Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

Classic Woody Weekend At Patio Bay – 60+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

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The Big Winner On The Day – the Duder Family on Spray – 1st Across the Line
A visitor from Hawkes Bay

Classic Woody Weekend At Patio Bay – 60+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos


As you will have come to expect, the first weekend in December sees the CYA hosting the annual Patio Bay weekend, for some reason in recent years its morphed into a potpourri of events – these days its – the CYA Xmas party, a cake competition, a motor boat poker rally and what it always was – a yacht race down to the bay for a old school waterfront BBQ. A little busy these days but it seems to work 🙂

This year was the first visit since the ownership of the property changed hands from the Woolicott family (100+ years) to Mike Mahoney. It was comforting to hear Mike talk of their feature plans that include continuing the event.


New to the programme this year was a poker run rally for the CYA launches. Skippers collect a playing card from 5 collection on route and then play a round of poker ashore to determine the winner. The event was sponsored by The Slipway Milford. Winners below:

First Across The Line – Gay Dawn – Mark & Pricilla MacDuff – Burnsco voucher + wine

Poker Run Winner- Kumi – Hayden & Linda Afford – COMPLIMENTARY SLIPWAY MILFORD HAULOUT + 4L ANTIFOUL PAINT + WW T-SHIRT

Biggest Oops (involuntary swim) – Lucinda – Jason Davies – WW T-shirt

Shoddy Boat Handling Skills – Lucille – Alan Good (wife name withheld as she was innocent) WW T-shirt
A great time was had by all and special thanks must go to everyone that helps pull the weekend together. To me it always signals the start of summer boating.

Yacht Race Results https://classicyacht.org.nz/patio-bay-mark-foy-race-results-2020/


Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book

Most WW readers will be very familiar with the annual Mahurangi Regatta – the biggest gathering of wooden boats in NZ. The MCC also put together a year book that is a one of the best boating reads each year and perfect for on the boat over xmas. So woodys, if your looking for a self present (always the best) or being asked what you want from the kids – at $20 for 108 pages it’s a steal.

Pre-order a copy here  ngairehopwood@gmail.com Or pick up a copy in store or on-line at BoatBooks

Woody Classics Weekend – Riverhead Tavern Lunch Cruise

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Woody Classics Weekend – Riverhead Tavern Lunch Cruise
Saturday night in Auckland was evil, rain, thunder and lightening – up and down several times during the night, each time thinking – Sundays woody cruise will be cancelled. But once again the weather gods smiled on us and half way up the river the sun came out and stayed out all day. Saturday nights weather scared a few boats off making the trip but most decided to join in via car.

A very pleasant afternoon was had in the Tavern’s Boathouse, which we had reserved for the group. Wonderful to catch up with everyone and to welcome several newbies to the group.Hats off the Jim and Karin Lott who made the trip up the river in their 38’ Stewart yacht – Mokoia. Make a note yachties – sub 2m draft and you are all good 😉

You will notice from the upper river photos that after all the rain, the water was very muddy – worst I have seen it – makes you wonder about all the farm land ‘converted’ to high density housing in the area. When we first started woody trips to the Tavern, most of the surrounding land was either forestry or pasture.


Took a detour on the way back into the viaduct, almost feel embarrassed asking the bridge control to raise the bridge for Raindance 🙂 , to check on the John Spencer / Classic Yacht & Launch gig at Kairanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter – scored a VIP berth, thank you Tony Stevenson.Not as many photos as normal , for once I spent most of the afternoon chatting, special thanks to Chris Miller who grabbed my camera a few times and snapped some goodies.

WIN A COPY OF ‘THE JOHN SPENCER STORY’ 64 PAGE BOOKLET

All woodys that answer the following question correctly, go into the draw for a copy of the above – As always, entry ONLY VIA EMAIL to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Q – “What was the longest yacht John Spencer designed and built”?

Entries close 8pm 09-11-2020

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS FOR SALE

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Buying or Selling a Classic Boat
Without sounding too much like the late Jacinda Ardern (“be kind”) – when people ask me about classic wooden boat ownership, I normally say that owning a woody has a positive effect on your life i.e. you end up forging a life you don’t need to escape from.

