They're aged. They're traditionally referred to as "she". And they're regal. So to call them "grand old dames" is absolutely a term of endearment.
We're talking about the classic racing yachts of many decades past now cutting a majestic presence on Auckland's Waitematā Harbour — several of them nudging 120 years old.
Topping the list of distinguished seniors, "Rawhiti", "Ariki" and "Waitangi" — yachts that brought vitality and entrenched racing rivalries to the harbour.
Those hard-fought contests are now being repeated with Rawhiti and Ariki, both designed by Arch Logan and launched six months apart in the early 1900s — regularly going head-to-head.
"This is incredibly special," said Andrew Barnes, skipper of Ariki. "In one of our last races, there was only 18 seconds between us after three hours.
"In under 15 knots of wind Rawhiti will likely nip us by about 20 seconds. Above 15 knots we will beat her by probably the same amount. So it's close and tense, just as it was all those years ago," he said.
'Living history'
"These boats are an integral part of our maritime history and its living history that people can see most weekends.
"Everyone who sails on these boats has a sense of pride and privilege that they are experiencing sailing in its purest form."
That meant hoisting and trimming sails by hand, and using traditional block and tackle.
West Auckland shipwright Peter Brookes restored Rawhiti to exacting detail for a client and now owns her.
"Rawhiti is the love of my life," he said.
"She's 54 feet of elegance, varnish and many years of blood, sweat and tears. She's a beautiful thing and I have to pinch myself when I'm sailing [her]."
Brookes is one of many highly skilled craftsmen who have helped bring Auckland's classic yachting scene back to life, shaping and bending kauri to honour the boats' original construction.
"I'm always on the lookout for kauri because that's what they deserve."
He said he's also constantly looking out for ageing hulks that need to be saved and restored.
When Seven Sharp visited his property was littered with numerous hulls in various states of decay — all potential restoration projects that could one day add to the classic fleet.
"I can't resist, I can't go past them if I spot them lying unloved somewhere."
He regarded all the boats as "human".
"I almost talk to them. In the morning when I come in I say hello and give them a stroke."
One of the boats he was hoping to find an investor to help him restore was "Rona", built in 1892 for Wellington merchant and book collector Alexander Turnbull.
Rona was launched in Auckland but spent most of her as the Queen of Wellington Harbour.
Rona's hull, in its unimproved state, will be on show along with scores of classic yachts at Auckland's inaugural Wooden Boat Festival on the downtown Auckland waterfront.
The festival runs until Sunday night.
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