Saving Old Seagulls

We took delivery of the old Team New Zealand boat earlier today. She's quite old now. 28ft long and built in 1999 for the Waikato race, She hasn't been in the water for 10 years, the last time she was wet was 2004 when she gained a world record as the most fuel efficient water craft ever built, used by Yamaha for an endurance fuel economy run. This will change for the upcoming 30th edition of the Waikato. she'll be out in force with her trusty 5R. Will be great to have her come out for one last run before she goes on loan to the maritime museum.

She's be a great boat to take around Bermuda.... Maybe next year for her 16th birthday?

That would be no use for the Bermudians no space for the chilly bin or the co-pilot, & I don't think it would be too clever in a 2 meter swell without a snorkel!

But on the Waikato with a Featherweight & a 40 kilo woman pilot now that would break the record & leave a mark that would some beating!

a Formula1 !!
very different of the spirit of seagull !
but very nice for race or record!
I see Fernando ALONSO : a little man and little weight!!! perfect for your boat!!

I think we have a driver organised, Andrew O'neil, a local power boat racer who works at the same composites company I do. He's about 70kg, pretty slim with good knowledge of how to keep motors going etc.

But you're right Charles, this boat doesn't like too much in the way of a sea state. Apparently when TNZ were running her, she did sink a couple of times due to taking too many waves over the top.

Took her out for a spin today. Just with a yamaha 2hp, but we were doing 12 knots!


The guy were right, if you weight more than about 75kg you won't fit in the cockpit! Very tight! A lot of fun to drive though. Can't wait to get a 5R back on her!

Quite amazing

Our first real high speed run in the TNZ boat today. We were using a Seagull Sport as the 5R isn't quite done yet. Lots of fun!

Here's the onboard video:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10 ... =2&theater