Heather dressed in flags on her launch day, 14 March 1966

THE BOAT · 1966 — TODAY

Heather

A charming classic, built by hand in Timaru in 1966 and named after the woman who christened her. Sixty years of stories live in her timber. This is where they begin.

BUILT BY DOUG ROBB · YARD NO. 25 · LAUNCHED 14 MARCH 1966

Heather dressed in flags on her launch day, 14 March 1966

THE BOAT · 1966 — TODAY

Heather

A charming classic, built by hand in Timaru in 1966 and named after the woman who christened her. Sixty years of stories live in her timber. This is where they begin.

BUILT BY DOUG ROBB · YARD NO. 25 · LAUNCHED 14 MARCH 1966

Joe Heberley at Heather’s helm

CHAPTER 01 · THE NAME

Named by Joe, for Heather.

Named by Joe, for Heather.

Named by Joe, for Heather.

The 40’ charming classic Heather was built in 1966 by Doug Robb for Joe Heberley of the Marlborough Sounds. Joe named her after his wife, Heather Heberley.

In her book Weather Permitting, Heather Heberley regales stories of a remote life in the Marlborough Sounds, and of the commission of The Heather as a commercial fishing vessel.

The 40’ charming classic Heather was built in 1966 by Doug Robb for Joe Heberley of the Marlborough Sounds. Joe named her after his wife, Heather Heberley.

In her book Weather Permitting, Heather Heberley regales stories of a remote life in the Marlborough Sounds, and of the commission of The Heather as a commercial fishing vessel.

PICTURED · JOE HEBERLEY AT THE HELM

CHAPTER 02 · TIMARU, 1966

Built by hand in Timaru.

Doug Robb built her in his shed at Timaru, yard number 25 at D. F. Robb & Co. She was made to work: timber construction, watertight bulkheads throughout and a reinforced bow, with details finished just the way Joe asked for them, right down to the stern post.

Heather’s hull under construction in Doug Robb’s shed

Taking shape in the shed

Boatbuilder working on Heather’s cabin

Working on her cabin

Heather’s stern during construction

Her stern, in the shed

Heather’s deck and stern post

The stern post, made as Joe requested

D. F. Robb & Co. build register listing Heather as yard number 25

The builder’s record: No. 25, Heather, launched 14/3/66 for J. A. Heberley, Picton

Heather’s wheelhouse being built

More cabin work

Heather’s hull under construction in Doug Robb’s shed

Taking shape in the shed

D. F. Robb & Co. build register listing Heather as yard number 25

The builder’s record: No. 25, Heather, launched 14/3/66 for J. A. Heberley, Picton

Heather’s deck and stern post

The stern post, made as Joe requested

Heather’s stern during construction

Her stern, in the shed

Boatbuilder working on Heather’s cabin

Working on her cabin

Heather’s wheelhouse being built

More cabin work

CHAPTER 03 · 14 MARCH 1966

A night launch in Timaru Harbour.

On the evening of 14 March 1966 she slid into Timaru Harbour, the first evening launching of a vessel built by Doug Robb. A service of dedication was held, and Heather Heberley christened the boat that carries her name.

Heather being hauled out of the boat shed in Timaru

Coming out of the shed, Timaru, 1966

Crowd aboard Heather on the night of her launch

The night of the splash

Newspaper clipping about Heather’s night launching

“Night Launching”: the launch and blessing in the paper

Heather dressed in flags on the slipway

Dressed in flags, 14 March 1966

Heather being hauled out of the boat shed in Timaru

Coming out of the shed, Timaru, 1966

Crowd aboard Heather on the night of her launch

The night of the splash

Newspaper clipping about Heather’s night launching

“Night Launching”: the launch and blessing in the paper

Heather dressed in flags on the slipway

Dressed in flags, 14 March 1966

CHAPTER 04 · TORY CHANNEL

Home to the Sounds.

Home to the Sounds.

Her maiden voyage took her north from Timaru to Tory Channel: a 34-hour run before a southerly, averaging 9 knots. She became the sixth boat in the small fleet working from Tory Channel, line fishing and crayfishing from her new home at Okukari.

Her maiden voyage took her north from Timaru to Tory Channel: a 34-hour run before a southerly, averaging 9 knots. She became the sixth boat in the small fleet working from Tory Channel, line fishing and crayfishing from her new home at Okukari.

