CLASSIC STEEL LAUNCH – MIRANDA

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CLASSIC STEEL LAUNCH – MIRANDA

Back in November 2020 WW ran a story on the motor launch – MIRANDA – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/11/05/mystery-launch-05-11-20/

At the time we learnt from Harold Kidd that MIRANDA was a 55ft twin-engined steel launch built by E.D. (Bill) Edmundson at Thorndon Quay and launched in June 1953 after 7 years of work. She became the unofficial flagship for the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club and did a trip to Sydney and back in 1960-1.

Fast forward to December 2025 and while Ken Ricketts was trolling thru a collection of back issues of Sea Spray magazine he uncovered todays photo. The caption recoded that MIRANDA was returning to Wellington from the double Tasman crossing (1960>61). The photo appeared in the March 1961 edition of Sea Spray.

Do we know where MIRANDA is these days.

LAST REMINDER FOR SATURDAYS LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – 11am Parade start – details here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/07/28/tokatea/

TOKATEA – A Classic Workboat Conversion 

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TOKATEA – A Classic Workboat Conversion 

The 44’ launch TOKATEA started life back in 1959 as a Government fishing patrol and lighthouse tender, built by WG Lowe.                                           TOKATEA was ‘retired’ in 1987 and converted to pleasure use.

While still retaining her workboat roots the interior fit out is rather smart, certainly providing a home away from home afloat.

Forward motion is from a 100hp Gardner 6LW engine.

Read and see more on her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/07/28/tokatea/

TOKATEA was once owned by WW contributor Ian McDonald. Home these days is Waikawa Marina, South Island.

CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT OUT WEST

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CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT OUT WEST

Recently Glen Martin was riding through Helensville on his bike and stopped at the cruising club for a beer and pulled the camera out.                         Given that some are daytime and some night it must have been a few beers – hopefully not riding the bike post.

Interesting mix of craft and condition. Nice to see one of my favourite woodys – ARAHI, has relocated over to the west coast. More on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/12/19/history-of-arahi/

HELP NEEDED -CAN WE ID / LEARN MORE

Recently on WW Grant MacKinnon posted the comment below (edited), Grant has just supplied photos of the items – so big ask but maybe someone can help confirm or end Grant’s speculation.

“We are doing a long walk around the South Island by beach and coastline and come across all sorts of things washed up. Recently we found an old ships spar or something, washed up on the beach between Fortrose and Tiwai Point, Southland. It has old style wooden pegs and lashed-lugs(?).

We need some help with its identification, if anyone knows who and how to find out please? It is very old. I went back and got it as my family were Meiklejohns and the first boat they built on arrival at Omaha was the “Pioneer” which wrecked at Fortrose in 1883. It would be exciting if it was off that. Thank you, any pointers would be very much appreciated.”

REMEMBER – LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC AND WOODEN BOAT PARADE THIS SATURDAY –  Details here  https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/

IT’S NOT  WOOD BUT IT TICKS ALL MY CLASSIC BOXES

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IT’S NOT  WOOD BUT IT TICKS ALL MY CLASSIC BOXES
While at Rakino Island on Saturday, the magnificent craft seen above was at anchor. Woody boat chat told me that she was a tender to a SUPER Superyacht visiting NZ from some TLC and maintenance.  I missed seeing the superycht but a quick ChatGPT search answered my questions on STARGAZER (home port Georgetown). Check out the size of the props – zoom zoom 😉

“The classic yacht tender Stargazer — the 23 m (approximately 75 ft) chase boat/tender built to support a large sailing superyacht — was built by the Dutch shipyard Claasen Shipyards in collaboration with Vitters Shipyard. 

  • The vessel was constructed at Claasen Shipyards in the Netherlands, with Vitters Shipyard working together on the project. 
  • It was designed by Hoek Design Naval Architects, who handled the naval architecture, structural engineering, and exterior and interior design. 

This collaboration marked the first new-build project between Claasen and Vitters, resulting in a classic-lined, aluminium-hulled motor yacht used as a tender for transporting guests, serving as a diving platform and providing extra accommodation.”

INPUT ex GRAEME FINCH – photo beow of the ‘mothership’. Given the 75′ length of the tender, I assume somewhere there as a ‘supply ship’ that transported the toys.

REMEMBER – LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC AND WOODEN BOAT PARADE THIS SATURDAY

 Details here  https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/

PERFECT WEATHER, PERFECT WEEKEND FOR WOODEN BOATING

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PERFECT WEATHER, PERFECT WEEKEND FOR WOODEN BOATING

Today’s story is a potpourri from the weekend. A good forecast had a lot of woodys slipping the dock lines and heading out. Some were at Kawau for the sailing activity there and a lot dropped anchor at Rakino Island. 
Because I’m sure I was spotted – I’ll own up to my worst anchoring exhibition in Woody Bay, just couldn’t get it to dig in. Made worse by the number of craft. Gave up and retreated to West Bay- less boats and a better % of woodys at anchor.  BUT – I made a novice mistake – anchored close to a large plastic US import with a petrol genset. I quote the owner “everyone tells me it sounds like a Massey Ferguson tractor “ – IT DID 😦
Experienced a stunning Rakino sunset on Saturday night.

