Boat sails close to disaster
PA Auckland A cruise almost ended in disaster for a middleaged American couple when their 17m launch Crabby lost its steering off Cape Reinga. Mr B. C. Crabtree and his wife were leaving New Zealand for Lord Howe Island but 150 km w r est of Cape Reinga 6m waves put paid to their plans. In the midst of the storm, the Crabtrees found they were going round in circles.
“The boat weighs about 55 tonnes and it is next to impossible to jury rig a rudder to steer that weight,” said Mr Crabtree. On Tuesday, six days after the loss of steering, the Crabtrees were towed into Auckland by the tug Hikurangi. Hiring the tug will cost about $6OOO, but Mr Crabtree, a semi-retired journalist, is not worried. “It is a fairly reasonable charge,” he said. “This is our first breakdown in 25 years of boating.” The Crabtrees have been cruising round the world for two years, and plan another six years of touring before they return to their home state,
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Press, 26 May 1979, Page 7
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177Boat sails close to disaster Press, 26 May 1979, Page 7
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