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.

Milford Boat Yard – 1948 + Win A WW T-Shirt

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Milford Boat Yard – 1948

A little bit of a flash back today – in the above gallery we have a mixture of photos which show the yard in several stages e.g. the top two are of what might be a working bee at the club to build the slipway. And another showing the completed yard and ‘workers’ standing around. Not sure about the ‘paddock’ photo, maybe someone can enlighten us on a possible date for this.The photos come to use from the Parsonson family collection via Mitchell Hutchings and are dated 1948.

WIN A WW T-SHIRT

If you think you know the identity of the launch hauled out in the 3rd photo – email your answer to the address below and go in the draw to win a WW t-shirt. Entries close 8pm 20-11-21

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Very Cool Vintage Engine

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Very Cool Vintage Engine

Todays all about on vintage outboard engines – mooching around a boat shed yesterday I spotted this wee gem – aside from being such a cool piece of engineering, the first thing that hits you is how light it is – compared to the Yamaha 3hp alongside, it was a less than a 1/4 the weight – how does that work?

So the question today is can we ID the model and year – we must have some o/b nutters amongst us. 

UPDATE (A)  21-11-21 Mark Jack advised the model of the engine is a MATE, refer photo below, and rated at 1/2 hp and built in 1939, they were also marketed as the more basic Elto. 
Renown as one of the must frustrating engines ever made, smooth and sophisticated when it ran but it frequently didn’t. The engines are relatively lightly built intended for fresh water use. 


UPDATE (B) 21-11-21 Chris McMullen sent in the photos below of the engine and a page from the Popular Mechanics magazine, the shows the intended usage – as a canoe engine.

Second half of the story today – a few months ago I did a plug on WW for the small hydro-plane Miss Wahoo , it was snapped up by Keith Munro and she has already been given a spot in the man shed, see photos below – Keith is now on the lookout for a 15 hp motor of 1950 > 1960 vintage – an Evinrude or Johnson would be the 1st picks – any one able to help out?

Beachaven Mystery Launch

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Beachaven Mystery Launch

One of the woodys was mooching around Beachaven in the weekend, must have taken a wrong turn 😉 and spotted the above woody. From the condition of the boat and the cradle set up, I think we could safely assume she has been there a while.

Given the clandestine nature of the woodys visit, I cant ID them, their partner would not be impressed with another woody joining the fleet.

Anyone able to tell us more about the boat?

RIVERHEAD WOODY LAUNCH CRUISE 28-11-2021 POSTPONED – New Date tbc

Manurere – Work Boat Wednesday + WW Crew Gear 4sale

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MANURERE – Work Boat Wednesday

The 43’ Manurere was built by Miller and Tunnage in Port Chalmers and launched in 1937. She spent her working life cray and cod potting, exclusively in the Dunedin and Stewart Island areas. She is constructed in 1 and ½ inch kauri strip planking with spotted gum frames. Manurere has a 11’ 6″ beam and 5′ draft.

Based in Lyttleton, for the last 18 years, she has been extensively restored during that time. Powered by a 120hp Iveco Fiat. (thanks to Marcus Petraska for the tme listing heads up)


IF YOU ARE WANTING WW CREW GEAR B4 XMAS – ORDER NOW – LIMITED STOCK –  LINK TO ORDER https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

Ngawai

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NGAWAI

Today’s woody is the launch Ngawai and in the above photo we see her when owned by Jack Batty, out on the Waitemata Harbour. The photo comes to us ex the  Parsonson family collection via Mitchell Hutchings.Very light on details on the launch, so any input would be great.


Anyone Know The Owner & Location Of The Launch – EAGLE, (bad) photo below Contact waitematawoodys@waitematawoodys

Hami (Wanda II)

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HAMI (Wanda II) 

Today we get to take a gander at the stunning work that Tom Rundle has been undertaking on his classic launch – Hami, previously named Wanda II. Wanda II was built in 1948 by the Lane Motor Boat Company, and as launched she was 38’6”. Tom purchased Hami off Chris Horsey, brother of Steve Horsley of SY Ngatira fame. View photos from then at link below: https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/25/wanda-ii/

Under Tom’s watch Hami has had a major refurbishment with all the latest bells and whistles added, but very cleverly tucked away out of sight. Power comes from twin BMC Commodore 55hp diesel engines. You can view the early days of the project here:   https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/11/12/wanda-ii-refurbishment/

In Tom’s words “the exterior is fairly under control, its now back to teak comings and decks glassed. New hatches bar the original butterfly hatch which was saveable, and gradually changing out the old windows. Cockpit still to top coat and a few touch ups. Systems are on track- all new electrical, plumbing, steering and tankage. The interior is about 80%, still some lining and finishing, but usable for summer.”

