachts berthed there (including Moonshadow), ranging in size from 36 feet to 100 feet, were making final preparations for the 1000-mile race to Noumea, organized by the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
By 1030 hours, we were as ready to go as [...]

Continue reading about Passage Logs: The Auckland to Noumea Race

georgebackhus on November 8th, 2002

November 08, 2002
The Coastal Classic

 

 
The start of the race in Auckland.

2000-odd sailors, 228 yachts, 120 miles of New Zealand coastline, a 3-day weekend and one big party. This is the annual NZ Multihull Yacht Club’s Coastal Classic race from Auckland to the town of Russell in the beautiful Bay of Islands.
We entered last [...]

Continue reading about The Coastal Classic: Auckland to Russell

georgebackhus on May 4th, 2002

April 24, 2002
We are getting ready to head north for the winter and do a bit of cruising in Fijian waters for the next five months or so. We plan to depart midday Sunday with the Ponsonby Crusing Club Rally to Musket Cove, on the island of Malolo Lailai, just west of the town of Nadi [...]

Continue reading about Passage Logs: The Auckland to Musket Cove (Fiji) Rally

georgebackhus on December 11th, 2001

 

 
Formula One.

After five months and five thousand miles of sailing last cruising season, what exactly do I do in the “off season.” For many cruisers, it’s time for visits back home to the see family and friends, yacht maintenance and repair, land travel, or just hanging out in a marina in some part of the [...]

Continue reading about Rum racing in Auckland