"K Class" The Hauraki Gulf's Iconic Racer Cruiser. By Jenni Mence

The fleet developed from a competition run by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron during the late 1940s. They wanted to build a fleet of yachts that would perform well in local conditions and satisfy both the serious sailor who wanted to go racing as well as the family that wanted to go cruising. The Squadron anticipated an influx of keen sailors returning from the war, and they thought a racer-cruiser yacht would meet their needs. There were many entries into this design competition, not just from New Zealand, but from around the world. It was eventually won by Arthur Robb, a Kiwi living and working in London at the time.