“Mr Heberley was very pleased with the way she handled.”

“Mr Heberley was very pleased with the way she handled.”

“Mr Heberley was very pleased with the way she handled.”

PICTON NEWSPAPER · 17 MARCH 1966

Heather arriving in the Marlborough Sounds in 1966

Arriving home, 1966

A deck full of groper on Heather’s first fishing day

The first day of groper fishing

Newspaper article announcing Heather’s arrival in Picton

“New vessel for Picton’s fishing fleet”, 17 March 1966

Newspaper photo of Heather arriving in Picton

First call at Picton, after her maiden voyage from Timaru

Heather at anchor at Okukari in Tory Channel

Her new home: Okukari, Tory Channel

Heather escorting a rowing crew across Cook Strait

Supporting rowers across Cook Strait

Heather arriving in the Marlborough Sounds in 1966

Arriving home, 1966

Heather at anchor at Okukari in Tory Channel

Her new home: Okukari, Tory Channel

Newspaper photo of Heather arriving in Picton

First call at Picton, after her maiden voyage from Timaru

Newspaper article announcing Heather’s arrival in Picton

“New vessel for Picton’s fishing fleet”, 17 March 1966

A deck full of groper on Heather’s first fishing day

The first day of groper fishing

Heather escorting a rowing crew across Cook Strait

Supporting rowers across Cook Strait

CHAPTER 05 · 1982 — 1990S

Decades of honest work.

For years she earned her keep on the water. In 1982 she was offered for sale in a commercial fishing magazine, and around 1990 she was hauled out on the slipway, still a working boat, still a Gardner-powered fisherman at heart.

1982 magazine advertisement offering Heather for sale

For sale in a commercial fishing magazine, 1982

Heather hauled out on a slipway around 1990

On the slipway, around 1990

Heather in a cradle on the slipway

Out of the water on the slips

Heather in a cradle on the slipway

after 35 years off hard working

1982 magazine advertisement offering Heather for sale

For sale in a commercial fishing magazine, 1982

Heather hauled out on a slipway around 1990

On the slipway, around 1990

Heather in a cradle on the slipway

Out of the water on the slips

Heather in a cradle on the slipway

after 35 years off hard working

1982 magazine advertisement offering Heather for sale

For sale in a commercial fishing magazine, 1982

Heather hauled out on a slipway around 1990

On the slipway, around 1990

Heather in a cradle on the slipway

Out of the water on the slips

Heather in a cradle on the slipway

after 35 years off hard working

Heather, fishing vessel 6229, under way at sea with her trawl gantry and yellow-trimmed wheelhouse
Heather, number 6229, running bow-on through the swell with crew on deck
Heather at anchor off Stewart Island at dusk

CHAPTER 06 · 2000 — TODAY

A second life.

In 2000, Miller & Tunnage converted Heather into a live-aboard pleasure boat. The fishing boat became a floating home, and kept every bit of her strength.

Heather at anchor off Stewart Island at dusk

CHAPTER 06 · 2000 — TODAY

A second life.

In 2000, Miller & Tunnage converted Heather into a live-aboard pleasure boat. The fishing boat became a floating home, and kept every bit of her strength.

THE CONVERSION

Heavy-duty where it counts.

Miller & Tunnage installed a brand new, reliable 1997 Gardner 6LXB engine. Large 2,000-litre fuel tanks give her a very usable range, and a 6 kW generator and 1,100 W of solar panels run hot water and a toasty warm heater in the cabin and bedrooms. A great deal of heavy-duty, high-quality equipment went in, far more robust than you would typically find on a pleasure vessel.

GARDNER 6LXB
1997 engine

GARDNER 6LXB
1997 engine

2,000 L
Fuel tanks

2,000 L
Fuel tanks

6 KW
Generator

6 KW
Generator

1,100 W
Solar panels

1,100 W
Solar panels

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Step aboard her story.

A day on Paterson Inlet, a private overnight escape or a longer adventure around Rakiura. Sixty years on, Heather is still ready to go.

By booking a charter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions.

STEWART ISLAND CHARTERS · HEATHER

STEWART ISLAND CHARTERS · HEATHER