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.

Ilex Crew Visit Motukawanui Island

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ILEX CREW VISIT MOTUKAWANUI ISLAND

I came across this photo a while ago and just love – it is of the crew from the yacht ILEX catching up with the locals at either Papatara or Horseshoe Bay on Motukawanui Island (the largest island in the Cavalli Island group, northwest of Matauri Bay, Northland)

Can we ID the yacht hauled up the beach and the significance of the number – RL 27

The gent in the white hat + pipe, holding the piglet does look familiar for other old photos.

I hope the crew were not negotiating the sale of the wee pig 😦

09-08-2022 INPUT ex Robin Elliott – This was taken by Henry Winkelmann in January 1906 during his 4th cruise on the Ilex.

His negative register records this and several other images that day as ‘Cavalli Islands, Group of Maoris an crew’. According to the Vivien Edwards’ book ‘Winkelmann’, the Maori were residents of the Motukawa Village on the island.
There is no mention of the fishing boat in this picture.

The Ilex crew had stopped off at Motukawa for a spot of random goat shooting.

HDK has written extensively on the easy going gun culture of the day. Sitting on your boat while at anchor and taking pot shots at anything that moved on shore was generally regarded as ‘fair game’. See ” ‘Huntin’ Shootin’ and Fishin’ ” Boating World Magazine October 1994.

During that cruise Henry Winkelmann took 45 photographs, both Full Plate and quarter plate glass, of Whangaroa Harbour, Stevenson Island, Whangaroa township, as well as breathtaking shots from the top of St Peters and also from the top of the Dukes Nose. All the while lugging about those heavy glass plates and the unwieldy camera equipment to accommodate them.
The man was amazing.
His entire marine negative collection (or rather what has survived the last 100+ years or so) is held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Many images are online and well worth some time to trawl through them.
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/collections-online/search?pht=True&k=winkelmann&dept=photography

Sandspit Yacht Club Yard Visit

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Sandspit Yacht Club Yard Visit

Following on from yesterdays semi Sandspit story, I was there again during the week and did a quick loop of the SYC yard – nice collection of both traditional classics and spirit of tradition old hauled for some TLC.

If any of you are around any boat yards – get the phone out and take > send in some photo 🙂

Tamahere SOS

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TAMAHERE SOS

Back in May 2018 when I was loitering around the waterfront at Sandspit I was taken by the 40′ canoe stern 1904 launch – Tamahere. She must have changed hands around the same time and at some stage relocated to Kerikeri, Northland.

Sadly she has suffered a mishap due to deferred maintenance and has taken of a lot of water, but didn’t sink. There is a long list of required work to get her sea worthy again but her current tme price / bid is sub $600. Auction closes this Sunday at 9.52am. (thanks Ian McDonald for the listing heads up)

As the owner states ‘definitely a project not for the faint-hearted’ – but a bargain entry into the wooden boating movement.

The phots below are from 2018 at Sandspit.

Also more here from a May 2017 WW story  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/02/tamahere-a-peak-down-below/

Dont normally link to tme but time is not Tamahere’s friend https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/3695932222?tm=email&et=47&mt=16373835-5D46-4FFE-A44C-B8ECA6A92162&bof=EC22CNjd

Classic Launch Parma Sinks Under Harbour Bridge

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Classic Launch Parma Sinks Under Harbour Bridge

Very sad photo above of the 1958, 34’ Brin Wilson built launch Parma that sunk today near / under the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Cause of sinking unknown, it was a beautiful flat day on the harbour, a witnesses said she just starting sinking before their eyes. At this stage unable to comment on the condition of those onboard or whether she can be salvaged.

Any more input would be appreciated .

We updated her WW story, just a month ago when she had a change of ownership – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/11/14/parma/

08-08-2022 UPDATE – dockside chat reports that Parma was refloated and currently hauled out at Westpark (Hobsonville Marina). ‘Probable’ cause of the sinking – not using the center span under the Auckland Harbour bridge and taking the gap between last upright and Northcote Point – lots of man-made bricks there – refer photos below

Grenadier + Keeping in touch

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GRENADIER 

The 34’ Shipbuilders launch Grenadier popped up recently on tme. Built in 1976 with triple diagonal kauri planking below the water and double diagonal above  (+ f/glass) 

Forward motion is via a Volvo 200hp that has her cruising at 7>8 knots.

