Aoma was designed and built in 1899 by the famous Logan Brothers in Auckland. She was one of the champion 30 foot Linear Raters (such as Heather (renamed Ranee), Sunbeam, Petrel and Culwalla I (renamed Yuelba)), that dominated the elite class racing on Sydney Harbour. Built for the famous Sydney yachtsman, C.T. Brockhoff, Aoma raced to her first win in her maiden race and later won the prestigious Gascoigne Cup in 1905.
She was built in triple-planked kauri with the typical gaff rig and bowsprit of the era. Her hull is in great condition, has been dynel sheathed 20 years ago and is still water-tight. The owners at that time decided to give her a cruising-type life and raised her freeboard by three planks, fitted a 35 HP BMW diesel, wheel steering and a new coach-house along modern lines allowing normal headroom, six berths, a water tank, metho stove and assorted electric instruments. A successive owner enlarged her rudder, shaped the keel somewhat and added wheel steering.
The mast has recently fractured at the top and middle spreaders and was removed. While many fittings and the roller-reefing boom were kept, the mast is not repairable. She is ¾ rigged. The deck and superstructure are in good condition and the sails are all old but usable (mainsail, #1, #2 & #3 headsails, one spinnaker). The BMW motor recently flooded during a Melbourne northerly when the anti-siphoning was not up to the task of a heavy slop in the harbour and it islikely to be heavily corroded internally. Lack of maintenance in the last 2 years show them sevles in superficial rot around the companionway and any serious renovation would remove the current cabin and superstructure anyway.
Aoma is looking for a new lease of life, maybe from a syndicate or small group who could put the time and funds into her.
The owner is very realistic in regards to the value of the boat and keen to see her restored to her former glory
Contact info@blackchiropractic.com.au
Visit http://www.squidoo.com/aoma