What is Waitemata Woodys all about?
We provide a meeting point for owners and devotees of classic wooden boat. We seek to capture the growing interest in old wooden boats and to encourage and bring together all those friendly people who are interested in the preservation of classic wooden vessels for whatever reason, be it their own lifestyle, passion for old boats or just their view of the world.
We encourage the exchange of knowledge about the care and restoration of these old boats, and we facilitate gatherings of classic wooden boats via working together with traditionally-minded clubs and associations.
Are you a Waitemata Woody?
The Waitemata Woodies blog provides a virtual meeting point for lovers of classic and traditional wooden boats. If you are interested in our interests and activities become a follower to this blog.
The Vessels Featured
The boats on display here (yes there are some yachts included, some are just to drop dead stunning to over look) require patrons, people devoted to their care and up keep, financially and emotionally . The owners of these boats understand the importance of owning, restoring and keeping a part of the golden age of Kiwi boating alive. The boats are true Kiwi treasure to be preserved and appreciated.
As a result of Wednesdays story Dean Wright pointed me in the direction of the photos you see today. Same name, now slightly different e.g its been sliced in two – now TAI MARINO.
What we have learnt is that she is 40’ in length, built c.1968 by Kingfisher Boats in Tauranga, originally for game fishing.Kauri carvel planked hull.
Currently powered by a 120hp Ford (Lees) engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.
Todays woody is the 36’ launch – MANAAKI built in 1928 by Collings & Bell. The photo comes to us from Karl Webber via Lew Redwood fb. In the fb story is comments that at the time of the photo (1930) the boat was owned by the Webber family and was built of kauri and used primarily to cross from Kapiti Island to Paraparaumu.
Looking for confirmation that todays MANAAKI is the same launch that was build for the Zane Grey fleet – ALMA G, OTEHEI and AVALON were the names of some of her sisters.
I spotted the above (ex?) workboat last weekend in Bon Accord Harbour, KAWAU ISLAND during the Woodys Classic Launch Parade.
Keen to lean more about her past and present life.
ANYONE OWN A – J. A. Wheeler classic boat? I have come across the location of the builders name plate below, which is crying out to be re-connected to a suitable vessel.
Todays woody is looking for a new home and I suspect someone with deep pockets. The c.1950’s speedboat is 16’6” in length and built with triple kauri plank and mahogany plank deck. From the photos the hull appears to be in good condition, probably due to being in storage for the last 30 years.
Currently powered by a Ford flathead V8 engine (not running). Its stated that ‘in her day’ she was capable of towing skiers at 40mph.
So woodys – anyone looking for a project – has Lake Rotoiti written all over her 🙂 (Thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)
MISS PICTON the ex tourist launch was built by Collings & Bell and launched in December 1933. Her first owner was Captain M Steele of Picton, who motored MISS PICTON down the East Coast to Picton. In 1953 her name was changed to MITRE PEAK and she ‘worked in the excursions & tourist services market.
Todays photo was sent in by Roger Young who commented that the man standing on the foredeck is Aubrey Forster, NZ Airforce. Aubery was Roger’s partner Suzanne’s father.. The photo is thought to be dated early 1950’sInteresting mix of people aboard, appear to be all well attired, but that was the normal back then. Any woody able to shed more light on the photo.
Photo below ex Richard Hockey – now named Anita Bay. Location is Riverton. The ’new’ superstructure was added c.1970’s. (Early intel ex Harold Kidd)
31-10-2025 INPUT ex RICHARD HOCKEY (Brisbane, Aust) – photos below of ANITA BAY in Riverton + also one from 1976 when she was still Mitre Peak but had new superstructure.
CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – TAIMARINO
Woody John Dawson recently unearthed the top black-and-white photo of the classic wooden boat TAIMARINO. The image appeared in an old article on big game fishing and immediately caught his eye. John’s detective work led him to Paul Wilson, who kindly sent through the colour photograph above. Paul also mentioned that TAIMARINO was possibly built by Bill Visser in the late 1960s. And that, woodys, is where the trail currently ends. Can anyone help fill in the gaps in TAIMARINO’s story? Any background on her design, builder, or early adventures would be greatly appreciated.
A SAD NOTE – Yesterday I learned of the passing of Bruce Tantrum – a true enthusiast and long-time supporter of the New Zealand classic wooden boating movement. R.I.P. Bruce — your passion and knowledge will be greatly missed on the waterfront.
2025 KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA – A WOODY WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – 50+ PHOTOS
Pleased to report that the long weekend’s woody action at Kawau Island was an absolute triumph. Now in its second year, the Spring Splash Regatta — a joint venture between the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club, and Waitematawoodys — continues to grow in both size and spirit.
