The boating and powerboat racing communities mourn the passing of legendary boat designer and builder Bob Wellesley, also known in Australia as Bob Lee, who passed away in Toowoomba, Brisbane, on 8 July 2025. Born in 1936, Bob leaves behind a legacy that shaped the offshore racing scene in both New Zealand and Australia. During the early 1970s, Bob was instrumental in the design and construction of many of New Zealand’s most iconic offshore racing boats. Among his notable creations were the renowned Miss Comsec vessels built for Max Johnson, and Coup d’Etat, a 26-foot inboard racer and sister ship to Miss Comsec. Bob also designed and raced his own boat, Fancy Nancy, powered by a Chrysler 90 with a Quick Foot.
His influence extended across the country, with numerous 15’8” Neptune/Pacer class boats earning race wins under his design. Rex Nalder of Taupo campaigned a Neptune 18, while Equaliser, originally an 18-foot Neptune extended to 22 feet and owned by Ian Gallop, continues to race today. Later, Chris Devlin and a colleague acquired Equaliser from Gallop, shipping her to Brisbane where they campaigned her successfully for several seasons.
