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.

Wellington Whale Spotting on A Woody

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Wellington Whale Spotting on A Woody
I’m sure most of you will have seen the TV coverage of the Southern Right whale – nick named Matariki thats decided to adopt the Wellington Harbour as its new home.
The Uivel family, owners of the stunning 1928, Joe Slattery built, now Wellington based woody – Mataroa, ventured out last week for a peek, never expecting the close encounter they got, seems the whale likes woodys.
Also included above are some nice shots of Mataroa in Clyde Quay boat harbour.
Photos ex the camera of Sue Dorrington & thanks to Rob Uivel for the on-board video and Bryan Saul for the Drone footage (link below)
You can view more photos of the re launch of Mataroa at the link below. Or just WW search the name, there is a lot of photos / info on her. Named Kenya, when launched.
Big tides yesterday – I suspect this old woody in the Milford Creek has had a few tides thru her 😉 See WW comments section for info on the yacht (named Ra Kesha) ex Geoff Brebner (heyday photo added below)
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Devonport Waterfront Woodys

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Devonport Waterfront Woodys

Lurking around the ‘Devonport Locals facebook’ page the other day I came across these stunning b/w photos of Torpedo Bay on the eastern end of the waterfront, beneath North Head.
The top one is captioned 1893 residences of M. Murchie, Tailor, Garrybrook and Jeffery. Keen to ID the yachts hauled out, talk about VIP parking.
The 2nd photo shows a wide view of the bay, possibly 1925. These days a sea wall & numerous breakwaters have returned sand to the foreshore.
Correction – they transported sand from else where, the breakwaters have retained the sand, seem to recall the local tribe getting a little prickly about the sand coming from another area……………..

Input ex Harold Kidd

Malcolm Murchie’s (a tailor) house was “Lochiel” early address just “Beach Road, Devonport” later 59, then 60 King Edward Parade or just King’s Parade. I have been through the Directories looking for yachtsmen who may have parked their boats in front but failed to link any. My (highly tentative) guesses are (from left) Capt Parker’s rowing cutter VOLUNTEER which was used by the Naval Volunteers at Devonport, later with an engine, an early 2.5 rater GLORIANA? ROGUE? and LULU, the double-ender. Robin Elliott should chime in now.

PS I suppose the lkeel yacht could be the Jeffrey brothers’ KESTREL, but she wasn’t launched until December 1893 and they lived at Maraetai. However it is likely that she was kept in Torpedo Bay as she came ashore there in a blow in 1897 and Arch Buchanan (who lived a few doors to the left) looked after her. Come to think of it the boat could well have been one of Arch’s Logan-built boats, at this era the 5 rater ARIEL or slightly later the 5 rater YVONNE.

PPS Not ARIEL

The right hand yacht is MERRY DUCHESS and the date is nearer 1900.

 

Looking for a pulpit rail for your classic yacht?
I don’t normally do ‘bits for sale’ –  but the owner of the piece of bronze below – Andy Winter is a good guy & has helped a lot of woody owners out. So here goes – 1x bronze tube pulpit rail off Andy’s old Spencer Salient.  He is open to offers – details below:
Andy Winter c/o The Engine Room (9) 480 2248 or email: andy@theengineroom.co.nz
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Korawai

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KORAWAI
Yesterday we ran a story on Jim Greenaway. Jim & wife Lesley owned Korawai in Tauranga from about 1973 to 1981 / 82.
Jim’s main trade was a cabinet maker but he was also a semi-pro boat builder and did a lot of work on Korawai – new galley, teak deck, etc. The family spent many weeks aboard her – including five weeks or so at a stretch every summer at Mercury Island.
Korawai was built by Owen Woolley in 1962 for a F. Niel of Bridge St, Panmure. She is a sister ship tp Taree. Previous owners include Beau Farrell. I photo below I took in January, 2010, anchored off Oneroa, Waiheke Island. (details ex Harold Kidd & Colin Pawson)
Do we know where she is now?
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The story of Jim Greenaway – A Rather Productive Kiwi Boatbuilder

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The story of Jim Greenaway – A Rather Productive Kiwi Boatbuilder

I was sent the profile of Jim Greenaway by his son Rob, who penned it. I recommend you read it, it’s a great read.
How I came to be sent the story is classic WW,  Rob was mooching around the web & found an old article I had done on the CYA forum (in the days b4 WW) on a launch named Korawai & Rob tracked me down.
Tomorrows WW story is on the launch. There will be some great photos dating back to the mid >late 1970’s, make sure you check it out.

