About
Nordic
The history of
Drawn by Naval Architect Philip Rhodes in 1926 in New York City, Max Peek later bought a set of plans and built Nordic over the following 10 or so years, launching her on Easter weekend of 1948. Since her launch in Redcliffs, on the South Island of New Zealand, she has circumnavigated the South Island; undergone 3 major refits and run aground on her way to Fiji in a devastating turn of events that led to ‘Nordic bay’ on the North East coast of North Island being named after her. The boat retains much of her original papers - from plans to correspondence with the kauri timber co. of NZ for lumber; original sail plans and sample cloth; as well as extensive notes kept by the few who have watched over Nordic during her time afloat. Here is her story:
The Build 1933 - 1948
Built over a span of approximately 10 years at the back of his house at 6 Bayview Rd in Redcliffs, Christchurch. On December 26 1947 she was towed half a mile down the road to the Christchurch yacht club where she sat on the slipway (which max also built) for a year while he finished her off. Max’ wife Agnes was absent from the move as she was in labour with their youngest son. Upon her return home Agnes was not pleased that the fascia of the house had been sawn off to fit Nordic out of the driveway.
The Launch 1948
Nordic was launched on Easter weekend 1948 at the Christchurch yacht club, marking her 75th birthday this year in 2023. Nordic had to be towed across the main tramlines that used to run from Sumner into the city and so the trams were stopped for the day to allow Nordic to pass. Passengers had to complete their journey by bus. You can see the bus travelling the tram route in the video as the celebrations for the launching kicked off.
Shipwrecked 1962
Nordic was sold to the commodore of the Christchurch yacht club, Mr R.T Lloyd in 1960. In 1962 Nordic commenced a voyage up the East coast of New Zealand, with Mr R.T Lloyd as Captain and 3 mates as crew, from Christchurch to Auckland - where the boat then met Mr Lloyds wife and 2 children. The family of four was then to depart NZ for a trip to the Pacific Islands, first stop being Fiji. However, a tragic turn of events was to occur before Nordic could clear NZ waters. The details of which can be read in the accompanying news paper articles of the day and following links.
If interested, you can read more about the wreckage here: https://journeys.falkor.gen.nz/blog/raewyn/wreck-of-the-nordic
The Rebuild
After being purchased by the Greenwood family of Whangateau as a wreck, Nordic was stripped of everything that could be removed and her 2.5 tonne of lead ballast unbolted on the beach. She was then lashed to 40 gallon drums and floated around to Whangateau slipway - a mile or so south of where she came ashore. Claude Greenwood and his son Howard then completed an 17 month rebuild of Nordic which included a new interior, a new Lister air-cooled diesel engine, as well as completely re-planking the port side, sheer plank to garboard, in edge-glued Kauri. She was relaunched in Whangateau Harbour in front of a crowd of around 300 locals.
The Refit 1970-73
In 1969 Max’ son Lew Peek and his wife travelled to Auckland from Christchurch after hearing of Nordic languishing on a mooring. After an extensive search of the coast of greater Auckland, the boat was found in the Tamaki river. After a row out to her in a ‘borrowed’ dinghy, a message in a bottle was left in the cockpit informing the current owner of their wish to purchase Nordic back. Some time later, the owner contacted Lew and shortly after Nordic was back in the hands of the Peek family. She was sailed back down to Christchurch by Lew and hauled out for a 3-year refit including new interior and paint job.
Circumnavigation of the South Island 1977
With Lew and his young family aboard, Nordic circumnavigated the South Island of New Zealand in 1977. She visited Queen Charlotte sound, amongst many others, and crossed both Westport and Greymouth bars on her voyage. A true example of seamanship and an achievement for any vessel, let alone one that is only 22ft on the waterline.
Back to bare Timber 2020
In May of 2020 Nordic was hauled out of the water in Whangaparaoa for a six month refit. Living aboard while in the shed, she was worked on day and night taking the exterior back to bare timber where she was found to be in great condition. The major works being a new teak cap rail, 2-pot paint job and a couple of small patches of rot tended to. After months in the shed she was relaunched and did not leak a drop - a testament to the craftsmanship of Max, Claude and Lew. After her launch - and with the generosity of master craftsman Wayne Olson at Horizon Boats - the rig was trucked to his shed where he allowed us to work on it. After 12 coats of varnish and all new standing and running rigging, the mast was re-stepped at the end of June 2021 -the old coin under the mast still in place having never left the boat.
For more information on this refit, you can check out: https://boatingnz.co.nz/nordic-yacht/
Interior Refit #2 2022-23
In July 2022 the final stages of Nordic’s complete refit got underway with the removal of the old but impeccably reliable Lister air-cooled diesel engine. A few good hands from friends and family had the motor out without incident and the process of removing the decades old paint from the interior began. After a few weeks of scraping, the timber was uncovered and found to be in near-perfect order.
New Iroko fore and aft engine bearers were installed between the old Listers athwartship mounts to take the new and much smaller Beta 20hp diesel and the process of redesigning the galley and forward accomodation areas began. With the accomodation in the bow completed, and the galley still being worked on, more photos will be added as things are finished. Watch this space for the finished result!
