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SURE BEATS AN OLD BUS / MOTORHOME – AN APARTMENT THAT FLOATS

Yesterday we had a classic launch that looked like a block of flats, today we have an apartment that is a boat.

Todays craft is appropriately named – THE BARGE, she made a cameo appearince on WW back in January 2024, but at the time we learnt zero about the craft.

Today thanks to Alan Sexton and a Bay of Islands cruise he did in February 2024 , where he spotted THE BARGE in Whangaroa Harbour , we get to learn and see more about this rather cool house boat. Alan S tells the story below – 

“We encountered The Barge in Whangaroa in February 2024 during our Northland Cruise. Of course our first thoughts on seeing her were one of “amazement”, but of course curiosity got the better of us and on the way back from a kayaking trip had a chat with the owners (can’t remember their names). They were very friendly and welcomed us on board for a tour.

The Barge was built during the Covid times in a shed near Uretiti in about 18 mths. The owner is / was a house builder so that of course heavily influenced design/build.                                           Hull is a catamaran, philosophy was literally to be a “home afloat”, in particular the lady’s insistence on a full size kitchen.                                                                                                                 

Construction is construction ply, tanalised pine, aluminium window joinery and house paint. I don’t think she was glassed over. Most of the marine fitout came from Trademe, Facebook market place and other used equipment emporiums.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Shaft drive engines were Nissan SD22 diesels, the fuel tanks were 2x 44 drums in each hull, water tanks were 3 cubes in each hull. The upper level was built separately from hull / lower level for transport limitations. The owner said the boat builders at Marsden Cove were just about apoplectic when she arrived on transporters for assembly and launching.                                                                                                                                                                                           Cruises at about 5 kts under power and owner said although he of course watches the weather she handles ok in a bit of a sea. Certainly not an example of beauty but functional to the max.”

A CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IS HIDING HERE – CAN YOU FIND IT

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A CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IS HIDING HERE – CAN YOU FIND IT

There is a lot of craft named RESOLUTE, todays one was designed by Sonny Levi & built by Shipbuilders for Stan Waters in the later 1950s or earlyish 1960s.The photos were sent in by Ken Ricketts who was friends with a later owner – Ray Bailey (1970’s).

Waters replaced RESOLUTE with another slightly larger but similar boat to some degree to another Sonny Levi design, which he called the ILIKAI. 

She was originally powered by 2 x 4/53 GM Detroits & were replaced post  2000 with 2 larger engines (Yanmar 6 cyl. I think). She was lengthened & the original coamings seem to have been replaced. 

Apologise for the bottom two photos, sourced from KR 8mm movie footage back when Ray Bailey owned her.The top photo was taken on the hardstand at Gulf Harbour while having her new engines fitted. This photo gets auto entry into the ‘Boat That Most Resembles A Block Of Flats Award’ and is currently in the lead by a long margin …………..

SOUTHERN SEAS – A Peek Down Below    

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SOUTHERN SEAS – A Peek Down Below    

The 34’ classic wooden launch SOUTHERN SEAS was launched c.1966, most likely built to a Shipbuilders ‘kit boat’ design. Her hull is triple planked kauri (f/glassed over).

She last appeared on WW back in April 2014 – link here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/04/6728/ at the time we only saw her hauled out at Gulf Harbour Marina.

Back in Sept 2025 she came on the market, and thanks to Ian McDonald we get to have a peak down below. The photos are a good example of a seller not maximising the vessels features eg most photos are very cluttered with items that should be removed, but its their boat, their money.

Back in 2014 she was powered by a Lees Ford 6cyl. engine, but was re-powered in 2018 with a Ford D Series (2nd hand).

Do we know what became of SOUTHERN SEAS. 

A CLASSIC 1949 NORTHLAND HOLIDAY CRUISE

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A CLASSIC 1949 NORTHLAND HOLIDAY CRUISE

Todays woody story comes to use from Archives NZ via Liz Ferry on the Northland Heritage Group fb. The film was a National Film Unit production from 1949 and mostly showcases the 1949 Russell (B.O.I.) Regatta.

Lots of familiar woodys to be seen, sail numbers A3 – ARIKI, A4 – IORANGI, A18 – TAWERA, A19 -The regatta was won by IORANGI, the 1901 Arch Login designed classic yacht. With ARIKI second.

We see several classic launches at the start of the film.

Given the date, the crews would have been enjoying post WWII informality.

CLASSIC LAUNCH – FREYA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – FREYA – A Peek Down Below

Launch FREYA was built in 1963 is sits on the fence between a classic and spirit of tradition.

It has been commented that she is a ‘Banshee’ design (but shortened to 30’) from the yard of Alan Williams in Milford, Auckland.

30’ in length and powered by a 60hp Ford Parsons engine ( I suspect the word Parsons refers to the gearbox). Home is Nelson, South Island.

CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – TENACITY

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CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – TENACITY

Back in 2024 the 44’ classic wooden workboat TENACITY was for sale in Nelson as a commercial fishing boat , but the suggestion was she had the bones to make a good recreational cruiser.

At the time we learnt she was a Jack Guard design, built in 1988 from kauri and was powered by a 150hp Gardner 6L3B engine.

Todays woody question is did she sell, and if so did she remain in commercial work or get converted to recreational use.

RONAKO – ANOTHER CLASSIC WOODY NEEDING SAVING

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RONAKI – ANOTHER CLASSIC WOODY NEEDING SAVING

There is a fb page titled – ’Sitting there rotting, help save me’ which has a NZ version. Recently a gent named Bill Webb posted seeking anyone that might be interested in his 30’ mullity named RONAKI (note – boat most likely 28’ in length)

Bill states that RONAKI was built in 1903 and is still a solid boat thats has a lot of history behind her.

Bill also commented that she needs a new home asap and its his view that it wouldn’t take a great deal of work to get her looking beautiful again.

RONAKI has been out of the water about 3 years.

There is no mention of price – its not ‘free to a good home’, so being located in Waihi it will be a big ask to find a buyer.

There is some colourful chat on the fb page – worth a visit 😉

Photo below c.1990’s when owned by Jason Kinghorn.

19-06-2026 UPDATE ex HAROLD KIDD – built in 1908 by Collings & Matin, 26′ in length

MYSTERY  CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT SHED & CRAFT

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MYSTERY  CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT SHED &  CRAFT

Todays woody photo recently popped up on TIMESPANNER – with the following caption – “Interior view of a boatbuilder’s workshop from ground to ceiling, possibly the Bailey & Lowe yard at Sulphur Beach, Northcote, including six men working on two different yachts, with wooden scaffolds, sawhorses and ladders.” c.1920’s >1930’s. Not sure if the photographer is a James D Richardson or whether he posited the photo on the site.

The photo originally came from the Auckland Libraries heritage collection.

Any of the woody community able to shed more light on the photo. I could be wrong (normally are) but the craft in the background has in my eyes more of a launch look to her.

The ID the gents on the game launch – PIRATE, quiz last week was Bay of Islands woody Dean Wright (MV ARETHUSA).Deans entry was – “Maybe one of the early Bay of Islands International Billfish Tournaments – Jim Whitelaw on the helm, George Woller playing the fish. Those style of shirt you used to see teams in the Hawaian International Billfish Tournament out of Kona wearing them. George Woller had the charter boat Leilani that Jim Whitelaw used to skipper, so if it is him, this must have been pre that time.

Dean your WW cap is in the post 😉

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #5

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #5

Today we have an an update from Tobias Forsyth on his rebuild of the 24’ Sam Ford built (1954) classic wooden launch – AVALON. Tobias words below

“Avalon now has a brand new cabin top sitting on her, all the cabinetry is finished, glass templates are with the glazier and only the final coat of awlwood to go now after many many coats applied everywhere, I have gone through many litres of the liquid gold.  I found some beautiful big pieces of the real deal old mahogany veneer from an old cabinet maker on trade me, so I have skinned all the doors to make it look a bit more pleasing to the eye.”

Tobias has promised another update in early July when he is back in country.

To view updates 1>4 click on this link https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=CLASSIC+WOODEN+LAUNCH+-+AVALON+-+RESTORATION+UPDATE&submit=Search

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAINDANCE – Saved, Restored and Ready For The Next 100 Years

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAINDANCE – Saved, Restored and Ready For The Next 100 Years

One of the better kept secrets in the classic boating community is that approx. 6 weeks ago the classic wooden launch RAINDACE while entering the Wairua Creek (Milford Marina) had a mishap, best described as a stroke of bad luck, or as a race car enthusiast friend commented “just like black ice on the road”.

Having passed the two marked navigation hazards and entering the actual creek , a rogue wave picked RAINDANCE up and deposited her on the rock bank under the cliffs (northern side).

When the wave died – the stern came down with a wallop and later discovered – damaged most things bolted / fastened on. Primary issue was the rubber shoe was bent up and stopping the prop turning + rudder and shaft weren’t functioning. End result no power and no steering.

The two things that stopped her sinking was (1) the rocks are boulders, so round versus sharp (2) The quick response of the lads at The Slipway Milford and the marina maintenance crew who arrived within 10 minutes to tow her off.

I’m only interested in the end result, the past is the past , but she was out for 6 weeks and all the talents / services of The Slipway Milford were utilised – advice, boatbuilding, engineering & painting + Moon Engines rebuilt the gearbox. A few sad photos below.

Also ook the opportunity to refresh a lot of other ares, still working on the interior.
Thanks to a supportive insurance company – IAG – RAINDANCE lives on to celebrate her 100th birthday in 18 months.

Been a stressful 6 weeks, apologise for any slow replies to WW, to be honest there were days I lacked the motivation to write about someone elses boat, so we got there 🙂

(photo ex Toby Hyman)