Boat talk - for the boaties among us
Maggie
was designed and built here in New Zealand, in the style of a
Chesapeake Bay top-sail schooner- fast, large, easily handled. The
whole vessel is immensely strong, built of macrocarpa (Monterey
Cypress), and skinned with Jarrah (Australian hardwood) over that, for
the hull. All up she weighs some 35 tons. She is a gaff-rigged schooner
carrying an enormous 2400 square feet of sail.
Details
The keelson was laid in 1975, and Brian's workmanship and meticulous detailing has created a centre-board schooner of 79' 9" overall length, by 17' wide beam, with a draught of only 3' 6" with the board up and nearly 11' when down, for going to windward.
The wheelhouse allows inside steering away from the searing sun or downpours and flying spray. This is often the focal point of the ship with its large dining table and seating, having windows all around allowing good viewing while at anchor or sea. There is a second steering position outside, aft of the wheelhouse.
Below decks to starboard is the engine room / workshop with full headroom, while down the port companionway past the heads, shower and galley is the spacious saloon. Forward are crew quarters of one double and two single berths. Aft of the saloon on the starboard side is the captain's cabin.

who we are
-
- Definitions
- What is MAT
- Who is in MAT
- In the news
- About Maggie
Mini Maggie
-
Article about a model of Maggie (shown about halfway down page)
-
Were I ever to select and rate six top models as my favourites, Richard Gross’s lovely schooner, Maggie of Matakana would certainly be well up in the selection, she just sails so well, looks so good and always commands attention
-
More... (new window)
Maggie's style
-
Maggie's hull is based on the Chesapeake Bay skipjacks
-
More... (new window)
-
Her schooner rig is similar to a Chesapeake pungy
More... (new window)