Mystery Woodys at Kawau Island

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Mystery Woodys at Kawau Island

The caption on the above Tudor Collins photo, ex Auckland Museum (via Lew Redwood fb) states that the photo is dated 1936 & possibly / probably Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island.
Interested in ID’ing the closest launch to the shore. At first glance I thought Tasman, then Rehia but the shape & number of portholes is all wrong – what say the Woodys?
The dark hulled vessel behind, could be one of the early pilot boats – Ferro?
And any clever yachties able to ID the small yachts – mullet boats?
Input from Robin Elliott

NOT Mullet boats but 18-foot V-class. See endless posts and publications over the last 20 years (puts hobby horse back in stable)

From what I can make of the name on her transom, the light coloured hull looks to be Vaalele, V-78, built by Charlie Hardman to a Ralph Goodwin design in 1936.She was one of the four Auckland 18-footers that travelled to Sydney for the first World’s 18-footer championship in 1938. Charlie Hardman kept Vaalele until 1939 when he sold her to S.H. Bailey.

The darker boat is a bit later and looks to be quite new. She’s marconi rigged and could possibly be another Charlie Hardman / Ralph Goodwin boat, Vindex, V-35 built in 1939. Marconi rigs were not common in the V-class but by 1939 the more competitive yachtsmen were moving away from gaff.

From other photos I have seen, she was painted a dark colour, either black or royal blue and was marconi rigged. Vindex was laid up in 1940 and In 1944 he sold Vindex to Keith Atkinson who was working at Lidgards with Hardman.

If this is the case then that would date the photo to the summer of 1939/40, with the two Hardman boats cruising in company, and also explain the patriotic display of the Union Jack from the wharf,

15-07-2018 Update from Steve Pople (current owner)

Steve sent me the 2 b/w photos below (ex NZ Herald) of RF as launched – what a stunner, just about perfect from any angle. Steve confirmed Ken Rickets comments re being lengthened (by 6′). RF is currently in the very capable hands of Dave Patterson of Leader Boats in Pakuranga undergoing a total refit. I will updated the restoration story with new photos.

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ARGO – Mason Marine Clipper 26

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ARGO – Mason Marine Clipper 26

In recent years there has been a resurgence in the restoration of the Mason Marine motor boats. Aside from being very smart craft, the ability to pop them on a trailer & take them home, cuts out the savage marina costs. Her owner has had her since 1993, in later years she was always a project to be completed but life got in the way.

Todays deep vee Clipper 26, Argo, & is for sale on trademe, she looks a little tired after sitting out in the weather for years but the bones are their. Her looks are deceiving. Her hull has been tapped her out and she sounds good. Internal wood work needs a lot of attention.

Although the Clippers originally never had a flying bridge, one was added with hydraulic steering top and bottom.
This boat comes with a 6.4 GMC Diesel motor (not converted) Volvo stern leg plus the standard bits and pieces that were on her originally.

The photos of her in her original glory are from Pete Miller’s web site. Got to love the photo from the “old times” checking for fuel leaks whilst the character n the background has his smoke.

Argo had a wide beam of 9’6” & interesting construction of strip plank cedar glassed on the exterior and ribs on the interior. Fuel consumption must have been fierce with twin 283cu inboards  originally, later replaced by a 440cu Magnum 4bbl and she had a third with a 440 cu Magnum with a 6 BBL carb. But then fuel was dirt cheap in those days.

So Woodys anyone looking for a project?

Mystery Launch 12-07-2018

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Mystery Launch 12-07-2018

Lots of stick & rag in the above photo, ex Lew Redwood fb, its dated Jan. 1948 & the caption reads ‘Trans Tasman Race’.
What interests me today is the name of the launch in the foreground of the photo – looks familiar with that unusual shaped, raised wheel house. Looks slightly automobile in design.
Who can ID her?

Maeve – Electric Launch

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MAEVE – Electric Launch
While I’m sure Maeve likes her Dunedin, Otago, home port, she would make a stunning addition to the Lake Rotoiti (Nth Is.) woody fleet.
Built in 1904, she was originally a North Otago fishing boat, & is a beautiful canoe shaped 26’ electric launch with a slipper stern.
Her wooden hull has been professionally fibre-glassed over, the wooden roof and window frames are in the style of a Thames River Boat & were added in recent years by a professional boat builder.
The motor is adapted from an electric golf cart & pushes Maeve along at a virtually silently at 6.5 knots for approx. 4+ hours.
Her current owner bought Maeve unseen several months ago under the misapprehension she was much smaller than she is & then discovered their standard boat trailer was too small to safely and legally take an 8m boat from Dunedin home to the Marlborough Sounds – so she is back on the market. Thanks to Ian MacDonald for the trade listing heads up.
Maeve has a long and proud provenance and was much loved by her previous elderly owner. With a little TLC, she could be a very smart lake boat.

