zephyr yacht nz

“The beauty" in yachting.

Mackay Boats is proud to be building one of New Zealand’s most popular single-handed yachts to ever grace the water. Appealing to the weekend warrior sailor, with a weight range between 65kg - 92 kg's, this is one of life's true sailing pleasures; well-balanced, easy to use controls including adjustable forestay, and kick-up foils. A very low maintenance boat.

Find out more in the Features section below

Specifications

No. of crew:                        1 person

Crew weight:                      65 – 100kg’s

Hull length overall:            3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)

Mast length:                      5640 mm max

Designer:                           Des Townsend

Boats come fully fitted out

Beach trolley

Sails are one design by Doyle Sails and come with an option to reef for light weight sailors.

Check out the Class website for rules >>  Zephyr class rules

The Zephyr is a fully responsive, light on the helm, single-handed boat. While the majority of the fleet are wooden construction (over 300), the move to fibre glass construction was recent.

In 2020 Mackay Boats became the builder for the Class, applying the same knowledge and processes used to manufacture consistent, one-design Olympic Class yachts for the Zephyr Class.

Designed by Des Townsend, a New Zealand Yacht Designer icon, in 1956, the Zephyr  has had seven builders over its 60 years of life, with MacKay Boats taking over the Zephyr’s hull construction in 2020. These boats are known as the #700 series.

Racing is highly competitive in this class which sees an average of 80 entries at its New Zealand National Championships.

The Hull and Deck

The hull is built from an epoxy laminate with a PVC foam core which are similar materials used in the construction of the 49ers. The laminate is designed to replicate the structure of the existing wooden boats.

The boat comes with all controls fitted, where the best fittings available are used for each function.

How do I purchase a Zephyr?

Zephyr’s must be purchased through the class association.

Can Mackay's customise the fitout?

The boat has a standard fit-out with a couple of options available.

For a fully custom fit-out you have the choice of buying the bare hull and then fitting it out yourself.

Can I have a different colour boat?

Grey is the standard colour. A limited range of other colours are available as an upgrade option. Special colour request are only available when a new batch of boats is being built.

Can I buy just the hull?

Yes. Bare hull comes with maststep, vang tang, venturis and chainplates only fitted.

Where do I buy sails from?

Sails are available through the Class Association

Where do I buy a mast and boom from?

Spars are available through the Class Association

Are you sure you want to change currency?

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• Yachting NZ 2021 - Zephyr Proves Popularity at Nationals
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• Yachting NZ 2021 - 65th Nationals
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• Yachting NZ 2020 - Picton Nationals
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• 2019 North Islands - Taupō
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• 2019 Nationals - Tauranga
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• CZOA - Andy Holland Series 2018 - Ron Finch
• 2018 Nationals - Wellington
• PCYC Spring Series 2018 - Luca Roccati
• 2017 Nationals - Akaroa
• Manly Nationals 2016 - 60th Anniversary
• Akaroa South Islands - 2016
• Pigeon Bay South Islands - 2015
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• 2011 Nationals - Akaroa
• Model Zephyrs by Chris Bridges
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Length:  3.4m

Hull Weight:  57kg

Hamilton Lake has is home to three of Des Townson designs: the Zephyr, the Starling and the occasionally-seen Mistral. Des both designed and built the Zephyr (or at least the first 219 of them, between 1956 and 1975!), and, in doing so, was the first person in New Zealand to production-build a one-design sailing dinghy. To protect his interests and prevent pseudo-Zephyrs appearing he registered the name ‘Zephyr’ in the late 1950s. This move caught the attention of the Ford Motor Company (the Ford Zephyr being a popular car back then) and they sent a company man to investigate. In Des’s words, “He pushed his way through the fennel and found my small boatshed, smiled, and went on his way”.

Townson designs range from keelers to radio controlled yachts and two things are common to all: they are fine looking and they sail well. The Zephyr has a healthy dollop of both features. Its attractive lines and good performance have attracted and retained sailors to the sport. Some Zephyr sailors have owned their boats for decades! Zephyr sailors are renowned for their competitiveness on the water and their sociability off it. The wooden construction means that each boat develops a bit of its own character, a bit of individuality.

Boat names illustrate this point well. Many Laser owners never bother to give their boats a name, seeing one Laser as pretty much the same as another - no name, no varnish and, usually, no colour - and, really, who smiles when they look at a Laser. Compare this to the Zephyr fleet at Hamilton Yacht Club with names like Tickled Pink, Cindy, Silicon Ship, Pandora, Vooka, Hustle, Philomene! The names alone make you want to see them sailing.

Each year’s Club Champion has their name and boats name engraved on the Cindy Cup. Last engraving read R. Ebert ‘Reprieve’ 2016-2017. That’s two years in a row for Rob, edging out Jack Ninnes sailing Lubbley Jubbley each time. No doubt the grudge match will be reignited this coming season.

The Zephyr class has gone a little quiet at Hamilton Yacht Club in recent years but it only takes a couple of keen sailors to turn this around. There are good fleets in Tauranga, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. The national champs regularly attracts 50 or more entries.

In order to simplify the building process and reduce the need for maintenance the class association has started making hulls out of fibreglass. The beautiful varnished decks and coamings have been retained, though, so the new boats still look like the originals.

If you are looking for a Zephyr or Zephyr sail, contact Rob Ebert.

Zephyr Class Website

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Big fleet of 70 boats for 65th Zephyr Nationals at Manly, April 9-12

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TYPBC has a strong and 'mature' Zephyr Fleet competing each Sunday in our Centrebaord club racing.

Club zephyr sailors also compete successfully at zephyr nationals.

The Zephyr fleet is the largest adult dinghy fleet in New Zealand.

ZEPHYR CLASS

A SIXTY YEAR PHENOMENON - AND COUNTING

"The Zephyr was given its name from a similarly titled gentle breeze in the Greek Islands. My boats tended to be gentle little boats, sweet in their line, so I called it a Zephyr."

- Des Townson 2006

The Zephyr yacht is a one person sailing yacht designed by New Zealander Des Townson in 1956. It is one of New Zealand's most popular single person sailing yachts with over 300 wooden boats and a number of the recent fibreglass hull versions being sailed nationwide.

Regular weekend (and sometimes midweek) racing with big fleets is held by yacht clubs in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland.

With more young and older people getting into sailing, the Zephyr has proven to be an easy boat to learn sailing in and at the same time providing one class design competition for the best of New Zealand sailors.

WHO SAILS A ZEPHYR?

The Zephyr fleet is composed of sailors from teen years until 70s, men and women. 

Zephyrs are an ideal boat for both casual and competitive sailors, with a diverse range of sailing and racing backgrounds throughout the fleet. Boat numbers are strong throughout NZ with enjoyable racing from yacht clubs to National Championsips.

SAILOR WEIGHT

After some National Championships, the ZOA takes a look a the distribution of boat weight, skipper weights and finishing position. An approxiamate range of sailor weights is as follows:

• 58-120kg in the Nationals fleet
• 65 - 86kg in the top ten 
• 65 - 92kg in the top 20

You can be competitive in a Zephyr at 65-90kg and can enjoy sailing it at anything from 50-120kg!

By comparison, the accepted weight range (kgs) to be competitive for other classess are: Finn 90-105; Laser 78-82; Radial is 65-68; OK is 80-90.

There is also the option of putting a reef in so the really light sailors can be very competitive when it blows. 

LENGTH OVERALL:   3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)

MAST LENGTH:    5640 mm max

 Single hander yacht, mainsail only.

As a consequence of the different hull builders over the period of sixty years, six distinctive Zephyr hull groups exist and all are regularly raced; 

Townson #1-233

Cook #234-240

Adams #251-260

Christchurch #300-331

Brooke #501-529

Fibreglass hull: #600 series

MacKay full GRP: #700 series

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The 2020 Auckland Zephyr Championship at French Bay was notable for the launching of the first full GRP Zephyr. Designed in 1956, the class remains strong – major regattas continue to attract scores of entrants.

With demand for new boats growing, a deck plug and moulds were built during Covid lockdown in a joint project between the Zephyr Owners Association and Silverdale’s Mackay Boats. The resulting seven-mould package has enabled the production of a finely-detailed hull, showcasing the skill and precision of boatbuilder Owen Mackay.

The first production run of four boats has been pre-sold and the class is confident of a second 64 years of existence.

Murrays Bay Sailing Club

The Zephyr is a classic wooden Des Townson design with beautiful lines and great handling, just like his Starling.  It is an old class but many adults are re-living their youth in these lovely boats.  Some prefer the renovation and craftsmanship aspects while others just love to race them, in a good one-design, with close competitions.

Zephyr is very forgiving.  The lightest skipper in the top ten Nationally is 68kg and the heaviest is over 100kg, however the ideal is around 78kg.