Chatting with Tom he was very complementary to the help and guidance given to him by boat builder Geoff Bagnall and Curly Salthouse, Tom says he even followed some of the advice 🙂 The fold away dinghy davit is by Larry Randell of Randell Stainless and a work of art.

Tom has very high standards so I had to lean on him to get the above photos, once Hami is finished we will go back for a A > Z story on the project.

MIZPAH – Sailing Sunday

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MIZPAH – Sailing Sunday

Today’s classic photo comes to us from Lew Redwood (via Ken Ricketts) and is of the yacht Mizpah, seen here off Leigh. The two crew are – Earnie & Ted Torkington.

15-11-2021 Harold Kidd Input – This MIZPAH is the Logan Bros yacht built in November 1895 for A.L. Wilson of the NZ Herald as a centreboard 2 1/2 rater.

IF YOU ARE WANTING WW GEAR B4 XMAS – NOW’S THE TIME TO ORDER – LINK https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/


FREE TO A GOOD (or bad) HOME
I’m told the yacht below is/was an 18’ racing skiff, project came to a halt several years ago – comes with the trailer. Maybe not 100% free – a few cartons of beer and the boat and trailer are yours. Auckland based.MUST BE PICKED UP IN 6 DAYS EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com if interested

La Paloma

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LA PALOMA

Back in October 2019 Nathan Herbert shared with us the b/w photo above of the launch – La Paloma, at the time we were unable to uncover more about the launch.

Then as WW is so good at – we fast forward to earlier in the week and Alistair McRae owner of Lady Margaret (Happy Wander / Lady Mary) from Whangarei lets us know they had just hauled La Paloma out at the Port Whangarei Marine Centre yard. Alistair commented that La Paloma has been owned by Alan Scott for many years and kept in a boat shed at Kissing Point, Whangarei.

Would love to know more about the launch and when the obelisk was added.

House Boat – A Peek Down Below

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House Boat – A Peek Down Below

Mooching up the Tamaki River in early May, I spotted this house boat moored in the upper reaches of the Tamaki River. The top two photos are from then. Now thanks to tme, we get a peek down below.

Its 36′, made of ferro cement and started life as a Hartley yacht – that folks is all I’m going to say, I’ll only get myself in trouble 🙂

WAITEMATAWOODYS CREW GEAR & FLAGS 4SALE

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Waitematawoodys T-Shirts + Caps + Flags

T-SHIRTS

  1. Some background on the T’s – I only source top quality garments & use high-end (hand) screen printing for really tight detail & a durable finish. I’m passionate about WW & will only put the logo on something that is 100% quality. NOTE – SHORT SLEEVE ONLY
  2. In terms of colour – we are like Henry Ford, we only do one colour – a very dark blue (navy) with white logo. 
  3. Price – $39 (gst inclusive) + $8 p&p (one off freight charge, no matter the number you order). If that’s too much to pay for a quality T-shirt, well I guess you won’t be buying one, but I’m not prepared to compromise on standards.
  4. Sizes – Refer chart below. Not all sizes in stock.
  5. Ordering –  see below. I’ll advise payment details when I confirm your order.

CAPS .1. One size fits all.2. Light weight – 100% canvas cotton, 6 panel. 3. Colour is camel with brown embroidered logo, or black with whits logo. 3. Price is $40 (gst inclusive) + $8 p&p (

FLAGS – 100% canvas, printed both sides with the Waitemata Woodys logo (below) using old-school screen printing method (long lasting) and pennant shaped. Price is $40 + $5 p&p.

What’s next – email me at waitematawoodys@gmail.com & advise:

# Your name 

# Postal address

# Phone 

# Quantity, size/s and colour

SIZES

Woodys Around The World