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 Waitangi Day Picnic – Photos

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Scott Colville

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My Girl & Pacific

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Monterey

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Centaurus

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Mana

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Ann Michelle

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Trinidad

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Arohanui

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Eileen Patricia

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Sybil Frances

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Tusk

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Shango (Ani)

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Awatere

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Sea Fever

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Ngaio

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Silvery Main

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Tuna

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Wirihana

Centaurus
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Very smart new mast on Pacific 🙂

WOODY CLASSICS WAITANGI DAY PICNIC  PHOTOS

Another great Woody Classics Woody event yesterday, we had 20+ classic woodys anchored  in Wakalabubu Bay, Motutapu Island. Most came ashore for the picnic and while the camera stayed in the bag, I can report that these casual events are a winner, so nice to catch up with old friends and meet new ones. Youngest age would have been around 6/7 years and the oldest was 92 !
If I missed getting a photo of your woody, I apologise, but with people coming and going all afternoon I suspect someone missed out.
 
The breeze picked up later in the day and so most had the old wind against the tide coming home – but it was worth it.
Big thanks to everyone the rocked up – see you all at our next event – details soon 😉
Off to Lake Rotoiti (Nth Island) on Saturday  for the Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – Monday’s WW story should be a goody 🙂
 
Oops nearly forgot anyone know the launch below, we crossed paths of Rangitoto – terrible photo, grab the phone and unfortunately had it set on some weird setting. Name is something like Tautai ??
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Goldandrina

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GOLDANDRINA

The 36’ launch Goldandrina popped up on fb late last year, all we know is she was built by Alan Orams in 1964. At the time, Lew Redwood commented about the appearance of slightly unusual clipper bow.
What more do we know about Goldandrina ?

REMEMBER WOODYS – IF YOUR LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO USE THE BOAT – COME ALONG TO TODAYS WAITANGI DAY WOODYS PICNIC AT WAIKALABUBU BAY, MOTUTAPU ISLAND – KICK OFF 1.30pm

9m Oregon Mast Free To Good Home
Off the 1901 year old Moerangi – original condition, but sound.
Any takers?
Woody Waitangi Picnic
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Riwaka Woodys

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RIWAKA WOODYS
 
My woody spotter in the Nelson area, John Burland, recently sent in the above photos from the Riwaka Inlet.
The top photo is of the 36’ Varlene, built by Supreme Craft c.1940’s. She has made several appearance on WW and I last saw her in Torrent Bay, Abel Tasman National Park in early March 2019 (photo below)
 
Can anyone ID the very smart launch alongside her in the 3rd photo?
 
The work-boat it Tina, built in Wellinton to service the Flying Boats, but never did. Spent a chunk of her life pushing logs around the Sounds. Has called Riwaka home for the last 8 years.
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Pohuwai + Lakeside Woody Parade

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POHUWAI
The owner of Pohuwai, Danny Dalton, is 46 years old and has owned her for 29 years – I’ll save you the maths, he bought her when he was 17. That must have been like owning a Ford Mustang when you were still at high school.
The 1963, 17’ Mason Marlin has been a rolling-restoration over the 29 years, when purchased she had a 350ci Chevrolet V8 inboard and is currently on its 4th outboard.
Danny is keen to uncover any history on the boat, what he knows is – Pohuwai started life on Lake Taupo, her name has not changed since launched.
The boat resides on a custom trailer in it own shed in his home town and sadly does not get a lot of use as Danny currently resides in Australia. But he has set a target to be back for the North Island’s – 2021 Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.
Fingers crossed Danny has promised some photos of her when he purchased her.
2021 LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – THIS SATURDAY – 8TH FEB
If you are a regular visitor to the WW site you will know that this woody event, held on the North Islands Lake Rotoiti is one of best on-the-water woody events in New Zealand. One of the really cool aspects of the parade is that the ‘public’ i.e. those without a boat – can view 100% of the parade from the banks of the lake at the Okere Falls Inlet. The fleet of 60+ woodys do a lap of a waterfront course, only 25m from the shore, complete with commentary.
The parade starts at 11am, but to secure a good spot for your rug / chairs, I would suggest you are on-site by 10>10.30am.
To see previous years parades, enter Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade in the WW search box.
WIN A 2020 Lake Rotoiti Classic Wooden Boat Calendar
The first 2 woodys to correctly answer the question below – will win a calendar.
If you miss out you can but them at  zea.rachel@gmail.com
$15 for one and $40 for three – + $7.50 p&p
NOTE: Entry is via email only – To waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: What year was the first parade? (Hint answer on their website) www.woodenboatparade.co.nz
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Katherine

