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.

Te Kowhai

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Te Kowhai

TE KOWHAI

Todays story features the game boat Te Kowhai coming in to the wharf at Russell to weigh their catch.
The photo comes to use from Lew Redwood via ‘BOI Historical Photos’
Can anyone tell us more about the boat & what became of her – she is a very pretty launch.
09-04-2020 Input from Hylton Edmonds -Te Kowhai was one of the lessor known game boats operating in the Bay of Islands (based in Russell) around the time of the 60’s. As the advertisement below, from the 1963-64 BOISFC Yearbook, shows, Des Neal ran it for a partnership based in Hawera, a vague memory is that they were chartered accountants?

I have no idea what became of her, and compared to the other game boats, I do not think she was “on the scene” for that long.

Hopefully info will come to light on what was ostensibly a Bridge Decker (similar to Pirate) in survey, and put to work.

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Harold Kidd has previously commented that she was designed and built by J.G. Cox with a 6-95 Lycoming for Fred Reynolds in 1939. In NAPS in 1943 as Z42.

 

Regards,

Hylton

Zora – A71 – Workboat Wednesday

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ZORA – A71 – Workboat Wednesday
The above photos show Ron & Joy Olds woody – Zora, hauled out at Opua for some below the waterline TLC, sent in by Baden Pascoe. Baden commented that she was built by Lidgard Bros in 1937/8 for Mr Delich & Yuich as a seine boat. Originally powered by a 80hp HMG diesel. She carried the fishing reg AK 71.
And if you want some proof that these old girls can be converted into wow woodys – check out the photo below 😉
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Harold Kidd Input – ZORA helped MELODEON refloat ST VINCENT at Parengarenga in 1940. MELODEON has been bought by Dick Fisher (as probably everyone knows already).
The above mention of Melodeon prompted Russell Ward to send me the two photos below that feature Melodeon. Russell took the first one in the 1960’s. The second one shows Melodeon and some mates, with the bows of Aorangi and Shenandoah and Clematis in the foreground.

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Omokoroa

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OMOKOROA
 
I have been contacted by woody – James Trautvetter, who owns the classic launch Taufale (link below to ww story on her), about what appears to be an abandoned launch.
The boat is called Amokora & and has been washed up since last Christmas on the Whitford River, just north of the Whitford Boating & Cruising Club. James commented that she appears to be approx. 40’ in length & it would appear to be easy enough to float again.
 
Prior to the oops, James has heard the motor running & she sounded good, most likely a 100 hp or similar.
James & fellow WB&CC members are keen to uncover who the owner is and what are their intentions.
James commented that if they don’t want it, he will have it!
Anyone know the background to how she ended up here & the story of her past?
Link to Taufale.     https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/06/14/taufale/
08-08-2018 Input from Cameron Pollard
A few years ago she was parked up at the Marine Haulage yard in Te Atatu. Has a 6cyl. Ford. Was then sold on trade – photo below ex NZclassicboats
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08-08-2018 Input from Ian McDonald
We found her semi-derelict on the slip way at [strangely enough] Omokoroa, Tga harbour & bought her in 1982 & relaunched her in Jan1983 (refer photo montage)
I saw her a few yrs back when I owned ‘Signature’ (Miller & Tunnage) down the bottom end of Waiheke & then at Pine Harbour marina. Then she sat somewhere out Beachlands way on 44gal drums for a time and bugger me if I didn’t find it again around 2013 on the hardstand at Thames wharf (more 44gal drums) and the cabin had been altered to the same configuration as shown in the Whitford creek pic’s. Motor when we had it was 6cyl Ford Trader, complete with decompression lever so, Ford people will be able to date that. Had 2:1 borgwarner hyd drive.
The BOP Times article is from c.1980/01 & old b/w photo Ian believes is as she was originally built.
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Omokoroa montage
Omokoroa BOP Times Article
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09-08-2018 Update from F. Foh – 

Photo below of Omokoroa shows her laid over, she was like this for some months right up the Whitford at the site of the old haul out before moving to her current resting site. Had a big Harbour Master sticker on the window saying urgent contact needed.
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Prema

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PREMA

Prema was built in 1965 but looks older, no mention on her trademe listing as to a designer / builder but I’m sure we can uncover that.

She measures 26’ & is kauri built. The zoom zoom is via a 48hp Perkins.

While she obviously needs some DIY repairs / maintenance, given that if her hull is sound, the asking price of $12k is a great entry point to classic wooden boat.

Home port is the Thames Marina & I just weep when I see that the rental is $30 per week.

Input from Cameron Pollard – Billy Rogers.( so we where lead to believe)
Original name was Raewyn.
We bought her from Milford marina some 25ish years ago. Very nicely built and roomy for her size.

Lady Ellen Restoration – Report 3

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Lady Ellen Restoration – Report 3 
I have just received in the latest update from Bruce Mitchinson on Lady Ellen’s restoration – As previous,  I’ll let Bruce tell you about the work.

