Mystery Lake Okataina Launch – Can We Now Confirm Her ID
Back in February 2022 we ran a story, link below, on an unknown launch (2nd photo above) at an unknown location. At the time the location was ID’ed as Lake Okataina, Rotorua. The was a couple of potential ID’d on the launch from the two of the WW wise men 🙂
Harold Kidd suggested it may have been the bridgedecker – Merlin, owned by Beamish-White, that later went to Kawhia
Paul Drake was keen on her being the launch – Karina, that was in commercial service at Taupo in the 1960’s, owned by Jim Story.
Today thanks to Greg Philpott uncovering the top photo from the Archive NZ collection – taken by JG Duncan, we get a much better view of the launch, which was tagged 1951, Lake Okataina – so hopefully we can confirm her name and builder etc
Link to previous WW story https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/02/24/mystery-lake-launch-24-02-22/
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Pingback: CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KARINA (ex MERLIN) | waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news – updated daily
It is somewhat horrifying to think that these images could be of the same boat. I can certainly see a likeness but it seems to me that KARINA has a lot more flare around the bow than GAY LEE.
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They do both appear to have a mast step/tabernacle up the centre windscreen mullion
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She was definitely at Taupo in the ’60s, named KARINA, owned and operated commercially by Jim Story, as previously discussed
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I’ll suggest that she is the Gay Lee/ Gaylene from Horopito?
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