Speed boost for training ship

The three-masted barquentine Spirit of New Zealand spends an average of 340 days each year travelling the world promoting the Land of the Long White Cloud and cruising the coasts of the two islands providing adventure to its youthful crews.

Since its launch in 1986, however, those long passages at sea have often been slow and dangerous. The original Gardner diesel couldn't push the 286 tonne ship at more than four knots into a head wind and she was lucky to hit seven knots downwind with a gale up her backside.

Given the lack of power and the high windage of the ship in adverse conditions, it is not too surprising that Spirit of New Zealand has hit the bricks at least twice in her career.

Recently the trust which 'owns' and runs the ship, decided on a major overhaul and refit at Whangarei in New Zealand so the ship can continue in her role at least until 2020.

Tony Whiting of Whiting Power Systems suggested the old engine be replaced with a new Yanmar 6AYM-STE, which is rated at 490kW at 1900rpm, and a Hundested VP9.5 controllable-pitch, four-blade propeller.

The big 20.4 litre, six-cylinder Yanmar has boosted the ship's top speed to 12.8 knots and her cruising speed to 10 knots. Despite the speed increase, the ship's fuel burn is considerably lower than before.

Now also fitted with the luxury of air-conditioning, Spirit of New Zealand is back in her home port of Auckland and sailing around the Hauraki Gulf with occasional trips to more exotic locations.