

KATOA + VACUNA – In The 1950’s
Following on from the recent WW update story on the launch – Katoa, I was contacted during the week by Richard Daley, whose grandfather – Reg Bull owned Katoa during the 1950’s. She was kept on Lake Taupo and Richard’s mother – Judy, spent much of her holidays aboard her during this time. Richard commented that the family found her a vast improvement on Reg’s previous boat, the Nomad, which rarely managed to get around Rangitira Point on the way to the Western Bays.
On selling Katoa, Reg had Owen Woolley build him a replacement – Vacuna, which was launched in 1959. Vacuna featured in WW a few years ago in a less salubrious story regarding her sinking & subsequent sale – RIP Tom the Torch 😉 .
The photos above show both from that period, Richard says the one of Katoa is proof that she did make it to the Western Bays on many occasions.
WW Katoa links
https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/06/03/54970/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/12/04/new-arrival-at-mapua/
WW Vacuna link https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/11/25/vacuna-2/
RSVP (boat name & approx # of passengers) to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Further thought- she bears strong resemblance to Maibie- including false stepped sheer shape.
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I’d suggest she looks a lot like a flush decked something, that has been bridgedeckerised by Dick Lang?
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