Issue date
This article has been updated to include the ownership of Drinks Trolley by the late Colin Parkin.
Originally destined to be called Trolley Dolly, the name of this modified Thompson 30 sloop hit some turbulence when a friend who worked as an Air New Zealand flight attendant took offence.
“She thought that was quite rude,” recalls the boat’s builder, Phil Houghton, known in the industry as ‘Phizzle’.
And thus, Drinks Trolley was born - a name that would prove appropriate for a vessel that saw its fair share of after-racing drinks on board and general good times.
Built in Houghton’s Mount Eden backyard about 22 years ago, Drinks Trolley started life as a modified Thompson 30 ultralight sailboat mould plug, which he purchased “for nothing, basically” from boat designer Steve Thompson.
The modification process extended the boat by 700mm and added creature comforts like bunks and a diesel engine - a significant upgrade from the original race boats, which relied on outboards.
“It took about a year to build,” said Houghton, who completed the project while running Doyle’s sailmaking business in Auckland at the time. The boat’s racing career included two Coastal Classics, gaining honours, with the second race doubling as its delivery voyage to new owners in the north.
Drinks Trolley’s journey hasn’t always been smooth sailing. After being sold to a family in Kaitaia, she “had an intimate encounter with a rock,” said Houghton. However, like any good spirit, she proved resilient.
Professionally repaired, she became an iconic name in the Wellington racing scene - first with Greg ‘Waggy’ Wagstaff, before being owned and raced hard by local sailing legend Colin Parkin for a decade.
Parkin, who passed away 11 years ago, made notable additions to Drinks Trolley, including the installation of a DSS foil.
The boat returned to Auckland under the current ownership of sailmaker Nick Gardiner, where she underwent a major refit, including the addition of water ballast, a rig upgrade, a new sail wardrobe, and systemisation for double-handed sailing.
She is now back in her home waters around the Hauraki Gulf, competing in many SSANZ races, including the Round North Island, SSANZ Triple Series, Northern Triangle, and Coastal Classic.
Drinks Trolley continues to serve up good times on the water - living up to her name and the spirit in which she was built.
