Yearly Archives: 2019

Wooden Boat Bureau – advice for buyers and sellers

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WOODEN BOAT BUREAU

OUR AIM: To inform and enthuse interest in the joys of owning and sailing traditional and classic wooden boats. Perhaps you have fallen out of love with your current boat, or are seeking to regain a childhood memory.

OUR GOAL: The promotion of partnerships between wooden boats and owners for the benefit of all.

ADVICE: You don’t have to know everything about the classic boat market. That’s what we specialize in. We are uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-date market information and objective advice to both sellers and buyers. So if you are looking for a wooden boat or considering selling – contact

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

To view a sample selection of classic woodys berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau dock, click this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/17/will-you-be-boating-this-summer/

We are currently accepting select new listings and are always glad to represent buyers who are beginning their search.

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OLEO + K1 + K CLASS BOOK LAUNCH

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OLEO
OLEO
Now the above photo has been sitting in my files for a little while and with all the varnish boys waking up at anchor in Patio Bay, with a dull head, post the CYA party, today could be a good day to get some help from the Work Boat woodys.
The photo of Oleo was sent in by Ray Morey, ex Dave Stanaway, showing her on the hard at Awanui earlier this year – can we learn more about her?
Harold Kidd Input – OLEO was built for R H Harnett of Whangarei by Tyler & Harvey in December 1910. Her original engine was a 20hp Union.
R H Harnett lived at Parua Bay and was a trader on the harbour. He sold OLEO to R B S Hogwood in 1915 and owned MOERANGI for passenger and mail work from 1912 until he died in 1936.

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K1

The photo above came to me as part of a selection of sailing photos, sent in by Mike McGehan. Nothing spectacular about the photo but its a good segue to remind you all to put a circle in the diary for Monday 9th December for the launch of Jenni Mence’s book named, no prizes here, K-Class.
Invitation below – but please if you are attending, to help with catering – RSVP to Jenni at jenni@kclass.co.nz
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Aries

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Launch With No Name .  Aries
 
Todays 45’ launch was built in 1957 by Owen Woolley. She is built from twin planked kauri and powered by 120hp Ford diesel engines that push her along at 8>10 knots.
She is big old girl – with a 14’ beam.
The photos probably do not do the boat justice, on face value – she appears to be very well appointed.
Thanks to Ian MacDonald for the tme heads up.
 
Can anyone put a name to the boat – she calls Gulf Harbour name.

MORE DETAILS AT THIS WW LINK https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/10/22/aries-4/

Wellington Waterfront Happenings + Win Woody Gear @ Patio Bay

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Wellington Waterfront Happenings + Win Woody Gear @ Patio Bay
 

The above amateur film (20min) by Mr. Macalister, documents maritime scenes around Wellington harbour. Items of note include ships and yachts being christened and launched, a small motor boat burning on the open sea, footage of a Humpback Whale being taken ashore at the Perano whaling station in Fishing Bay.

Of note we see:
1. The launching of the motorboat – Marionjo
2. The launching of the motorsailer – Pelagin (some nice launches seen in the background)
3. The launching of the fishing boat – Sea Harvest
4. At 13:60 minutes – the ex Perano whale chaser – Rorqual makes a cameo appearance 
5. A rather large elephant seal making itself at home on the waterfront
 
Video reproduced via 2019 The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Whitiāhua Me Ngā Taonga Kōrero
Input from John Wicks – One of the launches shown at both launchings is “Southern Maid”, built by Ernie Lane, and at that time owned by Bob Macalister, who shot the film.
“Pelagian” was/is a steel motor sailer designed and built by her first owner, Doug Catley. She was built in steel, and Doug built a model and sheathed it in plates cut from cigarette tins to ensure that the full size plates would fit properly. She was unique in several ways; her exhaust went up inside her mizzen mast, and after launching she was fitted with a Mustang fighter’s cockpit canopy on her wheelhouse. There was no exterior ventilation to her engine, but the boat’s interior was extensively ducted to the engine room which encouraged air circulation through the boat. Her engine room and galley were separated by a sliding fore and aft bulkhead, which when raised turned the area into a (nearly) full width engine room.
The sequence showing “Rorqual” is the mooring area just inside Tory Channel. The spotting station was just over the ridge on the seaward side; when whales were spotted out in the Strait, the chaser crews would come running down the path to board their chasers; it was a bit like a Battle Of Britain fighter scramble!
The X-class shown on the RPNYC hard and sailing in Evans Bay look like the new type that never really caught on. Javelins replaced them.
The elephant seal is NOT in Chafers Marina as the wording accompanying the film states (the marina didn’t even exist then) but in Evans Bay where there were quite a number of private boatsheds with their ramps and slipways on the Western side. I have some sympathy for the owner of the little motor boat the seal was trying to board; Owha the Leopard Seal tried to get into my skiff a few weeks ago, and managed to swamp it. No harm done though 🙂
 
