The R. Tucker Thompson was the brain-child of Robert Tucker Thompson in the late 1970s after he arrived in New Zealand from California.
Sadly, during the build, Tucker passed away and the metal hull of the boat was left outside the family's home for years before Thompson's son Tod decided it was time to complete the project.
Tod's wife Greta and their friend Russell Harris built the ship with the help of local boat lovers who helped get the project back up and running. The boat was finally launched on the 12th October 1985 outside the family home.
In 1992, Harris purchased the ship completely and it has since been operated as a charitable Trust with all the money made from sailing activities used towards youth sail trips for local school students, the remainder of the money goes to keeping the ship maintained.
People of all ages are welcome on the boat, including young children who are given the chance to don a fake tattoo, help steer the ship and if they really want to keep the dream alive, they might want to assist the crew in scrubbing the decks.
The boat will take the hardy sea dog (or those who like to pretend they are) on a pleasant trip across the seas from Russell.
The quiet beach village was New Zealand's first capital city. In the grand old pirate days of yore, it was the centre of the boating trade, full of drunkenness and debauchery. The perfect starting point for a pirate's adventure.
Once the old ship sets sail, the crew will treat customers with a delicious lunch, full of citrus treats to keep the scurvy at bay and some entertaining pirate yarns.
The ship anchors at one of the beautiful islands, allowing visitors to swing from a rope off the side of the ship, catch some rays on the beach or loll about in the cool blue sea.
Although the winterless north usually holds up to it's name, there can be some wet and rough days. Crew-member Nic Charrington says the rougher trips are all part of the life of an auld seadog and “Visitors always enjoy the trip no matter what the weather is like.”
The day-trips have been enjoyed by over 120,000 people and helps raise money for local students to participate in youth trips around the islands.
Operations manager Rachel Kennedy says some of the children arrive feeling shy and nervous. “By the end of the seven-day trip they have all taken leadership of an activity, whether it be fishing, hiking, snorkelling, cleaning, or preparing meals.”
Anyone can have the opportunity to experience a tall ship for the day on the R.Tucker Thompson, with the added bonus of helping young people gain leadership skills.
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