Sailing vessel Smile - a Nova 28 by Alan Wright

The Nova 28 is an Alan Wright designed cruising yacht. Some 230 have been produced in New Zealand through the 70's and early 80's using either timber or GRP construction methods. The sea kindly design combined with the fin keel produces a fast, comfortable cruiser and occasional racer.

Smile is a GRP example of the Nova 28. She was build in Auckland by Nova Yachts and launched in 1979. Both the hull and deck were laid up and crafted by Neil Beken the owner of Nova Yachts, while the Interior and finishing was by Roger Priest. She was the first GRP Nova to be produced and launched by Nova Yachts, and according to Neil one that had a seemingly unique feature, in that when sailed well she would happily go to windward with no one on the helm.

The Hull construction is of solid GRP while the deck and superstructure is of balsa core construction. She had a wider and heavier keel fitted than those that followed. It weighed 3020lb (1370kg), about 220lb (100kg) heavier than those subsequently fitted. Her overall length is 28ft (8.53m), with a water line length of 22ft 6in (6.9m) and a beam of 9ft 2in (2.8m). She draws 4ft 9in (1.45m) and is a little heavier than her sister ships at about 6724 lb (3050 kg) dry.

Powered by a Yanmar YSE12 single cylinder diesel driving a three bladed Kiwi feathering prop, she cruises under power at about 6 Knots. Smile is mast head rigged and carries a roller furling Jib. The sail inventory includes a main, #1 Jib, #3 Jib, and a spinnaker. Anchoring is by Rocna.