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KATHERINE
 
Today woodys you are looking at what the future of classic boating could look like. Allan Hooper’s Katherine was built / launched in 2013 by Conrad Robertson at the Robertson yard in Warkworth. Her hull is glass, with a wooden top (from the green section up). The mould was taken from an old hull that was found in a shed on a farm on the Hokianga Harbour. It is apparently an old tug that worked on the Hokianga a long time ago.
The original hull was refurbished at Robertson’s and a mould taken off and is now lying in the basin at Warkworth. It was fitted out with a steam engine and run as a charter boat until the boiler failed, unfortunately Allan reports it is looking a bit sad.
The designer is unknown but Conrad designed the rest of what is Katherine. Since purchasing her Allan has designed and added the rig and quite a few more mods and improvements.
 
I went aboard several years ago at Mahurangi and she is a very cool boat. Huge volume below, powered by a 60hp Lombardini and sound proofed like a Airbus 340. She measures 38’ loa, with a beam of 9’6” and draws 3’. The Lombardini pushes Katherine along at a comfortable cruising speed of 7.5kts. 
The construction of Katherine is several steps up from the earlier Logan 33 f/glass replicas.
 
In the hauled out photo, taken Dec 2019, she was getting a lick of paint. In the last few months I have spotted her at Patio Bay, Waiheke Island and at the Mahurangi Regatta. On my WW story re the Mahurangi Regatta, Kartherine received some very favourable reviews from the woodys on the WoodenBoat Forum in the USA. “Like that, vertical stem, raised deck, spoon stern. What else would you want.”
 
The very smart tender, is a Townson design, built by Allan at the NZ Traditional Wooden Boat Building School. More on the dinghy soon – you may be able to build one yourself at the School, fingers crossed 🙂
(photos ex Colin Pawson, Allan Hooper & myself)
 
THE WAITANGI DAY WOODY PICNIC IS SHAPING UP TO BE A GOODY – 18 BOATS CONFIRMED ALREADY
If you have not RSVP’ed – time to get off the couch and do it 🙂 email to address below. The venue is – Waikalabubu Bay, Motutapu Island.
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Woody Waitangi Picnic
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Ocean Angler

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OCEAN ANGLER
 
Chatting recently with Paul Pedersen the owner of the 42’ Ocean Angler and Pauls has asked for some help filling in the gaps in the boats past.
So, firstly – what we ‘know or have been told’.
Built c.1960 on the Panmure River, possibly a Lane (aren’t they all) or could have been built by a retired electrician, who then on sold her to the late Noel Maker. She appears to have spent a large chunk of her life in and around East Auckland. She also spent time in Kerikeri and the Clevedon River area.
Noel possibly had a partner in the boat, named Murray Forsythe and they may have used her as a dive charter boat. The current owner, Paul, bought her of a gent named Dan Monroe, who kept her at West Harbour, Dan only had her for a short time.
 
When Noel purchased her she had twin Ford 4cyl. engines in her, Noel swapped these for the 120hp’s she still has today.
She is of diagonal construction with three layers of plank kauri and has since had a layer of fiberglass cloth and resin added to the bottom to make her water tight with out caulking.
Paul and partner Jo Whiteman have owned Ocean Angler for approx. 10 years and her home port is Dove Bay, Kerikeri.
 
Each to their own but I’d lose the hot-house if she was mine 🙂 
 
So woodys can we digest the above and see if we can confirm / expand her history.
UPDATE 04-02-2020  – photos below from the ‘past’ 😉
 
THE WAITANGI DAY WOODY PICNIC IS SHAPING UP TO BE A GOODY – 18 BOATS CONFIRMED ALREADY
If you have not RSVP’ed – time to get off the couch and do it 🙂 email to address below. The venue is – Waikalabubu Bay, Motutapu Island.
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Had a few woody yachts asking if they can join – of course, the more the merrier 🙂
Woody Waitangi Picnic
 
 
Any One Need / Want An Old Style Ford Engine Manual
Baden Pascoe sent these in, he thinks they are for the old style Trader type engine. Free to a good home.
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Auckland Anniversary Day – Classic Launch Race – 26 Wooden Boat Photos

