Zamazaan (Farr 52)

Zamazaan is a 52-foot Farr design (Design #60), that was commissioned in 1977 by New Zealand architect Neville Price and conceived as a good all-round ocean-racing yacht with the emphasis on long passage races where a predominance of reaching and running conditions could be expected. She was also designed to be a fast yacht for its size for racing in Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf, where she would initially be based, using handicap systems other than IOR.

Zamazaan racing on the Hauraki Gulf during the 1979 Balokovic Cup (photo Maritime Museum)

The Farr design notes for Zamazaan comment that performance at that time for size and IOR handicap honours were conflicting parameters which required a compromise that was difficult to attain, and made more so by proposed changes in the IOR during the design process. These changes, which would penalise lighter displacement yachts for which Farr was renowned, went through three iterations during the construction of Zamazaan (in kauri wood), "requiring considerable use of the crystal ball". 

The underwater shape and sharp-looking profile of Zamazaan visible before her launch in 1977

The more significant changes made during that time were a switch from the planned centreboard (or drop keel) in favour of a fixed keel, a slight increase in displacement, alterations to the aft sections, and a slight change in the forward depth area where the dimension was to be restricted. These tweaks in response to the dictates of the IOR were evident in her stern overhang that resulted in a waterline length of just 39'6" and displacement of 21,043lbs (which compares favourably to the IOR 50-footers of the late 1980s that displaced approximately 26,000lbs), but ensured a competitive rating of 41.7ft IOR.

A photo of Zamazaan during her preparation for the 1979 Transpac - showing an alteration to incorporate a boarding platform within her transom (photo Facebook)

Zamazaan featured a large fractional rig, while the keel was a high aspect ratio minimum thickness foil with computer-developed sections to produce required lift with as little drag as possible. 

Zamazaan during the 1979 Laihana Sauza Cup in Hawaii, after the 1979 Transpac (photo Phil Uhl)

After some racing in the local New Zealand scene, Zamazaan was bought by US interests

A short documentary here follows a three-day yacht race in the Hauraki Gulf in autumn 1980, against a new Farr 54-footer Cotton Blossom, this being Zamazaan's first race under her new American skipper Warwick Tompkins, before being relocated to the US where she was owned by Bob Cole, but retained her NZ sail number (3883). She was delivered to the US by a crew of four, via Tahiti and then to Honolulu in time for the 1980 Clipper Cup where she finished first in Class A. She didn't feature in the results for the very windy 1982 series.  

Zamazaan during the 1982 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

Skippered by Paul Cayard, she finished third in the City of San Francisco Trophy division of the 1981 Big Boat Series (with results of 2/4/4/3/6), behind Great Fun and Swiftsure. In the 1982 series (now under semi-charter to the Sausalito Yacht Club) she finished in sixth place (6/5/9/3/7) in the nine-boat division. Zamazaan then continued to compete in the IOR racing scene in San Francisco, and other races off the West Coast of USA,

Zamazaan suffers a broach during the 1982 Big Boat Series (photo Phil Uhl)

According to comments on Facebook, Zamazaan's luck faded in the late 1980s, after she was stranded on a reef in Hawaii. however, she was fixed up by a local sailor but was then confiscated by authorities.

Zamazaan seen here during a Friday night race off Waikiki after the 1987 Transpac (photo Phil Uhl)

Zamazaan (US-3883) seen here again in 1987 off Waikiki (photo Phil Uhl)

Zamazaan in another spot of trouble while racing in 2008 (photo Facebook)

Zamazaan seen here racing in the Pacific Cup in 2017 (photo Facebook)

Zamazaan has since benefited from numerous upgrades and renovations over the years. This has included a higher boom, so the crew doesn't have to hide in the 'foxholes' carved into the trimming stations. The current owner Greg Mullins has put a lot of effort into the boat over the past several years, with a new deck layout, floating leads, bowsprit, asymmetric spinnakers etc. 

Zamazaan in her current livery, circa 2022 (photo Facebook)

Part of the deck layout on Zamazaan, as seen in 2022 (photo Facebook)

Some onboard footage can be seen here (while racing in 2020).

Article dated December 2024