Second hand boats prevail and many 50 yr old boats are leading the fleet however new hulls (require finishing). New hulls, masts and sails have to be bought from the Class Association but foils are free to home/professional production.

MBSC initiated Weds pm Zephyr racing a number of years ago and it is still a very popular series of informal, fun, short races. 

Weds evenings is the key MBSC specific event but there are other key dates including Nort Island Champs around November and Nationals around February.

The Zephyr dinghy is an icon New Zealand yacht that has been around for nearly 50 years. The first two hundred or so were personally built by designer Des Townson.

A new mould for producing Zephyrs was constructed with builder Robert Brooke appointed to build new Zephyrs.  This is now in use producing the 500 series boats.

Stay upright, get a good start, then position your boat between the fleet and the next mark.  This is a proven winning formula!

Weight is a bit of an issue.  Some are heavy.  It is nice to have one under 60kg.  Check for laminate ‘springing’ and issues around the centre case.

New boats must be purchased from the Class Association.

MBSC is predominantly a junior club and that is great for the main mission but having one adult class is also great to get the parents and ‘retired’ hot shots out on the race course.  Come and join in the fun (and be in a position to relate to what the kids are telling you)!

The Zephyr is a New Zealand yachting icon dating back to the early 1960’s. Strict conditions the on building of the class were such that less than 500 were built meaning the fleets across the country were restricted to the lucky few who could get their hands on them. Due to demand the timber only construction rule was recently eased meaning composite hulls are now available and the fleets can grow.

Classic lines and a fast hull make the Zephyr more popular than ever. Ideal weight range starts around 65kg.

Waiuku has a proud history with the Zephyr with a regular and growing fleet.

http://www.zephyr.org.nz/

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Zephyr National Championships

New Zealand Radio Yachting Association Inc.

The home of Radio Sailing in New Zealand

The ¼ Scale Zephyr

The ¼ Scale Zephyr evolved from a discussion between Llewellyn Viljoen and Paul Pearson, both Zephyr sailors. Between them they built the plug and the mould for fibreglass hulls with Llew then building the prototype. Harold Bennett became interested after talking to Paul Pearson that led to Harold completing a third boat using the construction methods of the full size Zephyr.

All hulls come from the same mould with the concept of continuing with the Des Townson wooden construction principles using  light plywood and small timber stringers and keeping with the tradition of varnish work. Moulds have been completed for a full hull and deck in fibreglass as the full size boat has.  The idea of taking a scale model of a full size dinghy and making that into a radio controlled keelboat took a considerable amount of Research and Development to arrive at what we have today.

All the current owners are either current or past skippers of the full size Zephyr who not only have a passion for the class but a love of sailing the ¼ Scale without getting wet or crippled.

Basic dimensions of the ¼ Scale Zephyr,

Length             860mm

Beam               350mm

Draught           400mm

Mast height     1400mm (A rig)

1250mm (B rig)

Sail Area          .48 sq m (A rig)

.40 sq m (B rig)

Weight                        1700 grams (Bare Hull)

1900 – 2100 Grams (Bulb and Keel fin)

Class Rules are being prepared to keep these boats as close to one design as possible and should be completed in the near future.

The class are often on the pond at Regency Lake Gulf Harbour and race Wednesdays and Fridays at 1.00pm and most Sundays at 2 pm.

• ¼ Scale Zephyr Contacts
• ¼ Scale Zephyr Video and Photos

Ranking Regatta

Event Location

Anzac Bay - Waiheke Island Radio Yacht Club

Awatea Lake, Paraparaumu - Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Best Island - Nelson Radio Sailing Club Inc

Kai Iwi Lakes

Lake Dunstan - Cromwell Radio Yacht Squadron

Lake Manuwai - Kerikeri Radio Yacht Squadron

Lake Pegasus - Pegasus Radio Sailing Club

Lake Rotomanu - New Plymouth Radio Control Yacht Club

Lake Rotoroa, Hamilton - Waikato Radio Yacht Club

Lake Rua, Harewood - Christchurch Model Yacht Club

Lake Taurikura - Tauranga Radio Sailing Club

Orakei Basin - Oarakei Yacht Club

Quarry Lake - North Shore Radio Yacht Squadron

Regency Lake - Gulf Harbour Radio Yacht Club

Southern Reservoir - Otago Radio Yacht Club

St Mary's Bay, Westhaven, Auckland

Vauxhall Yacht Club

Victoria Lake, Hagley Park - Christchurch Model Yacht Club

Wattle Farm - Northern Marine Model Society

Whitby Lower Lakes - Wellington Radio Yacht Club

Winstones Lake, Otaki - Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Event Organizer

Christchurch Model Yacht Club

Cromwell Radio Yacht Squadron

Gulf Harbour Radio Yacht Club

Kapiti Radio Yacht Club

Kerikeri Radio Yacht Squadron

Nelson Radio Sailing Club

New Plymouth Radio Control Yacht Club

North Shore Radio Yacht Squadron

Orakei Yacht Club

Otago Radio Yacht Club

Pegasus Radio Sailing Club

Tauranga Radio Sailing Club

Waiheke Island Radio Yacht Club

Waikato Radio Yacht Club

Wellington Radio Yacht Club

Westhaven Radio Sailing

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Disability funding ‘pause’ causes confusion, trauma, and disbelief - Colleen Brown

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Travers Brown, aged 43, has Down syndrome. His mother, Colleen Brown, says cutbacks to disability support have caused grief and bewilderment among carers.

Our son Travers is 43 years old. He has Down syndrome and is a cherished member of our family. For his whole life we have had to fight for everything he has achieved. We’ve fought for his right to attend his local primary and secondary schools, to get extra physiotherapy, to go to tertiary education, for his flat. We’ve had to explain why he needed particular support, again, and again and again. We are survivors of an, at times, indifferent education and political system. We are intensely proud of Travers and the life he now leads, flatting with his mates near his brother and one sister, only a pyjama ride away from us. I say pyjama ride – because just because he is an adult, we are still watchful, still prepared to leap into action to support him, whatever it takes, whenever he needs us.

You can never rest being the parent of a disabled person, because with each gain we made, we were made to pay. You see, we are expected to be grateful. Be grateful for every drop of support, be grateful for every medical intervention, be grateful for the school principal who enrolled him, be grateful for the politician who understands your needs. The word “gratitude” sticks in my craw. It goes back to the charity model of the poor receiving charity from their betters. It smacks of others telling you how to run your life with the small parcels of support awarded to you. The crumbs under the table. My beautiful son is not seen as “contributing” to this society. He is not seen as an economic unit – so he really doesn’t matter.

This truth was brought home to us with a resounding crash on Monday, March 18, ironically the same week as World Down Syndrome Day. Whaikaha – the Ministry of Disabled People – so hard fought-for by the disability community – announced on its Facebook page the changes to how disability support funding can be used . Never before have I seen the outpouring of grief and bewilderment at a ministry announcement. Without any consultation, people’s lives and how they survive them, have been overturned. There is confusion, trauma, and disbelief in the disability world, that this could be happening. But it is. Apparently, the funding is on “pause”, however you interpret that word.

Apparently, according to Minister Penny Simmonds, carers have been getting massages. Minister, I wish I could have had a massage when I had to lift Travers everywhere, while I was pregnant with our third child. He didn’t walk until he was nearly 3. I applaud those carers who had enough insight to look after themselves. Apparently, our children are okay about going to strange places for respite care, instead of having trusted whānau travel to stay with them, while we might have a night away from home and get some sleep. This isn’t about having a good night out, let me tell you. This is about survival. Caring for any disabled person is a high-trust position. The highest trust I can give anyone, anyone minister, is to care for my son.

The one thought at the end of every parent’s lips is “what happens to my disabled child when I die?”. An uncomfortable thought. But this is our reality.

We are at this position now because successive governments have not invested into the disability sector. Yes, funds have gone into schools, supports and equipment, but not into the challenging areas of respite care, and housing for disabled people and families. Inconveniently it seems, disabled people are living longer, surviving birth trauma and have outstripped all budgets surrounding them.

But it gets worse. This latest revelation is on top of incremental changes to the calculation of benefits, the review of school lunches , the slashing of public transport subsidies , and the reintroduction of prescription charges . Note to ministers: not all prescriptions are covered by the Community Services Card and not all families with disabled children have one. We feel targeted.

We in the disability sector have been down this road before. We have faced this repeatedly through successive governments. Sadly, very sadly, I’ve written before about the cost to lives when people despair so much they cannot see any way forward for them and their disabled family member. And so, we lose people. That is the reality we face. Now is the time to contact those you know in the disability community to show you value them. To show you care. To show kindness. To give us hope.

• Colleen Brown is Child Poverty Action Group disability spokesperson and Disability Connect chair.

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