About Windborne Charters: Classic Sailing with Heart
Step aboard a living piece of maritime heritage and discover the spirit of true adventure. Windborne Charters invites you to experience authentic sailing on a beautifully restored classic schooner — where timeless craftsmanship, ocean connection, and heartfelt hospitality come together in every voyage.
A Coromandel experience like no other
Experience the magic of sailing aboard Windborne, a classic wooden schooner lovingly maintained and personally hosted by a passionate seafaring duo. This is not just a boat trip – it is an invitation to connect with the sea, the stories, and the enduring craftsmanship of a bygone era.
Whether you are searching for charter boats Whitianga, dreaming of schooner adventures, or simply longing for the feel of the wind in your hair, a journey on Windborne will stay with you long after you step ashore.
A timeless escape you’ll remember forever
More than just a charter, Windborne Charters offers an intimate, hands-on experience aboard a rare piece of living maritime history. Step onto the polished teak decks and experience classic sailing at its best: beautiful, authentic, and alive.
Each voyage offers the opportunity to hoist the sails, feel the pull of the ocean, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of a traditional schooner sailboat. Or simply stretch out on deck with a drink in hand as the scenery drifts by. Either way, the experience is pure magic.
Values that shape every journey
Sustainability
Connection
Craftsmanship
Hospitality
A proud maritime legacy: Meet Windborne
Measuring 62 feet (almost 19 metres) in length, Windborne is a magnificent 1928 wooden schooner yacht built in Porthleven, England by Gilbert & Pascoe Boatbuilders. Originally commissioned by Doctor W. Frothingham Roach and named Magnet, she was designed for racing and competed in the 1928 Fastnet Race as a Cutter. By 1930, she was re-rigged into the elegant topsail schooner she is today.
During World War II, she was hidden away to avoid being requisitioned by the British Admiralty for coastal patrols. In the 1960s, she reappeared in Canada under the name Huegenot, before setting sail for New Zealand around 1975 under her current name, Windborne. Fragments of her past continue to surface – including a romantic tale of a folk singer serenading his future wife aboard and recording music on her decks.
Maintaining a classic sailing yacht like Windborne requires a rare level of dedication and craftsmanship. Avon has painstakingly restored key elements of the vessel, including her two wooden masts, re-rigging the masts, and restoring the hull, belting, and bulwarks. He also re-fastened the entire structure above and below the waterline. Every plank and timber has been carefully tended using traditional techniques and craftsmanship. Tending to Windborne is a labour of love that honours her heritage.
From her hand-rubbed varnish to her graceful lines, Windborne is more than a vessel. She is living history – a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience true schooner adventures on a remarkable sailing schooner that has spanned oceans and eras.
The soul of Windborne: Meet Avon and Mihaela
At the heart of Windborne Charters are the people who bring the classic sailing yacht charter experience to life. Every charter reflects their deep love of the ocean, commitment to authentic sailing, and warm, welcoming hospitality.
Avon Hansford – Captain and Skipper
Avon has been skippering boats for over 40 years, and Windborne has been his pride and passion for more than two decades (though some say she owns him!). Raised on the water, he spent his early years fishing around Great Barrier Island, immersing himself in the rhythms of the sea.
His lifelong love for classic wooden boats started young, with pocket money spent on small wooden boats he’d restore and sail. “Many moons later I’m still doing the same thing – just with a much larger yacht and sailing much further.”
These days, Avon sails Windborne along the Coromandel coastline and through the Mercury Islands, where he knows every pristine anchorage, scenic bush walk, and secret cove. His easy smile, salty skin and treasure trove of sea stories add to the charm of every voyage. For Avon, it is not about speed – it is about the joy of sailing and arriving.
Mihaela Vlainic – Co-Pilot, Shipmate, and Bosun
Born in Switzerland to Croatian parents, Mihaela earned a Master’s degree in Executive Hotel and Restaurant Management before spending most of her life working in hospitality and tourism in Switzerland.
In 2008, she followed her adventurous spirit to New Zealand, where she met Avon… and soon after, the sea. Her first proper sailing experience was on board Windborne, and within a year of meeting Avon they undertook a six-month voyage to Fiji, Tonga, and the Kermadec Islands, before returning to New Zealand. She fell in love with the rhythm of life at sea, and has been part of the Windborne story ever since.
Mihaela’s calm nature and warm professionalism shape every detail of your journey on Windborne. Whether preparing a beautiful platter or quietly ensuring everything runs smoothly, she makes guests feel relaxed, nurtured, and right at home.
«Top Coromandel sea experience.»
«Exhilarating and Serene in the same breath. Just wonderful.»
«Wonderful.»
«Spectacular sunset sail.»
«A great way to spend a day.»
«Unforgettable day.»
«A magical day on the water.»
«Fantastic day out in the beautiful Windborne.»
«Amazing, knowledgeable and experienced boat cruise.»
