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.

Vagabond

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VAGABOND

Mooching around Queen Charlotte Sound, we saw some stunning front-front residences, the above photos showcase one of my favourites. 

An impressive collection, with a classic motor-salier & numerous water toys.

The stern of Vagabond lists Wellington as her home port – any southern woodys able to enlighten us on her provenance ?

11-07-2021 Input from Rick Holmes

Jock Holmes was my father, he handed on responsibility for looking after Vagabond to myself around 35 years ago. Jock had the original cabin house replaced around the same time as our sister ship, the Nereides. Both vessels were constructed in a large shed in Balaena Bay, which is the first little bay inside Evans Bay in Wellington Harbour. We actually had our private slipway in Baleae
na Bay from 1926 until we were forced to have it removed around the 1970’s.Many other vessels were slipped on our slipway over that time, all pulled up on a hand operated winch !
Since that time I have had two major restorations to ensure Vagabond stays afloat & looks ship worthy!
For the last 30 years Vagabond has been moored in Waikawa Marina, as I have a bach in Kumutoto Bay nearby.
There can not be many owners of classic vessels in NZ that can say that their boat has never been sold since 1926 & shortly Vagabond will be handed down to another family member, the fourth generation, hopefully after 2026, when we intend bringing her over for her centennial celebrations.

Lake Rotoiti 2018 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 240+ photos

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Lake Rotoiti 2018 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 240+ photos

Last weekend marked the 21st birthday of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.

The parade is one of the icon wooden boating events in New Zealand, with each year between 70 & 100+ classics on display. The LRC&WB Association are very active & hold many events thru-out the year, but the parade is the highlight. You would struggle to find a more inclusive, welcoming group of people that each year open the parade & picnic to anyone with a classic or woody boat – sail, power, big, small.

On the day we ‘enjoyed’ a mix of weather from fine > light drizzle > rain > fine, this didn’t stop everyone having a blast but taking photos was a challenge at times – a little bit of editing hopefully has help out 🙂 The photos of the ‘speed’ boats doing a demonstration run (health & safety red tape means it can not be called a race) were shot with a very long lens, so a little soft focus.

Post the picnic, several boats headed off to the Manupirua thermal pools, which are only accessible via boat. To an Auckland boaty the concept of pulling up at a jetty, tying up, & enjoying a soak in a hot thermal pool is rather special + its licensed, so one can enjoy a refreshing beverage, very civilised. 

I would like to thank LRC&WB Association past commodore – Fraser Wilson, for the generous loan of his RIB, sure makes getting around & taking photos easy. 

Each year my LRC&WBP experience is extended & 2018 saw Robyn & I hosted at Florence & Rod Prosser’s waterfront property. Berthed at Rod’s jetty is the 1882, 25’ counter stern day launch – Firefly, which now has a playmate in the recently acquired 1930, 23’ Chas Robinson built motor-launch – Rainbow. There are several more boats in the stable but I won’t out Rob on the exact number 🙂 

In addition to their holiday home, Rod & Florence run a very funky, cool lakeside bach called ‘The Love Shack’ – its available for rent (via BookaBach, see link below). If you a ever looking for accommodation in the Rotorua area I would highly recommend it – see photos below – AND its got WiFi !!!!!      https://www.bookabach.co.nz/baches-and-holiday-homes/view/2381

I hope you enjoy the photo gallery as much as I do attending the event. 

AS ALWAYS – CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

THE LOVE SHACK

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Want To Get Into Classic Boating, For Less Than $10k?

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CAPRICE

Woodys – Caprice has to be the buy of the year (so far), was previously listed at $30k, her owner (last 35 years) needs to sell her. Price dropped to $10k. Will someone buy her. She measures 34′ , has a 60hp Ford & as you’ll see in the photos below – is a lot of boat for the price. More details on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/17/caprice-2/ Thanks to Nathan Herbert for the trade listing heads up

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07-02-2018 Harold Kidd Input

A CAPRICE was built by the Grandison brothers in 1916 and looked a bit like this eventually but was longer at 36ft. For many years she was owned by John W Andrew, the Ford agent. Around 15 years ago she was at Mangonui owned by Les Barclay of Redan Motors, Kaitaia. Ken Ricketts knows her well. Same boat or just same name?
I reckon PATERANGI wasn’t built under that name. Any clues as to the original? She sank in Shoal Bay in April 1973.

Movarie

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MOVARIE

I received the above photos of Movarie pictured at Mansion House, Kawua Island. Taken by Tudor Collins, most likely in the late 1940 > early 1960 period.

The photos are marked with “Goodfellows aboard,” the Collin’s & the Goodfellow’s were local identities in the Warkworth Takatu region & both families owned properties, at Takatu Peninsula, pre &post WWII.

Movarie is featured elsewhere on WW but these photos are so good they deserved to appear on their own, rather than be added to an existing story 🙂  (photos ex Ken Ricketts)

Just back from Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade weekend – 100’s of photos – will do a WW story on Wednesday, when everyone is back from holiday 😉

 

REMEMBER – CYA PICNIC AT MOTUIHE ISLAND ON TUESDAY

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Dick Lang Boats – Lady Jane

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Lady Jane - Dick Lang

DICK LANG BOATS – Lady Jane

I was recently contacted by Keith Brady whose grandmother, Lettie Lang (Kennerley) was married to Dick Lang.  Keith experienced Dick’s boats as a child during the summer holidays & he is interested in the boats Dick Lang built over time, wanting to get a sense of the scale of his operation and type of boats he built.

