CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WINSOME II (MAUDE T > LATEX) 4SALE
Todays feature classic wooden craft is WINSOME II, the 36’ William Hand designed launch was built in 1924 by the Lane Co., Freemans Bay, Auckland.
WINSOME II has appeared on WW numerous times over the years as we have followed her movements around New Zealand.
Today thanks to her current owners we get an extensive deep dive into her past. I have included below a brief overview but encourage you to open / download the PDF file attached to todays story to experience her amazing visual and written history.
Built 1924 – LOA 36’, beam 9’6”, draught 2’9”, kauri chine hull.
Launched as MAUDE T for David Teed, the then mayor of Newmarket, Auckland. Purchased by a Capt. A.E. Emanuel, a ships’ pilot who came to NZ from Shanghai. Re-named LATEX. Commandeered 1940 by the RNZAF, served in Auckland and Tauranga harbours ferrying trainee pilots to and from airports. Acquired by Andy Donovan 1945, used as a charter boat, big game fishing, etc Re-powered with Gray V8 gasoline engine, Cruised at 20 knots. Wheelhouse added 1952. Repowered with Nissan SD 33 diesel 1991. Bequeathed to grandson Andrew Lusty c.1995. Then an unknown owner took her to the Bay of Islands. Found in 2002 by Mike Allan (Marlborough) and trucked and sailed down to Havelock, Marlborough. Refurbishment is ongoing, continued by Chris and Julia Knowles from 2002.
Maintained with significant assistance from Richard Browning (mechanic/electrical engineer) who also refurbished hull, and installed new galley, conversion to all-round LED lighting, installation 40 V solar panel and associated control panel. WINSOME II is powered by a Nissan diesel SD 42 T 120 HP straight 6 cylinder that had a marinised cooling system installed 1995. Refurbished motor installed 2016. Her comfortable speed range (cruise > max) is 8 > 10 knots.
Todays photo gallery are a mix of dates, used to give an overview of her adventures.
Today’s story has two objectives.
To record and share the remarkable history of this beautiful 100-year-old classic so that her story is preserved for future generations.
And to help find her next owner – not simply a buyer, but a custodian who recognises they are acquiring one of New Zealand’s maritime treasures… a vessel that also happens to stop people in their tracks wherever she goes.
Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details.
14-07-2026 INPUT ex ELLEN ANDERSON – Daughter of the “unknown owner” (mentioned above) that took WINSOME II to B.O.I. – the old photo below is Ellen at the helm as a little girl.
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New photo added. Alan H
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I crewed with Andy on Winsome II in the 1970’s. We always went north to the Bay at Xmas where we picked up numerous old mates of his then headed out to the fishing grounds, based in Otehei Bay. Very good times on board and ashore. Probably not so welcome these days with changing times. The Chris Craft 327 V8 (Chevrolet) was a beautifully smooth engine. Andy had Keith McGregor, of Miss Air New Zealand hydroplane fame, look after it. The prop was 5 bladed. I used to sand and varnish the outriggers on a barge at Westhaven Marina. Wayne Hurst looked after the cabin varnish and topsides. We used American H O Callahan Marine Varnish which was applied when chilled in an ice bucket. As good as any products on the market today. Started with diluted coats, building up to full strength. And, yes, the poles contributed to a bit of roll but the narrow beam compensated. In a head sea you could feel the floors lifting slightly as she settled back down in the swell.
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MESSAGE FROM SHAUGHAN ANDERSON (a past B.O.I. owner)
We bought and used it as a family boat n for gamefishing which we did. (Our daughter learnt port n starboard before left n right due to her managing the auto steer while gamefishing). We bought it from the grandson ie young Andrew.
We used it for some time with the petrol engine which I recall having Chriscraft not Grays decals. We removed the engine after investigating conversion to diesel which I was unsure of and bought from Chris Moon the SD Nissan engine. We also removed the bronze cooling system etc n replaced gear box n cooling of it and the 4 blade to 3 blade propeller.
Unexpectedly while game fishing one of the oregon? poles broke. Controversially as was anything we did on the boat we replaced with kilwell fiberglass poles. Reducing maintenance n roll ie wood poles were quite a weight high up.
As with all old boats we didn’t do everything but we did a lot. We were offended by the previous articles that said we let it go. We ticked off the jobs we could and kept her in great condition. The block and others remained. But equally it didn’t get like that in five minutes. Was visible n declared in “survey”.
Great to see her in good condition. Even better to see quality items such as the clock n barometer set still there n not pilfered. Shame to see the fridge freezer gone. The conversion to wartime look…well that’s a matter of opinion and the current owners choice. I personally prefer the private n game fishing look which has prevailed over the majority of her history. (edited Alan H)
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Ken is correct – Andy replaced the inline 8cyl Chrysler Royale and installed a ChrisCraft 327 V8 in her approx late 60’s, to my knowledge.
I inherited her in 1990 following Andy’s passing in 1989. I sold her about 1991 or early 1992 to a chap whose name I am trying to dredge up. I think Shaun and he worked for DOC in Russell. He changed engines as soon as he bought her, fitting the Nissan SD33.
My understanding is he sold her to maybe John Dennistoun-Wood who had a house on the Russell waterfront. She sat on a mooring there for some time, then seems to have been bought by Martin and Gail Newton in Whangarei about 1999. There is a note on WW showing their ownership and works they undertook.
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It would seem by a comment from someone who had actual sailed in her in the 1970s, & as reported in a previous post on WINSOME II, that she had a Chris craft petrol V8 which is in line with my own knowledge. I never heard of her having a Graymarine before.
Herewith a previous comment from Harold.
I quote: Andrew Donovan who removed the, by now clapped out, Stearns and replaced it with a brand new 1946 Chrysler 8 cylinder marine engine, ( I saw this engine it was an inline engine,& was a Chrysler Royal) renaming her WINSOME after his daughter but added the “II,” when he realized that the Pickmere’s still had WINSOME in Whangarei.
This was after a shortish time, replaced by the large Chris Craft V8, by Andy D as referred to above. I never heard of her having a Graymarine.
I wonder if she still has her beautiful varnished stern, she had in1946 when first saw her & which she had right through the Donovan era.
It is a shame she has such a small engine these days, as she goes really well, with a decent size engine. — KEN R
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