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My interest in radio and
electronics was waning after Xmas 1964, and I was begining to
spend more and more of any leasure time I could get, in following
my newer interests in boating. I had struck a friendship with
several designers namely Carl Augustin and Richard Hartley. My
first successful design I completed and launched in less than
a year after leaving 'La Wood Television Ltd'. I studied boat
building, designing and surveying. Ultimately buying out the
Hartley business in 1975 (and as is good commercial business
practice retain the name Hartley for the company till this day).
I operated offices and boat yards in both the UK and New Zealand
as well as over 100 agents worldwide. Many thousands of my boats
have been built, I have built and overseen the building of several
hundred. My books on boatbuilding have sold for over 30 years.
I have successfully raced nationaly, ocean cruised, fished commercially,
and written and edited for several maritime journals and national
newspapers on matters nautical. My daughter is an ex UK, European,
and world womens champion as well as in the womens Olympic team.
She is currently manager and secretary of the Tauranga Yacht
Club, and a qualified racing coach. My Grandaughter is the current
NZ Youth National Windsurfing Champion (two years in succession),
and the chosen representative for NZ at the Youth Olympics in
Beijing. My son Peter is one of New Zealands leading wooden boat
builders and restorer of of most of the 'A' Class famous racing
yachts. He has made regular television appearances on the subject. |