CYA PATIO BAY WOODY PRIZES
As promised yesterday, below are the woody goodies up for grabs at tomorrows CYA Patio Bay Cruise / BBQ
 
• best presented motorboat (WW T-Shirt & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)
• best classic dinghy (WW T-Shirt & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)
• most embarrassing anchoring attempt (WW Cap & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)
• best attired (WW Cap & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)

 

Aurora

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Aurora

AURORA 

Now this has to be the coolest old woody I have seen. Aurora was built for Caesar Roose after he had sold the Waikato Shipping Company.
She was built in Auckland and railed down to Mercer, where he had her finished off.
In the photo, Ray Morey believes that its a very special occasion eg a Vice-Regal picnic. Sitting in the bow is Frank (Cappy) Charlton, whose father was a Raglan ship owner. Frank’s mother was a Maori of some rank in the Waingaro area. Frank had been a launchman employed by Caesar Roose for many years.
Input from Ray Morey – designed and built by Bailey & Lowe. Finished off by Willy’s father W.H.Oliver (also Willoughby but known as Bill) Willy was only 11 years at the launching. She was burnt one night by persons unknown about 100 yds from where she was completed and launched. engine was originally a 40 hp. Sterling
I could imagine Aurora at events like the Mahurangi Regatta – speaking of which, save a few dollars in your Xmas budget to buy a copy of the Mahurangi Year Book, Steve Horsley is back at the helm with the design and production and he assures me the ratio of yachts and launches is looking good. Should be in the shops (Boat Books) mid December 😉
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COOL PATIO BAY PRIZE
I have secured off the author / publisher – Brian Peet, a copy of the book ‘DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY’ – the winner of the handicap (mark-foy) yacht race e.g. 1st across the line – will collect the $80 book. DETAILS HERE  https://destownson.co.nz
Now relax launch owners, there will be some WW merchandise for you – details tomorrow 🙂
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Woody Project – Wai Lani

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WOODY PROJECT

I can not tell you much about the above launch other than she is 29’6”, her TME listing states she is a Lane, but to quote HDK – Lane = the default name for most wooden boats. The motor and box are out, but ‘complete’ (what ever that means).
At a guess her name appears to be Wai Lani, but the photos are too low res to blow up to read.
Bids are sitting at around $650 for even if you don’t want the boat, there are some good fittings to be had 🙂
Harold Kidd Input – WAI LANI was built in the winter of 1916 by Dick Lang for H T D Lloyd of 19 Ring Terrace, St Mary’s Bay.
WW T-SHIRTS & CAPS
If you are thinking about ordering some WW branded gear – might be best to get a wriggle on, getting tight on some sizes 🙂
AND REMEMBER WOODYS – ITS PATIO BAY THIS WEEKEND
Its a Mark-Foy start for the CYA yachts so we should be seeing another tight finish. Launches are encouraged to get there early to secure a good viewing anchorage – and less rowing when returning from the legendary party / BBQ ashore.
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Matareka

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MATAREKA
A question today, in the b/wphoto above the caption states that the photo is of the start of a 1904 Oil & Steam Race, which the launch Matareka in the foreground, went on to win. So the question is – is the boat actually Matareka II that was built in 1907 by the Logans, if so could the newspaper caption be wrong? Or is it another boat ?
You can read / see more on Matareka II at the WW link below

https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/09/matareka-ii/

Recently on the Classics Woody Weekend Cruise up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club, I spotted Matareka II on the pile moorings near the Brookland Boating Club. These days she is owned by boatbuilder – Peter Brookes, and serves as the family Hauraki Gulf cruiser.
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Help Required ID’ing The Launch Below
 
Yesterday I was contacted by Chris Staub, who has recently purchased the boat in the photos below from the previous owner in Milford Marina in Auckland. 
Chris doesn’t have much information on the boat but was hoping to uncover some of boats history, 
Here’s what Chris knows:
• The boats name is Karanada
• Rumour has it she was built in Nelson c.1965
• The last two owners have kept it her in Milford marina for 10 years.
Chris works in the marina industry and intends restoring her to as close to as launch as he can – therefore any old photos, before box was added 🙂 would be appreciated.

Is This The Best Restoration Of A Sub 36’ Wooden Classic Launch

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Is This The Best Restoration Of A Sub 36’ Wooden Classic Launch

Todays woody has made a few guest appearances on WW. I first bumped into the 34’ Kailua when she was owned by Waiheke woody – Graham Guthrie. Graham looked after her like one of the family, retaining master tradesman – Mark Stapleton, as the ‘hired-hand’. Mark looked after the annual maintenance and undertook any structural repairs when and if required.

Kailua was designed and built in 1961 by Bob Salthouse using double skin kauri, with teak/mahogany combings. As launched (b/w photo below) she was named Lady Beryl. She was built for L M Lincoln of Glen Eden, and to quote Harold Kidd ‘there were further clones because it was such a damn nice boat’.

