Just a week after winning the Port Chalmers Classic yacht race, Mr Blake's 20ft Flying 15 yacht Waka Whero took on water and submerged while moored at Broad Bay late last week.
On Saturday, Mr Blake (50) was informed by the Otago Regional Council he had 24 hours to remove the submerged yacht, as it was a navigational hazard and a danger to anyone jumping off the local wharf.
While initial attempts to refloat the yacht were unsuccessful, Mr Blake decided to try his luck with two single air mattresses from The Warehouse.
The mattresses were tied inside the yacht, while he worked in two metres of water to inflate them.
"I haven't heard of anyone doing this before but it worked a treat."
The yacht was then floated to a nearby boat-ramp, where it was removed and water allowed to drain freely from the 30cm crack in its hull.
Mr Blake, after surveying the damage to the $600 yacht he bought more than a year ago, said the yacht was overdue for some repairs, a new paint job and even a new name - "Fond Friend".
