The Boat

When I first laid eyes on her, she was barely recognizable—a shadow of her former glory, tucked away in a quiet harbor in New Zealand. Phantom, a 50-foot custom offshore racing yacht built in 1971, had once been a proud competitor of the International Offshore Rule (IOR) era. She bore the hallmarks of that legendary time: a striking hull design built for speed and strategy, and a pedigree that whispered of fierce competitions and windswept adventures. But the years had not been kind to her.

The IOR era was a revolutionary chapter in sailing history, defining the look and feel of yachts for nearly two decades. Designed around a specific rating formula, these boats were crafted to maximize performance within the rules, leading to their distinctive “pinched ends” and narrow waterlines. Phantom embodied these principles perfectly, with her fiberglass-and-balsa-core hull and 3-ton lead keel promising speed and stability in offshore races. Her original name, race number 11133, and vibrant red hull hinted at a life spent cutting through waves and chasing the horizon.

When I found Phantom, her exterior was rough—winches frozen, her deck worn down by time—but her interior held surprising potential. She was clean, as if waiting for someone to see the promise she still carried. Without a functional engine, I had to tow her from her dying mooring to the working dock at Opua Marina, known as K Dock. There, I spent nine long months, from October to July, dismantling, renewing, and replacing nearly every part of her.

The restoration was no small feat. Each day was a test of resilience, and each task brought its challenges. From her towering 65-foot mast to her aging rigging, every element of Phantom required attention. Yet, the experience was immense, filled with lessons I could never have imagined. Along the way, I encountered incredible people whose kindness and skill lifted my spirits—and, unfortunately, some who reminded me of the less forgiving side of the human experience.

Today, Phantom stands ready to sail again, a testament to resilience and the enduring allure of the sea. She’s more than just a vessel; she’s a connection to a time when the thrill of competition pushed the boundaries of design and performance. As I step aboard, I am reminded of why I fell in love with sailing in the first place—the endless horizon, the hum of the wind, and the profound satisfaction of breathing new life into a legend of the waves.