So woodys in the interest of your mental well being listed below a sample of some of the boats that are currently berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau Sales Marina. There are others for sale, some owners request privacy. To read more about the Wooden Boat Bureau – click https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/01/wooden-boat-bureau-advice-for-buyers-and-sellers/
The Wooden Boat Bureau is uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-date market information and objective advice to both sellers and buyers. So if you are looking for a wooden boat or considering selling – email us at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Or call Alan Houghton 027 660 9999


SELECTION ONLY – 50% of Listing Are Private

NGARUNUI 🔻 48′ 1959 Jim Young- Asking Price TBA UNDER OFFER

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/12/08/classic-wooden-launch-ngarunui-a-peek-down-below-now-for-sale/

MARGARET ANNE 🔻 45′ 1960 Oliver & Gilpin – Asking Price TBA

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/11/10/classic-42-launch-margaret-anne-4sale/


VANESSA🔻 49′ 2005 Robbie Roberts – UNDER OFFER

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/10/23/ready-to-unwind-this-summer-classic-motorboat-vanessa-ticks-all-the-boxes/

MANURERE🔻 43” 1937 Miller & Tunnage – Asking price $136,000

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/06/03/manurere-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

ROMANCE II🔻36′ 1919 Bailey & Lowe – Price by negotiation

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/20/quick-classic-launch-4sale-romance-ii/

KURANGI🔻35′ 1960 Builder tbc- Asking Price – TBA

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/10/06/kurangi-2/

ANTARES 🔻36′ 1949 McGeady / Supreme Craft – Asking Price – $55,000 $45,000

Learn more – email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

RESTLESS 🔻40′ 1920 Alden/Tercel – Asking price – TBA

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/19/restless/

MAHANUI 🔻42′ 1977 T Atkinson – Asking Price – TBA

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/28/classic-42-sports-cruiser-mahanui/

ALLERGY🔻 58′ 1985 Denis Ganley / Pete Culler – Asking Price – $110,000

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/21/allergy-aucklands-most-livable-woody/

SOLD – Selection below, some names withheld at seller / buyer request:

ADONIS     45′ – Owen Woolley – 1965 launch

AROHANUI            48’ – Donovan/Hacker – 1965 launch

ATHENA     25′ c.1950 Couldrey launch

AWARIKI 32′ 1967 Owen Woolley launch

BALLERINA    28′ – Lidgard – 1951   launch 

BONDI BELLE 45′ 1901 CHARLES BAILEY JNR.

CAPLIN     35′ – Anderson & Sons (UK) 1937/8 -Gaff Yawl yacht

CASTAWAY            33’ – Dick Lang – 1947 launch

CENTAURUS         42’ – Bailey & Sons – 1967 launch

KAILUA                  36’ – Salthouse – 1960/1 launch

KOKORU               39’ – Jack Morgan – 1960 launch

KOTARE                 24’ – Kingfisher Boats – 1954 launch

LADY ADELAIDE    35’ – Dick Lang – 1922 launch

LADY PAMELA       59’ – Pelin Warrior – 1986 launch

MAHANUI               42’ – Keith Atkinson – 1977 launch

MANA-NUI 39′ 1913 Harvey & Lang

MATAROA 36′ Joe Slattery 1928 launch

MONTEREY 33’6” 1946 Lidgard bridge-decker launch

NGARO                   45’ – Lidgard – 1953 launch

PIRATE                    42’ – Leone Warne – 1938 launch

POCO LENTO         33’ – Roy Parris/Bagnall – 1979 launch

RANUI 48’ 1948 Lidgard

WAIKARO                33’ – Roy Parris/Bagnall – 1978 launch

WAIMIGA                 36’ – Robertson Boatbuilders – 1968 launch

SEA FEVER 34′ Salthouse – 1958 launch

SEQUOIA 36′ 1938 Lewis McLeod launch

SHALOM                  48’ – Keith Atkinson – 1973 launch

SILENS 38′ Harvey & Lang 1912 launch

TARANUI 36′ 1965 John Gladden Motor-salier

Classic Wooden Boat Cruise – 72 photos

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S/S Romany

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Arohanui

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Trinidad

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Matira

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Ann Michelle

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Arohanui

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Lady Crossley

Raindance CCC trip Aug2020

Raindance

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WEEKEND CRUISE TO CLEVEDON  – 72 Photos 

Lets be honest, a large chunk of 2020 has been very average – locked marina’s, no on-the-water boating and cancelled events. After spending the weekend on-board Raindance, cruising up the Clevedon river and over-nighting with 12 other woody boats at the Clevedon Cruising Club, I realised what I had missed the most was the sense of fraternity that comes with being in a space shared with people who love the same things as I do – woody boats. 
 
