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.

Woodys at the Bay of Islands 2019 Tall Ships Regatta

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Woodys at the Bay of Islands 2019 Tall Ships Regatta

I have been getting lots of chat on last weeks B.O.I. Tall Ships Regatta – I understand it was the biggest event yet as far as numbers, weather, & wind went. Boosted by the inclusion of two super yachts taking part – Silvertip & Thalia. The organisers got the hangi right & the food was spot on. Two bands kept the crowd entertained & the dancing went till 1am 🙂
CYA stalwarts Kirsty & John Bertenshaw, cleaned out the regatta winning line & handicap with Riada, their 1975 Laurie Davidson designed ketch.
The photos above come to us from the camera of Dean Wright. The highlight for me in viewing the photos, was seeing Tino Rawa head honcho Tony Stevenson at the helm of the recently restored – Teal. It’s been a while since TS has been on the rail of one of the TRT classics…. Welcome back Tony , how’s the bum?  🙂
Update 17-01-2019 – Photo below (ex Hylton Edmonds) of Lady Crossley on duty as start/finish boat.
lady crossley tall ships 2019

Junior Woodys

Colin Pawson is a big fan of getting kids into boating at an early age – so when he spotted Ben (6) and Libby (4) Managh, entertaining themselves in the wooden dinghy that Ben and his dad John designed and built at home, he dived into the cabin to grab his phone/camera. Colin was moored near the Managh family at Kaiarara, Great Barrier Island last week.

Colin commented to me that watching Ben row he reckoned he will be in the Olympics in a few years time 🙂

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Summer / New Year 2019 Raindance Cruise Photo Gallery – 70+ Classic Wooden Boats

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Best coffee & brownie on the Island = Rocky Bay Hall

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282′ – Available for rent NZD$970,000 week

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Very cool packaging design & yum

Summer / New Year Raindance Cruise Photo Gallery – 70+ Classic Wooden Boats

The above gallery is a selection of photos I mostly took at random over the 12 days we were floating around the bottom end of Waiheke Island. I apologise for the quality of some, but the light & direction I was heading were not always my friend in terms of image quality. I just wanted to record & showcase some of the craft out & about over the holiday period. Remember click photos to enlarge 😉
Like most people in the upper north island we were gifted with stunning weather – I rolled the cockpit canopy clears up on day one & rolled them down again when we returned to the marina 12 days later. I can honestly say that it was the best cruise we have had aboard RD, just perfect.
For those of you that were cruising in other parts, email in some photos so we can share.
Even last week the weather remained near perfect, & allowed me to get the sandpaper & Awlwood (Uroxsys) out & re-varnish RD’s trim – 9 coats, looks very smart.
As I write this I’m hoping for some rain, the garden is crying out for a downpour.
Mahurangi Regatta is fast approaching, I say it every year but in terms of vessel numbers & location, it has to be NZ’s premier classic wooden boating event. Put a circle around Saturday, Jan 26th in the diary & make the effort to be there. More details closer.
Check out WW tomorrow for some great photos from the Bay of Islands Tall Ships Regatta – there will even be a photos of Tony Stevenson on the helm of a classic, its been a while 😉

1910-1920’s Mystery Launch & Yachts on the Waitemata Harbour

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1910-1920’s Mystery Launch & Yachts on the Waitemata Harbour
 
The above photo comes to us from the Auckland Museum, Bourne collection – via Lew Redwood’s fb. 
It shows a smallish motorboat towing two gaff rigged yacht.
Can we ID all 3?
10-04-2019 Update from Steve Horsley – photo below
Ngatira & Kotiri

FLYING 15 4sale

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I have been contacted by Rachel Jamieson, the driving force behind the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association, asking for help finding a new owner for her parents 20’ Flying Fifteen yacht. I’ll let Rachel tell you about the yacht – 
“ She is currently named Ffelony & registered as ff 851. From what I can find out she was launched in 1966 as Aphrodite, then renamed ffelony in 1971.
My parents raced her in Wellington in the 1980’s and were calling her flying forties, as they were in their 40’s. she does not have a name on her.
Next she came up to Lake Rotoiti where she has been ever since, only taken out of the shed occasionally in summer and not for the past 5-6 years at all except to re-coat the deck with Sikkens.
She appears to have a few sets of sails, all quite old as they have not been replaced since she was raced.
She has stainless steel lifting eyes for crane-age launching which is what was used when in Wellington.
She has a launching trailer, but it does need repair, the main part of it is galvanised so not to bad, but the uprights at the back to guide the boat on have rusted away…
Overall the boat is in not too bad a shape, she is complete and sailable. It is a wooden hull (glassed over), plywood decks with aluminium mast, boom and spinnaker pole.”
  
