"Sailing was what brought Beth to New Zealand and ultimately to call it home. These three boats, Rawene, Ranger and Ngataki are steeped within the New Zealand history of classic yachts as well as being the foundation of Beth's racing & cruising years while living in Auckland. "I have many fond memories a-board these boats - summer days out at Waiheke, winter series races, Squadron weekends, even Tom & I's first date was on Ngataki - all in all, I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of their life."
From left to right: Ranger, built in 1938 by the Tercel Brothers, has dominated racing history in the Auckland harbour. She is a weapon - fast, sleek, beautiful lines, and well-maintained. Rawene, built in 1908, is a Logan design with 3 skin Kauri, gaff rig. With no winches aboard, she is a beast to sail, especially hoisting the main - it took the power of four crew! And Ngataki, built in 1933 by Johnny Wray - a true legend of Kiwi ingenuity. Any sailor will have a copy of his memoir South Sea Vagabondes tucked up in their library. Fired from his job during the Great Depression, Johnny built Ngataki in his front yard with beached-scraped wood and sailed her all the way to the Pacific islands. No money, no boat design, no experience - truly a tale of determination. "She has a soul that teaches you lessons - how to slow down because she is certainly not slim, a labour of love as she has many quirks, kinks that need attention, and the importance in taking a leap of faith for she was built on grit and dreams alone."
Originally from the states, Beth graduated from Allegheny College with a major in Fine Arts, specialising in painting. Much of her childhood was spent on or near the water between Cape Cod and the Great Lakes. Her love for sailing began on the waters of the Charles River in Boston while working in the city. Soon realising the corporate ladder was not for her, she booked a one way ticket to New Zealand in hopes for sailing adventures along with a better lifestyle. Boats have been central to the life she has built here - racing classic yachts on the Waitemata harbour to managing events at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. They have even been her home for a short period of time. For two and half years she, her husband, Tom, and first-born daughter lived aboard their 44 foot Warwick, traveling up and down from Auckland to the Bay of Islands while Tom grew his naval architecture business. After a career in event management for 8 years, she is now returning to her art as she settles with her family in Kerikeri.
Email: b.e.bertenshaw@gmail.com
