PELAGIAN

Design Stewart 34
Sail Number  5014
Length overall  10.44m
Length waterline  8.84m
Beam  3.1m
Draft  1.67m
About the boat: Pelagian is a Stewart 34, designed by R L Stewart and build by D L Divers & Export Yachts. Pelagian is a regular on the Stewart 34 scene in Auckland and in the SSANZ series each year. In the 2020 RNI Pelagian will be skippered by Kurt Boyle & Matt Burkhardt for this lap of the North Island.
Home base Westhaven
Facebook Stewart 34 on Tour

KURT BOYLE

Name Kurt Boyle
Age 42
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friend
Have you ever done the RNI before? No, but we did do the RNZ in 2012.
Yacht Club RNZYS
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Started sailing Hobie Cats after a holiday at Club Med New Caledonia… then robbed my kids bank accounts to purchase my first Hobie 14… then went on to purchase a Tracker 7.7 as my first keel boat and used for family cruising until the kids got too big. Then we purchased a Stewart 34 Pelagian that was never going to be raced – LOL – the rest is history. Have sailed across the Indian Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean and the Round NZ in 2012 as well as lots of Stewart and club racing.
What appeals most about doing the RNI The challenge and a goal to work towards.
What are your essential food items during the race? Nuts.
What will your meals be like during the race? Military rations, Back Country cuisine.
What’s your favourite point of sail and why? Pelagian loves being on the wind.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? It’s part of the family.
Describe your skipper/co-skipper in 5 words Pass me another Red Bull.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? In February we started training at the gym to get fit enough. We have been going over everything and ticking off the list – it is amazing how many maintenance jobs that un-earths.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Coffee – need I say more?
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? My squab… because I am getting old.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Sinking again.
What’s most exciting/challenging about this race for you? Getting away from the office to do some real sailing again.
What sound system do you have on board? What’s likely to be playing? Fusion…. usually country to annoy Matt.
It’s the night before the big race – how do you get your head in the game? Sleep, read the SIs again, go out for dinner with crew and supporters.

MATT BURKHARDT

Name Matt Burkhardt
Age 36
Relationship to Co – Skipper Friend
Yacht Club PCC & SSANZ
Tell us a little about your sailing history/ background Nine years of sailing with plenty of Coastals, rum racing, Stewart series and SSANZ triple series. Completed RNZ 2012. 99% of my sailing has been done with friend Kurt and the beautiful Pelagian.
What appeals most about doing the RNI Achievement of doing something difficult.
What will your meals be like during the race? Freeze dried food, chocolate and nuts.
What do you like most about the boat you are sailing on? I know she can handle anything I throw at her.
Tell us about the training and buildup that you have been doing for this race both on and off the water? 4 days a week at gym. Installed a prod for a new Code Zero. Tons of small maintenance and safety work done to Pelagian.
What’s your favourite drink and why? Red Bull – I can go for days on just Red Bull and ciggies.
Will you be taking any luxury items on the race? – If so, what is it and why? Musto HPX clothing to keep me warm and dry. I hate getting wet.
What’s your biggest fear when you think about the RNI? Coming last!