






TURANGA SOS
Currently on tme is Turanga – a project looking for a woody to step up and bring her back into the classic launch fleet. There is no mention of a designer / builder, but its thought that she splashed c.1920. Below the sheets of plywood that make up her cabin, is a very sweet kauri planked hull. She measures 36’, her beam is 8’6” and has a draft of 3’.Under the engine box is a 1974, Commer TS3, 135hp diesel engine that sees her cruising comfortably at 9.5 knts. and topping out at over 12knts.
The photos above were taken approx. 5 years ago and the ones below are current. In a recent storm she suffered a wee oops in her berth, but nothing a good woody boat builder like Geoff Bagnall couldn’t fix.
Her auction closes Sunday at 8pm – its a $1 reserve and when I last looked she was sitting on just over $2,000 – someone will get an entry level woody for not a lot of money 🙂
(Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)


Turanga was previously known as Artono/Artona since 1913 and was built as Madge by James Reid in 1911. She was 36′ x 7′.
Myrtle Amelia Rowan and Robert Wilfred Gordon drowned off her in very rough seas Anniversary day 1914 in the Rangi channel. Robert had drowned diving in to try and save Myrtle.
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Unfortunately if they go to the wrong hands, this is what happens. It was obvious to me to be one of those cases. Sorry mate.
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She’s been cut up and scrapped now
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Heartbreaking to hear that news 😔
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Sorry Rob but she’s been under again, this time harbourmaster organised her removal from the sea floor at Kawakawa Bay. Took on water quite slowly, but was effectively abandoned. I have no idea where she is now.
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My father did the original restoration 20ish years ago, those are his pictures of it looking aces , he bought it after it had sunk and been refloated on the Tamaki river, top sides were rebuilt back then hull stripped back to timber and repairs done also a full engine recon was needed, she was a wonderful boat and served us well for many trips and never gave us any issues, so glad it is being restored again, as I have many fond memories of her. If the new owner wants any info feel free to get in touch with me and I can pass on to my father
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Comment from John Dalton
“Hi Alan , just a quick update on Turanga I have just taken postion of this boat and am starting the long process of restoring her to her former glory she will be moored in Kawakawa Bay and used while i source materials to repair her feel free to call past any time for a look etc the jug is always hot”
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Hi, How much did she go for in the end? I’ve not been reading my emails lately… Cheers
Ben Ben Tombs Carpentry 021 407714
On Sat, 22 Aug 2020, 12:04 am waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news – updated daily, wrote:
> Alan Houghton – waitematawoodys.com founder posted: ” TURANGA SOS > Currently on tme is Turanga – a project looking for a woody to step up and > bring her back into the classic launch fleet. There is no mention of a > designer / builder, but its thought that she splashed c.1920. Below the > sheets of” >
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Link to the auction please Alan, Thanks
Sent via PM. Alan H 😉
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