It’s still early days for what’s shaping up to be a great annual tradition, but this year’s event had an unmistakably upbeat, jaunty vibe. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, swapping yarns, and clearly having a great time afloat and ashore.
I’ll apologise up front for being light on the yacht racing and prize-giving coverage — for reasons I won’t bore you with — but rest assured, the competition and camaraderie were both in full swing.
Sunday’s Woodys Classic Parade was the visual highlight of the weekend, showcasing a handsome flotilla of 17 classic launches for all those anchored in Bon Accord Harbour and watching from waterfront properties. Aside from a brief 10-minute burst of H₂O at the start, the weather came right and the parade looked spectacular.
A big thank you to the classic skippers and crews who took part — your efforts made for a great show.
Helming a boat among moored craft while trying to take photos is a fine line between “challenging” and “slightly reckless,” so I’m especially grateful to Dean Watchlin, Murray Deeble and Richard Bicknell for sharing their superb photos from the weekend.
Enjoy today’s gallery — loosely divided into two parts: the weekend’s happenings and the Sunday Parade. Sorry if the cameras missed your boat – some joined the parade midway and some departed midway. The crew of KAIKOURA below, correctly attired for the occasion 🙂
CLASSIC WOODEN BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MARLINE GETS A REFRESH
Today’s woody story features the beautifully built MARLINE — a 1949/50 ex-game boat crafted by Leon Warne, and remarkably, still in the same family after three generations.
Now owned by Leon’s son, Ken Warne, the custodianship torch has been passed to Ken’s son Kennedy Warne, who’s been spending countless hours alongside the skilled team at CMC Design Boatbuilders in Opua, giving MARLINE some well-earned TLC.
MARLINE arrived at the CMC Design workshop in late April 2025. As Sian Steward from CMC Design explains, Leon’s master craftsmanship remains front of mind in every decision as they carefully upgrade and refresh her. While she was in impressive condition on arrival, she’ll leave looking that little bit sharper — the perfect birthday present as she celebrates 75 years afloat.
Relaunch is set for December 2025 — just in time for a well-deserved Bay of Islands summer.
Not often I start with an apology– yesterday at Kawau was a wee bit of a cock up. I missed the prize giving. I’ll be polite and say things got ‘Lost In Translation’.
I was working on intel supplied eg prize giving was according to the notice of regatta was Sunday but it was held on Saturday……. Never mind 😄 sorry to the woodys that turned up 😢
During the week WW was contacted by Karl Reynolds the owner of the 1927 Dick Lang built 31’ classic wooden launch – IRENE. IRENE last appeared on WW back in April 2016, link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/27/irene-2/
Karl purchased the vessel in March 2025 and has been undertaking a refit, The work started with a good clean in the hull and then Karl and his father managed to complete the following in the 15 days they had IRENE hauled out.
• New larger hatch to remove engine through and lifted height to give me head room at helm
• Bulk heads installed to add support to hull and cut out to reduce visual impact
• New Ford engine with heat exchanger sitting on its mounts awaiting gearbox and alignment
• Closed in stern to keep birds out
If you are undertaking a woody project , please share the work with WW, readers love seeing word-in-progress.
Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Graeme Holloway regarding the classic wooden launch – CHLOE – I’ll hand over to Graeme to tell todays story –
“I happened to stumble upon a photo Below) you had posted and recognised it as a launch my Dad owned back in the 1980’s. CHLOE was a Bill Cauldrey design, and the hull and topsides were built for Joe and Edna Gaunt and Joe finished off the interior. She was launched in 1967 and the hull was originally painted green. She had no port holes and also had a mast on the foredeck. Joe and Edna were members of the Devonport Yacht Club and for many years she was moored just out from the club in Devonport. She was 30ft long and the original motor was a 55 horse BMC Commander. She cruised at 8 knots. My parents, Ian and Marion Holloway purchased CHLOE in 1983 and kept her moored in Westhaven. My Dad put the port holes in and painted her hull white. They too were members of the Devonport Yacht Club and over the winter months she would be pulled up on the hard in front of the clubhouse for maintenance. She was sold in 1993 and was moored in Whakatakataka for a period of time and then disappeared.”
Graeme commented the photos with the green hull show her out from Motuihe Island c.1983. In the last photo of CHLOE we see her with the white hull and new port holes. Is being slipped up next to the clubhouse at the Devonport Yacht Club c.1986, and was published in the Metro Magazine relating to an article that was written about Devonport. I recognise a few of the ‘helpers’ faces 🙂
waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily - 14+ million views 