Yearly Archives: 2019

Aurora

Posted on by
Reply

Screen Shot 2019-09-05 at 9.19.53 AM

Screen Shot 2019-09-05 at 9.18.36 AM

AURORA

Aurora was built in Johnsons Boat Shed Nelson in approx. 1935, measures 20’ in length and clinker built. For several years Aurora was used to tender explosives from the magazine on the Boulder Bank to the construction crew building Rocks Road. Subsequently she was then used a pleasure boat for fishing and family excursions.

The history from then on is unknown until her owner discovered Aurora in a barn in rural Nelson in February 2011. Aurora was purchased and transported to Redwood Valley where the restoration began. Aurora remained upside down for quite a few years whilst numerous planks were repaired using mainly recycled Kauri, a new keel was laminated out of Macrocarpa, the transom rebuilt and many of the copper fastenings replaced. The hull was then faired/sanded and repainted. Eventually Aurora was turned upright and the interior work began. Many hours were spent scrapping away years of old paint before several coats of primer and top coat paint were applied. The floor frames were shaped and fitted, a new Bronze shaft log and engine mounts fitted. A new rudder and duck board floors were constructed. Whilst the deck appeared to be in reasonable condition it was decided to remove the entire decking back to the frames. Three layers of 4mm Plywood were laminated together as the base and 6mm Kauri strips steamed [where needed]and glued onto the base. An overhauled c.1950, Stewart Turner P55M 8hp petrol motor was fitted.

When Aurora was purchased the trailer was simply a beach launching trailer, i.e. no suspension.The trailer was extensively modified and galv. coated to suit the refurbished Aurora, was the 2019 winner of the Jens Hansen Cup at the Antique and Classic Boat show, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson. I was there and can vouch for the standard of workmanship that has gone into her, simply stunning. Home is Nelson in the South Island and she is currently for sale on trademe (thanks Ian McDonald).

Aurora would be the perfect day boat for this Sundays Woody Classics Weekend cruise to the Riverhead Tavern 🙂
 
Sundays Woody Classics Weekend – Riverhead Tavern Cruise
Later today I’m emailing details to the people that have rsvp’ed for Sunday’s cruise, if you forgot to reply or are just one of those people that like to turn up on the day – no problem click on the email link below & I’ll send you the plan for the day. Remember if your boatless, come by car, its only 30mins from downtown Auckland.
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
WCW WW Poster

Mansion House Opening Labour Day 1979

Posted on by
7

DSCN6016

DSCN6309

Mansion House Opening Labour Day 1979

The above photos of Mansion House, Kawa Island were sent in by Juliana Cooke.
Quite an impressive turnout but a lot of plastic floating in the bay, and also the tenders tied at the wharf are predominately plastic.
Still I can spy some well done Woodys at anchor.
These days you wouldn’t see the ferries rafted up like that – Fullers far too precious to do that, but these days on a peek holiday period – one would have broken down, one would be out for annual maintaince and the remaining ferry would be running 1hr late 🙂
06-09-2019 Input from Neil Chalmers –  see below, souvenir cover bought on the day at Kawau. Neil recalls Sir Keith H (Governor General) arriving in the SeaBee widgeon (or was it a goose) and giving a speech at the opening.

Screen Shot 2019-09-06 at 9.02.25 AM

Caroma / W1

Posted on by
2

MVC-018S

MVC-016S

Caroma / W1
 

Recently I was contacted by Peter Grant who had just discovered the story of W1 on waitematawoodys and remembered he was involved in a pre-purchase inspection of her in November 2000 for a client. The client did not purchase the vessel as it was deemed not suitable, but Peter dug out the old report which included the photos of her above, as she was then lying alongside the Panmure River.

 

Below is a photo of the 70′ vessel as she is today, post a wonderful restoration to return her to a style that while not matching her early day war time look, certainly turns a few heads on the Waitemata when she zips past at 22 knots. WW links to the restoration below:
 
Screen Shot 2019-09-03 at 8.54.04 AM

Mystery Launch 03-09-2019

Posted on by
5

Screen Shot 2019-07-28 at 9.25.13 PM

Screen Shot 2019-07-28 at 9.26.50 PM

MYSTERY LAUNCH 03-09-2019

The launch on the right is part of the flotilla of pleasure craft welcoming the SS Gothic into Auckland in 1953.  Can anyone ID the launch for us? I have also included a close up, taken off the larger photo.

WCW WW Poster

Click Link to RSVP https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/08/08/how-often-do-you-use-your-classic-boat/

Irene – A Peek Down Below – 4sale

Posted on by
Reply

Screen Shot 2019-09-01 at 4.26.00 PM

Screen Shot 2019-09-01 at 4.27.27 PM

Screen Shot 2019-09-01 at 4.27.14 PM

IRENE – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2016 I did a brief story on the 39’ Orams launch – Irene, based on a photo that Pam Cundy from the Whangateau boat yard snapped while cruising at Great Barrier Island. WW link to story below

Irene was built in 1955, is 39’4” long with a beam of 10’9” and draws 3’3”. Powered by twin Ford (Lees Marine) 75hp diesels she has a top speed of 10 knots.
At the time of the last story I ‘commented’ about Irene’s penthouse.
Below are a couple of penthouse interior photos, I have always wondered what goes on up there on these boats………. And a very crude photo of her with a top chop 🙂

JEANETTE C23 – Updated Story

Posted on by
3
JEANETTE 001

Start of a cruise down the gulf. Barbara, Dick’s elder daughter at the tiller.

