Taree History

Designer: Bert Woollacott Design: Wanderer Dimensions: 41’ LOA 34’ 6" LWL 10’ 6" Beam 5’ 0" Draft Launched c1955 Painted white

We purchased "Taree" in Dec 06 from Dave Morgan, Waikawa. The two previous owners having been, Dennis Claridge, also of Picton and prior to him a Mr A J (Alf) Dickenson of Devonport whom I have spoken to. To the best of my knowledge and confirmed by Alf Dickenson, "Taree" was built as a ketch, he purchased her in 1971 and told me she was built at Westmere near Pt Chevalier and he sold her in 1973 to an unknown purchaser. I understand D Claridge owned her from 1997 to 2004 and D Morgan from 2004 to 2006 and we bought her in November of that year. According to scribbled notes handed down by previous owners and also Vinnings of Waikawa, "Taree" was built in 1955 by L C Danks. She is Round bilge, full keel, planked kauri hull, to a Bert Woollacott design. About 1990, she was converted to a cutter rigged sloop and sails beautifully, she is particularly well balanced. If it is at all possible I would like to find out the ownership of "Taree" from 1955 to 1971 and from 1973 to 1997. I believe it was during this latter period that she was converted from the ketch rig.

"Taree" is kept at the Napier Sailing Club and gives the family great pleasure day sailing the Hawke's Bay coast and in 1998 we ventured to Great Barrier Island for about three weeks and are planning to return this summer to the Hauraki Gulf for hopefully two or three months.