MATA HARI
The 1972 John Gladden designed & built launch Mata Hari was included in a recent WW story on Geoff Bagnall Milford yard. It created a lot of chat in the WW comments section & prompted woody Alan S. To send in the above feature from the March 1974 edition Boating World. Mata Hari was built in Geoff’s shed.
Alan commented that he was surprised so few knew about Eric Webster’s efforts at Great Barrier Island, we would not have Smokehouse Bay set up without him. You could never do what he did these days with all the resource consent requirements we face. We boaties should be very grateful.
Enjoy the read
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Thanks for that Info. – You can see Mata Hari from Inga Road bridge in Milford. – A particularly elegant design, I reckon!
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Mata Hari’s design is based on Rita W, Eric’s previous launch. Similarities are in the sheer line, the cabin profile, the exhaust lines (Masts), engine position and engine controls. Differences are in the updated underwater lines like fullness in the forward sections for improved displacement speed, twin engines, and good connection with the world around (size and position of the ports, forward deck shape and the flying bridge with its wind deflectors).
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Rachel, don’t think so. Unless they have Pirate DNA?
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Just wondering, from outta left field, Harold are you related to Harry and Dot?
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I’ll PM you 🙂
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Hi Alan Did I send you any calendars this year? So much going on I think I may not have… So sorry if this is the case! please confirm, and let me know where you would like them sent thanks Rachel
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Eric has long gone to the big anchorage in the sky but his name lives on at the company he founded
https://webster-group.co.nz/about/
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Just noticed, I can’t see any instruments particularly tachometers, at the helm station & unusual style throttle controls as well– KEN R
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She is still owned by Tom Webster, son of Eric Webster, who had her built, unless she has been sold very recently. He owned her & I chatted with him when I took pics of her, in 2015. — KEN R
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A fascinating article. Many thanks for reproducing it. Do we know if Eric is still alive? ( probably a dumm question). The effort at Smokehouse is absolutely amazing, we love to pop in now and then to check it out and pick up rubbish.
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Thanks Alan, A REALLY INTERESTING STORY, AN UNUSUAL DESIGN BUT QUITE PRACTICAL AND USEABLE. NOT TOO SOLD ON THE FIXED MASTS THOUGH? (Excuse the caps – not shouting, just pushed the caps button in error!) I wonder where she is now, and who owns her? Cheers, Bryce (Former owner of Apache and Matira) *Bryce Strong* *JP and **Celebrant* 25 Keilor Road Otumoetai *TAURANGA*
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On Wed, 19 Dec 2018 at 00:09, waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden bo
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Fine stuff, but the shed she was built in was John Gladden’s, now Geoff Bagnall’s.
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