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.

A Story For The Engine Heads + Must Read Book

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A STORY FOR THE ENGINE HEADS
Over the break two diehard woodys sent in some photos of what a lot of woody boaties consider to be the holy-grail to marine propulsion – Gardner engines.The top 3 photos shows classic yachty – David Glen standing alongside the Gardner 6L3 in the ex workboat – Faith. Link below to uncover more on her.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/06/faith-the-milford-slipway-opens/
In the second group of photos (ex Angus Rogers – MV Centaurus ) we see the Gardner 4LW in Dean Wright’s woody – Arethusa, nice wheelhouse too – again WW link below for an insight into the repower. Also lots more to read / view on Arethusa by using the WW search box. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/12/31/restoring-installing-a-gardner-in-arethusa-revisited/

BOATS OF THE LAKE –  REVIEW  As most of you know, I’m a big fan of the annual Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade on Lake Rotoiti, North Island. During the recent CV-19 lock-downs past commodore David Wilson, his wife Glenys and member Lois Palmer teamed up to pull together a book detailing some of the history surrounding the LRC&WB association. The hard cover, 4 colour printed book is full of beautiful photos taken at events spanning the 25 years, plus many stories about locals and their boats around the lake. I tucked a copy away for Xmas / NY reading and if you have any interest in classic wooden boats, I give it a big tick and encourage you to buy a copy, details below. Link For Ordering https://form.jotform.com/213318234322849

Make sure to check in to WW tomorrow (Monday) we have a brilliant story on the woody – Callisto 

FLORENCE (Florence M – Carla Maria)

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FLORENCE (Florence M < > Carla Maria)

The name Florence would have to been of the most popular launch names on WW, and now another has popped up on tme, thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up. This started life as a work boat , actually a cream boat i.e. a vessel that took the milk from farms to a dairy factory. When launched she was named – Carla Maria – more on her at the WW link below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/04/28/12377/ She is built from kauri planks and is 29’6” x 8’10” x 3’3” and powered by a Isuzu 60hp diesel engine.
From the photos she appears to be a very well fitted out woody – if you invested a few thousand dollars with a classic sympathetic boat builder and ‘lost’ the three ‘TV monitor’ windows from the cabin sides she could be a very smart classic launch. Currently on the dark side e.g. berthed on the Kaipara Harbour. 

Update 09-02-22 From Dave Stanaway – Photos below dated 20 April 2019 during Northern Wairoa Boating Club race day. 
Dave also commented that he reckons that the boxy shape of her cabin suits her age bracket rather than some slanty looking modern version. 


HELP WANTED Can anyone make a recommendation on where / who to go to, to restore a marine compass – the one below is crying out for some TLC

Woodys At Anchor

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Marline @ Otata Island
Waikaro
Rehia – Gt Barrier Island
Primadonna – West Bay, Rakino Isand
Waimiga – West Bay, Rakino Isand
Ngaro – West Bay, Rakino Isand
Woody Bay, Rakino Island

Woodys At Anchor

In the first batch of photos, ex Ant Smit, we see Marline at anchor off Otata Island in the Nosies group and Ant’s launch – Waikaro. The second group is of the Colin Wild built Rehia at rest at Gt Barrier Island. Probably the first time she has had a chance to cool down after changing hands in mid December, great to see her being used again. The last group I took mid week during a pizza run to Woody Bay, Rakino Island, home of Auckland’s best wood fired pizzas – we have at anchor in West Bay, soaking up the sun – Primadonna, Waimiga, and Ngaio.

SHARK WARNING – a rather large shark has been spotted mooching around Man O War Bay, as always probably more afraid of you, but………………..

A Pot-Pourri Of Woodys

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Viveen @ Te Komua 
Raira @ Te Kouma
Tamure
Altair
Olive Rose @ Waiheke Island
Alma G @ Russel Wharf 

A Pot-Pourri Of Woodys

Today’s collection of classic launches come to use from a collective of woodys photographers that are cruising the Hauraki Gulf and outer waters – thanks to Angus Rogers, Murray Deeble, Colin Pawson and Lindsay McMorran.

