As owner of Crescendo,
I have been delighted with the quality of workmanship and top class craftsmanship Glenn has brought to the boat’s restoration. He picked up the smallest signs of deterioration and fixed them to the level of Crescendo’s original exceptional strength and structural integrity.
It was the treatment the boat needed to be ready for another 60 years, the legacy I inherited from the previous owner in the 1980s.
Indeed the hull, once stripped, exposed no need for structural repair and work largely concentrated on replacement of the fibreglass over the deck and coachroof to a superb quality finish.
Crescendo is a Wellington boat designed and built by Bruce Askew that was iconic in Wellington sailing circles. Crews came from amongst the best sailors in Wellington skippered by the original owner, Wellington legend of offshore racing, Brian Barraclough, with notable wins including the Wellington to Akaroa race in the most severe weather.
I purchased the yacht from John Hollings, the second owner. A vastly experienced sailor, Hollings assisted Graeme Anderson, a prominent Wellington architect to establish the exact geographical location of every anchorage of Abel Tasman in New Zealand, (achieved by positioning the yacht from 360 degree paintings by Tasman’s ship’s artist).
John raced Crescendo under the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club bargee for about 12 years and I raced with him over the last year with occasional cruising in the Marlborough Sounds and Tasman Bay.
Performance of the yacht in conditions experienced crossing Cook Strait and the tutelage of Hollings were convincing of a very safe boat for family cruising and so it proved to be.
Over the years there have been many crossings of Cook Strait by Crescendo – in all sea states and subsequently on a passage from Mana to Auckland via Gisborne and East Cape with wind on the nose the whole route.
Her resilience is proven, it handles beautifully.
Ironically, before leaving Wellington, I invited Brian Barraclough back on board to race, only for 30 knot winds cause the race to be cancelled, conditions ideally suited to Crescendo!
Crescendo is beautifully restored and ready for a season or two sailing in the Hauraki Gulf if not sold.
The mast has been restepped with new standing and running rigging and the engine has been removed and remounted in working order.
John Wardle
Owner, Crescendo
