PHYLLIS M > WAINUNU > PHYLLIS M
Back in 2016 the launch Phyllis M popped up on WW and was harshly listed as a finalist in the Husqvana Chainsaws Boat of the Year Awards. She popped up again in 2020 looking very smart after receiving a ‘top chop’. From these stories we learnt from Harold Kidd that she was built by Fred Mann in 1919 and named Phyllis M, when sold in 1953 her new owner, Clive Power, who renamed her Wainunu, and then later changed back by another owner to PM. Search either name in the WW search box for more details and photos.
Fast forward to yesterday and WW was contacted by Vic McDonald, Vic and partner purchased Wainunu in 1995 from Mark Power, Mark is the nephew of Clive Power. The McDonald’s owned her until August 2005. Mark Power and family restored and refurbished the craft after she had been stolen and scuttled in Big Muddy Bay, Waiheke Island.
In the photo above Phyllis M / Wainunu is seen during the McDonld’s ownership period. Vic commented on the original butterfly wing hatches, brass portholes and 2 masts with roller furling sails. The Lister engine had a dry exhaust from the top of the forward mast.
The craft has had a very interesting and colourful history, a lot of which was covered in a Jan 1995 Boating NZ article – refer below (click on photo to enlarge)
Also below a very early photo.
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PHYLLIS M as WAINUNU was a big part of my life in the later 1940s through to the 1960s at which time Clive Power was not only her owner, along with his wife Phyllis, but also the Secretary of the Royal Akarana Yacht Club, for many years.
She had a 4 cyl Lister diesel at that time, with the exhaust out the top of the mast, & originally & only had a crank handle start, via a chain & shaft to the other end of the bottle green painted engine. My engineer father fitted a self started to it for Clive about which he was absolutely deighted. The Powers spent almost all their spare time cruising in her, with much time at Smelting House Bay Kawau Island, as they were also very close friends of Roy & Irene Lidgard.
The top picture may well have been taken in their era, because that was exatly what she looked like during their stewrdship. — KEN R (edited a lot)
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