Own a Seabird 3.2m Dinghy?

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Own a Seabird 3.2m Dinghy & Want Some Pocket Money?

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WW have been approached on behalf of a film company that need one of the above for a film shot on Monday (venue = Auckland). They will be a rental fee. If you own one or know someone that does – email me direct at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

17/01/2015 – Building Seabirds at Whangateau Traditional Boatyard (photo ex Pam Cundy)

 

 

42 thoughts on “Own a Seabird 3.2m Dinghy?”

  3. I changed mine to lacing. I had one in AKL which I sold, and never got over it. I found another in Aug 2016, and have it in Tauranga. There’s 1 on trademe at present, but they want $4500 for it. I have a Nelson Lugger too, which I am selling on Trademe at present, as I need something lighter, as I sail solo.

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  4. Hi there, sorry to reboot an old thread. I’ve just bought a baby blue 2.6m Seabird and I’m looking for a manual on how to rig her up. She’s really lovely and I’m hoping my 10 year old son will be bitten by the water bug. Any guidance would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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  5. Very Interesting history and thank you all.I have a Seabird Okura Gig in Turangi.Been sitting in the garage for a few years but hopefully when I retire ( later this year)I can get it out on the Lake.Look forward to all tips in sailing with a Luff sail.
    Cheers
    Murray

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  7. Many thanks for your interesting article. I have just sold our 3.2 Sea Bird dinghy and will keep with many fun filled memories

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  8. Dagwood67 that would be awesome if you can as I would love to have the true account of my gigs origin. I think the different stories come about over the seabird name ,now, the gig is nothing like the mass produced seabird with the aluminum mast with the single sleeve sail.
    Perhaps only 40 of the gigs were made due to the cost, as a lot of workmanship in the use of the hardwood ? teak around the gunwales , slatted seats and the wooden mast.

    I will look forward with anticipation for further news.
    Cheers
    Ann

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  9. “No I dont think the design was pinched from some Americian design.
    I heard that the mould was taken from an authentic wooden clinker dinghy that was brought in to a Northland boatyard for repair.”

    That is consistent with my recollection of their history as described by my wife’s uncle – Dennis Hart. (Hart Bros Marine) except it was they who made the mould from the dinghy. For fear of adding any misinformation I won’t say anymore other than quote him from a few days ago:

    “It’s pleasing to know that there is still an interest in the OG’s.

    There is a lot of miss information and inaccuracies in some of the posts that have been received by the site which is quite understandable given the time that has passed since these boats were built.

    You have touched a nerve – the one that gets me off my bum. I feel I must set out the true account of the history and development of the OG’s in order to put it right. I will endeavour to do it over the next few days.”

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  10. Hello Pam,
    No I dont think the design was pinched from some Americian design.
    I heard that the mould was taken from an authentic wooden clinker dinghy that was brought in to a Northland boatyard for repair.
    There are so many different stories, it would be interesting to nail its true history.
    Ann

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  11. Hello Harold,

    I would love the full story about the Okura Gigs from Marty Martinengo.Do you know how I could contact him please.
    Thanks
    Ann

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  14. Greenwoods pioneered the dinghys, I have that from Howard’s ex wife and daughter.
    The Okura design I would think was pinched from an American design somewhere along the way and nothing to do with Greenwoods I’m sure.
    Perhaps it is time I use Howard’s email address.
    Kind of you to give these fiberglass boats space on you woodys blog Alan.

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  16. The Seabird dinghies were built at 28 Porana Road by Dinghy Developments Ltd which was run by David Maire who’s now in Opua. Frank Warnock once said he made 6000 sails for them but that was clearly an exaggeration. My information is that they took over production of the Okura gigs from Dennis Hart and his brother from Whangaparaoa which doesn’t square with the Greenwoods’ involvement, unless they were before the Harts.
    Marty Martinengo worked for Dinghy Developments and will know the full story if people want it?

