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.
Todays woody has a very good pedigree in that she was built by Nelson master craftsman Peter Murton as his own boat. Peter’s business Murtons Timbercraft turn out stunning woodwork – from new boat builds and repairs, furniture and nautical art, a piece of which I have at home (photo below).
The launch is a 2018 Weston Farmer sea skiff, 28’ x 8’ x 2’ and is powered by a 60hp Yamaha outboard that cruises nicely at 7>8knots and tops out at 12 knots.
Her shallow draft and bilge keels allow her to navigate some interesting anchorages. An added bonus is the ability to haul out on a trailer for home storage.
The vessel recently popped up on tme so if you are looking for a salty looking, impeccably built spirit of tradition woody – Amelia could be the one.
Todays photograph, taken c.1965 by D.J Shaw comes to us via Lew Redwoods fb. The location is the Turanga Creek, Whitford and the caption states that the bulldozer was cutting through the sandstone bar.
Can we identify the launch – angle of the photo makes it a tad difficult but the two larger cabin windows (TVOne & TV2), are quite distinctive, so fingers crossed they jolt someones memory.
We have been contacted by Tony Evans from the Richmond YC in Auckland concerning the 1937 photograph above that the club have been gifted.There was no family connection from the ‘gifter’, so the club are unsure of its history. Tony commented that the picture is likely taken at the original RYC Herne Bay club house, with Chelsea Bay hills in the background.
So woodys are we able to help the club and share some intel on the significance of the photo eg the name of the boat, was it (probably) performing the rule of racing committee boat and any info on the regatta / event. Or given the crowd onboard just she a spectator boat?
Input From Barry John Davis – This is the A. & G. Frankham coaster Coronation, built 1902 as a ketch in NSW, you can just make out the vestiges of a clipper type bow, dimensions 83.7′ x 22.7′ First registered at Auckland the same year. Still trading out of Auckland up to the early 1960’s when sold and went to Gisborne as a motorised lighter
We last saw the Coulthard built launch – Dawn on WW back in June 2019, link below. In summary she was built in 1936 and is approx. 28’ in length, with a very shallow draft of just over 2’, probably to suit the shallow harbours on Aucklands West Coast, where she was built.
A Ford 80hp Lees 4.2L diesel provides the forward motion. Thanks to a tme listing (c/o Ian MacDonald) we get to have a look down below.
Earlier in the month Dave Stanaway sent in the above photos of the ex fishing vessel – Argos, docked at the Kaipara Boating Club berth in Dargaville. She was there for a couple of days. Dave later advised that Argo was owned by a young family that were cruising NZ waters in her.
WW has been contacted by the owner of the launch – Mahere, seen above. They are very light on information and history, so today we are asking for help in regard to design / builder / when built / past owners etc.
Mahere is powered by a 120hp Ford Trader diesel, see photo – very impressive exhaust ‘plumbing’.
Current home is Whakatakataka Bay, Auckland – otherwise known as the OBC basin 🙂
Yesterdays Quiz Winner – The lucky winner of a WW cap was Dave Stanaway – lots of entries in the draw but few got three tickets in the draw i.e. three correct answers – being Frangipani / Zane Grey / Off to Tahiti via Rarotonga
The skippers that had RSVP’ed have been contacted but FYI – the weekends Woody Cruise to Clevedon has been postponed – slightly evil forecast – new date tba
Early this week the 64’ Miller & Tunnage built ex tug / workboat – Albatross V was sold on tme – sure it was ‘as-is-where-is’ and had suffered some water ingress, but seriously $7000 !
Built with 2.5” kauri – the timber alone would give you a return on your spend – check out the specs: