KOTARE Restoration – Boat Shed Tour
Back in June 2014 WW was approached with a request for intel on the 28’ kauri planked classic launch – Kotare, that is a poplar name for boats, so I was surprised at what we uncovered.
At the time Harold Kidd was able to tell us that she was designed by Bill Couldrey in 1960 for Frank Wilkins of Church St., Northcote to build for himself. Wilkins launched her in October 1961 with a 45hp BMC diesel.
We struck gold when Richard Farrar sent in a copy of an interview, dated 8th Oct 1996 with her builder Frank Wilkins – its a great read – link to story here: https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/08/21/kotare-builder-interview/
Fast forward to May 2020 and we ran another story on Kotare with more recent photos and details – link here: https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/12/kotare-4/
Fast forward again to the present day and as you will observe in the above photos – Kotare is being restored / refitted by sage boat builder Alan Craig and his team at Craig Marine.
Photos below post launching and c.2014
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Beautifully balanced profile and great from any angle. Always loved her looks. I’m guessing the builder had good aesthetic sense as did Bill Couldrey or could stand off and look at his fine work. Not easy in a confined shed which is why the aesthetic sense is also essential. Like her with that fwd mast -something more for the crew to hang on to. Looks good and could carry a small heads’l or the tea towels and naps.
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