ACTIVATOR

Design Hauraki 45
Length overall  13.85m
Beam  4.5
Draft  2.75
Sail Number 9189
About the boat Activator is a Hauraki 45 designed by Craig Loomes and built by Vaudrey Millar. Activator will be skippered in the 2020 RNI by Andrew Peat & Rob Neeley. Activator will be on her second RNI lap with Andrew and Rob on board. In the 2017 RNI, Activator was 2nd overall on corrected time so she’s definitely a boat keep your eye on! Activator was designed as a Hauraki Golf cruiser/racer and spends the summer set up as the family holiday home and in the winter she becomes a racer.

ANDREW PEAT

Name Andrew Peat
Age 52
Relationship to Co – Skipper Good mates.
Have you done an RNI before? On what boat and when? Yes, in 2017 on Activator with the same Co-Skipper as last time Rob Neeley.
Yacht Club RNZYS, RYC &  SSANZ
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Been sailing for over 40 years learning to sail in dinghy’s at Herald Island in the upper Waitemata Harbour, as a teenager got into crewing on keelboats and Multihulls, did my first coastal race in 1982 (the 1982 Coastal Classic) during the 1980’s and 1990’s I competed in most of the coastal races of the time including the SSANZ shorthanded races, I also did a couple of Fiji-Auckland return deliveries and a Tasman crossing during this time. The last 20 years I have spent doing coastal cruising, coastal racing and SSANZ Triple Series including the 2017 RNI.
What appeals most about doing the RNI The challenge of sailing two handed around the North Island and having to deal with whatever challenges arise.
What are your essential food items during the race?  Plenty of coffee pods for the Nespresso machine.
What will your meals be like during the race? A mix of pre-made fresh food for when the weather is nice and dehydrated food for  when it gets a bit nasty.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It’s a very strongly build boat that Rob and I both were involved in building so we know how it’s put together. Rob and I have now done a lot of miles two handed together on Activator so we know the limits.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Good friend and accomplished sailor.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? After the finish of RNI 2017 Rob and I did our first two-handed sail together again in the first race of the 2019 Triple Series. We did all three races and decided at the end of the last race everything went really well so tick – training done for the RNI 2020.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Enough fresh water to have a shower during the legs – a good freshen up really lifts your game after a couple of days at sea.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? This would have to be that little 35 foot green boat – the two guys sailing it beat Activator to first place overall on PHRF in the 2017 RNI race.
Tell us about your biggest supporters My wife Lyn – she gets just as much enjoyment from following the race around by car and helping the race committee during the in-port stop overs as I do competing in the race.

ROB NEELEY

Name Rob Neeley
Age 49
Relationship to Co – Skipper Good mate
Have you done an RNI before? On what boat and when? 4 times – 1996 on Mini 6.5 Essentially (Navman) with Chris Sayer
1999 on Mini 6.5 Navman with Chris Sayer
2002 on Mini 6.5 “406” with Chris Sayer
2017 on Activator with Andrew Peat
Yacht Club Pt Chevalier
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Learnt to sail on Kawhia harbour and Waikato Lakes in Cherub with my dad and then P class and Laser before moving to Auckland for a boat building apprenticeship. This gave me the opportunity to get into the Auckland dingy racing and keelboat scene. Represented NZ at the worlds in Europe class and won a few national titles in dingy classes. Most recently in the J14 with my eldest son and second eldest now getting some experience at the front of the J14 fleet. Extensive keel boat sailing inshore and offshore, ranging from the Mini 6.5 up to Imoca 60’s and super yachts. Along with racing, family cruising is a big part of my life. Spent two years cruising the pacific with my wife and eldest son as a baby in a 30ft Lidgard and now enjoy family cruising in our 12 meter Lidgard yacht. 30ft was just a bit small with 3 kids. And also done the RNI a few times.
What appeals most about doing the RNI Enjoy the challenge of being out there dealing with the challenges the RNI offers and experiencing it with a good mate.
What are your essential food items during the race? Good Coffee.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? All points because I’m sailing.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? One of the most important things in doing a race like the RNI is knowing your yacht (and crew) well and being well prepared. When Activator was built I was the lead boat builder and Andrew’s team did the interior fit out so we both know all aspects of Activator inside out. We have sailed Activator extensively and know the limits of her and her crew. As such we can focus on the sailing and enjoy every moment of it.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words A solid and dependable friend.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? The last RNI. We did do the SSANZ Triple Series to refresh our team work.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Activator is all about luxury – especially after a Mini 6.5.
Who’s your biggest opposition and why? The competition looks a bit different than last race for us but I’m sure there will still be a rubber band between us and Motor Boat 11.
Tell us about your biggest supporters My wife Roni and our 3 children. We always try and make a bit of a family thing by all being at one of the stop overs. Last time it was Wellington, might be Napier this time.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Haven’t pin pointed the main challenge. Maybe a fifth time I will figure it out. A bit of a slow learner.