Rainbow II - back in the water

Rainbow II went back into the waters of the Waitemata Harbour on Monday, 2 February 2015, some 45 years since she was lifted aboard a freighter bound from Auckland to Germany where she would challenge for, and win, the One Ton Cup in 1969.

Rainbow II is lowered into the water at Pier 21, Westhaven (photo Alan Sefton)

After a huge restoration effort by her original owner, Chris Bouzaid, and the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust, headed by John Street, Rainbow II emerged from the Vos Shed and moved to Pier 21 in Westhaven. She was re-christened by John Street’s wife, Lorraine, in front of a gathering that included Bruce Marler, who was commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and a driving force behind Rainbow II’s two campaigns for the Cup, current RNZYS commodore Andy Anderson, and Rainbow II crew stalwarts Roy Dickson, Alan Warwick and Peter Shaw. 

Rainbow II - afloat again on the Waitemata Harbour (photo Alan Sefton)

Rainbow II is sporting a new double-spreader rig, which looks slightly taller than her original, and is now located at a berth in Westhaven Marina outside the RNZYS where the final bits of her restoration will be completed, including the anti-skidding of the deck and cabin top. She will then start her sailing build up for the five-race One Ton Revisited regatta scheduled to start on 28 February. 

More photos can be seen on Sail-world here.