CLASSIC 1929 WOODEN LAUNCH VECA – 4sale

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CLASSIC 1929 WOODEN LAUNCH VECA – 4sale

Todays classic woody launch is VECA, built and launched in November 1929 in Evans Bay , Wellington . Her owner Peter Glue commented that she was built in Kilburnie by his wife’s grand father and his brother (Weine & Peter Harvey) and is named after their wives Vera and Caroline . Arthur Sang , a boat builder on the Hutt River , supervised and helped the brothers .

vECA was sold during WW2 when fuel was hard to get and was bought back into the family in the early 1960’s where she has remained until today .

She has been a much loved family member and has undergone many improvements ensuring that her classic lines have been retained .                                     She is 36′ x 10′ with a draft of 4′. Hull is 1.5” kauri which has ben refastened and recaulked a number of years ago . Top sides were plyed and glassed over so she as sound today as when she was launched 97 years ago .

Forward motion is via a 27 hp Volvo and she consumes less than 3 litres per hour at 6.5 -7 knots cruising speed . She has a foremast and mizzen mast (which is not mounted ) with a steadying sail in her ample stern storage compartment .

After nearly 100 years of ownership the call has been made to find her next custodian. VECA is very well appointed and presents in stunning condition, ready for the next 100 years of family fun .

Sitting at Waikawa on a 11m marina berth which can be transfered to new owner.

You will have ‘heard’ me talk about it being a buyers market – well here is an example – asking price $45k

An idea, buyer her, rent the marina berth for 3>4 months and have a summer holiday cruising around the top of the South Island. Then bring her north (motor > wellington > road haulage > Auckland / Northland)

Interested parties to contact owner at p.j.glue@xtra.co.nz

Photos below from her early days. (Note photos above are a mix of past and present)

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING FLASHBACK – TUTUKAKA

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING FLASHBACK – TUTUKAKA

Todays photo was sent in by John Dawson and is dated January 1976. Times have sure changed.

Can we ID the launch alongside the dock. I sprinkled some magic dust on the photo – see below, might help with the ID.

100 YEARS AGO –  CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT AT DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB

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100 YEARS AGO –  CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT AT DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB

Todays classic woody photo popped up on ’Timespanner’ fb , we see the Devonport Yacht Club, Auckland and a mix of yachts and launches hauled out on King Edward Parade yard in front of the clubrooms. The photo originated from Auckland Libraries heritage collection and has been tagged 1930 > 1940.

At first I thought we had seen the image on WW before but a search slowed no match.The motor vehicles should help with the appox. date.

Keen to put names to some of the motor boats. Have enlarged that section below.

INPUT EX RUSSELL WARD – The big workboat with the oveized funnel and wheelhouse morphed into the ketch Waihau under the guidance of Raph Sewell and long-suffering wife Allison in the ’50s. I have a pic of her in 1972 below). She was taken for work at one of the Speedy family’s places in Stanley Point, Last heard of 10 years back rotting away on a farm at Puhoi.

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KORORA

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CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KORORA

Yesterday WW was contacted by Chris Read regarding a 28’ double-ender named KORORA that Chris bought approx. 20 years ago.

The sellers name was Mike (surname forgotten ). He was a vintage car enthusiast and had done a rebuild on the boat with his brother.

The story goes that Mike’s wife was not so keen on boating so KORORA was promptly put up for sale 😦

Chris commented that when he bought KORORA he was told she was built by Joseph Fell in 1905. The accuracy of that intel has since been questioned, as the only boat Joe Fell built that fits her size was built in 1917.When purchased she was moored at Waipapa Landing, Kerikeri, Northland and powered by a 50hp Perkins.

As visible from the photos KORORA is at the tail end of an extensive refit, with the plan to get her in the water for Christmas. Chris has re-powered her with  a  new 25hp Beta engine.

Chrisr is keen to learn more about KORORA, and a possible clue  to her past is when the hull was taken back to bare timber the final topcoat colour was a bottle green.Post launching home will most likely be Milford Creek marina – we like that, another woody for the Auckland waitematawoodys group.

Photos below when the gun whale had been removed as it was too far gone.

UPDATE – Photo before she went into the shed “ to address a couple of loose planks “.

HAVE YOU RSVP’ed

PENCARROW – A WWII VETERAN CLASSIC LOOKING FOR A NEW CUSTODIAN

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PENCARROW – A WWII VETERAN CLASSIC LOOKING FOR A NEW CUSTODIAN

Back in April 2022 WW ran a story on the launch PENCARROW, a 1916 , 38’6” bridge-decker built by Chas Bailey & Son, Auckland – with a proud WWII service history. Known as NAPS superstar Z75, she served Wellington Harbour. At the time Dylan Sagger was trying to find the location of the vessel. Link to story here – lots of photos. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/04/pencarrow-where-is-she/

Fast forward 4 years and Dylan has provided an update on the launch after talking with her owner, who also advised the vessel was now listed on trademe.

