Rainbow created headlines from the start
On 7 November 1898 logan Bros launched their fastest yacht to date, the 36ft linear rater Rainbow for A.T. Pittar. Rainbow was a new generation design and by far the fastest yacht on the Waitemata.
In December 1899 Mr Pittar took Rainbow to Sydney to contest the Inter-Colonial 5 rater race to be held on 26 January 1900 and to open the new century with some Logan style.
A week out from the Inter-Colonial Race Rainbow gave notice of her intentions by winning two out of three match races, by substantial margins, over the unbeaten Sydney champion, White Wings. The Inter-Colonial Race was almost a disaster for rainbow, even before it started, with a collision breaking her downsprit. Rainbow made hasty repairs in a local yard while the start was delayed.
In a building breeze, Rainbow took command early in the race and went onto win by over 6 minutes, easily covering the 4 minutes time allowance owed to White Wings.
While creating headlines in Sydney, Rainbow did not sell so Mr Pittar brought her back to Auckland to a hero’s welcome.
Robin Elliott & Harold Kidd
The Logans – New Zealand’s Greatest Boatbuilding Family, 2001
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