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A Sail Aboard CORA, A New Zealand Mullet Boat
March 1, 2019
Over a century old with her original planking, once a work boat, now a family boat with a little racing on the side for fun … and a pleasure to behold.
PARTICULARS:
Built in Auckland by the Logan Brothers and launched from their yard in 1910.
LOD: 28 feet
Beam: 11 feet
Total Sail Area: 730 sq. feet
EXTRA VIDEO CLIP:
Comments, Thoughts or Suggestions?
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Andrew MacGinitie says:
wonderful! I’m curious about the levering operation seen about the 2-minute mark; what’s going on there? I’ve sailed on S-boats so I know something about running backstays but this seems unrelated.
Bob Van Pierce says:
Hi Andrew, not sure when you posted this comment, sorry about the delay, so better late than never. Cora Is fitted with Bronze High field levers that take up or release the Backstay tension, the wire rope is routed through a turning block on the very aft deck by the transom, which allows for the wire to be lifted off and eased further when running with the wind. It makes the handling of the runners easier single handed or with inexperienced crew.
Cora is still going well at 115 years old and looking forward to her annual ‘Race” in the Russell Tall ships and Classic regatta here in the Bay Of Islands early January ’26.
Liz Diaz says:
Beautiful boat! I love to learn about boats built in other countries and how their histories evolve.. delighted! Thank you! From San Francisco Bay
Lewis Sherman says:
Just joined this Site and this my first video. So glad I joined. What a beautiful boat,although it seems to be a big sister to my favorite cat-boat scheme. Thanks.
Robert Kunzig says:
Lewis congrats – you have quite the adventure ahead. With these magnificant videos, make sure you can link them up to your big screen. I often will scoot my chair up a little closer, and, I’m there! So much to learn from and… Enjoy!
ROBERT ROESCH says:
Is she related to a sandbagger?
She’s beautiful.
John Myatt says:
I must say I’ve really enjoyed Maynard’s videos from downunder this southern summer.
New Zealand mullet boats are truly spectacular and if this video has got you interested the photos of Henry Winkelmann ( an unlikley name for a Yorkshireman who emigrated to New Zealand aged 18 in 1878 ) are as good as anything by Beken of Cowes.
Winkelmann combined his interests in photography and yachting in Auckland in the 1890s after some dramatic adventures in the South Pacific, that were punctuated with more sedate times as a bank clerk in New Zealand and Sydney Australia. His extrodinary archive of plate glass negatives were gifted to the Auckland Museum.
Look him up, his life story makes an interesting read and his photographs are a delight.
Gerrard O'Leary says:
Love this video. I grew up on the Waitemata and cut my sailing teeth on a Heartly 18 (bilge keel) named Tuangi. Always loved the mullet boats we would pass as we headed off towards the beautiful Gulf anchorages for the weekend or longer in the holidays – they carried their history with them still as they forged through the chop, lovely. Really like your story telling too and general sailing philosophy. I have a 21 foot gaff rigged sharpie (Stevensons Vacationer) I built and launched 5 years ago now – derived from similar design pedegree in some ways as in comes from the fishing world of need for fast boats with load capacity. Not an open water boat but love to sail it – something special about sailing something you have built with your own (and anyone else you could rope in!) hands.
How do I add a photo?
Olav Thyvold says:
The other thing I love about this boat is how practical and comfy the interior is. Lovely!! Fantastic for kids.
Olav Thyvold says:
Love these videos. Maynard is such a cool guy and has a great rapport with owners.
Keep them coming. Can’t wait for “at home in the bilge part 2”
jan labij says:
Gotta’ love those ‘long shore fishery boats. Handsome in a workmanlike way. Beautiful restoration.
Dennis Ray says:
Super quality video! And that is why i subscribe! Cheers!
Cap'n Rick Urban says:
I’v been an old gaffer for many a year and I spent all me money on Top-sls and beer!
Karel Doruyter says:
A friendly boat indeed. She looks lovely under sail.
Beau Vrolyk says:
Just last year I saw CORA and wondered what she was. Having raced in mullet boats years ago, I commented to my wife: “That looks like a mullet boat but it has a reasonable rig in it.” Now, here she is, and it’s great to see what she has become!
Beth Langbecker says:
She’s beautiful Bob! Perfect for BOI.
Bob Van Pierce says:
Thanks Beth, and the Bay of Islands is perfect and hard to beat.x
Kaci Cronkhite says:
What a lovely way to start a Sunday morning. Downsizing a rig. Upsizing our times on the water with family. Great story, beautifully told. Thanks OCH!
Vance Scott says:
Love this vid … Auckland harbour where I learnt to sail. Bay of Islands where I was a land lubber. Soon to be rectified.
Richard Greenway says:
Bay of Islands, a Gaffer and a stiff breeze, sublime!
Alan Armstrong says:
Beautiful opening footage with a nice story
Ron Breault says:
Memories – Bay of Islands – years ago at Zane Grey Island
Morgan says:
Notice how simple, uncluttered everything is. Easy to sail, easy to enjoy. Simple is good. Simple is better. Simple is Happy. A wonderful way to sip your coffee and enjoy life. Thank you all so very much.
Chad Brown says:
Of course I want to sail aboard Cora in the Bay Islands of New Zealand in March as I look out on the snow. Maynard you look great at the tiller with your new hat!
Steven Wallace says:
SO Sweet.
Daryl Clark says:
Don’t often get a chance to see a lovely gaff rigged sailing vessel that size with a topsail to boot! Looks like you now have family in Auckland!
Philip Myer says:
Wonderful little yacht, thanks Steve and Maynard