VISITING USA WOODY

Over the last 2 weeks we have had one of the USA’s nicest wooden boating ambassadors – Bob Yaro visiting NZ Aside from being a great guy, Bob has some serious tags to his name – Chairman of the Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, Rhode Island.

We had big plans to host Bob and friends aboard Angus Rogers – CENTAURUS for the Mahurangi Regatta but the weather gods dealt to that plan – so Bob’s been lunched on CENTAURUS in Auckland and had a day cruise on Margo and Jamie Hudson’s  – LADY CROSSLEY up in the Bay of Island. The woody web is world wide 🙂

BOB YARO ABOARD CENTAURUS
LADY CROSSLEY – BOI
BOB YARO & JAMIE HUDSON – LADY CROSSLEY

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WAIREKA RELAUNCHED

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WAIREKA RELAUNCHED

Back in Sept 2025 we ran a story on the 1974 Chis Robertson built launch – WAIREKA, at the time she was hauled out other owners yard (D&D Boatbuilders, Waipapa) for some TLC.         Link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/09/11/bay-of-islands-classic-wooden-launch-waireka/

Just before xmas WAIREKA  was popped back in the water (Bay of Islands) looking stunning. Looking forward to getting some interior photos ………… hint hint 🙂

RUAHINE – Ex 1908 WORK BOAT

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RUAHINE – Ex 1908 WORK BOAT

Todays woody is RUAHINE, an ex Lyttleton Harbour Board work boat, built by Charles Bailey c.1908. 

And that woodys is all we know, Russell Ward spotted her on tme and before he noted any more details she was sold and the listing gone.

Russell is keen to learn more about RUAHINE, and hopefully who bought her and what the plans are.

WHAT BECAME OF THE WOODEN LAUNCH – HOPAI

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WHAT BECAME OF THE WOODEN LAUNCH – HOPAI

Back in mid 2024 the owners of the 32’ Chas Bailey Jnr, 1926 built bridge-decker launch – HOPAI were looking for someone to step up and take over the rebuild of the vessel.

The rebuild had been an ongoing project for an extended period and her owner was unable to complete the project. I believe her hull has been f/glassed…..

Does anyone know what happened to HOPAI, hopefully now in the care of someone finishing the work, or is she still in a shed in Kaukapakapa.

REMEMBER SAT 7TH FEB – LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE 

Details here  https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – NGATEA

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WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – NGATEA

Recently WW was contacted by Jeff Giddens concerning the launch NGATEA – best if I let Jeff tell the story

“Have attached a few photos of my good friend Alan’s boat – Ngatea.History……builder unknown apparently. Rumour has it, way back in the day she may have been some sort of mail boat to Kapiti Island. Ngatea is over 100 years old and was owned for a long time by well known boat builder Reg Saunders of Paremata. She was his pride and joy.

For the last 15 or so years she has been owned by another well-known Paremata identity, and ex fisherman Alan Codyre.    As much as she needs a good clean up and TLC in her paint work, she is in outstanding condition for her age.We recently removed the old Perkins and refitted her with a wee Yanmar diesel.  It would be great if anyone out there knows more about her history and where she was built and by whom.She is currently on a swing mooring in Ivy Bay Paremata.”

So woodyscan we help Jeff and Alan out and fill in the gaps re NGATEA’s back story.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH LADY LUCK

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH LADY LUCK

Recently WW was contacted by Robert Williams concerning the launch – LADY LUCK. I need to take a deep breath when I read the email – why?, well turns out LADY Luck is a 38ft Vindex built by Jim Young, (unknown year). But a quick glance at the attached photos and I was pleasantly surprised with todays top photo – quite a looker in her day.But too sure about the look after someone got tired of sanding and varnishing. 

Some background ex Robert –  LADY LUCK was owned by Bert Hammer in the1970’s to mid 1980’s. Prior to this period Bert owned another launch named LADY LUCK featured on WW (linked here) at Thames. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/01/17/lady-luck-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

She was part of the Auckland Volunteer Coastguard main rescue ‘Cutter Group’.

The photo showing the varnish sides was as she was leaving the Tamaki River after a thorough clean and repaint. The photos of her in mainly white colours was taken many years later in possibility Half Moon Bay Marina during the 1990’s.

Can we learn where LADY LUCK is these days.

INPUT ex BILL UPFOLD – Up until late last year Lady Luck was sitting outside a panel beater’s on Union St. Howick. it had been sitting there for a few years then disappeared. Not sure if it has been moved into a shed on the property or moved elsewhere.

INPUT ex ALAN SEXTON – Lady Luck is not a Vindex, she was a design from Jim that predated Vindex, he told the story in his self published memoirs