The sons of Robert Logan Sr: front – Arch (Archibald), Jock (John), and Robert Jr, who together formed Logan Brothers; back – James (standing) and William.

Photographer unknown, reproduced courtesy of Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

Ariki (1904) was Logan Bros’ tour de force. This keeler dominated Auckland yacht racing from 1904 to 1938. Built for Charles Horton, she epitomised Logan Bros’ standard of boatbuilding.

Photograph by Henry Winkelmann, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa

Arch Logan designed and built Valeria, a 22-foot (6.71m) mullet boat, in 1913. She won the prized Lipton Cup six times during the 1920s and 1930s.

Photographer unknown, New Zealand Maritime Museum Hui Te Ananui a Tangaroa (1994.162)

ARCH LOGAN

(1865–1940)

Arch Logan, the best-known of the Logan brothers, was the outstanding figure in New Zealand yacht designing for some 45 years from the mid 1890s.

Son of Robert Logan Sr

Archibald Logan was born in Scotland, as were his older brothers, Jock (John) and Robert Jr. In 1874, the family emigrated to Auckland. Their father, Robert Logan Sr, quickly became a renowned boatbuilder there.

Logan Brothers

After Arch had finished his schooling, he joined Robert Jr and Jock in their father’s firm. In 1892, Robert Jr and Arch went out on their own as R. & A. Logan. When their brother John joined them shortly after, they became Logan Bros.

ARCH LOGAN

Modern design

Arch Logan quickly became the firm’s main designer – one of the best in the southern hemisphere. This soft-spoken man was the most avant-garde of the sons.

Arch’s Ariki (1904) dominated Auckland yachting for more than 30 years. Other race-winning keel yachts included Moana, Rainbow, Rawhiti, and Rawene – all still sailing today. Arch also designed centreboarders, pleasure launches, and commercial boats.

Logan Brothers’ high-quality work, which incorporated the latest international trends, brought them national and international recognition. Their rivalry with the Bailey brothers constantly challenged them to excel.

ARCH LOGAN

‘Wizard of Stanley Bay’

When Logan Bros closed in 1910 for King’s Wharf to be built on their site, Arch continued alone in Stanley Bay. Over the next 30 years, he produced designs for prominent keel yachts, launches and centreboarders, including M Class Patikis.

Influence

As Arch aged, builders he trusted increasingly built his designs. Bill Couldrey built various boats, starting with Little Jim II (1934). Colin Wild built Tawera (1935), Arch’s last big keelboat and possibly his finest. Arch’s designs also influenced another major figure in New Zealand yachting, Des Townson.

Later, Arch’s son Jack (Marmion McLay) Logan (1910–84) became a well-known designer, builder and sailor of 18-foot (5.49m) yachts.

ON DISPLAY

See half-models of Logan Bros yachts Rawhiti, Ariki and Rawene in Rise of a Yachting Nation. In the Gallery of Yachts, see the Arch Logan-designed Mawhiti (M Class) and Flying Cloud II (Silver Fern).

Ariki is usually berthed at the Maritime Museum's marina.