GAY DAWN
At the recent CYA round Rangitoto race > cake day > BBQ one of the participating launches was the c.1953 Bill Waters built 34′ bridge decker – Gay Dawn. Gay Dawn has made several appearances on WW, links below, but today we get to also see her underway. Gay Dawn is built like a brick outhouse – carvel planked kauri, hardwood ribs and a pohutukawa stem.
Forward motion comes via a Ford 120hp diesel engine, that delivers an impressive turn of speed.
After a spell in the Bay of Plenty (Tauranga) GD is back home in Auckland.
2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/18/gay-dawn-2/
2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/07/05/gay-dawn-down-below/
Update 11-04-2022 Please to see that Gay Dawn has lost the bow rail (ex a Haines Hunter?) – looks very cool nude. Fingers crossed its a permanent thing 🙂
WOODYS RIVERHEAD TAVERN LAUNCH CRUISE – THIS SATURDAY (26th)
Not to late to RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Full details will be emailed out to RSVP list.
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New photos added. Alan H
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Thanks Jason, but my mum said I sung like an angle. I was 6 at the time but hard to believe its changed much. Hehehe.
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used to be my uncle’s boat
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Those guys on Gay Dawn have an excellent stereo, dubious taste in music and after hearing the singing voices I’m very glad they have day jobs 😛
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It is so very special to see that GAY DAWN has not effectually been changed from the day I watched her go in the water at Okahu Bay, for the very 1st time in September 1953 until now, except that the varnish on the coamings has gone.
There are only a very small number of boats that are so absolutely original in every basic respect, & virtually unchanged for 69 years, (except for her several engine changes). Absolutely lovely to see her looking so stunning, — It really takes me back to my youth when my parents owned her. KEN R
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