Msuire

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 Msuire    MONTEREY

Woody John Bullivant sent me the above photo for a double ender, that John recalls was called Monterey, keep at Bucklands Beach in the early 1970’s. She is pictured above behind John’s own design, Thin Lizzy,  a 15ft 75hp flying scott powered 50mph death trap (John’s words).
Monterey belonged to a friends grandfather & they used to start her now and then to keep things moving.
Does anyone recall the boat & know what became of her?
Input from Martin Howson – This boat is the M’sieur and was owned by Horrie Mau who lived on the sea front at Bucklands. She was built by Bailey and Lowe and prior to moving North was based in Wellington. After her time at Bucklands she went to Thames and as far as I know she is still there in the mud berths. She was a fine sea boat and had a set of sails as useful alternative in the event of engine failure which happened on at least one ocasion. Mr Mau was not familiar with the Gulf and asked my father in law how to get to Kawau Island ,the instructions were not fully understood because he ended up at Little Barrier instead and could not find Bon Accord Harbour dispite circumnavigating Little Barrier a number of times, he was however a very fine fisherman.

Pontiac

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PONTIAC
I have been sent the above brilliant collection of photos by Paul and Valerie Somerville of their 1910 launch Pontiac, built by McPhersons, Frederick St, Dunedin, for a publican in Pt Chalmers. She was originally named Reremoana. Family history says in the 1920’s it passed on to a farmer at Moeraki who used it as a fishing vessel.
In the 1930’s the Gillies family of Oamaru took ownership and it remained with them for 3 generations, and was very well maintained, until the mid 1990’s when the Somerville’s purchased her and put it on it’s present mooring in Church Bay, Lyttelton Harbour.
At some early stage the Gilles changed the name to Pontiac. Maybe they had the Pontiac dealership and had installed a Pontiac engine. Still on the boat are other Pontiac marine fittings such as navigation lights cast in the shape of an Indian Chiefs head.
The boat is of single skin kauri, 10 metres long and with a 2.5m beam. The cabin structure and auxillary gaff rig seem to be original and there are many original fittings. The current engine is a BMC Commander 4 cylinder diesel.
Paul has no information whatever about McPherson the builder or of any other McPherson boats still existing.  He has seen similar looking hulls around the Otago Peninsular and further south, but that’s about it.
Paul commented that Pontiac is a wonderful sea going vessel and has given him family a lot of pleasure over the last 25 years, as he’s sure it did for the Gillies over their 60 years of ownership.
From top to bottom (L>R) the photo captions are:
1. Up the Lords River Stewart Island  c.1950’s/1960’s?
2. Helping out at “Scotts Own” sea scout regatta Oamaru. c.1960’s/1970’s?
3. In the Lyttelton haulout area 2017.
4.Pontiacs control panel.
5. The engineroom.
6. Heading down the harbour with the grandkids.
Paul & Valerie would love to hear any more historical information or anecdotes about Pontiac. Any Woodys able to contribute ?
Input from Harold Kidd – E.A.Gillies was indeed the Pontiac agent in Oamaru at the time when GM built them as one step up from the Chevrolet (even though they had a side-valve 6 or 8). McPherson was the foremost yacht and launch builder in Dunedin (not Port Chalmers) for many years. Pontiac did several offshore trips, for example to Akaroa in January 1939 and, in January 1940, to Stewart Island, which was probably when the top pic was taken..
10-07-2018 More input: Reremoana was at Moeraki in 1936; broke down, got blown out to sea but rescued. Gillies bought her shortly after. He had just got the Pontiac agency so was shouting it to the rooftops. (see dealer ad from paper past below)
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The Gall Of Some People
On Saturday I took Raindance for a jaunt to the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour – the John Wellsford Small Craft group were having a rally to the Riverhead Hotel & wanted to get some photos of the event for WW. 
One of the meeting points was the new public wharf alongside the Salthouse Yard, & while waiting for the JW boats to turn up > launch, I sat off the wharf in Lucas Creek. A gent with a camera walked down the wharf & took a few photos of Raindance.
Last night via a facebook post on the JW fb page I realised the person taking the photos was Paul Gilbert.
I sent him a private message & asked if it was him & if so I could have a photo of Raindance. I said I took 1000’s of photos of classic Woodys but had very few of my own boat.
His answer is below – I have never meet him but all his reply did was confirm everything I have heard about the man………………….
For the record I have never refused or charged any boat owner for a photo I have taken of their boat. But then, I’m a nice guy 😉
And if you read this Paul Gilbert, fyi – another 15,000+ people will have read it today as well 🙂
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