18/08/2026
⚓️Proud to Sponsor the R. Tucker Thompson ⚓️
"The Good Ship"
At Tub Scrub Hull Cleaning Solutions, we’re incredibly proud to announce that we are now sponsoring the R. Tucker Thompson’s youth development vessel hull-cleaning regime...
Completely free of charge...
As a small, local in-water hull-cleaning business, being asked to provide this service is genuinely an honour. And it’s something we’re proud to contribute to, because keeping this incredible vessel clean, efficient and functioning properly helps ensure she can continue doing what she does best, providing life changing experiences for the young people of Northland...
The R. Tucker Thompson is a traditional gaff-rigged topsail schooner...
Launched on October 12, 1985, at Mangawhai, New Zealand, she was conceived in the late 1970s by Robert "Tucker" Thompson to blend 19th-century working ship design with modern marine technology. Design and construction started in Little Munro Bay (Whangarei Heads) and finished in Mangawhai...
Modelled after fast, sea-kindly 19th-century Northwest American halibut schooners. She features varnished Oregon pine spars, Kwila hardwood decks, and brass details over a watertight steel hull...
Gifted a spiritual guardian (Kaitiaki), Karewa, during her launch on completion by Tucker’s son Tod Thompson and builder Russell Harris after Tucker's passing...
She was operated privately until Russell Harris bought out shares in 1992, and then transferred into a charitable trust on June 6, 2006, to permanently serve the people of Te Tai Tokerau, Northland...
Based in Opua in the stunning Bay of Islands, she now operates tourism day sails from October to April to fund operations, and youth development and sail training voyages from May to September focusing on Northland teenagers personal growth and development...
Youth Development Programme:
The ship transitions into a training vessel during the cooler months running 7 day voyages, designed specifically for teenagers aged 14–18yrs old...
The trainees learn safety at sea, meteorology, traditional seamanship, and Polynesian Celestial Navigation...
The cultural focus incorporates a strong Te Ao Māori approach with a Tuakana-Teina (older-to-younger sibling) mentoring dynamic...
Technical Sailing Specifications:
She is built to combine traditional aesthetic design with robust 20th-century safety standards typical with a gaff-rigged topsail schooner.
Dimensions:
Overall length (LOA) is 18 metres with a 6-metre width and a 2.6-metre draft...
Hull Construction:
Formed of 6mm steel with 3 watertight bulkheads and a steel deck overlaid with durable Kwila hardwood...
Sail Area & Power:
Carries a total sail area of 179 square metres (3,000 sq ft) alongside a backup 180 horsepower John Deere diesel engine...
Capacity:
Safely holds a displacement of 60 tonnes and accommodates up to 47 passengers on day charters...
The R. Tucker Thompson is so much more than a sailing ship...
She is a place where young Northlanders are challenged, encouraged and given opportunities to discover confidence, resilience, leadership, teamwork and a belief in themselves...
And we here at Tub Scrub Hull Cleaning Solutions think that is incredibly important...
These are the experiences that help shape outstanding young people and ultimately, outstanding Northlanders...
We also want to acknowledge the incredible staff, crew, volunteers and everyone behind the scenes who keep her sailing and continue to pour their time, energy, love and passion into what she provides for our youth...
The commitment and selflessness that goes into maintaining this vessel and the programme around her is truly inspiring...
We have enormous respect for every one of you...
So from all of us at Tub Scrub Hull Cleaning Solutions thank you for allowing us to play a small part in keeping this amazing ship doing what she does best...
It is an absolute privilege to support the R. Tucker Thompson, her crew, and most importantly, the young people of Northland who step aboard her...
We are proud to keep her clean...
Proud to support her mission...
Proud to support our Northland youth.
⚓️🌊❤️