Yacht's maiden voyage 45 years in the making 
Porirua man achieves hard-earned dream
BEN HEATHER
Trevor Phillips was once told he would never walk again, but the bad news didn't stop him building a 12-metre yacht in his front yard over nearly half a century.
After six months recovering from a stroke in hospital he was straight back to building, even though his neighbour needed to hoist him on to the deck dangling from the end of a rope.
The project has been Mr Phillips' obsession for 45 years and even his partner, Arnila Pintor, admits she comes second to the red, white and purple behemoth that has become a minor landmark in Porirua.
This morning the journey that began as a design in 1964 failed to launch, after the boat was too heavy for one crane at Onepoto for its maiden voyage to Mana Marina.
By the time a second crane was called in, they had missed the high tide and the two cranes had not enough reach to launch it in to deep waters. It was now put aside until a crane with a safe working load greater than 50 tonnes could be found.
Yesterday, Mr Phillips, 67, was still fossicking about in his workshop, fussing over a diesel leak and final repairs to the yacht.
"But we have just got to get her into the water, ready or not."
Mr Phillips started building the yacht on his Ngatitoa St property before he had a house, living instead in a caravan.
When the caravan fell apart, he moved into the boat and lived there for five years while he continued to build.
Even a stroke 13 years ago, which left the left side of his body partially paralysed, failed to stop him.
"They told me I'd never walk again but I told them they would have to rethink that."
He now walks with a limp and cannot move his left arm. In the past few years, friends have helped finish the boat but the design and most of work is his.
Looking back, he reflects it may have been wiser to take out a loan and get someone else to do the building.
"Originally, I was thinking it would take five, maybe 10 years.
"But, oh well, things never work out, do they?"
The stroke also means plans to sail the world have been shelved and he will probably need help to sail anywhere.
Ms Pintor said she was immensely proud of him but also slightly nervous. There have been a few false starts over the years - in one case the maiden voyage was put on hold after another small stroke. "It is such an achievement.
"It has been his dream for so long but it is also nice to know it's coming to an end."
Ms Pintor will launch the boat today, breaking a bottle of rum over the bow before Mr Phillips names it.
But the name is a secret that even she doesn't know.
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