Matatahi Waikawa Marina c.1991.
Maristella
MATATAHI
A typical example of Sam Fords work built c.1938. In the1940s & 50s she had 2 x 4 cyl Ford diesels with a single side exhaust on the starboard side with both engines going in to a single outlet. Photo taken c.1954 in Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island by Ken Ricketts. Photo quality poor as taken from a 8mm movie but had to include her as she is a lovely looking launch.
Another one that seems to have disappeared off the radar so if anyone can bring us up to date that would be great.
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Hi John
If u email the photos to waitematawoodys@gmail.com I will had them to the story. Many thanks. Alan
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I’m the owner of Matatahi and over the last 4 years have done extensive restoration. How do i post the photos of the work hat has been done?
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Just read the top of the post (LAST!!) — so everyone, just ignore the bits that I’ve doubled a up on, — forgot I’d already written a story about her — sorry about that repetition– KEN R
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I have a very poor quality pic of MATATAHI scanned from 8mm movies, that we took from our boat c1952-53, (which I will send to Alan), at which time she had 2 x 4 cyl Ford Diesels with a single exhaust outlet out the starboard side of the boat few inches above the waterline below the centre of the bridgedeck with a thin centre vertical metal plate type division, in the single round outlet, the division was quite hard to see actually, in what was a very normal looking outlet. — Does she still have this?
Would love a pic if you have one John, as I have always had a soft spot for her.
She was owned by an elderly grey haired couple at that time.
My email address is kenpat@ihug.co.nz I will send you back the pic I have ex 1952-53 — KEN RICKETTS
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Matatahi is still in the Mana marina. I purchased the vessel after my friend passed away. I have owned her since June 2013. She is currently undergoing some repairs where the wood fatigue had set in
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MARISTELLA was a 40 footer, built by Sam Ford in December 1936 for R.W. Wills of Epsom and fitted with a 50hp Ailsa Craig diesel. During WW2 RNZN patrol service she was fitted with a Gray for spares rationalisation purposes. MATATAHI was last seen at Paremata all right; Robin Elliott reported on her there. She had been in Whangarei in the 50s owned by E S Ralls. She looks a lot like MEANDER but are you sure she’s Sam Ford?
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Maristella is currently for sale and is advertised as having a 4-71 Detroit. She was renamed “Faye Michelle” for a time and has now reverted back to Maristella.
Maristella is a much larger boat than Matatahi. Matatahi was based at Havelock throughout the 1980’s and was at Paremata when I was there late last year.
I have emailed a photo of each boat for Alan to post here for comparison. The Matatahi photo was taken when she was for sale at the Waikawa Marina c.1991.
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I wonder if you are getting confused with the Maristella, a Ford boat of th later 30s, which always had only 1 engine — originally a 4-53 or 4- 71 GM Detroit, in the 30s & 40s. She was moored in Whakatakataka Bay by Tamaki Dr & right by the bridge, She had a fly bridge from new & went to Wellingotn area ( Plimerton I thought it may have been), in the late 40s Saw her there myself in the 80s
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Matatahi is now based in the Mana Marina, Paremata, near Wellington. Powered by a single 6cyl Bedford diesel, approx 90hp. Has had a small open flying bridge added but otherwise still looks much the same.
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