Bailey’s Boatbuilders, Freeman’s Bay, Auckland 1894

One of New Zealand’s earliest boat builders was Charles Bailey, later called senior when his son of the same name entered the trade. Charles Bailey’s yard was in Customs Street. His brother Walter’s yard was a short distance away in Freeman’s Bay. Both were riding the wave of demand for new launches.

Two families; Bailey and Logan between them completely dominated New Zealand yachting for a period of 70 years from 1870s to the 1940s. Even today their influence on yacht design and construction is evident. Both families had the advantage of numerous sons to carry on the family legacy of building fast yachts