Dream Sailing

There’s nothing like the sound of water gently lapping against an idle hull to induce yearnings of hoisting the sails on a classic white yacht and heading out to enjoy some summer ease. It’s a dream many of us share. Bruce and Trish Whillans made their dream come true.

Story Rebecca Russell, Photography Steve Rood

Plenty magazine: Summer 2007

Nautical reveries are easy to entertain when you relax in an immaculately restored classic motor yacht like Fortuna, owned by Bruce and Trish Whillans. Moored outside their downtown Auckland apartment, the sleek white and blue boat is the epitome of style. Built in 1971 to a 1949 design by renowned American naval architect Henry Scheel, she has the feel of a glamorous bygone era. One can see Cary Grant at her helm, captain’s hat at a jaunty angle, setting off for Capri.

In spite of its relatively modest proportions, the 35-foot Fortuna can’t help but stand out against the bigger launches overshadowing her at the Viaduct Marina. “The good thing about her is that her size is very manageable,” says Bruce. “We have the best of both worlds since we can sail her if we wish but we aren’t reliant on the wind if we need to get home quickly.”

Bruce first hankered after the craft when he was just a kid. “I saw her when I was about 15. It was berthed next to my father’s boat and I remember being impressed by its design and wishing it was mine.”

He went on to buy several boats over the years, but always kept an eye on his favourite, following her adventures under a series of skippers. “A boat like this is rare, and if you move in sailing circles then you are bound to come up against her now and again,” he says.

It was pure serendipity that she came up for sale at the same time that Bruce was looking for a classic boat. “He’s always dreaming of boats – it’s his passion,” says Trish. “So when he saw the ad in Trader Boat, I thought, ‘Uh-oh, he’s off again.’” “I wanted elegance, not a gin palace,” says Bruce. “But I didn’t expect to find Fortuna.”

As a successful senior commercial broker at Bayleys Real Estate, Bruce also knows a good investment. “Like classic cars, the design and craftsmanship of classic boats attracts people.

They are gaining in popularity and will appreciate in value.

But my main reason for wanting an older boat is that I just love them. I always say you are a care taker of an old boat, not an owner.”

Fortuna had, however, seen better days. A retired commercial fisherman had lived on her with his wife for eight years on the Whangateau Harbour and her interior was pretty functional. “It was not living up to the original designer’s standard of a glorious sleek boat,” says Bruce.

Trish felt some dismay when he showed her a picture of the old boat. “I really thought Bruce had lost it this time.” But when she saw the real thing she was easily persuaded. “Sure the décor was a little tired, but the layout and space were immediately obvious. I get claustrophobic on small boats, but in Fortuna you can stand up with ease.”

The couple didn’t hesitate. They knew this opportunity might never come again. Intent on bringing her back to her former glory, Bruce took her to a restoration specialist in Sandspit, Greg Lees Boatbuilders. “It needed people who understood her. They literally stripped her right back to her bones, which is always nerve-wrecking as you don’t know what you are going to find underneath.” Happily, the yacht was generally in good structural shape.

The estimate for the refit was three months but, even with 10 people working on her, the job stretched to eight months. “We went four times over budget,” says Bruce a little bashfully, “but I had wanted this boat for so long and I knew it would stay with me forever.”

The passion that has gone into Fortuna’s restoration is impressive. You need commitment when restoring a classic boat. As the boatbuilders worked on, Bruce dropped in for half
a day every weekend to oversee the project. “As far as possible, I wanted to keep it in the style of the original, so I did some research and contacted some of her previous owners to get an idea of how she must have looked.”

The team set to, overhauling exterior and interior, including putting in a new engine, electrics and plumbing. Up-to-date technology, such as an autopilot, was also added. Bruce was determined to “modernise and get all the systems right.” The cabinetry – a mish-mash of styles that had evolved over the years – was stripped out and redone in rich, dark timber. Gleaming stainless steel benches were put in the galley. Eight berths were reduced to four to make more living space.

One of the couple’s main requirements was to make the boat as self-sufficient as possible. “I hate refuelling,” says Trish “So we doubled the fuel-carrying capacity.” A desalinator was installed to convert sea water to fresh drinking water. “We can make most things on board,” she adds with a laugh, “except gin.”

It doesn’t faze them that Fortuna takes a little longer than larger boats to make a journey. “A faster boat would take away from the pleasure of getting there,” says Trish. “On a beautiful day we throw open the covers, sling the beanbags on deck and just enjoy the pleasure of cruising to, say, Great Barrier.”

They find the boat’s slower pace gives them time out that they both need. Bruce likes nothing more than “pottering around on the boat” during the weekends. Trish is doing a sailing course with veteran instructor Penny Whiting to give her greater proficiency around the deck.

Says Bruce, “We get to spend time with each other now, and on Fortuna is where we like to be. If it’s a nice evening, we sometimes pop down from the apartment and just sit and have a drink on board.”


Reprinted by permission. Copyright 2007 Plenty magazine Summer 2007 published for Hanover Group. Subscribe to Plenty today.

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