NZ Design X Class. The X Class was a New Zealand design popular from the 1920s to 1950s. The design was continuously developing within strict design parameters. Fierce competition insued, and the class was raced for the Sanders Cup between the numerous New Zealand Provinces of the times. Each province put forward one representitive who was chosen after a series of races in each Province. There is a fine example of an X Class in the Auckland Maritime Museum, the Iron Duke, presented to Lord Jellicoe [the Govenor General of NZ at the time] by his wife.
Sonja was built for the Elliot Brothers, keen yachties of the times, and one the father of Greg Elliot, the NZ yachtsman and yacht designer of today.
Looking for a retirement project, I rescued Sonja from a field where she had been for the last thirty years, and just in time. With the help of Youtube and others I learnt the art of roving and steam bending wood. All in all a fun project over two years,
She is built of kauri planking, a native NZ timber, with some plywood used for knees and decking which has not survived over the years. Normally would of had canvas decking cover, but I had some mahogany veneer so decided to add a bit of bling.
The B&W photo shows the Elliot Brothers compeating in an Auckland regatta sometime in the late 40s.