Harry Highet designed the P class in Whangarei and it made its first appearance at Onerahi New Year's Day regatta in 1920. The prototype had a vee bow, more sheer and a gunter rig on a short mast. It fulfilled Highet's aim to design a safe boat for children to sail which was easily rightable and couldn't sink. The sharp bow has been replaced by a snub nose and the hull, sail and mast materials have changed with the times, but the design is still basically the same as 64 years ago. Highet shifted to Tauranga and a fleet was soon established on the harbour. The boat was called the Tauranga and issued with the sail insignia 'P' (for primer class), by which it is known today

The boat had a flat triangular bow instead of the normal sharp bow, and a gaff mainsail with the gaff at 45 degrees to the mast. This was Harry Highet's prototype of the present day Tauranga "P" Class. Percy Carter, a local yachtsman, could see the potential as an ideal craft for children to learn sailing and proceeded, with the aid of a fellow yachtsman, to build one for his sons. Within 12 months there was a fleet of ten "seven footers" racing regularly every weekend. In 1928 the Carter family moved to Auckland and took their 7 footer with them. Before very long other "P" Class yachts began to appear on the Waitemeta and at other ports throughout the country. Mrs. L B Mellish donated the Tauranga Cup for Inter-Provincial competition in 1940. This competition was only sailed in 1940 and 1941, and then lapsed during World War 11. In 1944 the Tauranga Cup Was re-presented for Inter-Club competition. Mr George Tanner of Wellington presented the Tanner Cup in 1945 for Inter-Provincial competition. May 1947 saw the Tauranga Yacht & Powerboat Club granted a copyright to the Tauranga Class 7 footer plans.

Click here to download P Class Rules in 'PDF' format

Registration Form
The P Class National register  is administered by the TYPBC. This is a register of all of the P Class in New Zealand.  To compete at the P Class Nationals and some other regatta it is a requirement that your boat is on the register.  To check please send a email to pclass@tauranga.co.nz
If you require a new registration please click here to download a small form.  Forward this with $10 to; P Class Registrar, TYPBC, P O Box 14352, Tauranga.
If you are changing the registered owner then use the same form, enclosing your $10 and post to the same address.

2005 Nuplex P Class and Starling National Champs
For results of the  2005 Nuplex P Class and Starling Nationals  Click Here