Now post the ‘modified to include a top helm’ (sellers words) Grenadier would have been a real looker, in fact one of the better Shipbuilders designs, some can be a tad boxy.

Still it only wood and nothing a sharp chainsaw couldn’t right.

COMMUNICATIONS – Staying In The Loop

Waitematawoodys have a lot of contact details for classic woody owners, but I’m sure there are gaps – We regularly send details on upcoming gatherings, but due to factors like people changing their email address or service provider, over time gaps occur. In the interests of ensuring you are kept up to date and do not miss out on upcoming classic gatherings – drop WW an email with your name/email/mob #

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ARE RECEIVING WW EMAILS NO NEED TO REPLY 

UPCOMING CLASSIC WOODY GATHERINGS CALENDAR

Click link for more details  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/21/woody-classic-gatherings/

A YACHT CLUB AGM

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The answer to the above question is – YACHTS ONLY IN HERITAGE BASIN

This was confirmed at last nights Classic Yacht Association AGM.

At the 2021 AGM Chad Thomson told the meeting in regard to the new Heritage Basin marina – “the intention was to have NZ designed yachts and launches that fitted the dimensional requirements included”

Well in the last 12 months that has now changed to yachts only, that fit a very tight brief – and we are told that this request came from Panuku and the Maritime Museum – yeah right. 

 So if you own a classic launch, classic cruising yacht, B Class classic yacht or a classic work boat – you are effectively a second class citizen i.e. not accorded a fair share of respect, recognition, or consideration. 

Welcome to the new classic YACHT association 

Tranquila

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TRANQUILA

Bay of Islands woody – Dean Wright sent in the above iPhone photo of the launch – Tranquila, moored in the Kerikeri Inlet. The launch is unknown to both Dean and myself, so would like to learn more about her.

Nereides Makes A Splash

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NEREIDES MAKES A SPLASH

In between lock-downs in June 2021 I had cause to do a trip to Tauranga and took up Doug Owens invitation to visit the yard to get a peek at the refit of his 1937 Colin Wild built 55’ yacht – Nereides. The project was well underway and the commitment to best in class and standard of workmanship was already on display.

Yesterday Doug made contact to let me know that Nereides was back in the water and aside from some final interior work the refit was complete.

The gallery of photos above says it all, the pilot house just glows – well done to Doug and son Mohi. We will keep you updated as the final items are ticked off the to-do list. 

Link to 2021 story https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/06/13/nereides-gets-a-facelift/

Photo below at haul out – post refit

The Relaunch of Frances

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THE RELAUNCH of FRANCES 

 The 44’, 1906 Arch Logan designed / Logan Brothers built yacht – Frances is one of the lucky classic woody yachts on the Waitemata Harbour, in 2004 she came into the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust fleet and became one of the most regularly sailed yachts in New Zealand. But as we all know wooden boats need regular TCL and Frances returned to the water on Friday after a visit to Wayne Olsen’s yard – Horizon Boats ready for the next 100 years.

Todays’ photos come to us from Angus Rogers, a trustee of CYCT

Link below to the CYCT website where you can read and see more of Frances and the rest of the CYCT fleet.

http://classicyachtcharitabletrust.org.nz/trust_boats.htm?boat_id=6

Lady Bev + CYA Heritage Basin Marina Poll Results Revisited

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LADY BEV

During the week I was up Warkworth way and did a fleeting visit to the Sandspit Yacht Club yard. As always lots of activity happening but one boat that took my eye was – Lady Bev.

I know very little about her other than in November 2018 she joined us on one of the Woody trips up to the Riverhead Tavern (on the water photo above).

Hopefully we can learn more about Lady Bev.

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert & ‘tao38’ – Lady Bev was built in 1957 by Dave Jackson for his father. Later extended by 4′.

HERITAGE BASIN MARINA ACCESS POLL

Back in Dec 2021 we ran a poll across the WW readers asking whether they supported access to the new Heritage Basin marina area being open to all CYA classic vessels or just pre-selected yachts. At the time 85% of people voted for all classic vessels e.g. yachts of all sizes and ages, work boats, launches. I suspect at Tuesday nights CYA AGM we will learn that the grey headed ones have paid no attention to what the classic boating movement wants and are continuing to pursue the Heritage Basin marina to be a yacht only area.