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  17. Thank you dagwood67 for reply. If you can source more information from your wifes uncle would be awesome. I am wondering if the brothers continued to follow with interest the further manufacture of the dinghy once given to Dinghy Developments.I would like to know if only 40 of these gigs were manufactured in total by all involved.
    Ann

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  18. The Hart Brothers were the first builders of the Okura Gigs and passed the mould to Dinghy Developments. I did get the (rather interesting) history of these lovely craft from one of the brothers (my wife’s uncle) but didn’t have a notepad to capture it all. I will continue to pester him to put it down. He has recently fully restored 2 (one for each of his sons was the idea) and they look delightful!

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  19. Hello,
    I have owned a Okura gig, gaff masted dinghy for 25 years.I have had years of fantastic sailing in the Marlborough Sounds, I really love this wee dinghy.

    It was interesting reading some of its history form above posts. My boat was manufactured by Dinghy Developments Ltd Takapuna Rd.,Serial No 305 6.

    I have heard that only 40 of these dinghys were manufactured, would anyone know if this is correct. Did Howard Greenwood the boatbuilder make these 40 gaff rigged gigs in Leigh. I was wondering why only 40 were built.

    Any information would be appreciated. Thanks
    Ann

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  21. I am the proud owner of Puffin in the Okura gig line. We love her dearly. Currently base Paraparaumu

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  25. Thanks Pam, that’s very kind. Inside dia is 55mm. I’ve got a couple of pics if that’s any help. Cheers….Colin

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  26. We had an Okura Gig at our last regatta. It appears on the photos Alan has on the blog but in the far distance. What’s the diameter of the loops? possibly we could get a friend to help us bring some in from overseas. Umm we could try John Welsford-I’ll do that for you, I’m curious!

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  27. Thanks for your prompt and helpful response Pam. I’ll see how I get on over the next week or three….Colin

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  29. Not sure if anyone is still following this chat line but I own an Okura Gig which is a gaff rigged version complete with red sails and wooden mast. I am looking for some new rings that hold the sail to the mast – they appear to be made from a reinforced cane type material. Can anyone help please. If it is still of any interest the name plate states Seabirds Boats – Manufactured by Dinghy Developments Ltd 28 Porana Road, Takapuna.

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  30. Thanks Alan for this, I had noted it there. I’m keen to gather what I can from various publishings together for the yard.
    I was on the mahurangi today and little TRIPPER was down there. Howard built her at the yard. Coincidence after coincidence at the moment, or is it realy just a small world after all?
    P

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  33. Auckland Public Library NZ section newspaper microfilms or, perhaps, Sea Sprays. Happy hunting!

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  37. It was recently said to me at the boat yard here, that you never know what your going to find at the end of a beach. Well I find – you never know who is going to walk through the door.
    Howard Greenwoods daughter and another close family member just walked through the door, 22 years down the track. Lots of reminiscing, story’s told and notes taken down.
    There have been some misleading story’s told about the origins of these dinghys, the family said.
    The moulds for the seabird dinghys were taken from an old clinker dinghy that a couple of returned serviceman the Wray Brothers owned out at Leigh. Howard and his wife Kirsty built these at their property in Seaview rd Leigh, as the boat yard was not suitable, humidity etc, to do so. The dinghys would come to the yard to have the wood working carried out on them and were then taken to Auckland, Farmers, to be sold.

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  38. Ta for putting the photo up.
    My list of questions for Howard is growing.
    I have a photo here with Claude and one of his sons sailing one of these seabirds, under a makeshift cherub rig. I know Claude built clinker dinghys but I’m not so sure he would have developed them into the mould stage. Certainly it looks like they manufactured a few of them from the boat yard here.
    Pam

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  39. I believe Howard Greenwood built these at the boat yard here. He said he lacked the marketing skills and when he sold the moulds on, they took off. I shall hunt out the photos tomorrow, perhaps Alan might put them up.
    We towed a fibreglass dinghy through the Solomon’s, New Guinea, Cairns, exploring crocodile infested waters and were pretty content with our ‘crocodile dinghy’.
    Pam

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  40. I have a 2.6 as new condition as a tender to Korara. Bought it from an original builder of them. A rowing dinghy, mind

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  41. Don’t knock them Pam. I had a beauty which was pinched from my locker at Sulphur Beach the night before we left on our summer cruise in LOLOMA. Much wailing from kids. They didn’t take the rig so they were idiots as well as rats.

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