Her construction is a displacement hull with triple-planked kauri. And remarkably today she still retains her 120hp Ford Lees six-cylinder engine. Dylan commented that his father a previous owner, always described her as a “good sea boat”.

Dylan would love to see her returned to her former glory, perhaps even restored to her Z75 wartime configuration. Taking her on is beyond Dylan’s reach but ENCARROW deserves a caring new owner. She is a genuine piece of New Zealand boating history that should be preserved and celebrated.

Her trade me listing expires on 27 November 2026, she has a starting bid of $1 and no reserve, so there must be someone with the resources to rescue her. Current location is Port Underwood, Marlborough Sounds.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAKE BOAT – PRINCESS

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAKE BOAT – PRINCESS

Yesterday while trolling thru the WW archives I found a file that had slipped between the cracks, and deserves to be shared.

Back in early 2023 I was  contacted by Richard Amery from the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Assoc. asking for help on a project. The club were wanting to acknowledge the very generous (20+ yrs) gift of access to one of Alan Clark’s boat sheds for club storage.
Richard commented that the club had plans to present him with (a surprise) half model of Alan’s classic wooden launch – PRINCESS.

WAITEMATA WOODYS input was to locate a suitably talented craftsman to build the model. That was relatively easy, the hard part was tracking down plans, out of water photos, dimensions etc without Alan Clark’s knowledge. That’s where follow club member Grant Wallace entered the equation and with some undercover work we had the intel for the project to proceed.

I have not mentioned the craftsman because I’m sure he doesn’t want to be swamped with requests for similar projects 😉

I understand that Alan Clark was over the moon with the 1/2 model and it takes pride of place in his lakeside home.
Lots of photos of PRINCESS on WW, just use the Search Box.

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TASMAN HAULS FOR SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TASMAN HAULS FOR SOME TLC

During the week the 38’ Colin Wild built (1929) classic wooden launch TASMAN was hauled out at the Slipway Milford yard for some TLC.

Her owner is on a committed path of rolling restoration and every time I view her she just presents so glorious.

The challenge will be if the yard can convince the skipper to under take a JPPJ (Jason Prew Paint Job) 🙂

The video below show cases the merits of a railway (slipway) haul out – just so smooth and gentle one these old girls.

CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER RUNABOUT

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CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER RUNABOUT

In recent times more and more of these restored Seacraft classic clinker runabouts have been topping up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald).

This one is 16’ in length and  was built in 1955. The engine is a Ford 100E, petrol and is allocated 1955 so possibly the original engine.

Her hull has been Dynal on the outside and Endure on the interior so should be dry boat.

Trailer appears modern and at $8750 ono its an affordable entry into the classic wooden boating community.

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

A CLASSIC WOODYS UNPLANNED ADVENTURE

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A CLASSIC WOODYS UNPLANNED ADVENTURE

Todays woody is in my neck of the woods – Devonport. The photo popped up on ‘Devonport Locals Facebook Group (NZ) fb and comments said  the boat had been drifting in and out of the upper reaches of Ngatarina Bay.               The area is very tidal and silted up and it appears that there wasn’t the depth for her to drift further out into the harbour.

I have observed the bridge-decker for years on a mooring in the creek, never could see a name or anyone aboard.

So Devonport, Narrow Neck, Belmont woodys can we learn  more about the vessel.

CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC LAUNCH + NEXT WOODYS EVENT DETAILS

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CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC LAUNCH + NEXT WOODYS EVENT DETAILS – the boat is LADY JOYCE > LADY JANE

After a record viewing day yesterday, today we revert to one of the many things WW does well – locating / tracking down details on someones classic wooden craft.

Yesterday WW was contacted by John Gilroy concerning his father launch. John tells the story below –

“I am hoping your readers can help identify the old launch as per attached photos.This was my Dad’s,Herbert Gilroy, launch. Mum is standing on the back.

Dad knew Harold Kidd mainly through the vintage car community.I only recently found this photo of the launch in a collection of old slides. I have been told that it may have been built by Sam Ford. I would appreciate any information or details on the vessel” (edited)

John mentions Sam Ford above but in my eyes its got Lidgard written all over her. The addition of the ‘Tauranga Deck’ at the rear would not have been original , and should help with ID’ing her.

Please use the WW Comments section with any replies.

INPUT ex SCOTT – the launch is LADY JOYCE, later renamed LADY JANE, link below. Next question, where is she today.

Mystery Waikato Launch (Lady Joyce > Lady Jane) + WW T-shirt Orders

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com