CLASSIC - Key Persons
Peter Brookes was born Auckland NZ 1963. In 1976 he moved with his parents to the East Coast of England, and it was here following in his fathers footsteps that his passion for old wooden boats was born.
From the age of 12 Peter was sailing and restoring numerous small wooden boats, and at 14 undertook his first job as a paid skipper of the famous classic gaff-rigged yacht 'Vivette'. At 16 Peter began his apprenticeship with local builders and in his fathers boatyard. On completion of his training he worked on various classic yachts through the 80's. In 1990 he set up his own yard where he undertook extensive restorations on a number of yachts particularly International Metre Boats and the West Solent Class.
In 1999 with his own family Peter followed his parents back to NZ. After a short break his European clients caught up with him and he was asked to restore the 30 sq. metre 'Vivi', which would be shipped from Cowes, Isle of Wight.
The next project was for an English client, the new build of a traditionally built 1880's 50ft replica English pilot cutter, designed by his father Colin Brookes.mSNAME. A string of other projects have since followed.
Over the years a number of articles have been published about Peter and his achievements in numerous boating magazines including the 'Classic Boat Magazine' (some of the articles are listed below) :