Author Archives: Alan Houghton - waitematawoodys.com founder

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About Alan Houghton - waitematawoodys.com founder

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.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NGARUNUI – A PEEK DOWN BELOW + NOW FOR SALE

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NGARUNUI – A PEEK DOWN BELOW + NOW FOR SALE

Today’s featured classic wooden launch is the impressive 48’ NGARUNUI, designed and built by Jim Young and launched in 1959. With a generous 12’ beam and 6’6” headroom, she’s a big, comfortable girl – in fact, she sleeps nine.

Constructed in kauri, 1 1/4” carvel-planked, NGARUNUI carries all the hallmarks of a serious long-distance cruiser.

Power comes from a 200hp Doosan L136T, and she’s backed up by a Yanmar 20hp auxiliary driving its own shaft and prop. Combine that with what I’d call a new ‘sail-assist’ rig, and you’ve got one of the best “get me home” configurations you’ll find on a classic wooden launch.

Yes, she is for sale, and her spec sheet is both extensive and impressive. Most WW readers don’t need every last detail here, but rest assured – it’s all there: autohelm, radar, bow thruster, 1200L fuel, 800L water, and a long list of quality gear. Full details reserved for genuinely interested parties.

So, two options today:

  1. Buy NGARUNUI now and be cruising the gulf this Christmas / New Year.
  2. Walk away, knowing she’ll sit quietly in the back of your mind – with the very real risk that someone else snaps her up first.

The owner’s price expectation is market-realistic, and NGARUNUI represents exceptional value for a vessel of this calibre.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WORKBOAT – RAWHITI

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CLASSIC SOUTHERN WORKBOAT – RAWHITI

Todays woody workboat comes to us from ’Timespanner’ via Ian McDonald. All WW knows is the boat is / was based at Stewart Island and her skipper was Fluff Leask.

Can me learn more about this very salty looking classic.

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW B4 STOCK RUNS OUT

CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – LINDA – THE FULL CIRCLE

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CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – LINDA – THE FULL CIRCLE

Back in 1959 the 1927 Colin Wild built 47’ launch LINDA relocated from her home waters , the Waitemata Harbour, to Whangarei, Northland. Her new owner was Reg Fisher.

In the April 1961 edition of Sea Spray magazine there was an article (as above) on the boats history and recent modifications and updates.

In later years she returned to Auckland and in the last 2 years has relocated North again to Kerikeri, – the full circle.

The Sea Spray article comes to us via Ken Ricketts.

Lots of WW stories and photos of LINDA at this master link https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=LINDA&submit=Search

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW B4 STOCK RUNS OUT

HIGH PERFORMANCE AFFORDABLE CLASSIC SAILING 

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HIGH PERFORMANCE AFFORDABLE CLASSIC SAILING 

Very rarely woodys will you see the above words together, but today they perfectly described the classic 29’ yacht – AOTEAROA.

Let me explain – Affordable # because the asking price is only $14,750 and that includes the trailer, which is probably worth more than the yacht #  no marina fees, keep at home or in low cost out-of-water storage

High Performance – # the Dragon classic yacht is a pure racing thoroughbred with the added bonus of drop dead good looks thanks to her sleek, graceful lines and its generous overhangs. # Her powerful rig delivers supreme on-the-water performance.

Classic Sailing – # built in 1967 AOTEAROA is registered with the NZ Classic Yacht fleet and regularly outperforms many larger classic keelers of a similar era, regardless of their size.

AOTEAROA IS COMPLETE AND READY TO BE SAILING THIS SUMMER HOLIDAYS – Treat yourself or the family this Christmas.  Whist it would be nice to see AOTEAROA back on the Waitemata Harbour she would be a very cool sight on Lake Taupo.

