The 22-foot (6.7m) sloop Susan (1958) was one of Bert Woollacott’s smallest designs.

Photograph by L P Crago Photos, Auckland, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa (1994.90.2) / Portrait: Bert Woollacott, 1930s. Photographer unknown, reproduced courtesy of the Woollacott Family

Bert Woollacott refined his ideas on compact cruising yachts in designing and building the 28-foot (8.53m) Ghost (1939) for himself.

Photograph by Marine Photos, Auckland, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa (9999.60)

The Woollacott-designed Marco Polo (1952) became New Zealand’s first yacht to circumnavigate the globe. Tony Armit built and sailed this 28-footer.

Photographer unknown; Sea Spray Collection, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa (9744)

Ladybird in the 1960s.

Photographer unknown, reproduced courtesy of Lady Blake and family

BERT WOOLLACOTT

(1878–1964)

Bert Woollacott lived in New Zealand for 42 years and designed many popular cruising yachts for amateur builders.

English roots

Bert Woollacott was born in England. A gardener’s son, he ‘was a shocking gardener’ himself – boats were his passion.

Woollacott worked for the well-known Camper & Nicholsons shipyard and then alone. He designed and built yachts and hydroplanes, and worked on America’s Cup challenges. In 1912, he went to the United States to work with designer Nathanael (Nat) Herreshoff.

BERT WOOLLACOTT

New Zealand ‘stop-over’

When emigrating to Australia in 1922, Woollacott and his family stopped over in New Zealand – and stayed. Woollacott built boats for the Auckland Harbour Board briefly, and then at the Devonport Naval Dockyard.

Woollacott’s short-end designs ran contrary to prevailing practice – but they sailed well, and the Lidgard family and Bob Stewart followed suit. Woollacott also brought with him a faster building system that used multiple moulds, which Percy Vos adopted.

BERT WOOLLACOTT

‘Hobby’ designer

In his spare time, Woollacott designed cruising yachts for do-it-yourself builders. He travelled the country to help them.

Many designs were successful racers. Tony Armit’s Marco Polo was arguably the biggest achiever. This 28-foot (8.53m) ketch circumnavigated the globe from 1954 to 1957 – the first New Zealand yacht to do so.

BERT WOOLLACOTT

Ladybird

Woollacott’s own Ladybird won the first Hobart–Auckland race in 1952. She later became the Blake family yacht. Sailing on her gained the youthful Peter Blake hundreds of hours of experience in all conditions, racing and cruising. Wanderer won the 1956 Auckland–Suva race.

As Woollacott aged, son John gradually assumed the design work. Woollacott also greatly influenced Arthur Robb, John Spencer, and John Gladden.

Woollacott Ladybird plans 045 02.jpg

Copy of original plan: Ladybird, auxiliary ketch

Gifted by the Woollacott family (17475f)