Orion WT28

Lying Wellington, October 1973

Chris Rabey looked out this photograph, taken by him: "John Burns from Napier sent me your address, and seeing you have just bought the Orion, I am sending a pic of her when she was a commercial fishing boat. This is a shot I took of her in Wellington, October 1973. She was Westport registered at the time, WT28. She had a mast forward but this had been removed for maintenance at the time. She was quite distinctive in that she had a large Roadrunner bird painted on the bows."

Post-survey repairs (afloat)

Brian has done those items from the survey that could be done afloat:

• Wood electrolysis around six keel bolts
• Rot in bulwarks

Thank you for doing these jobs, Brian. You have put that engraving piece in there like I never could. You've looked after this old boat so well, and breathed new life into her. I am the lucky one, inheriting all your good work!

Day one

Paid the balance of the money today. Sue talked with Brian on the phone. Emotional time for all of us, in different ways. Exciting. Scary. Sobering. Uplifting. A new chapter in Orion's long life. Insurance is with us now.

H.Saunders

Orion was built at Paremata, Porirua, just north of Wellington. When Costa Botes made this film — shot on 16mm by Murray Milne, and featuring poet Sam Hunt (1988) — Harold Saunders had moved his operation to Jackson's Bay, Tory Channel. The similarities of design and construction between this yet-to-be-identified vessel and Orion are striking.

Catching the Tide

Details of the construction methods, and just the joy of seeing the process as Harold and another man steam a plank, hammer it up into position, and fasten it with copper rivets, is so worth the watch. Even Sam Hunt fails to spoil the experience! The whole film is a gem, full of dyed-in-the-wool kiwi nostalgia, seascapes, rich conversation, and poetry.

Survey

Hauled out at Orams Yard, Westhaven. Surveyed by Jon Jones. Wet and windy. We weren't on board, but Bill Musgrove took pictures and video and talked with us after on the phone.

Jon Jones at Orams

Sea trial

Saw Orion for the first time. Spent the day on board. In the afternoon left the marina and steamed down to Bean Rock light and back. Confirmed our offer, subject to survey. Paid a deposit.

Brian, Sue and Bill

Bean Rock