For a copy of the maintenance history, race results and inventory – contact Tim Hooson on 021 623 225 or via email thooson@outlook.co.nz

CLASSIC WORKBOAT MV MILLARM 

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CLASSIC WORKBOAT MV MILLARM 

The MV MILLARM a well known boat around Wellington in the 1970’s,  popped up on social media several months ago in the ‘Cook Strait Gossip & Drama’ fb feed. 
The story goes that in 1982 after a medial event onboard the vessel was run aground in Breaker Bay, Wellington.                                                                                              The motor was salvaged and put into another vessel, the top cabin and deck were removed and taken to Lyall Bay where they sat on the seaward side of a property at the westside of the bay.In previous life worked as a pilot boat.

Can we learn anymore about MV MILLARM.

INPUT ex JOHN WICKS  – Owner was Russ McKay. Memory (that unreliable source) says she was a Roger Carey design and possibly build. She was named for Mill Arm in Greville Harbour, D’Urville Island, a very pretty and sheltered anchorage. She was quite new when tragedy struck her. Interestingly she was built as a private vessel, despite her handsome fishing boat look.

INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – Built by Miller and Tunnage. Used as a pilot launch for a few weeks when both Wellington’s pilot launches were out of service for reasons I cannot recall. On the day she was wrecked, she had crossed Cook Strait and visited the PACIFIC CHARGER, aground at Baring Head. I remember that there was a big swell running that day. Owner Russell McKay was on his own. Set sail from Baring Head towards Breaker Bay and failed to alter to starboard once the harbour entrance was reached. The unforgiving nature of the shore and the big swell did for MILL ARM. A great shame. Beautifully built in kauri of course. Only a year or so old.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MONTEREY RE-LAUNCHED

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MONTEREY ex MY GIRL post launching

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MONTEREY RE-LAUNCHED

A couple of weeks ago we reported on the work underway on the classic Lidgard built wooden launch MONTEREY at the Slipway Milford yard – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/11/14/classic-lidgard-launch-monterey-gets-a-birthday/

On Friday MONTEREY slipped back into the water looking the best she has in the last 20 years, a tribute to her new owner and the skills of the craftspeople at the Slipway Milford yard.

Still a few projects to be finished off back on her marina, but today we celebrate the ‘homecoming’ of one of the fleets best looking classic wooden launches.

Lots of dockside chat regarding the grey anti-fouling and how it will look with the normal bits hanging off in a few months – time will tell 😉

We will follow up with an interior story in a few weeks.

(Photos ex owner, Jason Prew and Alan H)

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW B4 STOCK RUNS OUT

CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER – GYPSY – Why Are the Good Ones Never Nearby

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CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER – GYPSY – Why Are the Good Ones Never Nearby

Doing a tme deep dive over the weekend and up popped the 22’ clinker launch – GYPSY. Sure its a project given the recent sinking but at current bidding (4 bids) its $10 and its reached its reverse price.

This 1970 woody comes from the very impressive stable of Lionel Jefcoat, a master craftsman. Read about the man here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/03/12/lionel-jefcoat-boatbuilder-wood-craftsman/
The story is the boat sank on its mooring (not totally submerged) due to a skin fitting failure caused by bad weather .It is sound condition with only a small amount of rot around cabin.the motor was running normally before it sank and was washed down and flushed out within a day of haul out. The photos of GYPSY out of the water were taken after the sinking.

Motor is a 10hp Kelvin P2 diesel. Home is Lyttelton, Canterbury.
Someone one in the Picton Clinker and Classic Boat Club needs to buy her, a perfect additional to the fleet.If she was in Auckland, it would be sitting in my drive by now.Auction close 7pm Friday night.

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW B4 STOCK RUNS OUT

CLASSIC LAUNCH HITS THE ROCKS AT BROWNS ISLAND – SOS  – CAN WE SAVE SILVER SEA FROM THE CRUSHER

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2016 PHOTO BELOW

CLASSIC LAUNCH HITS THE ROCKS AT BROWNS ISLAND – SOS  – CAN WE SAVE SILVER SEA FROM THE CRUSHER

Back in 2016 we ran a story on the 36′ classic wooden launch – SILVER SEA, at the time the story generated a lot of chat and photos. Link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/19/silver-sea/

Yesterday afternoon WW was contacted by fellow classic boat owner Mark McLaughlin – details below –
“ I was down at RAYC this afternoon for my son’s Optimist sailing and found Silver Sea being towed in by the Harbourmaster. He told me she went onto rocks today at Brown’s Island and the keel got punched into the hull. She went down to the gunwales at the cockpit but they managed to keep her afloat long enough to get her into Okahu Bay. She was quickly pulled ashore to the old hardstand area (brutally!) and will stay there for 48hrs before disposal by the Harbourmaster unless someone wants to take her on. Sadly the owner is not insured and apparently this was to be his final trip in the boat before selling her. The Harbourmaster said it is unlikely the owner will have the resources or energy to fix her.”