She has a no reserve starting price on trademe of $250, so someone will get a bargain. Talking with Rachel, their #1 issue is finding a good home for the yacht. She has been in rachel’s family for the last 40 years.
Viewing is in Otaramarae, Lake Rotoiti – please email Rachel to make a time.     zea.rachel@gmail.com
 
BIG PHOTO GALLERY STORY TOMORROW (Monday) FROM MY NEW YEAR CRUISE.

LADY KARITA – A Rolling Restoration

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LADY KARITA – A Rolling Restoration

Lady K has been on the receiving end of what we call a rolling restoration for the last year+. Now based in the upper South Island, her owner Murray Shaw is very close to finishing a stunning re-fit. The photos above are from the camera’s of both Murray & mutal friend, John Burland & give us a peek at the standard of the work.

The last photos show Lady K relocated last week to the western entrance of Mapua Harbour.

You can read / view more on LadyK at the WW link below-

Lady Karita

MY GIRL TRIP LOG
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I apologise upfront, clicking the link below will consume 30>45 minutes of your time today – but its a great read & Jason’s log includes some cool photos of his travels & lots of other woodys encounter along the way.
 
 
DEVONPORT FERRY Co. PROMOTIONAL FILM c.1920’s
In case you missed this 1920’s b/w video showcasing life on Auckland’s North Shore, I have included the link below. Lots of blasts from the past there – enjoy
 

https://www.facebook.com/markety.mark.92/videos/377063966386661/

Rosa & Mayflea

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ROSA

Rosa is a wee bit of a mystery, her trade listing states she was built in 1965, from kauri, and is 28’ in length.

Her zoom zoom comes via a 48hp Perkins diesel, after that we are told very little else about her.
Any of the woodys able to tell us more about Rosa?
Not All Woodys Live In A Marina
A good mate, is living the dream in a rather nice, almost waterfront house in Kohimarama, Auckland. His current woody passion measures less than 10’, but watch this space I’m working on finding him a bigger brother for the clinker 😉
BUT – he still trollies – Mayflea down to the beach and occasionally casts the rod over the side  – the 35cm snapper was hooked last week in 5m of water off the beach – nice way to start the day 🙂
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Evening Star & Alma G

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EVENING STAR

The above photo of Evening Star was sent to me by Simon Manning, and was taken near Port Fitzroy in late December. She looks stunning, what a magnificent ship, Simon commented that she appeared to have had a major renovation recently.
So Woodys, what do we know about her?
Simon mentioned that they had an Evening Star fishing in and around the Sounds when he was a kid but doesn’t believe it’s the same boat.  This one looks bigger.   There must be more than one around by that name.
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The photo below of Alma G about to weigh in her catch at Russell, is another from Snooks Fuller’s brilliant collection, sent in by Dean Wright.
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28-01-2019 Photo below of Evening Star in Sheep Bay, Gt Mercury Island, ex Greg Fenwick
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Okahu Hardstand – Back In The Good Old Days

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OKAHU HARDSTAND – BACK IN THE GOOG OLD DAYS

Murray Deeble sent me the above photo of the Okahu Hardstand back when space was used efficiently in the sixties. As I commented to Murray, painting & varnishing was probably all done by brush, so no chance of over spray 🙂
Half the woody fleet must have been hauled out there.
Now the photo below was sent in by Dean Wright & shows the Opito Bay, Bay of Islands,  boat ramp.  Dean commented that its pretty manic at this time of the year. Too many boats, not enough parking. Fishing must have been really good as these guys didn’t make it back untill bang on full tide. By which time the water was right into their sitting down place by the looks 🙂
Looks like a company car – will be interesting explaining this to the boss………..
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Mystery Tug Boat
Barbara Cooke sent me the photos below of this very cute small tug – it is the tow boat for the stock barge in Home Bay, Whanganui Island at Coromandel. Needs a fair amount if TLC. Hard to believe it can drag a herd of cattle around. Probably doesn’t travel very far…..from island to island maybe?
Can any one tell use more about the tug? I thought it had appeared on WW but can not find any link.
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A Classic Wooden Boat Cruise to The Bay of Islands & Whangaroa 

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A Classic Wooden Boat Cruise to The Bay of Islands & Whangaroa 
Two of the driving forces behind the NZ Classic Yacht Association, Jason Prew (Deputy Chairman) & Nathan Herbert (Launch Captain) spearheaded a summer cruise of classic Woodys up the northland coast to the Bay of Islands & Whangaroa Harbour.
Both Jason’s launch – My Girl & Nathan’s – Pacific have been well featured on their facebook pages but in case you missed it, I have included below a link to Jason’s fb, from which you can click thru to Nathan’s.
The photos above we sent to me by BOI based woody & professional photographer Dean Wright, taken early morning on 30-12-2018 in Opito . As always from Dean stunning photos.
The two below are from Jason Prew – & show the two woodys at anchor, early morning in Whangaroa Harbour.
Enjoy.

