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What was once going to be condemned has been turned into a sparkling committee boat for the Bay of Islands Yacht Club.
The 23-foot wooden boat Mythbusters had been lying in a state of disrepair on the moorings for a number of years and the motor wouldn't start. It was so bad the owner's family contemplated getting rid of the early-1950s craft.
Instead, Darryl Honey from the Bay of Islands Yacht Club offered to take it off their hands and set about restoring it.
It took 12 months, but it now has a number of new features including a new fibreglass deck, new bowsprint, a 9.9hp Yamaha outboard motor and an old Javelin mast has even been turned into a flagpole so the club can run races.
"It was gifted to us by Bishop ben Te Haara's family and we finally got it back on the water last week," Bay of Islands Yacht Club commodore Darryl Honey said. "Lots of people have supported us and it looks great. It even has a toilet on board."
Honey estimates it will cost $2500 to maintain and pay insurance and mooring fees and is hoping to find 10 sponsors who will contribute $250 each. The club have already found five and are confident of securing another five to ensure the boat's future is sustainable.
