CLASSIC LAUNCH – GUNNER – A Peek Down Below

Back in Dec 2023 we ran a story on the  1940 Erine Lane built 43’ launch GUNNER, where we saw her dockside. Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/28/mv-gunner-update/

Today we get a peek down below. She is a solid old girl, 1-1/4” kauri carvel planked and powered by a 6 cyl. 100hp Ford Lees D series that give her a cruise speed of 7 knots. As Ian McDonald commented “crying out for a Gardner” 🙂

GUNNER was originally intended for work and fishing in the Marlborough Sounds. However, she was requisitioned by the Crown during wartime and transported to the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland for final fitting out. After the war, Gunner was sold and began commercial fishing out of Leigh Harbour. During this time, she also operated a mail run to Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Around 1957, Gunner changed hands again and continued her commercial fishing career from Port Ohope. In 1973, she underwent a 3-year conversion from a working vessel into a pleasure craft. This transformation included extending the wheelhouse and adding an aft cabin.

Each to their own but she appeals to me, a very comfortable boat that could easily do laps on NZ.