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.

Caroma / W1

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MVC-018S

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Caroma / W1
 

Recently I was contacted by Peter Grant who had just discovered the story of W1 on waitematawoodys and remembered he was involved in a pre-purchase inspection of her in November 2000 for a client. The client did not purchase the vessel as it was deemed not suitable, but Peter dug out the old report which included the photos of her above, as she was then lying alongside the Panmure River.

 

Below is a photo of the 70′ vessel as she is today, post a wonderful restoration to return her to a style that while not matching her early day war time look, certainly turns a few heads on the Waitemata when she zips past at 22 knots. WW links to the restoration below:
 
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Mystery Launch 03-09-2019

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 03-09-2019

The launch on the right is part of the flotilla of pleasure craft welcoming the SS Gothic into Auckland in 1953.  Can anyone ID the launch for us? I have also included a close up, taken off the larger photo.

WCW WW Poster

Click Link to RSVP https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/08/08/how-often-do-you-use-your-classic-boat/

Irene – A Peek Down Below – 4sale

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IRENE – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2016 I did a brief story on the 39’ Orams launch – Irene, based on a photo that Pam Cundy from the Whangateau boat yard snapped while cruising at Great Barrier Island. WW link to story below

Irene was built in 1955, is 39’4” long with a beam of 10’9” and draws 3’3”. Powered by twin Ford (Lees Marine) 75hp diesels she has a top speed of 10 knots.
At the time of the last story I ‘commented’ about Irene’s penthouse.
Below are a couple of penthouse interior photos, I have always wondered what goes on up there on these boats………. And a very crude photo of her with a top chop 🙂

JEANETTE C23 – Updated Story

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JEANETTE 001

Start of a cruise down the gulf. Barbara, Dick’s elder daughter at the tiller.

JEANETTE 002

Jeanette cruising. Ngataringa coming up astern. Takapuna shore in background.

JEANETTE 003

Wet decks from stiff westerly. Running close during race to Islington Bay. Dinghy lashed on deck for more speed. Rangitoto on port bow.

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(This picture dated 28 January 1961, so must have been sent to Bob when he’d returned to the UK. ) Jeanette at the start of the Trans Tasman Race. Bob. Bill Patterson at tiller. Bob Watham in the cockpit. Harry Pope up forward.

JEANETTE C23 – Updated Story
 
Back in June 2019 I did a story on the 1933, Ted Le Huquet built yacht Jeanette, WW link below, this prompted Drew Glasgow to send in the photos above taken in the early 1950’s by his late father Bob Glasgow, who often sailed in her, together with Dick and Barbara Bakewell, who bought the yacht off Ted Le Huquet.
According to Bob’s description, written on the back of one photograph, she was a 34′ marconi-rigged cutter.
 
I have captioned each photo with text supplied by Drew from the back of the photos, penned by his father.
Question of the day – any one able to tell us how the above yacht ended up in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, USA? Is it a Kiwi boat or just been named by a Kiwi?
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WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND 

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WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND
The response to the Woody Classics Weekend cruise to the Riverhead Tavern on Sunday 8th September, has been amazing and we predict a record turn out of classic wooden boats and crew.
If you have already RSVP’ed to Barbara Cooke – thank you for being so polite, to the rest of you that forgot – do it today. A simple email to the address below with your name, boat name and approx. number of passengers (if you know).
In the poster above I have highlighted for you the important times for the afternoon.
Later, next week I’ll come back to the confirmed attendees  via email with details on dining options, where to drop anchor etc.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to catching up with you all, in particular the Creek Virgins i.e. first time up the creek 🙂
Ps remember if you are boat less, come by car.
Will You Be There? The Brothers Did Dummy Run A Few Days Ago
Brothers

Donald Sutherland

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DONALD SUTHERLAND

The Collings & Bell launch Donald Sutherland is seen in the above photo on her launch day in January 1936.
Harold Kidd advised previously that DS was very similar to the C&B launch Miss Picton (later named Mitre Peek) that was launch early(07/12/1933).
Do we know what became of Donald Sutherland and is she still afloat?
In my eyes –  rather a pretty boat, but did Collings & Bell ever build an ugly one? 🙂
WCW Riverhead2019

Kotuku

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KOTUKU

Kotuku was designed and built by Milford boat builder Alan Williams in 1960. She measures 32’ with a 9’ beam. Power is from a BMC Commodore diesel that was new when launched.
The bridge decker is kauri carvel built and has recently changed hands after a lengthy period on trademe. New owner’s Todd and Catherine sent in the photos above of her recent TLC.
Can anyone tell us more about Kotuku’s history.

Input from Mark Erskine – ‘Reviewing the above photos, in particular the ‘work in progress’ one, I see a note on the engine photo that the owner has used 5W 30 synthetic oil in the engine and gearbox.

Generally, older diesel engines have larger internal clearances than modern engines and (generally), a 5W 30 synthetic engine oil is used in a modern, close tolerance, high revving petrol engine. 

Older diesel engines have piston ring, cylinder liner and bearing materials that require a basic, heavier viscosity, mineral oil, such as a heavy duty, high detergent / dispersant / SAE30, SAE40, 15W 40 or 20W 50 grade.

I recommend the owner contacts either Castrol or Shell technical services for their lubricant recommendation for that particular engine and the gearbox.Tthere are a lot of old diesel and petrol engines in older boats and using the wrong oil can damage the engine.’

 

 

 

Blue Seas

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BLUE SEAS

Blue Seas was built in 1965 by Ship Builders. LOA is 30’ and get up and go is via a very impressive Yanmar 90hp turbo diesel engine.
Can we expand more on her past?
Woodys attending the Woodys Classic Weekend pub cruise to the Riverhead Tavern on Sept 8th will get to see her up close because owner Ollie Olaf Askham is a confirmed attendee 🙂
27-01-2022 Update ex David Cooke – spotted off Motuihe Island
WCW Riverhead2019

Maristella

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 27-08-2019. Maristella

The above launch is seen here in the flotilla of pleasure craft welcoming the SS Gothic into Auckland in 1953.

As mentioned previously SS Gothic had very special cargo aboard – the Queen.
Can anyone ID the launch? Its been ID’ed as the 1936, Sam Ford built – Maristella. Details at the WW link below

WCW Riverhead2019

Click Link to RSVP https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/08/08/how-often-do-you-use-your-classic-boat/

Miss Rose

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MISS ROSE
Today’s woody lives a long way from the Waitemata, but her owner Andrew Christie from Queensland, Australia is a man of immaculate taste in woodys. Recently Andrew, owner of the 32’ woody – St.Helena, WW link below, recently contacted me and told me he had, had a rush of blood to the head and had swooped up the stunning woody Miss Rose.
Built approx. 10 years ago to a c.1930’s Zimmer design, Zimmer was a good friend (shared a desk) of the Hacker  boatbuilding dynasty in the USA. She was built in Australia by a very cool, OTT woody – looks like its brand new.
Andrew commented that the design specs were done  to run on 1930’s horse power not the modern V8 sitting in her today, that is good for 100kph…………….
Andrew has a great eye for detail and already is tweaking a few things to please the eye.
Now I just need to convince him to pop Miss Rose in a sea container and ship her over to NZ for the two (North & South Island) Lake Rotoiti Wooden Boat Festivals…………. 🙂
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