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.

Woody Classic Waterfront Picnic Weekend

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My Girl
Kokoru
Lillian
Mahanui
The Wharf
Waikiore
Poco Lento (Lady Janet)
My Girl & Royal Falcon
Waikaro
Kokoru
Monterey
Trinidad

Woody Classic Waterfront Picnic 

Given I have had a very light summer boating wise, we decided to head out on Friday afternoon to Rakino for the night and partake in Auckland’s best wood fired pizzas at Woody Bay.

Again everything lined up – food, good wine and another spectacular sunset. Had a late evening visit from Jason Prew on My Girl, the wife “what’s that noise”. Then we were ‘entertained’ by a plonker and his partner on a Formula 4000, singing karaoke 1/2 the night ……….. they seriously thought they were good, they weren’t 😦

Saturday we headed over to the Weti River at mid day for the Woodys Picnic at the Stillwater Motor Camp. So lucky to get access, with the wharf it just makes the ideal venue for a catch up. Covid made a few gun shy but we had 11 woodys attending and a further 3 owners arrived via car – all in all a great afternoon. Lots of new (restored) woodys and new to the movement owners. The woody launch scene is getting more and more popular.

Post the picnic I pointed Raindance to a new (to me) anchorage and we enjoyed another wow sunset.

NEXT WOODY EVENT IS SATURDAY 26 MARCH – UPPER HARBOUR LUNCH CRUISE TO THE RIVERHEAD TAVERN – More details closer

The answer to yesterdays – name the yacht quiz was ‘Frances – A11’, the 1905, Arch Logan classic from the Class Yacht Charitable Trust stable. Photo below. And no one picked the right answer. So the WW t-shirt, gets to be put up again.

Who Can Name This Yacht

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WHO CAN NAME THIS YACHT

Today’s woody photo comes to us from the Auckland Maritime Museum via Nathan Herbert. 

The only clue, I’ll give out is – its been restored and is regularly sailing on the Waitemata.

I’ll put up a WW t-shirt for the first correct answer sent in – via email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com 

Photo below of the prize being modelled in Russia (not very PC)

Mystery Lake Rotorua Launch – 1946

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MYSTERY LAKE ROTORUA LAUNCH – 1946

The photo above popped up recently on Maurice Sharp’s fb. The only details we have is its dated 1946, was taken by N. Bennett for the NZ Herald.

It is a very cool photo and given the year, just after WWII so the boat could have been abandoned while her owner was doing their bit overseas for all of us. I’d like to think some of these rascals went on to own their own boat.

It was commented that the small yacht was an Idle Along.

Anyone able to put a name to the launch – big ask I know 🙂

Mystery Lake Launch – 24/02/22

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Mystery Lake Launch 24-02-22

Today’s woody launch photo comes to us ex Lew Redwood’s fb – I apologise in advance if it has appeared b4 on WW – so many stories, so many boats…..

It would appear that it was either a postcard or the sender wrote a note on the back. I have enlarged the note – hopefully someone can make-out the name of the lake, it is beyond my eye sight 🙂

And maybe even the boat name?

ECHO + Woody Beauty Parlour 

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ECHO + Woody Beauty Parlour 

Recently I was sent a link to David Smith’s FB where he showcased the 2 photos above of the 1935, 32’, Les Coulthard built launch – Echo, moored in Parekura Bay in the Bay of Islands.

Echo has graced WW before – check out this link for a look below  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/27/echo-a-peek-down-below/

I WILL BE EMAILING OUT DETAILS ON THIS SATURDAYS WATERFRONT WOODY PICNIC TO EVERYONE THAT HAS RSVP’ed – Weather is looking great 🙂

Today a snapped the photo below of the yard at The Slipway in Milford – a nice selection of woodys getting some TLC.