Check out the video below – the haul-out was VERY agricultural……………….
So woodys anyone out they prepared to step up and take on saving SILVER SEA Anyone interested should contact the Harbourmasters Office.

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW B4 STOCK RUNS OUT

SAVING A CLASSIC SEACRAFT RUNABOUT 

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SAVING A CLASSIC SEACRAFT RUNABOUT 

If todays woody was a car the all most blue blood link would double its value. Read below the story sent in by Philip Wilson. 

Philip is keen to talk to anyone with additional info about this boats history.

“Back in the 1962 this boat was commissioned as a new build by the Govt Internal Affairs Dept as one of 4-5 Seacraft boats to be used for a visit by the Queen Mother and her party to Lake Taupo. She was to have arrived by Sunderland flying boat and taken ashore in one of these boats and later taken out trout fishing. This visit was unfortunately cancelled I understand due to a health problem

The boat however was a new build, delivered to Taupo and was under the charge of the Head Ranger, Don Maine.

The boat was unique as it was the first hull built to a new modified design with a double skin bottom, a diagonal inner and a fore and aft outer skin rather than the original clinker bottom of the previous boats. This was to give the bottom additional strength to take the power of twin Ford Consul inboard engines.  This info has been confirmed in an email communication to me from Lionel Sands CEO of Seacraft.

How long the boat was in the care of the Ranger, I don’t know or its history until I acquired it.

I acquired this boat via Trade Me after a couple of year’s research to find it in 2005.

The actual structural restoration took 7 years of part time work with a lot of periods of nothing.

The original cabin and deck were too far gone to be reused but the parts made excellent pattens for the new cabin in Sappele Mahogany.    

Seacraft interiors were very spartan in the day so I adopted a configuration from my days at Fleetcraft Marine in Palmerston North.

The Ford Consul’s no longer existed so I decided to go out on a limb and after extensive research I opted for Toyota Starlet 1300 cc Fuel injected/computer controlled engines of 1996 vintage. These engines are coupled to Hurth 150 V drive boxes. 

Many hours were taken to marinize the engines and custom make all the necessary components to get this installation together.

However the end result is a craft that looks good, retains its original classic lines and is functional and has reliable engineering. The engines have been professionally tuned and adapted for marine use.

Late Nov 2025 I completed to final sea trial with the engines running very quietly and achieving 27 kns at 4500 rpm which is the planned max cruising speed.”

UPDATE ex ALAN CRAIG (Craig Marine) Alan has the other two boats referred to above. 

SONGBIRD – A SPIRIT OF TRADITION WOODY

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SONGBIRD – A SPIRIT OF TRADITION WOODY

It is pretty rare these days to see the launch of a new wooden boat so Bill Townson’s SONGBIRD gets to make an appearance on WW via the ’spirit of tradition’ umbrella.

Todays photos and comments (below) come to us from Hugh Gladwell.

“Bill Townsons new launch Songbird went overboard at the Warkworth Cement Works on Wednesday. A backyard designed and built wooden launch is a rarity these days. She is 3 skin kauri and Alaskan yellow cedar glassed inside and out with no stringers or ribs. Powered by a Yanmar 110. The standard of finish is impeccable. Bill is now 82 and has been building her with his wife Mona for the last 6 years. Mona explained that she didn’t actually work on the boat but supervised Bill throughout.”

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW – DOWN TO SINGLE DIGIT NUMBERS ON MOST T-SHIRT SIZES AND LESS THAN 12 CAPS IN STOCK