BONITO
photo & info sourced by Ken Ricketts
Built in 1960 by Carl Augustin for Dr Lindsay Brown of Auckland.
She is 34 ft long with 10ft 6 beam & was originally fitted with an 86 hp 6 cyl Ford Diesel with direct drive to a 14 x 14 propeller & cruising at about 14 knots & a top speed of 17 knots. In 1961 she was fitted with a 2 to 1 reduction gear driving a 20 x 27 propeller which took her to an economical cruising speed of 17 knots at 2 to 3 gallons of fuel per hour & top speed of 22 knots. – just shows the differences a reduction gear can make.
Any updates on her history, photos & present whereabouts would be appreciated.
Bonito
Harold Kidd Update
I last saw BONITO in Mangonui in 1999 when she was owned by Jimmy Osborne who had owned her for nearly 20 years. After Dr. Lindsay Brown, who kept her until at least 1967, she was owned by P. Noakes of St. Stephens Ave in 1973.
waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily 
I am looking for plans of a 18ft 6 Carl Augustin power boat my father built in late 1950’s & early 60. With the aim to restore the boat now that we have located it. I have searched on Carl Augustin’s name but don’t get very far. Any help would be appreciated.
the vessel above not quite the size of this launch but the style is the same.
LikeLike
Comment ex Andrew Brown
In 1964 and 1965 Dr Lindsay Brown raced Bonito in the Offshore Power Boat Races in Auckland coming first each time in the Economy Section.
Andrew (son)
LikeLike
Well done, you’ve saved her. Less rolls-roycey boats like one which I an doing up or perhaps this, often escape the restorer when they are deemed too far gone or unworthy. People like you are rare!
Any current photos? What motor?
LikeLike
Hi I am the current owner yes it was bought with a engine that was toast and a fair bit of rot but since then we spent 2 years on a full rebuild of everything. have not had alot of use as finding it to hard with the young kids so sadly we will be putting her back on the market soon for someone else to enjoy. hopefully pulling her out in next few weeks to finish off a couple jobs and maintanece
LikeLike
Bugger about lack of use, but here’s hoping
LikeLike
Bonito is moored in Stillwater, she was towed down from up North a few of years ago and has been fixed up, all the rot cut out, re fibre glassed and painted. Looks pretty good. Bonito was bought by a chap named Ron who knew the boat and its history. The boat was bought for his daughter and children and re launched before Christmas. It hasn’t been used much, hopefully that will change.
LikeLike
I love this boat, I think the Sea Spray write up on her is in the issue with Kotanui on cover. Still almost as original painted blue and white. I feel that in the last couple of years she has left Mill Bay, and an even weaker feeling is that she may have been for sale with some damage or perhaps engine issue??
LikeLike
I last saw BONITO in Mangonui in 1999 when she was owned by Jimmy Osborne who had owned her for nearly 20 years. After Dr. Lindsay Brown, who kept her until at least 1967, she was owned by P. Noakes of St. Stephens Ave in 1973.
LikeLike