An iconic piece of New Zealand’s maritime legacy recently returned to the water after a Covid-interrupted restoration
– the first Pied Piper launched nearly 60 years ago.
Designer Des Townson would have been stoked.
As befittingly the first-launched of Townson’s popular 22-foot, home-build design, this vessel is named Pied Piper. Today she’s one of an estimated 80-90 ‘Piedies’ in circulation. The plywood design’s heritage and fortunes are maintained by enthusiasts across the country, all supported by the Pied Piper Class Association of New Zealand.
Curiously, though she was the first-launched of the class, she can’t claim to carry the original genes. Townson penned the design after his father (Tom) urged him to help refine younger brother Bill’s design for a small hard-chine plywood yacht.
But as the construction progressed on what would become Mercia, another of New Zealand’s most prolific (future) designers – Alan Warwick – saw the design and opted to build one himself. His project moved more quickly, which is why his yacht – Pied Piper – slipped into the water six weeks before Townson’s.
Pied Piper is owned by Auckland brothers Tim and Matt Kerr, who bought the boat for “a bit of family fun.” Were they aware of her provenance and significance in the country’s maritime history?
“When she came up for sale (on Trade Me),” says Tim, “we knew exactly what she was. I’d owned a Pied Piper previously and was very familiar with the class. They’re uncomplicated but fast, competitive little boats and provide heaps of fun. Her heritage added another dimension.
“She was in reasonable condition – the previous owners had already done some restoration work and had cared for her well. So she became a family boat – perfect for me, my wife and two small daughters. But as anyone who’s dabbled with classics knows, these old boats demand plenty of attention and it eventually got to the point where she needed a birthday. So I contacted Glenn.”
Boatbuilder Glenn Burnnand (Burnnand Marine) has an extensive restoration track record and enjoys returning old vessels to their former glory. “Like many of these projects, this one’s brief was a basic overall and coat of paint, but as I got deeper into the job I discovered she needed quite a bit more work. It became more of a restoration than a general tidy-up.
“The biggest problem was rot caused by water ingress in a few areas – mainly running down the mast and into the hull, and the starboard side of the cockpit. Plywood construction, fortunately, makes for relatively easy repairs.
“It was really a case of removing the rotten material, replacing it, covering it all with fibreglass and applying the much-needed coats of paint. I built a new mast-step and reconstructed the cockpit’s starboard bench seat. The Covid interruption was actually a blessing because it allowed the boat to dry out nicely.”
One interesting aspect of Pied Piper’s design, says Glenn, is the shape of her bow. “It’s different from that of later Pied Pipers which feature a near-vertical stem. This one is curved – and I suspect Townson changed the design because of the complexity of fashioning a curved bow. It would have been fairly difficult for the average home builder. The straight stem’s a lot easier to construct.”
As with many ‘modern’ Pied Pipers, this yacht is retrofitted with bowsprit/prod. Tim says it isn’t part of the existing Intergalatic Class Rule (where the boats are restricted to spinnakers), but the “prod and gennaker make for very exciting sailing. It’s a bit like retrofitting an old car with a turbo-charger.”
Flying the gennaker or spinnaker with the family is currently a bit of challenge, he says, but he’s confident they’ll get there. “We bought the boat for family cruising – the girls love it – but we will race her as well.
“She is an extraordinarily well-balanced boat and handles much more nicely than my previous Piedie – she basically sails herself. I’m not sure why – but I’d guess the underwater appendages are a major contributing factor. The previous Piedie’s rudder was hung off the transom, and the keel shape was a bit different. These seem more attuned to her natural element.”
Pied Piper’s refurbishment included new running rigging, and she’ll receive a new main and jib for her next birthday.
While owning a significant part of New Zealand’s sailing legacy carries mana, it also comes with responsibilities. What does Pied Piper mean to Tim?
“She’s first and foremost a fun, recreational boat for my family. But I know there are many Pied Piper enthusiasts who identify with this boat. I’m very conscious of her place in our maritime heritage and the responsibility that carries. It’s quite a bit deal – there’s an obligation to look after her.”
Indeed.
And I suspect the country’s sailing community is hugely appreciative of the caring custodianship.
Sail well little Pied Piper.
