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.
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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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