Peerless

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Peerless, Panmure Basin
Milford Creek1
Pierless & Maryanna, Tiri, 1930’s
Peerless
Milford Creek2
Peerless, Westhaven
Peerless, North Shore Times 1982
Devonport News
History of Peerless

PEERLESS

Designed & built by Andrew Petersen in 1913, Andrew was assisted Sam Ford, who at the time was a young boatbuilding apprentice. Peerless has a wonderful history that has been well documented, thanks to previous owners, one of whom, Bert Tansley, owned her for 50 years. Today she is berthed in the Milford Creek Marina & has had a for sale sign on her for several years. A very pretty original boat that desires a new custodian.
Update from Russell Ward:
Peerless is a delightful little boat. I used to see her moored at Devonport when I took the ferry to work. 
I was speaking to an elderly lady from Bayswater. She regaled me with tales of how her father (I guess Ber Tansley) used to pull her ashore for the winter at Landsdown Road Bayswater. It was a whole day affair –the old boys used to do it by muscle power alone.
She went to Kawau at some stage and was offered for sale. That is when I took the pix.
The 1982 article was by Paul Tichener.
05-05-2020 Update – photo taken by Ken Ricketts at Kawau Island, 2002
Peerless 2002 Kawau Island

22 thoughts on “Peerless”

  4. I am interested in what is happening with the Peerless and wonder if there is an update as to her progress. It was built my Great Grandfather, Andrew Peterson.

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  5. Thanks Richard, Peerless is now out of the water in my driveway and headed for the shed in the next few weeks before the winter. Would like to hear some of those stories. I must send a few pictures to Alan.

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  6. Thank you Richard,

    i live in Rangiora (near Christchurch) but do get up to Auckland so will keep in mind getting a sneaky view
    Chris

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  7. Great to hear Matt. I have many fond childhood memories of cruising on Peerless. Would love to see pictures sometime.

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  8. Chris,
    As Claire mentions, I have the scale model of Peerless. If you want to take a look you are most welcome. Or maybe that is cheating :-).
    Richard

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  9. Hi Chris, Sounds like a great retirement hobby, making model replica boats. You were quite right re the “pram handles” Dads theory was- by lifting the dinghy out of the water there wasn’t so much drag on the engine. As you remember he wasn’t one for putting his foot down. Dad built several model boats in his retirement, one of his dream boat which never got built which Paul and Helen have and a scale model of Peerless which Richard (Lynns son) has.
    I visited Peerless at Milford Marina not that long ago, she is looking pretty sad. It was good to read in other comments that she has a new owner who is restoring her.
    They certainly were fun times we all enjoyed.
    Hope you and family are well,
    Kind regards Claire

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  10. Thankyou Paul, If your wife’s mother is Claire tell her Chris says hello. My retirement hobby is making scale replica boats. I had just come across a set of plans with a hull shape the same as or very similar to Peerless which is why I looked her up on google and came to this site. Will ask for photos if I need them when I get to doing the cabin and cockpit as I am sure the hatches were different to those shown in the recent photos.
    Chris Knowles

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  11. Hi, If you want any history my wifes Gradfather Bert Tansley was the previous owner. We have all the history and phots of her at home.

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  12. I used to court one of Bert Tansley daughters and spent many happy hours with Bert on Peerless. During those days he mounted ” pram handles” on the stern and lifted the dinghy onto those as he cruised around the harbour

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  13. hi my step father merve mcmahon, alex longbottom and john simpson were great lifelong friends with bert tansley and used to go out on the peerless regularly around the waitamata in the time that birt had the boat. the peerless lived around stanley point auck and used to get pulled out there. used to be stories of waiheke parties on the beach where they would swim ashore naked with their clothes above their heads to keep them dry. would also swim ashore with the record player and beer

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  14. Thanks Pam, acquired a home yesterday which includes a 40 foot shed, which will get Peerless out of the weather for some work.

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  16. There’s a good launch on TradeMe built by Fred Mann in 1912 as GWEN C, later HELEN C. She’s described as originally a sailing vessel which is bollocks, although Percy Carter used to pretend she was a yacht from time to time, but her pedigree as a classic launch is as long as your arm. She’s on Rotoiti.

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  18. hi I’m looking for a classic motor yacht. If it’s needs restoration that’s even better. Does any one know if something is available?
    Regards
    Nik

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  19. Pingback: Peerless | waitematawoodys.com – the #1 classic wooden boat blog

  22. I acquired Peerless late in 2014 and am working on conserving and restoring at Milford. Quite a bit of work required on wheelhouse,, ribs and hog/keel.

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