WHERE IS SHE NOW – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAWHITI

Posted on by
Coromandel c.1962
Snells Beach c.2015

WHERE IS SHE NOW – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAWHITI

As a result of Tuesdays story on the mystery boats at Coromandel WW was contacted by Jackie Carey with updated intel on the vessel LADY WINN , seen in the photo, now added to the story , link to that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/09/02/mystery-wooden-vessels-at-coromandel/

Jackie also enquired about a 28’ kauri launch named RAWHITI that was built in 1962 by her father, Harold Carey, in the shed (Strongman Bros) shown in Tuesday’s photo. The launch was sold in 1963 when the family moved from the Coromandel to live in Golden Bay in the South Island in 1963.

Via the wonders of the WW Search Box I was able to send Jackie a link to a Nov 2015 WW story on RAWHITI – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/11/28/rawhiti-mv/

Jackie was very happy to see her looking so beautiful and given the WW story was 10 years ago, hoped she is still being looked after.  Jackie and her sister’s are hopeful of seeing RAWHITI  again. 

So woodys can anyone enlighten us on where RAWHITI has been for the last 10 years and who owns now.

RSVP – boat name to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Discover more from waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily - 14+ million views

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

1 thought on “WHERE IS SHE NOW – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAWHITI”

  1. I got a bit excited when I saw the name of the boat, but unfortunately the Rawhiti that is being sought is not the one that I remember from my younger days.

    My old brother in law ( Vern Harris) bought the 1904 pre mullet boat era Rawhiti in the 1980’s . Vern and I sailed many trips from Whitianga to Great Barrier Island and back in this open cockpit 18 footer.

    Alas, she was wrecked in a storm in Allom Bay, Okupe, (correct spelling) when she filled with water and pounded her planks apart as she bounced on the sandy bottom on her mooring.

    All we have left of her these days is the dilapidated cabin roof that sits as a roof to our long drop in Allom Bay.
    She was a mighty wee craft in her day. Previously a centre boarder, she had had that removed and replaced with a large chunk of lead that measured about 100mm x 100mm x 3 metres long and formed the central portion of her keelson. Her draught was a measly 18” from memory and didn’t seem to increase much no matter what we loaded into her.

    I have very fond memories of her.

    I hope you find the one you are looking for. She looks a very nice vessel.

    Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment