In the research on the history of the IOM’s in New Zealand I have come across two articles in Mark Steele’s “Where the Winds Blow” webpages on “Duck Works Magazine” web site about a radio controlled yacht crossing the Cook Strait.
Mark is also well known as the editor of the “Fiji One” magazine fifteen issues from the March 1990 to July 1995.
After several emails and phone calls I contacted Hugh Hobden of the Christchurch Model Yacht Club, whom was in the support crew for the crossing.
Combining and editing Mark’s 2 articles (Where the Winds Blow Decembers 2007 and March 2013) and Hugh’s email.
Project X
Project X was a stunt to promote the centennial celebrations of the Christchurch Model Yacht Club in 1998. Euan Sarginson had a Highlander A Class, “William Fraser” that was prepared for this mission.
The boat.
The Crossing
On Friday 22 March 1998, “Tauwere II” a keel boat owned by the late William Lee left from an overnight anchorage at Tory Channel and launched the model into a choppy Cook Strait. Euan Sarginson and Hugh Hobden were the CMYC crew sailing the model. We made good progress in the light SW breeze, the misty start gave way to a sunny day. Cook Strait ferries constantly passed, we encountered the tidal falls of the Strait that tossed around the chase boat, but not the model, which floated like a fluffy duck!
On the way towards Wellington a jib stay on the model was to break requiring Hugh Hobden to hang over the side precariously to effect repairs, and a bizarre `investigation’ by a small shark midway indicated itsconfused mind as to whether the model was worth `meeting’ or `mating’ with.
Euan was interviewed on the National Radio afternoon programme via cell phone about this first-time sail.
Several wind fluctuations in the Strait, a battery change to the model and the non-appearance of predicted big seas, and a tide that threatened to take the boat back to the South Island, the model was finally hauled aboard the keeler in the shadow of Pencarrow light close inshore to Wellington just before 6pm.
By late afternoon, the wind died, and the tide changed, pushing us back. We were level with Pencarrow Head at the entrance to Wellington Harbour, just before 6pm the decision was made to haul the model out and motor into Chaffer’s Marina, we were met by Ian Hull-Brown of the Wellington RC model club with a celebratory bottle of bubbly.
Just as well for twenty-four hours later a tropical cyclone blasted through the very area.
Complied by John Beavis
23 March 2025