OPUA MYSTERY LAUNCH
Bay of Island woody, Dean Wright, sent in the above photos of a launch he spotted on a mooring at Opua. At the time Dean I was idling around waiting to go up on the travel lift.No name, but I’m sure someone will be able to tell us more about the boat.
Putting aside the obvious neglect – there is a nice woody hiding there, crying out for a serious dose of TLC.
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Greetings. Yes she is “Charlie Brown” I got her from the insurance Co as a wreck about 10 years ago after having been holed and put ashore on Waiheke. She is a Chriscraft and was designed for a pair of v8 petrol motors but kiwis don’t do petrol in boats so she was always underpowered. I repaired the hull and got some diesel v8’s but ran out of funds. Anyone interested can call me on 021 278 7474. Ken. Thanks.
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This does look a lot like the boat my father Bob Martin built around 1961 and he called it Charlie Brown .. was always in Bay of Islands for each of the summer holidays and occasionally fished in big game contests out of Russell. He kept it on a mooring in Auckland .. It was varnished on the transom and around the cockpit windows. He used a system of wood graining to make a look like a wood finish and he was very proud of his job .. as he should have been as it was perfect .. on the bow, the toe rail was also varnished teak ..sad to see in such condition now..btw the name Charlie Brown was just for fun .. he went on to build a 66 ft ketch which we as a family sailed for three years 28,000 miles over pacific , Atlantic and the Med .. the name on that boat was Chaleto (an abbreviation of Charlie 2 ) .. my Dad had a fun sense of humor
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Alf Dickson and Jim Scott where both passed owners.One off them ownered it twice
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She is a very deep vee and was never a startling performer.
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She use to have a completely varnished transom which I always thought as a small boy that was why it was called Charlie Brown!
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fully restored with varnished comings would be a stunner.
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2 x 125 hp dover fords.
Used to have 2 x 90 hp fords on vee drives.
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Yes – sad to see any boat that’s been abandoned by the owner. Anyone know what engine Charlie Brown has?
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If it is “Charlie Brown“ – what a tragedy? Last saw her in Bayswater Marina – freshly painted and looking pristine. A previous home at one time was Milford Creek. Looks very neglected.
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I agree my first reaction was that it was the Charlie Brown. The Charlie Brown was owned by the owner of Moray Industries who manufactured in NZ the Moray Wetsuit. (Alf was his first name).
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Charle brown
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