And if you need a reminder of the cleverness of Chris McMullen, check out the link below to the story of his Herreshoff steam launch – just updated with shed photos post her ‘pretend’ (waterline check) launching.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/26/chris-mcmullens-herreshoff-steam-launch-2/

Lanai

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LANAI
Back in early December 2021 Dean Wright spotted the 1949, Lanes built launch – Lanai hauled out at Rangitane, where she she had been for a little while, getting some love.Lanai first appeared on WW back in July 2014 and that story was updated in Sept 2016 with new photos  – link here to the story https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/04/lanai/ Lots of photos and debate to ingest.

I have to say she looks very kosher without the hothouse 😉

Waiheke Island Causeway Haul-Out

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Waiheke Island Causeway Haul-Out
After driving past the haul-out yard at the top of Putiki Bay most days, normally around mid-morning (worst light) I at last got the light and the tide right. Great collection of craft in various states of repair / refit – I imagine the council nazis’s keep a tight rein of the ‘residents’ but it was remarkably tidy.

The launch Safari appears to be getting a serious dose of TLC – read / see more on her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/05/02/safari/ Leonardo, the very salty ex workboat, popped up on WW in Oct 2021 – more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/10/24/leonardo-gets-a-birthday/

click image to view

Mystery Launch (Elizabeth) & Yacht (Niobe)

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Mystery Launch (Elizabeth) & Yacht (Niobe)

Woody Murray Deeble sent in the above photo of a woody launch loitering around over the xmas /ny break. Murray commented that she maybe named Elizabeth, it drew a blank with me (a common occurrence these days), can anyone ID the launch and tell us more about her?

Help Needed From The Rag & Stick Brigade 

WW was recently contacted by Travers Reynolds who had recently inherited the old original photograph below, taken by FG Radcliffe circa early 1900s possibly near the Whangarei heads. Travers is keen to know if anyone can identify the boat.

UPDATE The launch is called Elizabeth and ‘lives’ a pole mooring at Te AtatuThe yacht is named named Niobe, well spotted Harold Kidd. And confirmed by Janet Watkins, with the following comment – “Yes it is Niobe, taken from near Manganese Point early 1900’s when she was owned by my Grand father A.R. Pickmere. He sold her in 1906 when he took delivery of the launch Kiakoa built for him by Bailey & Lowe.”

Woody Cruising In The Bay of Islands #2

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Centaurus
Centaurus
Lady Ellen
Mana Rose
Kualani 
Arethusa

Woody Cruising In The Bay of Islands #2
Today’s gallery are again from BOI woody and pro photographer Dean Wright’s camera, Dean snapped the photos above of – Centaurus, Lady Ellen, Mana Rose, Kualani and his own classic woody – Arethusa seen at dusk. The gent in the very smart sailing dinghy is Angus Rogers, owner of Centaurus. 

The 50’ Kualani is a newbie to WW and the BOI – Dean did some sniffing around and learnt that she was built by P. Jorgensen & Sons boat builders of Picton. When built she was powered by twin Gardner 5LW engines, looking at the photo of her, there are two very impressive exhaust pipes up top, which might suggest something with a tad for HP than the Gardner’s delivered. FYI – link here showing some (not sure if its all) of the Jorgensen built fleet https://jorgensenboats.nz/boats/

Below is a spec sheet of Kualani as she was built (no mention of the year), we have moved on a lot in terms of being PC, the reference to the bollards in the ‘ Deck Hardware’ section – would get you in a lot of trouble there days 😉 Also below is a photo of Kualani in Waipiro Bay, Gisborne – dated January 2020.

Lady Karita Summer 2021/22

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Lady Karita Summer 2021/22 – HAPPY NEW YEAR

As promised yesterday, today we get a close look, ex the camera of John Burland, at Lady Karita – the 1934, Sam Ford designed and built 43′ launch.

Lady K has been the lucky recipient of a rolling restoration over the last few years, and reviewing John’s photos, all the hard work and $$ has really paid off. She needs to home to the Waitemata ………………..

See and read more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/02/24/lady-karita-restoration-update/

Nelson Marina Dockside Mooch

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Unknown
Rarangi
Lady Karita

Nelson Marina Dockside Mooch

One of my southern spies (in the summer months) John Burland sent in the above gallery of woodys that he spotted while patrolling the docks. From top to bottom we have Katoa – all spruced up, then Kelvin and then two unknowns. Finally the very regal Lady Karita, who is looking very well turned out these days, more on her tomorrow.

Update – 4th launch down is – Rarangi – WW story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/12/12/rarangi-a-peek-down-below/