Left > right – my own Raindance (my lips are sealed as to why I’m hauled out again), then the recently changed hands – Rehia, the 1939 Colin Wild built 36’ launch, in for some long-overdue differed maintenance.  Link to Rehia here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/12/18/rehia-finds-a-new-home/

Then – Awarua, the 1947, 36’ Roy Lidgard built launch – also owned by the owner of Echo. One more and he will officially be a collector 🙂 Awarua is nearing the end of an extensive refit and whilst you can’t see it in the photo, is sporting a dazzling Jason Prew paint job. View more of Awarua at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/03/awarua-a-peek-down-below/

Florence May

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19-03-2025 New Photos Below

FLORENCE MAY 

Back in Jan 2016 Rodney Webb, the owner of Florence May had the boat for sale and commented – “I guess you could say i reluctantly have her for sale and would probably refuse any offer” 🙂 Well he must have because in 2022 he still owns the boat (in fact has for approx. 40 years). But she is for sale again and thanks to Ian McDonald and a tme listing we get to have a better look at her and peek down below.

We know from the previous WW story that she was built near Auckland for Harry Muir and was named after his wife. She spent several years in Ngunguru then went to a retired sea captain in the Bay of Islands. She was then purchased by Tom Thompson who bought her back to Tutukaka. Rodney approached him and purchased her 40 years ago.The builder was Phil Lange.

She measures 28’ in length and is powered by a 80hp Ford D Series diesel engine.

Link to previous WW story https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/21/florence-rose-2/

Turongo Gets Revamped

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TURONGO – Gets Revamp

Late 2019 Turongo the 1966 Salthouse built bridgedecker was for sale in Auckland, at nearly 56’ and with 640hp she is a very daunting classic woody.

A new owner was found in 2020 and Turongo sadly moved south to Picton, where after a ‘refresh’ that included alot of system upgrades, she changed hands again (another southern owner). Today we get to see her post the refresh and just prior to changing hands. A truely magnificent classic vessel that will bolster the classic woody fleet down south. Hopefully one day she will emigrated north again 🙂

A quick snapshot – 56′, 16’4” beam, 3’11” draft, 25400 kg displacement, twin Caterpillar 3208 diesels, 10>19 knot speed range, 10 berths.

Sunquest – Sailing Sunday

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SUNQUEST – Sailing Sunday

Last week I was contacted by Phil Vining re the 2nd Feb WW story ‘Wellington Woodys’ in it the lead photo showed several launches on the hard at Evans Bay, Wellington. In the background was a motorsailer that John “twodogs’ commented was either – Sunquest or another built to that Alden design. Phil confirmed it was indeed Sunquest and dived into the WW archives – and found nothing, so felt maybe it was time there was – I’ll let Phil tell the story 🙂
“Sunquest is a beautiful motorsailer that is much admired in this area. She was built by Wally Steer in Nelson and launched in 1959. I remember our family joining others on a Vining & Scott Christmas outing to Kaiteriteri with Wally during the early 1960’s – probably my first outing on a keeler out on the open sea. In those days she was a real looker with light blue hull and the proud timber rope work around the stern painted in a gold colour…still a great looking motorsailer with lovely Alden lines. A shame there were not more built in NZ to this design as they would have been very popular I think. After Wally sold her she went to Mana .. not sure of the various owners but hopefully someone will fill in the gaps and provide some history on this lovely vessel. 
After checking through the archives in the Vining Marine Office Phil came up with a listing from 2009 when they sold her for Paul Robinson to John Mansell. The 2020 listing is from when John listed her (refer below) .. he went on to sell her and now owns the well known Auckland yacht Trojan Eagle. You will see from the listings that she originally had wheel steering inside & out .. the outer wheel was removed at some stage.”

Phil commented that it would be great if someone can add a photo of Sunquest in her early days with light blue hull and gold scrolling around the stern – evidently she really was a picture.

Phil mentioned that there is probably a good WW story around Wally Steer as well. Phil believes he built Sunquest at his home at Monaco, Nelson. After selling her he built a 60-70’ Herreshoff ketch which he called Sunquest II. This was another magnificent timber yacht and Phil had the pleasure of sailing on her with a subsequent owner. Following Sunquest II he had Malcolm Dickson design and build Sunquest III which Phil saw in Westhaven last year – Wally also put a lot into this build as well. A remarkable man. Fingers crossed Phil is motivated to write the Wally Steer story 😉
The photos above are supplied by the Vinings Office (as always click photos to enlarge)