Peter Brookes
Peter grew up around boats on the Blackwater in England and the Tamaki River in Auckland.
He restored his first gunter rigged P classs aged eight and Asti V at eighteen, then made boatbuilding his trade and built Brookes Boatbuilders in Maldon, Essex in the United Kingdom. He later moved the business to Auckland.
His work has covered major wooden-yacht restorations, new construction, surveys, spars and rigs, modern refits, consultancy and the long-term care of boats he also sails and races.
Peter sailing his pride and joy Betty on the Blackwater in 1978.
Judgement, yard and sailing
Peter’s judgement is informed by completed restoration work and direct sailing experience.
He co-owns, skippers and races Rawhiti, the 1905 Logan cutter whose six-year restoration he led.
The boats are understood as boats, not objects. Structural, rig, deck and systems decisions ultimately have to work at sea.
Restoration judgement
Restoration involves decisions that are difficult or impossible to reverse.
Peter’s approach is to understand the boat first, distinguish necessary work from unnecessary replacement, and keep the owner’s intended use in view throughout the project.
Project outcomes
A successful project should produce a structurally sound yacht whose rig, handling, appearance and maintenance requirements are appropriate to the owner’s plans.
Peter’s record includes Rawhiti, Matia, Impala, Kotiri, Ladye Wilma, Little Jim, Vivi, International Six Metres, West Solent One Designs and Auckland L-class mullet boats. Each project adds to the practical knowledge brought to the next assessment and restoration brief.
The Waimauku yard
Waimauku provides space for long restoration and refit work.
Suitable boats are transported by specialist road haulage, worked on in the yard and returned to the water when ready.
Practical capability
Peter’s practical knowledge extends beyond traditional timber structures to lofting, drafting, sourcing materials, spars and rigs, electrical and plumbing systems, mechanical installations, interiors, coatings and the coordination of specialist trades.
Where a project requires outside expertise, Brookes works with a network of trusted contractors and advisers.