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.

Tassie

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TASSIE

Todays WW story is short and sweet – spent most of yesterday driving back from up north, the road works are so bad – the Brynderwyn Hills were reduced to single lane, so traffic was backed up for miles, and each ‘pass’ took 20+ minutes. And that was just one of numerous minor projects that looked like they had been turned into major projects given the number of orange cones 🙂 

Above we have a photo of a launch named Tassie that was sent in by Mike Mulligan and comes from the family collection. The photos tagged ‘H.M.S. Tassie – Mr & Mrs Gilmore & tart at the back’, one can only assume the ’T’ was well known to the photographer, hopefully or else a strong legal letter might be coming my way 🙂

Do we know anything about Tassie?

Input from Nathan Herbert – Certainly a Coulthard. Coulthard’s daughter told me a story about an issue of non-payment involving Tassie or Tassie II in which he refused to let the boat leave at the railway/wharf(was she being shipped down country?) until accounts had been settled.Photo below ex Rosemary Robinson’s grandfather Coulthard collection.

Mooching Around Whangaroa Harbour

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Mooching Around Whangaroa Harbour

Pointed the car north yesterday for a fleeting visit to one of my favorite woody haunts – Whangaroa Harbour in the Far North. Always a great display of classic craft either tied up at the marina or moored in the bay.

Terrible internet connection and battery life disappearing fast – so I’ll add names to the vessels when I’m back in the big smoke 🙂

Enjoy the gallery.

How Not To Sell Your Wooden Classic 

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How Not To Sell Your Wooden Classic 

In the opening line the seller says “whole boat made from kauri, no rot!”, well I think rot would be the least of your worries. The major features promoted are the brass bits – “steering wheel, anchor winch, prop – the value of these bits probably dictates a fair starting price for bids….

Vender says -“Opportunity not to be missed” , I suspect it will be a miss.

It is not a bad looking craft, but presented like it is, and with a an engine that doesn’t run – it should be – Free To A Good Home. Way too many negative photos that showcase how neglected she is, then again maybe the woody folks down south like a major project 🙂

KOTARE Restoration – Boat Shed Tour

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KOTARE Restoration – Boat Shed Tour

Back in June 2014 WW was approached with a request for intel on the 28’ kauri planked classic launch – Kotare, that is a poplar name for boats, so I was surprised at what we uncovered. 

At the time Harold Kidd was able to tell us that she was designed by Bill Couldrey in 1960 for Frank Wilkins of Church St., Northcote to build for himself.  Wilkins launched her in October 1961 with a 45hp BMC diesel.

We struck gold when Richard Farrar sent in a copy of an interview, dated 8th Oct 1996 with her builder Frank Wilkins – its a great read – link to story here: https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/08/21/kotare-builder-interview/

Fast forward to May 2020 and we ran another story on Kotare with more recent photos and details – link here: https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/12/kotare-4/

Fast forward again to the present day and as you will observe in the above photos – Kotare is being restored / refitted by sage boat builder Alan Craig and his team at Craig Marine.

Photos below post launching and c.2014

Big Win For Bayswater Marina Berth Holders

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Big Win For Bayswater Marina 

U-turn By Council Set To Block Bayswater Marina Development Plans

Owners of Bayswater marina, who also own – Pine Harbour and Hobsonville marinas) who were planning a 119 unit housing development on the adjacent land suffered a major blow last week, when Auckland Council withdrew its support for the proposal. This was a huge turnaround from what most had assumed was a happening thing.  Read below – (Article below – Reproduced ex ’The Devonport Flagstaff’ community magazine)

Alecia

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ALECIA

This week we have had a several very fine looking woodys appearing on WW, today we have another – Alecia and she comes to us from John Dawson who sent in the above photo.

With that very distinctive scroll (is that the correct term) on her bow Alecia couldn’t be anything other than a Bailey & Lowe design / build. 

Do we know what became of the launch – is she still around today?

If you lose the tram top, its very similar to Harold Kidd’s old launch Romance II, also a Bailey & Lowe – photo below 

UPDATE – SORRY IF YOU EXPERIENCED SOME DUPLICATION WITH THIS STORY – ALL SORTED NOW 🙂

The Green Parrot

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THE GREEN PARROT

Have had a request from Mike Mulligan as to what happen to / the where abouts of the ex NZ Navy launch, nick named the Green Parrot , and at some stage named Lindauer. 

In the above photos ex Mike’s family collection, we see her in North Cove, Kawau Island. The date is 27-12-1980

I’m sure Chris Leech will be able to comment on her past.

09-10-2022 INPUT ex John Newham. – photo below of her inc.1953/54 9n Naval service – with the Queen onboard. 

A Whiff Of A Bad Odor At The CYA

Those of you that follow my observations on the tide going out at the NZ Classic Yacht Association will be interested to learn that the newly elected CYA committee has hit a few rogue waves – only two meetings into the new year and the vice chairperson and a general committee member have resigned – not for me to say why but here’s a clue – waterfront docks…………

Sadly as per the past, the two won’t be replaced, or if they are it will be with more ‘also-rans’ so the committee ends up weaker, as normally its the talented free spirits that protest with their feet……….

Rosella

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ROSELLA 

Todays woody launch – Rosella recently popped up on Lew Redwoods fb, and comes to us from the Auckland Libraries Heritage collection, and was originally taken by Frank Morris.

The photo is tagged 1930>39 and the location is Falls Park, Henderson, West Auckland. 

To me a very pretty boat, the proportions are spot on. Little features make a big difference to the look of a boat – the ‘eye-brow’ on both the tram top and doghouse is an example of this.

Are we able to cast some light on her provenance ?

MANOWAI – Gets A Visit To The Beauty Shop

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MANOWAI – Gets A Visit To The Beauty Shop

The 32’ Lake Rotoiti based launch –  Manowai has been owned by a string of owners that have lavished time and $$ on her. That we know of, this started around 2003 when boat builder Colin Brown undertook major refit, including new interior. Fast forward to 2015 and Manowai has been relocated to Lake Rotoiti (Nth Island) and spends a year in Craig Marines shed where boat builder Alan Craig undertakes a 12 month refurbishment of her interior & exterior. At the same time she was re-powered with a 4 cyl. 40 hp Lombardini diesel.

Now in 2022 she has just emerged from Alan Craig’s shed after some serious TLC and addressed some issues with the steel screws used in her construction. Links below to previous WW stories – lots of photos and chat.

Manowai’s past is a little cloudy but she was possibly built in 1921 by Bailey & Lowe – would be nice to be able to confirm her provenance. 

2013 WW Story https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/09/19/manowai/

2015 WW Story https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/09/14/manowai-2/

Iona II

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IONA II

Todays woody hauled out at the Slipway Milford was a bit of a mystery to me, but a quick google search and – jackpot.

Designed by Bruce Askew and built in 1994 from strip planked wood (+ f/glass’ed) – 36’ x 9’2” x 3’3”. Powered by a 60hp Nissan TD23.

The teak wheelhouse is crying out for some love, I assume it was once oiled.

Calls Milford Creek marina home but a recent arrival from Nelson.