Gretel II gets major refit

As the worlds economy continues through its current down turn, plenty of clients are starting to look at re-fits and upgrades as opposed to new design and builds. This could involve new interiors, appendages, system upgrades or deck layouts. The key to making these refit projects successful is bringing together a Team that can work well together. This team would include qualified trades people in all aspects of
the refit as well as a Yacht Designer who can see the big picture of what is required, and knowledge on what every decision made will have on the overall trim, stability and performance of the vessel. Bringing together the Team should be a Project Manager who can keep costs down, and communication
up with Owner and all involved. These jobs can be small or large, but occasionally, we get
iconic projects cross our desk and one of those recent ones was the historic 12-meter, ’Gretel-2’
in which her owner wanted no expense spared to bring her up to mint condition.

In 1970, Australia’s challenger for the America’s Cup went up against the aluminium, Sparkman
& Stephens designed ‘Intrepid’ to contest the ‘Cup’ that had not been won by a Challenger
since it was first won by the Americans in 1851. Australia’s weapon of choice was the Alan
Payne designed ‘Gretel-2’ which, as it turned out, was the last wooden International 12-
meter to contest the America’s Cup. The two yachts were closely matched, but the experienced
team on ‘Intrepid’ won the Cup 4-1. ‘Gretel-2’ returned home but continued to challenge
for the rights to race the Americans over the next two Cups before retiring
to fleet racing and charter work.

Over the following years, ‘Gretel-2’ fell into a state of disrepair and it wasn’t
until Australian, Michael Maxwell took over in 2005, that this icon of Australian
Yachting began to be re-born. Shipped to New Zealand for the major restoration, a team of shipwrights and cabinetmakers under the management of boatbuilder Phil Bish, oversaw the restoration, with Tom Warren Project Managing the process on behalf of the owner.

Read more about the refit at
http://www.dibleymarine.com/resources/DM-News/Dibley-Marine-Newsletter-December-2011.pdf

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15 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven, Auckland, New Zealand

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