The trip up the Wairoa River revolves around a tide window, so it was a very early start for some of us, helped by coffee on-route, the smart ones left on Friday and were enjoying breakfast in a bay as we were sliding down the Tamaki Strait. We were meet at the river entrance by CCC member Barrie Abel who ‘piloted’ us up the river – no opps, so thank you Barrie.
 
Awaiting for us at the CCC wharf was Russell Ward with his steam boat – Romany. The gent deserves a medal – all day Saturday and Sunday morning he was taking the CCC members and families + the woodys for rides. Romany is coal fired and as Russell tells everyone getting aboard – “if its metal – its hot, if its varnished – its dirty 🙂 . I’m a big fan of Romany, but the star was Cooper the English springer spaniel – I could have taken him home.
 
After some wonderful ‘air-traffic control’ we managed to get everyone either alongside the wharf or rafted to another boat that was alongside – soft bumper fenders along the entire wharf makes for very civilized berthing. However – no names, but one woody had to leave the Saturday night BBQ to check that their diesel fired on-board central heating outlet wasn’t roasting the fenders 😉
 
The day was very leisurely with most people enjoying a dockside lunch and CCC members dropping down to view the boats and people having steam boat rides. One woody took the opportunity to buy some fuel from the club’s dockside bowser, seems he forgot to check the level before departing, staring to become a habit……….
In addition to the activities afloat we were treated to some eye-candy in the car park – a stunning 1947 Ford Coupe and a replica 1945 Fairliner Torpedo speed boat.
 
Come 4pm we invaded the CCC club house for the main event – as always amazing hospitality from the club and to use that old saying “a good time was had by all”. It was announced that our visit will be a compulsory event on the club’s annual calendar – so woodys – no excuses for missing out next year. Date to be advised.
 
Check out the outdoor heater – a piece of kiwiana and it worked a treat.
 
Overnight it was a tad nippy, with several re-filling the boat water bottles in the early hours of the morning. But we woke to a stunning day and departed at 10am for the trip home.
 
And the Clevedon Coast Oysters were divine – photo below was my lunch – another set were dispatched as a appetizer – 8.5/10 – not Bluff but on the day as good 🙂
Special note of thanks to David Cook (Trinidad) who is my sidekick pulling these events together 🙂
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Tides Out 🙂  (photo ex Alan Good)

CCC tide out

Classic Wooden Boat Riverhead Cruise

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Classic Wooden Boat Riverhead Cruise

Yesterday’s creek (river) cruise to the Riverhead Tavern was another successful gig on the Woodys Classics Weekend calendar. 14 boats made the trip up the creek and with no ferries working, we had the wharf to ourselves. Always nice to be greeted at the wharf by the publican and woody boater – Stephen Pepperell. We enjoyed brilliant support and service from the rest of the team at the tavern insured the day went like clockwork and 85+people enjoyed a great catch up, chat and lunch. The sun shone at the right times (most of the day) so a good times was had by all. Wonderful to see the support from the people that made the trip by car.
Details on the next event soon 🙂
MORE PHOTO’S @ link below
My crew for the day Chris Miller has posted some great photos on his weblog, I was concentrating on helming the ship and given CM is a pro photographer I left the camera work to Chris. Enjoy 🙂

Woodys On Tour – Halls Boat Yard, New York

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Woodys On Tour – Halls Boat Yard, New York

A few years ago, woodys Jim and Karin Lott were ‘parked up’ with the masts on deck in their kauri ketch – Victoria, on the Hudson River. More specifically in the middle of New York State in a city called Albany. The Lott’s waited there for three weeks for the Erie Canal to open. Jim commented that Albany definitely does not feature on anyone’s ‘place to go’ list. They were not alone as Wellington old salt Richard Watt and his wife Enid anchored alongside them in their launch (photo below of both boats), as well as dozens of other impatient US and Canadian sailors.

To while away the time they hired a car and headed to Lake George to look at woodies at Halls Boatyard, one of the many inland homes of wooden boats in New York. Jim commented  that floating boat garages are common in North America and they spent several hours admiring a sea of varnished ash, cedar, spruce and mahogany. There was a slipway and boatyard all under cover inside the shed complex. The yard specialises in rebuilding and restoring classic motor-launches but a few yachts were getting the same TLC.

After the long wait, the canal stayed closed so they had to forgo the Great Lakes and continued up the Hudson. Eventually they locked into Lake Champlain and down the Richelieu River to the St Lawrence near Montreal in Canada.

01 Kiwis up the creek