GRACIE – 33’ WOODEN LAUNCH + CLASSIC LAUNCH SILENS SINKS

In 1741 David Hume termed the phase –  ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ – well it certainly applies to todays wooden vessel. In her tme story (thanks Ian McDonald) her owner says “Gracie is a beautifully proportioned classic wooden launch” , they also say she was designed by Jim Young – the claim to her beauty and designer have been challenged in the tme comments section and would have to agree. To my eyes has a high degree of yacht looks to her.

All the above aside she is constructed from kauri carvel planking, has a beam of 10’9’ and draws 4’3”, built c.1970’s. Her forward motion is from a Nissan 2.7L diesel engine giving her a top speed of 8 knots.

SAD NEWS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SILENS SINKS

Several reports have come in about the 1912 Harvey & Lang built, 38′ classic wooden launch SILENS sinking on Thursday/Friday while moored in Algies Bay, Mahurangi Peninsula. The unconfirmed story is that she had left her berth in Westhaven and was traveling to the Bay of Islands. Based on the weather forecast / conditions on Thursday the decision was made to stop in Algies Bay on a mooring.As a result of at this stage unknown water ingress, and possible bilge pump issues, she sank. Her mast is visibly at low tide so hopefully salvageable. Keen to learn more. In my early days on the classic woody scene SILENS was one of the in-crowd and I have happy memories from times aboard. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/16/silens-a-peek-down-below-4sale/