Lost Yacht - The Telstar

[Drewt212]

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to track down the yacht my grandfather Ivan Vitali built in New Zealand in the early 70’s, the yacht was called Telstar, sail number 1263. (Update - her named was changed to Goldline sometime in the 90's)

He passed away in 1974, before I was born and tracking down his yacht is a way I can get to know him a little.

The boat was sold after he died then sold 8 years later to someone who hit a reef in Noumea, but thankfully the vessel was eventually recovered and restored in Westhaven Marina, (Auckland, NZ) around 1989.

It was approximately 34ft and of a similar design to Buchanan Saxon 34 of the same era. The hull was red below the water line, with white above it and wooden cockpit made of kauri timber then fibreglassed over.

It started out sailing around the Auckland region – Kawau, Waiheke, then my grandfather sailed it to Noumea and Fiji and it was eventually sailed all over the world.

Do you know anything about this yacht and where it may be or anyone you may think can help? Please add to the topic or send them this thread.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Drew Thompson

 

[sarabande]

Drew

You might find other sources of information on Cruisers Forum

http://www.cruisersforum.com/

Best of luck.

 

[Drewt212]

Awesome, thanks for that sarabande, I'll be sure to do just that.

Thanks again!

 

[Yellow Ballad]

It was approximately 34ft and of a similar design to S & S 34 of the same era. The hull was red below the water line, with white above

Needle in a haystack but wasn't there a thread a few years back where a boat of similar discription on that side of the world that had been auctioned off? I might be wrong, as I have a feeling it had a UK port on the transom and the person was trying to trace it?

Somebody may remember it better?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

You should note that colours, especially below the waterline, are very likely to change. Antifouling coating (used below the waterline) is available in many different colours, and people often simply use whatever is cheapest the chandlers! On a wooden boat, the hull will need repainting every year or two, and people may choose to change the colour at that time; it's no additional effort.

 

[Drewt212]

Cheers Tom, any leads at all help

 

[Drewt212]

You should note that colours, especially below the waterline, are very likely to change.

You are so right I've got original pictures, but the wood used - Native Kauri timber from NZ - is especially prized and rare enough that it may stand out a little.

 

[daveyw]

Enter the name here and see if you recognise anything
http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/ship_search.sh

 

[Drewt212]

Cheers for that DaveyW - will see what I can find.

 

[Drewt212]

I've just been told that the name was changed to GOLDLINE in the 90's. Hopefully someone may know of her now

 

[Drewt212]

And...more info...
It was 33 and half feet and based on a Buchanan design, possibly the Saxon 34.