JEANETTE 002

Jeanette cruising. Ngataringa coming up astern. Takapuna shore in background.

JEANETTE 003

Wet decks from stiff westerly. Running close during race to Islington Bay. Dinghy lashed on deck for more speed. Rangitoto on port bow.

JEANETTE 004

(This picture dated 28 January 1961, so must have been sent to Bob when he’d returned to the UK. ) Jeanette at the start of the Trans Tasman Race. Bob. Bill Patterson at tiller. Bob Watham in the cockpit. Harry Pope up forward.

JEANETTE C23 – Updated Story
 
Back in June 2019 I did a story on the 1933, Ted Le Huquet built yacht Jeanette, WW link below, this prompted Drew Glasgow to send in the photos above taken in the early 1950’s by his late father Bob Glasgow, who often sailed in her, together with Dick and Barbara Bakewell, who bought the yacht off Ted Le Huquet.
According to Bob’s description, written on the back of one photograph, she was a 34′ marconi-rigged cutter.
 
I have captioned each photo with text supplied by Drew from the back of the photos, penned by his father.
Question of the day – any one able to tell us how the above yacht ended up in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, USA? Is it a Kiwi boat or just been named by a Kiwi?
Screen Shot 2019-08-31 at 5.41.45 PM

WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND 

Posted on by
2

Screen Shot 2019-08-30 at 2.05.51 PM

WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND
The response to the Woody Classics Weekend cruise to the Riverhead Tavern on Sunday 8th September, has been amazing and we predict a record turn out of classic wooden boats and crew.
If you have already RSVP’ed to Barbara Cooke – thank you for being so polite, to the rest of you that forgot – do it today. A simple email to the address below with your name, boat name and approx. number of passengers (if you know).
In the poster above I have highlighted for you the important times for the afternoon.
Later, next week I’ll come back to the confirmed attendees  via email with details on dining options, where to drop anchor etc.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to catching up with you all, in particular the Creek Virgins i.e. first time up the creek 🙂
Ps remember if you are boat less, come by car.
Will You Be There? The Brothers Did Dummy Run A Few Days Ago
Brothers

Donald Sutherland

Posted on by
4

Screen Shot 2019-07-28 at 9.33.49 PM

DONALD SUTHERLAND

The Collings & Bell launch Donald Sutherland is seen in the above photo on her launch day in January 1936.
Harold Kidd advised previously that DS was very similar to the C&B launch Miss Picton (later named Mitre Peek) that was launch early(07/12/1933).
Do we know what became of Donald Sutherland and is she still afloat?
In my eyes –  rather a pretty boat, but did Collings & Bell ever build an ugly one? 🙂
WCW Riverhead2019

Kotuku

Posted on by
14

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.29.51 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.29.29 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.29.16 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.30.28 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.30.39 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.30.18 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.31.13 PM

Screen Shot 2019-08-28 at 5.29.02 PM

KOTUKU

Kotuku was designed and built by Milford boat builder Alan Williams in 1960. She measures 32’ with a 9’ beam. Power is from a BMC Commodore diesel that was new when launched.
The bridge decker is kauri carvel built and has recently changed hands after a lengthy period on trademe. New owner’s Todd and Catherine sent in the photos above of her recent TLC.
Can anyone tell us more about Kotuku’s history.

Input from Mark Erskine – ‘Reviewing the above photos, in particular the ‘work in progress’ one, I see a note on the engine photo that the owner has used 5W 30 synthetic oil in the engine and gearbox.

Generally, older diesel engines have larger internal clearances than modern engines and (generally), a 5W 30 synthetic engine oil is used in a modern, close tolerance, high revving petrol engine. 

Older diesel engines have piston ring, cylinder liner and bearing materials that require a basic, heavier viscosity, mineral oil, such as a heavy duty, high detergent / dispersant / SAE30, SAE40, 15W 40 or 20W 50 grade.

I recommend the owner contacts either Castrol or Shell technical services for their lubricant recommendation for that particular engine and the gearbox.Tthere are a lot of old diesel and petrol engines in older boats and using the wrong oil can damage the engine.’

 

 

 

Blue Seas

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_2204

IMG_2198

IMG_2199

IMG_2196

BLUE SEAS

Blue Seas was built in 1965 by Ship Builders. LOA is 30’ and get up and go is via a very impressive Yanmar 90hp turbo diesel engine.
Can we expand more on her past?
Woodys attending the Woodys Classic Weekend pub cruise to the Riverhead Tavern on Sept 8th will get to see her up close because owner Ollie Olaf Askham is a confirmed attendee 🙂
27-01-2022 Update ex David Cooke – spotted off Motuihe Island
WCW Riverhead2019