I think I know the answer (no) but Keith was wondering whether there is a repository for details of Dicks boats or records of the boats he may have built. He is also interested in any photographs of other boats build by Dick and of his boat shed used to build these great vessels.

Keith sent me two photos, the one above is of Lady Jane which was the vessel he himself experienced time on. Do we know what happened to her?. The other photo, below, is a different vessel, which Keith has not been able to identify. Can any woodys help out?

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16-02-2018 Input from Baden Pascoe

In the yard photos below (ex Glen & Merv Strongman) Baden does not knew the boats name, but it’s obviously a hard chine launch. Baden thinks the date would be in the 1950’s & one of three boats Dick built at Coromandel.

The only work boats that he can think of are Roa 1927 and Giorgina 1939

Baden encourages someone to start a time line – as a start, Baden has supplied the below.

Awhitu 1925? Was on the Manukau most of its life (pictured below)

Tawa, upper harbour passenger launch.

Eunice and Patsy, 1921 ,towing launches ( in Harold & Robins book page 77)

Miss Brett, Fullers and later Salvation Army

Tasman Star, 1935 fishing boat (still existing)

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Awitu – Romo – 228
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16-02-2018 Input from Bruce Pullman

Bruce received the two photos below from Bob Wichman. One is of Awhitu when on the Manukau, the other is as reconfigured and name change to Inverness in 1993. Inverness is still sitting in the mud at Thames, condition is quite sad.

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Allez

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ALLEZ

Long overdue for some north American boat porn – the link to this 1930, 48’ Chris-Craft Commuter was sent to me by Peter Loughlin. Allez was one of only 5 Chris-Craft of this size built, & at 30+mph & with 30 passengers on-board she must have been a sight.

It is 4sale for US$675k, which to me seems a good price for a vessel of this size & standard. But the up keep……………………….

REMEMBER TODAY IS THE LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE. DETAILS AT THIS LINK  http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/page/events/

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Kairaki

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KAIRAKI

Kairaki was built in 1964 to an Athol Burns design.  She is best described as a 25’ Marlborough Sounds overnight launch. You will see from the photos that she has been completely restored after extensive refurbish, all done by a boat builder.
Carvel planked in Kahikatea and fully treated with Metalex. She sat in a shed for 5 years & then was completely stripped to bare boat. Fiberglass sheathed above deck from gunnel to gunnel, new cockpit, also glassed.

The get up & go comes via a 35hp Isuzu diesel that sees her cruising at 7 kts with max of 8.5kt. Being trailer-able is another big bonus, so if there are any Lake Rotoiti woodys looking for a perfect lake boat – check her out on trademe. Again thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up.

 

 

Lasanta

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LASANTA

I was contacted recently by Louis Jensen from Christchurch who owns the beautifully restored Mason Marlin classic runabout, Lasanta. Very pretty classic. Louis has promised to send more details & photos (nudge nudge) but I could not resist putting these ones up on WW today. It was the perfect excuse to give this coming weekends Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade a plug.  You will find full details here http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz

It’s an amazing event, so if you are anywhere around the central North Island, make an effort to attend. I’ll be there, so look out early next week for another big classic woody photo gallery. Might even buy a boat……………………….

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CYA WAITANGI DAY PICNIC @ MOTUIHE ISLAND – TUESDAY 6TH FEB

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The annual Waitangi Day CYA picnic at Motuihe is always a great boating day out & with most of us sliding away on the Monday, its a perfect stop off on the way home. Location will depend on the wind i.e. whichever side is most protected from the  breeze/sea. Look out for the big CYA burgee on a pole in the sand and that will be meeting spot, bring your picnic and introduce yourself. Motuihe gets busy on a sunny day but there’s always room 🙂

 

Mahurangi Regatta 2018 – Classic Woodys Weekend – 100+ photos

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Mahurangi Regatta 2018 – Classic Woodys Weekend – 100+ photos

For the first time in yonks I missed the regatta, my excuse – I was boating elsewhere. Today’s photo gallery comes to you from numerous sources – but special mention to Jason Prew, Peter Loughlin & Nathan Herbert for sharing their cameras with us. Stunning photos guys. Mixed in with their photos are ones from – James Dreyer, Nick Davidson, Ken Ricketts, & John Bertenshaw.

The Classic Launch Parade had a great mix of familiar favourites & some new CYA members & a few who have not seen the light & joined the CYA yet 🙂 . From all reports, the sailing on Saturday was a challenge with wind / no wind / wind & very hot conditions – but as always with Mahurangi a good time was had by all.

As always – click photos to enlarge 😉

Great Video Footage below – the launch parade starts at approx. the 3min stage.

 

Raema

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RAEMA

Raema appeared on WW back in Dec 2014, at the time Harold Kidd corrected as few discrepancies re her provenance , you can view that story here for more details & photos https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/12/22/raema/

She was built in 1923, most likely be Collings & Bell. She has a carvel planked kauri hull & zoom zoom comes from a 6cyl. 120hp Ford diesel. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trade listing

MAHURANGI REGATTA PHOTOS

A FEW TECH GLITCHES MEANS THE MAHURANGI PHOTOS WILL BE ON WW ON WEDNESDAY.