Yacht On Winter Cruise

Northern Advocate, 19 May 1949, Page 6

Yacht On Winter Cruise

Winter cruising yachtsmen do not visit Whangarei frequently, but a staunch little 33-footer is anchored in the Town Basin after her maiden voyago from Auckland. Built by her owner, Mr C Vincent, with the assistance of Mr G. Powell, the Gesture is from the board of one of Auckland’s leading amateur designers, Mr B. S. Woollacott, who designed tht Tasman racer Ghost.

Taking two and a half years to build the Gesture is very much a family cruiser, as both Mrs Vincent and Mrs Powell are keen yachtswomen capable of taking a spell on the tiller. Originally designed for ocean work the Gesture could go anywhere, und nothing has been stinted in her construction to ensure maximum comfort. Mr Vincent has firm ideas on the type of boat he wants, and Gesture has several unorthodox features not usually found on a Woollacott cruiser.

He favoured the hollow-box spar type of mast, which, while appearing heavy, can be handled by two men and cuts down rigging strain in a seaway.

With full head room under the long cabin trunk the galley has been placed for’ard, leaving a nine-foot forepeak for stores and chain. Gesture has none of the marks of an amateur boat, being beautifully finished inside with rata cappings and maple ceiling. On the trip up the coast Gesture showed that her 600 ft of working canvas can push her along in spite of the fact that she is a big-bodied boat, and she has proven berself ideal for gulf and coastwise cruising.