Back in 2016, Graham sold Kailua – it was a slightly unusual sale i.e. the buyer wanted a Waiheke Island mooring, which are almost impossible to buy – but there was an easy solution –  buy a residents boat and acquire the mooring 🙂 Only one problem , the buyer fell in love with Kailua. So next thing she is being hauled out at the Nautique yard for the biggest birthday of her life, we are talking a no budget, no expense spared re-build (refer photos below of the process).

If you walk the docks as much as I do you learn that most marinas have a lot of boats whose owners became addicted to the restoration process, then when finished realised that there were other things happening in their life that rate higher on the family ‘to-do-list’. Now fast forward a couple of years and her owner has purchased again and their instructions are very short and sweet – sell Kailua please.
 
So woodys, if you are looking for a turn-key classic launch that without a doubt is the finest in the sub 36 feet category – Kailua is your boat. Initial expressions of interest to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
 
SOME INFO:
 
Kailua is a very deceptive classic, she is fast – several years ago James Mobberley from Moon Engines, shoe-horned in a 160hp turbo Hino engine & this provides Kailua with the means to lift her skirt & dance i.e. 10>12 knots cruising speed. She won the CYA Rudder Cup launch race in the 2009/10 season. 
Moon’s have done the same transplant to several other classics (Falcon and Romance II) placing them all in the serious zoom zoom category (for old classic wooden craft). The one difference with Kailua is that her owner in 2016 commissioned a super yacht standard engine insulation fit-out, so unlike her sister re-powers, she now has a subdued hot-rod purr 🙂
 
Included in the 2016 re-build was new paint job and Uroxsys varnish treatment inside and out. Professionally re upholstered, carpeted and new teak flooring + new galley and head set up. Viewing her, what is so cool is that her owner has retained the fittings that make her what she is – a very special classic woody.
 
For seriously interested parties – I have a copy of the 2016 Beale Boats structural survey, prior to the re-fit and the vessel will be hauled out from December 3rd for her annual maintenance, thereby providing interested parties the opportunity to view the vessel out of the water. 
 
I’ll be bold and make a predication – if Kailua does not sell soon, her owner will re-list her in late 2020 and most likely achieve a sale price $50k above what she can be acquired for today. 
Some one wanting a state-of-the-art, fully restored, fast and good looking woody – to view / entertain friends and business associates on for the America’s Cup and associated events will snap her up.

Lady Beth : Kailua

Lady Beryl

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Tall Ship Peking – Tackles Cape Horn

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Tall Ship Peking – Tackles Cape Horn
The movie below was shot and narrated by Captain Irving Johnson in 1929 and features the tall ship Peking on her outbound journey around Cape Horn. – Its 1/2 hr long but a good insight into when men were men 🙂
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For lovers of wooden boats – the 2020 Calendar of Wooden Boats, published by Ben Mendlowitz and Maynard Bray has just hit the shops. You can buy it on-line at the WoodenBoat Store – link below. Nice to see that our own Waitangi has mage an appearance – gracing the month of December.
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Whangarei Town Basin 1943

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Whangarei Town Basin 1943


Todays photo, ex the Navy Museum, is captioned  ‘ Outer Patrol Launches Whangarei c.1943’. We have an interesting mix of vessels tied up.
The two on the right should be easy to ID – being Q Class patrol vessels i.e. motor launches built in the 1930s and used by the NZ Navy during WW2. John Clarke has supplied ex this site, a listing – Amakura Q04, Lady Gay Q00, Lady Margaret Q08, Lady Shirley Q11 later Q12, Maristella Q02, Movarie Q05 , Rawea Q06, Shenandoah Q03, Te Rauparaha Q07, Wirihana Q01. All navy inner and outer patrol vessels. John commented that if the WW list is correct, the vessels moored at the head of the line in the photo would be Maristella (Q02) and Lady Shirley (Q12). Maristella was a 40 footer, built by Sam Ford in December 1936 for Mr R.W. Wills of Epsom and fitted with a 50hp Ailsa Craig diesel. During WW2 RNZN patrol service she was fitted with a Gray for spares rationalization purposes. Lady Shirley was a 36 footer, built for Mr C Sinel of Auckland by C Bailey & Son in 1938. Both are still afloat and well-loved launches, search their names in the WW search panel for more photos / info.
 
Are we able to ID the launches astern of the Q Class boats?
 
I was contacted last week by Whangarei boatbuilder, Mike Hughes with a heads up that the little Harrison Butler ‘Omicron’ (below) was back in Mike’s workshop for a little regular maintenance.

She is a rather pretty looking yacht – but she should be given she was built by Percy Voss in 1945.
Omicron is kept at Parua Bay, Whangarei.
 
annual maintenance