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RUNNER UP – STERLING
THIRD PLACE – FANCY FREE
WINNER – NGAIO

Auckland Anniversary Day – Classic Launch Race

Over the long weekend we had a smorgasbord of boating events to chose from, one being a ‘classic’ launch race on the Monday, as part of the 2020 Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta. The format is a handicapped race around a set inner harbour course, effectively a drag race. Handicapping for these races is a challenge, there are so many variables that come into play.
Reviewing the results, the handicapping appears to have done a good job.
The day was near perfect and a delayed start meant that I was able to take the above photos. I was heading back for Mahurangi and was not planning to be at the event.
As you would expect, there were numerous mechanical problems and a few DNF’s.
Photos a little ‘hairy’ – long lens.
Results:
1st:   Ngaio
2nd: Sterling
3rd:  Fancy Free
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WINNER – NGAIO

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RUNNER UP – STERLING

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THIRD PLACE – FANCY FREE

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TIO

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TIO

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TIO

I recently received the above colour photo of Tio from her owner Richard Cross, the older b/w photos popped up on fb. 

Richard commented that he had fully re-corked her 3 years ago,and was chipping away at the interior fitout. He has purchased the majority of big ticket items including new solar set up and batteries.
The engine – a Detroit 671 two stroke, had a  top end rebuild last year and the real reason for today’s story is Richard is looking for advice on what to do. A bottom end bearing has now gone and having spent a lot of money last year on the engine, he is looking for advice of what options he has, as he is currently not in a postion to engage last years mechanic – so is there someone knowledgable whose brain Richard could pick?
Also looking for input on the design layout for the stairs to the old hold, which he is thinking will be two double cabins, storage, office and workshop.
 
Tio is 55’ in length, 28 ton, designed by Hubert Levy, built in kauri in 1953 by Jack Guard at Putatea Bay (French Pass) for the Marine Dept as an oyster research boat. Later served as a Navy Pilot vessel (registered ship number 316485).
Also did time as a Great Barrier Island passenger ferry. These days she is a live-aboard and I have to say sports midships, what would best be described as a ’shed’ 🙂
 
Any mechanically minded / qualified woody able to help Richard out with some advice? I’ll throw in a WW t-shirt and Lake Rotoiti Wooden & Classic Boat 2020 calendar to the most helpful – Richard can decide who that is 😉
 
VENUE DECIDED FOR WAITANGI DAY WOODY PICNIC – WAIKALABUBU BAY 
After hours of reviewing weather forecasts, the WW weather guru has selected Waikalabubu Bay, Motutapu Island for the venue. Of course this could change but for now, that  is the spot. 
If you haven’t RSVP’ed – click the email link below . Great numbers already confirmed for next Thursday 🙂     waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Woody Waitangi Picnic
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Not All Woodys Are 30’+ And Coated In Varnish

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Not All Woodys Are 30’+ And Coated In Varnish

Fast small woodys have been carving up the Waitemata Harbour for over 100 years. In the top photo ( ex Winkleman collection) we see the launch Eena in 1906 trying very hard to plane.
The colour photos are from Mondays 2020 Anniversary Regatta launch drag race, show Murray Deeble’s launch – Waikiore, doing the same 🙂
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Astrolabe At Sea

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Astrolabe At Sea

Late last year we featured the stunning 51’ 7” Bruce Clark designed, John Salthouse 1974 built sloop Astrolabe and got to take a peek below. The WW link below will take you to the story – have look, she is a very impressive yacht that has done some serious blue water sailing.
Since then her owner has found the above photos of Astrolabe. The sailing ones were shot from a helicopter and the out-of-water / shed photo (below) was taken when her mast was being overhauled.
When the first story run on WW her owner was considering finding a new owner for her, after a Christmas break – the decision has been made – “sell her, but only to the right family”. So woodys – after a summer cruise or sitting on the beach looking at the boats anchored in the bay – who is considering either up grading their vessel or returning to the fold? Yachts like Astrolabe do not come on the market very often. Interested in a viewing? Initial contact to waitematawoodys@gmail.com.
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YESTERDAYS MAHURANGI REGATTA BROKE ALL RECORDS FOR WW VIEWING NUMBERS – OFF THE RICHTER SCALE AND BIG OFF SHORE INTEREST – THANKS FOR MAKING ALL THE HOURS OF EDITING WORTHWHILE 🙂
Graph below shows the last months daily viewing numbers & the scale of yesterdays performance (red column)  😉
Second image shows the viewing by country ranking – just can not crack the UK scene. FYI, a lot of the Asian readership comes from Kiwi ex-pats working overseas and super yacht crews. I sell a lot of WW t-shirts into this area.

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