






WHO’S BRAVE ENOUGH TO PAY $1 FOR THE CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY FAYE
Sixteen months ago we ran a story on the 32’ wooden launch – LADY FAYE, that at the time was needing a new custodian. Link below to that story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/07/25/lady-faye-can-we-save-this-classic-wooden-launch/
Fast forward to November and the vessel has gone even further down hill – and not surprisingly has a starting price of $1. And even at that figure no ones bidding.
What we know – built in 1948 by Des Donovan and Fred Steele of 20th Century Boats for Fred Steele’s own use. The current engine is a 60hp Fordson 4 cyl. diesel, condition unknown.
While her current presentation looks very intimidating – if you view it like an old house and put a dump bin at one end and just shovelled everything out, you could have the bones of a nice classic rebuild project. The photo below could be our inspiration 😉
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Does anyone know what has happened to the FAYE as at today (6.5.2026) where she is now.
She when I was young, we cruised with the Steeles most weekend in my dad’s JULIANA for many years. from the later 1940s to about 1970. KEN R (edited AH)
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It breaks my heart to see her like this. I remember her , in her early days, looking wonderful & loved, back in the late 1940s to 1960s or later perhaps. – KEN R (edited)
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