VAGABOND
Mooching around Queen Charlotte Sound, we saw some stunning front-front residences, the above photos showcase one of my favourites.
An impressive collection, with a classic motor-salier & numerous water toys.
The stern of Vagabond lists Wellington as her home port – any southern woodys able to enlighten us on her provenance ?
11-07-2021 Input from Rick Holmes
Jock Holmes was my father, he handed on responsibility for looking after Vagabond to myself around 35 years ago. Jock had the original cabin house replaced around the same time as our sister ship, the Nereides. Both vessels were constructed in a large shed in Balaena Bay, which is the first little bay inside Evans Bay in Wellington Harbour. We actually had our private slipway in Baleae
na Bay from 1926 until we were forced to have it removed around the 1970’s.Many other vessels were slipped on our slipway over that time, all pulled up on a hand operated winch !
Since that time I have had two major restorations to ensure Vagabond stays afloat & looks ship worthy!
For the last 30 years Vagabond has been moored in Waikawa Marina, as I have a bach in Kumutoto Bay nearby.
There can not be many owners of classic vessels in NZ that can say that their boat has never been sold since 1926 & shortly Vagabond will be handed down to another family member, the fourth generation, hopefully after 2026, when we intend bringing her over for her centennial celebrations.
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Hello Rick – that is amazing, I agree very few still in the one family – I took that photo, beautiful boat and the set up ashore was to match – well done.
If you have any photos old / new, please email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com so I can share with the WW readers.
Kind Regards Alan H
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Jock Holmes was my father, he handed on responsibility for looking after Vagabond to myself around 35 years ago. Jock had the original cabin house replaced around the same time as our sister ship, the Nereides. Both vessels were constructed in a large shed in Balaena Bay, which is the first little bay inside Evans Bay in Wellington Harbour. We actually had our private slipway in Baleae
na Bay from 1926 until we were forced to have it removed around the 1970’s.Many other vessels were slipped on our slipway over that time, all pulled up on a hand operated winch !
Since that time I have had two major restorations to ensure Vagabond stays afloat & looks ship worthy!
For the last 30 years Vagabond has been moored in Waikawa Marina, as I have a bach in Kumutoto Bay nearby.
There can not be many owners of classic vessels in NZ that can say that their boat has never been sold since 1926 & shortly Vagabond will be handed down to another family member, the fourth generation, hopefully after 2026, when we intend bringing her over for her centennial celebrations.
Regards Rick Holmes
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This is the same Vagabond as in the “Related” posting above. Built by Joe Jukes and a close sister to Nereides. My own memory of her is when owned by Jock Holmes, when she was berthed right against the western wall of the Oriental Bay boat harbour.
I gather she is still in the hands of a branch of the Holmes family, which is a Good Thing.
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