JOAN + AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND CLASSIC BOATING MUST DOs 

While sliding down the harbour the last week, I was passed by a very grand old lady – the 42’ Joan, built in 1919 by Baily & Lowe. She just slices thru the water with ease – no doubt helped by the very rare Gardner 612 engine. I have reproduced Harold Kidd’s notes below from a 2014 WW story – link to that and another story at the end.

“JOAN was built by Bailey & Lowe in December 1918 as IMANOTA for William Lang Casey of Hamilton Road, Herne Bay, the then President of the Victoria Cruising Club. She was 42ft x 11ft and was fitted with a Millar engine. Casey sold her to James Donald in early 1922 and he renamed her MARION D, although the name didn’t stick very well and she was often referred to as IMANOTA for years afterwards. During the winter of 1922 Donald re-powered her with a 30hp (rated) 3 cylinder Twigg and had the dodger built on. Donald owned her until just before WW2 when Athol Umfrey Wells of King Street, Panmure bought her and renamed her JOAN, probably after a daughter because his wife was Gladys. During WW2 she was with NAPS as Z19 under Wells’ command and the Twigg was replaced by a Gardner in 1944. Athol Wells owned her for many years, I think until he died in 1975. A chap called Walker owned her in the mid eighties when her provenance had transmogrified into her being built by Chas. Bailey in 1914 and being used by Zane Grey for game-fishing, all myths.” LINKS TO WW JOAN STORIES – more insights here https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/20/joan-2/ https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/03/17/joan/