MALOLO
David Stanaway recently sent in the above photos of the launch Malolo. As seen here hauled out at Dargaville.
David commented that Malolo drew a blank with him re any details on her builder and history – maybe one of the West Coast woodys can enlighten us, come in Zach Matich 🙂
I’m in Thames, so will mooch down to the marina and grab a few photos.
Harold Kidd Input – MALOLO is a common name for boats = ‘flying fish” in generic Pacific languages, the equivalent of Maroro in Maori. I have a splendid oil painting of the fishing launch MARORO AK171 in the Viaduct c1970 which could easily be this launch. H A Richards of Harlston Ave Mt Albert had a MARORO from 1952 to 1957 at least that could be this boat too. I would think she was built about 1950.
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Malolo is owned and lovingly restored by a gentleman, Doug Davidson, who lives just out of Dargaville. He keeps her is moored at the back of his farm. He would love to talk with anyone about her history! We joined them onboard just yesterday. As always, Doug (in his 90s) and his wife chugged down the Kaipara to join in Pahi regatta celebrations.
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MALOLO is a common name for boats = ‘flying fish” in generic Pacific languages, the equivalent of Maroro in Maori. I have a splendid oil painting of the fishing launch MARORO AK171 in the Viaduct c1970 which could easily be this launch. H A Richards of Harlston Ave Mt Albert had a MARORO from 1952 to 1957 at least that could be this boat too. I would think she was built about 1950.
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This is the 3rd MALOLO I know of, the oldest being an early to mid 1930s, flush decker, which I saw become a bridgedecker, c1948, on the hardstand, at Okahu Bay, when my parents were doing winter maintenance on JULIANA, & she was about 36 feet, & then the lovely restored runabout, previously featured in woodys, & now number 3. —
Looks like with some TLC she could be lovely.
Hope someone can enlighten us all — KEN R
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