Check out the Xmas / NY travels here: 

My Girl – Jason Prew & Pacific – Nathan Herbert
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pacific whangaroa jan 2019
WIN A COPY OF PETER PEAL’S BOOK – THOUGHTS ON CLINKER LAPSTRAKE DINGHY CONSTRUCTION

 

The first woody* to email me the correct answers to the following two questions, will win a copy of the above 108 page book. NOTE: Entry only by email to:
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q1 – What item seen in the above photo/s connects the two classic launches?
Q2 – Name the person behind the connection?
If you do not win – grab a copy from Boat Books in Westhaven (also on-line)
*(skippers & associated hangers-on of the 2 boats, are excluded from entering, and before anyone asks – I decide who is a hanger-on)
AND THE WINNER IS SIMON ADAMS
Correct answers were:
1. Lapstrake dinghy’s (tenders)
2. Brooke Family (one built by Jack & the other by Robert)

Garden Cove, Waiheke Island

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Garden Cove Waiheke Island

Over the New Year period we were very lucky to ’score’ an anchorage not once, but twice in Garden Cove on the the Northern side of Waiheke Island.
It’s a very special spot & due to it size, can only really handle 2 >3 boats. The advent of the SeaLegs amphibious craft, means a few more craft can enjoy the venue via parking on the beach.
On our first visit we were joined by the 1946 Lidgard built launch – Monterey.
Second trip we shared the bay with the magnificent1935, Colin Wild designed & built motor launch – Lady Gay & a very cute woody ‘picnic’ boat.
If you ever get the chance, be brave & enter the gap (right side – ALWAYS), it is worth it.
BUT – folks, the 1st visit was a little tarred by a group of white trash that appeared to have overnighted on the beach (New Years Eve), the beach was a tip & included toilet paper. Come on kiwi’s – show a little respect for the environment & other people. A took few photos to name & shame 😦

LITTLE JIM (Mk1) B7

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LITTLE JIM (Mk1) B7

If you search the words Little Jim in the WW search box you we see numerous references to a very stunning yacht, owned these days by CYA Chairman James Mortimer. She was designed / built by Arch Logan and Bill Couldrey in 1934, photos below.
Outside of the die-hard classic yachties, few know there was another Little Jim, B7, pictured above.
This LJ was a B class Keeler owned by J. Mitchelson.
Sadly she was driven ashore and totally wrecked at Catherine Bay, Great Barrier Island, after being dismasted in a gale on Christmas Day 1934?. The only good news was that the crew of 5 escaped drowning & reached the shore.
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07-01-2019 Input from owner – James M
Little Jim started out life as a schnapper boat in 1900 under the sail number AK1 when it was built for a fisherman named Charles Vieri. Once converted to a pleasure boat for racing and cruising by the Feltham brothers, she sailed as B7 under various owners until a syndicate including Mitchelson purchased her in 1931. It was Xmas Day of ’33 she was driven onto the rocks in Katherine Bay. The story goes that after the rig snapped in two about 6 feet above the deck, and while cutting everything away a shackle got caught between the rudder and stern post, not only making a huge sea anchor with the still half-attached sails and rig but also losing any form of steerage. They managed to get two anchors down once in Katherine Bay. These held for some hours before the warps of one then the other finally frayed under the load and she went ashore. A few items were salvaged, including the small circular porthole you can see in the current cabin top in your last photo above. Legend has it that a leg of ham washed ashore, which fed the crew on Xmas Day over a campfire in the scrub behind the bay. With the insurance payout of 230 pounds plus a generous gift from Mitchelson’s aunt, Little Jim A16 was launched on 19th November 1934, a pretty impressive feat in less than 11 months! She went on to win the Anniversary Day race just two months later and has been sailling and cruising the Waitemata and Hauraki Gulf since. For anyone interested there is a great history of the two boats captured on Peter Brooke’s boatbuilders page here: http://www.classicboating.co.uk/Little%20Jim%20H.html