news bites

REFIT FOR A LION Yachting Developments has welcomed the 80ft maxi yacht Lion New Zealand to the yard, where she will undergo a major refit. Now 32 years old this iconic yacht was built for Sir Peter Blake’s fourth attempt at the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1985/1986. She was designed by renowned Kiwi yacht designer Ron Holland. Currently owned by the NZ Sailing Trust, which purchased the yacht in 2008, Lion New Zealand plays an important role in fulfilling one of the Trust’s key goals of maintaining Blake’s legacy by providing youth sailing experiences to young New Zealanders. She is now in need of a muchdeserved restoration and refit in order to return her to peak condition and allow the Trust to continue its work. The refit also has personal significance for the yard, as Managing Director Ian Cook was part of the original build team for Lion New Zealand back in 1985. The refit includes a new mast, boom and keel, new rigging, deck winches and electronics, a full paint job in the yacht’s original colours and new antifouling. The interior will also receive a refresh with new accommodation and a reconfigured galley and forward area, new electronic, lighting and navigation systems and new plumbing. Engineering work will see new systems including a new propeller shaft, engine and propeller. All work will be sympathetically undertaken to maintain Lion New Zealand’s history and original design.