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Petrel

Vessel numberHV000858

Designer Arch Logan

Builder Logan Bros

Date1900

DescriptionPetrel is a 30ft Linear Rater that was designed by Arch Logan, and built in 1900 by the renowned Logan Brothers boatbuilders in Auckland New Zealand. Petrel is 40ft in overall length, 29ft on the waterline, with a 7.9 ft beam, and 5.6 draught. Many 30ft Linear Raters were built for Australian owners at the turn of the twentieth century. Other boats with similar construction to Petrel include Culwalla, Aoma, Heather, Sunbeam, and Scotia. In addition to Petrel the only others remaining are Culwalla and Aoma. As of 2024 Petrel is under full restoration in Pittwater Bay NSW under the management of shipwright Simon Sadubin. The original rig and deck layout is to be restored. A goal has been set for all three to be restored to their 1900 configuration in order to race in Pittwater and Sydney Harbour and contest for the famous trophies of the era.

Logan Bros became established at about the time the 2 & ½ rater class was popular in Auckland, but another change in rules saw the introduction of the first linear rule which took into account more hull dimensions, and the 2 & 1/2s merged into being 30 foot Linear Raters. The linear rule was introduced in the 1890s to develop a rating for boats accounting for beam, sail area, and the mid-section profile. A mathematical formulae was used to calculate a rating, based on waterline length, and a time allowance was given to yachts for working out regatta results. The intention of this rule was to return yachts to a more seaworthy manner. This rating system was eventually superseded by the meter boat system.

The Logan family of yacht designs and builders from New Zealand have had a strong relationship with Australian yachting. The first connection goes back to 1888 with Robert Logan, but the primary influence was during the late 1890s and early 1900s, the period of the Linear Rating rules. Their first boats of that later period were clear winners as soon as they arrived, and were used as a head start for Logan Bros designs to remain at the forefront of the local Sydney fleet, despite challenges from designs by Fife and other designers. As quickly as it happened it ceased when the Logan Bros stopped their business, World War I intervened and then new rules were adopted. Their diagonal construction technique was unique for yacht construction, and although kauri was also used extensively in Australian boat building on the east coast, it appears no one copied the planking method for local use.
Petrel is constructed with two layers of kauri, one diagonal, one fore and aft, with stringers and no ribs. It has a cold moulded design, full keel and keel hung rudder, and a tiller for steering. It is rigged as a gaff cutter and its spars are all timber. It is currently not operational and inside a building for restoration.

A passage on Petrel’s early history is as follows courtesy of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club:
Shipped to Sydney on the S.S. Waihora, Petrel arrived there on November 3, 1900. In no time she made a name for herself by winning the much coveted Gascoine Cup in seasons 1901-2, 1902-3 and again in 1910, when later owned by Mr. Charles Trebeck. In 1913 she went ashore at Bradley's Heads and was badly damaged. After a wonderful racing record in Sydney, Petrel was sold, in 1915, to Mr. E. Webster of Hobart, who retained her until November 1918, when he sailed her to Melbourne with the idea of selling her.

Petrel's next owner was the then Commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, Mr. Bill Smith, also a past Commodore and still a member of the Geelong Yacht Club. And in 1919, representing the Geelong Yacht Club, Petrel won the prestigious Association Cup and then successfully defended it in the following season on Corio Bay. Mr. Smith had many successes with Petrel on Port Phillip Bay, until he swapped her for Faidie 11 with Mr. Stan Gamble of the Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club in 1928.

In 1932 she was converted to Marconi rig, firstly as a cutter, but as her performance was not the best, her rig was altered to sloop concept and she became outstanding the following season.

Petrel was rebuilt after a collision with Uira in 1934, her topsides were raised 102 mm. and her beam increased by the same amount. Despite her age her record was a creditable one as she became the Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club Champion in 1935-36 and 1936-37. And season 1937-38 was undoubtedly one of her best to again become the club champion. Regarded as one of the outstanding yachts on the Bay, she continued to race successfully up till World War II when, due to crew shortages, Petrel was laid up at the Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club.

In season 1946-47, Petrel was purchased by Mr. Henry Jacobs of the R.G.Y.C. She had several other owners in Geelong, including Mr. Bill Gray, Mr. Ranald McAllister and, finally, Mr. Eustace Wilson, who retained her until January 1972, when she was sold out of the State.

She was eventually sailed to Townsville in Queensland where, so far as is known, she remains today. Petrel won the R.G.Y.C. Division One Aggregate in 1948-49, skippered by Reg White and also in seasons 1958-59 and 1968-69, when owned and skippered by Eustace Wilson.

Petrel was acquired by the current owner in 2017 and moved into a shed in Pittwater in 2022. As of 2024 the keel has been removed, fibreglass removed, and the hull repaired with new diagonal kauri skin planking.

SignificancePetrel is a 30ft Linear Rater designed and built by the highly regarded Logan Brothers in 1900. It was built in Auckland New Zealand, along with many other 30ft Linear Raters, which came to dominate the Australian race circuit at the turn of the twentieth century. The linear rule was introduced in the 1890s to develop a rating for boats accounting for beam, sail area, and the mid-section profile. Petrel had a strong start to its race career, winning the coveted Gascoine Cup in seasons 1901-2, 1902-3 and again in 1910. During its early years it sailed in Sydney, Hobart, and Melbourne. It was owned by a former commodore of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria, and achieved interstate race victories claiming the prestigious Association Cup in 1919 and then successfully defended it in the following season on Corio Bay. Petrel was also three time Royal St. Kilda Yacht Club Champion during the 1930s. As of 2024, Petrel is undergoing complete restoration at Pittwater Wooden Boats in NSW.

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