A JEWEL AMONGST CLASSIC YACHTS – “RAWHITI”

Rawhiti is a 1905 New Zealand designed Gaff Rigged Cutter. The yacht was designed by Robert Logan and has an overall length of 54 feet, built from Triple-Skin Kauri (which is a native New Zealand tree). The mast was made from Oregon Pine and the other spars are made from Spruce.

The word Rawhiti in Maori language means ‘east’ or ‘sunrise’ (sun rises in the east). Rawhiti was sailed in Sydney and stayed there for the duration of World War II. There she changed into an Bermudan rigg for ease of sail handling, but when she was returned to New Zealand she was converted back to the gaff rigged cutter configuration.

All sails where made by Calibre Sails of Whangarei. Dave Parr was awarded the contract for Rawhiti after the exceptional sail wardrobe made for Ariki, another famous Kiwi classic.

The sails where made from Contender Sailcloth Fibercon® Pro Low Aspect – Classic Light Cream. Fibercon® wovens are exclusively made and finished by Contender Sailcloth, known for its very high UV-resistancy and unparalled durability.

Rawhiti inventory consists off:

• Mainsail 10.46 oz
• Staysail 10.46 oz
• Jib 9.46 oz
• Gaff Topsail 7.46 oz

Fibercon® Pro Low Aspect – Classic Light Cream is available from Contender Sailcloth from 6.46 oz through to 10.46 oz and for larger yachts sailmakers use two ply 7.46 oz or 8.46 oz to cope with the extra loads. Also available for spinnakers are two weights of Classic Cream, Nylon, Nylite 90, and Maxilite 150.