“Skim coat done to topsides and foredeck, bottom sanded ready for the same.

Looking sleek again now you can pick up the waterline.

Duckboard extended by 250mm and reattached, beltings and toe rails are about to go back on.
Rudder assembly is back together on new bearings and rudder tube, and the propeller strut is being fitted this week so we can bolt it up while we have easy access, and then continue with the cockpit fit out.
Demolition complete downstairs in the head and the sleeping quarters and I am scraping paint and cleaning up oil soaked planking and frames so I can continue with the white paint to the inside of the hull.
Fortunately it gets narrower up this end and so there is less area to paint.
Engine bay looks much tidier after getting the treatment, just need the engine and fuel tanks to go in so we can start setting up all of the other equipment that lives in here.”
Eggemoggin Reach Regatta – WoodenBoat magazine take a cruise thru the anchorage
A great video (link below) spotting some very nice woodys at anchor, shades of our own Mahurangi Regatta 😉

 

 

JOHN BROOKE BOOK WINNER/S

The winner of a copy of the new John Brooke book is Micheal O’Dwyer (classic yacht Janet). Robert Brooke kindly donated 2 copies of the book, so I have decided to give the 2nd copy to Graeme Finch , you submitted the best reply / entry. Well do guys. I email you for your postal address. Remember its available at Boat Books in Westhaven & on-line at the BB website.

Sybil II

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SYBIL II

Cameron Pollard sent in the above photos of the 1910 Bailey & Lowe launch Sybil II. Cameron has owned her since 2004 & recently moved her from Westmere to “a yard out south”.
The b/w photos below (ex classicboatNZ) show her on launch day in December 1910 & underway with a crowd on-board.
The ‘colour’ photo is from when she was owned by the Parry Brothers.
Cameron has assured me that he will get her back in water before he clicks his clog for the last time.
What more do me know about Sybil II?
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New John Brooke book – So that’s the Fathers Day present sorted

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FATHERS DAY (Sept 2nd) ALL SORTED FOR YOU

Its not often that I start to read a boating book & then stop a couple of pages in & put the book away. This happened to me during the week, Robert Brooke had just dropped off some copies, hot off the press, of the Brooke families book on their father, John (Jack) Brooke. Its tiled ‘memories – ROADS OF DESTINY – John Brooke’ & woodys its a cracker – full of amusing tales , photos & illustrations from John’s life (sample below).
Way did I stop reading it? Because its just so good, I want to be able to spend a day reading it on the boat, in a bay somewhere with no distractions.
Grad a copy from Boatbooks in Westhaven (they do on-line > postal orders), RRP is $45, a bargain. Be quick it will sell out.
I have a copy to give away – to make it fair to those that do not wake at 3am in the morning – the winner will be decided by a draw from all correct entries received by 6pm Friday 3rd August 2018. Entry via email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com.

Now the question –   what was Jack Brooke awarded an O.B.E. for in 1948?

Sorry for the standard of the images above, taken on my mobile ph not camera & in poor light 😉
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Kaipara

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KAIPARA

In the photo above we see the NZS Co. ship Kaipara, built in 1903 – aground in the Rangitoto Channel on 14 June 1910. She was on a voyage from Auckland to London & hit uncharted rocks,she was refloated on 20th jan & repaired. The captain was exonerated from all blame.

Sadly, the ship was captured & sunk south west of Tenerife on Aug 16thby the German armed raider – Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse. (photo es Peter Thorpy ex trade)

The question of the day is – who can ID the launch alongside the sailing ship?

OLD SEASPRAY MAGAZINES – I have been contacted by someone clearing out their fathers ‘stuff’ & amongst it is 4 cartons of old Seaspray magazines – anyone want them?

 

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Genevere

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GENEVERE

Today’s story show cases the Lake Rotoiti launch Genevere. She was built in 1908, builder unknown, measures 30’. Her zoom zoom is via a 45hp Perkins diesel that pushes her along at 6>8 knotts.

According to her trademe listing (thanks Ian McDonald), she has had a reasonable amount of TCL & engineering work done on her, so presents well.

At an asking price of $15k, she would appear a good buy. Anyone able to tell us more about Genevere?

 

1911 Devonport Waterfront Storm

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1911 PLEASURE BOATS DRAGGING THEIR MOORINGS

1911 Devonport Waterfront Storm 

Another old Devonport waterfront photo (news clipping) ex Keith Humphreys.
Anyone able to ID the launch closest to the shore, hopefully her mooring & gear were sufficient to keep her off the beach ?
Harold Kidd Input – This is the westerly gale of 18th December 1911. I think the launch in the foreground is W R Twigg’s new Bailey & Lowe launch SYBIL while the steamer at right is the Seagar brothers’ REHUTAI.
AND REMEMEBER TODAY IS WORKSHOP TUESDAY AT THE NZ TRADITIONAL BOATBUILDING SCHOOL – OPEN FROM 10AM > 2PM – click link below for address / map