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.

Beats A Day At The Office

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Trinidad

Beats A Day At The Office

There is a saying I like – “Some days you are the dog & some days you are the tree” – all week Friday was shaping into a tree day, so when David Cook called & asked for a hand taking Trinidad to the Greg Lees Boatbuilders, Sandspit yard – the answer was yeap I’m in 🙂

90% of the day = the 1st day of summer, the other 10% was wet, but that is greater Auckland for you.

Trinny, below, was being hauled out for some TLC before her upcoming circumnavigation of NZ (again).

Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad

Spotted a few classics at the new marina – scroll over photos to see names, most have appeared on WW before so a quick look in the WW search box will show / tell you more.

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Nereides

Nereides
Great taste in signal horn

  

Taree
Taree
Taree
Taree
Taree
Shadow
Shadow
Pirate
Ngataringa
Pirate
Tamahere
Ronaki

The Sandspit Yacht Club is looking very smart these days

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Lady Helen – Flash Back Friday

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Lady Helen @ Russell 1939

Lady Helen – Flash Back Friday
Today’s photo shows the 1930 Colin Wild built, stunning launch Lady Helen in Russell c.1939 & comes from the Tudor Collins Auckland Museum collection, emailed to me by Ken Ricketts.

To view the magnificently restored Lady Helen & read Harold Kidd’s article on her provenance – click this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/02/22/miss-helen-2/

Caroline

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Coroline

CAROLINE
Caroline was built by Roger Carey for Gilbert Rivas of Whitianga in 1951. She still has her original 3LW Gardner & measures 36’L x 10’B x 4′ 6″D. She still has her original 3LW Gardner. She was maintained by Howard Pascoe.

The photo above shows her berthed at Whitanga, Baden commented that it was nice to see an old girl return to her home port.

Do we know anything about her past life?

UPDATE 07-10-2019 Movie below, ex Allen Heatlie,  showing Caroline underway after painting inside and out.

 

Ever Wondered How They Used To Make Rope? Click the link below (ex The Mariners Magazine)

https://www.facebook.com/themarinersmagazine/videos/1910327765888740/

 

 

 

Joanne

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JOANNE

Another photo from Dean Wright’s recently scanned collection – this one shows the charter boat Joanne steaming down the Whangaroa Harbour. Dean recalls skippered by Laurie Ross.

Any of the woodys able to shed some more light on her design / builder & where she is today?

Update 17-01-2023 – photo below ex Eric Sanderson, date unknown

20-09-2023 UPDATE ex Barry Ogilvie –  I bought Joanne from Gene Jacobson back in 1999. Despite the considerable deterioration in timber that was found post purchase and the subsequent cost to bring her back to a safe working standard it has been a pleasure to be her custodian for the last 24 years.

Where It All Started

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Ti Canoe

Where It All Started

Well a least for me, my first boat was made from  corrugated roofing iron like the above ones. The old nail holes were filled with road tar. Some would say I have not progressed far 🙂 (photo ex National Library collection)

Sorry for a somewhat lame post today, I’m laid low with food poisoning – not pleasant.

Port Townsend Classic Wooden Boat Festival 2017 – 80+ photos

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Port Townsend Classic Wooden Boat Festival 2017 – 80+ photos
Kiwi woodys Jenny and Malcolm McNicol sent me the below photo essay from the Port Townsend 41st Classic Wooden Boat Festival from The Puget Sounds in Washington State USA. They were holidaying in the Sounds and got to enjoy the festival.
The McNico’s are members of The Rotoiti Wooden Boat Association and are the proud owners of Tauraka, which has featured on WW.

Enjoy the collection – sorry if I have ruined your day ……… 🙂

Remember to click on photos to enlarge 😉

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Arohia – A Peek Down Below

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AROHIA – A Peek Down Below

Given that in the first photo above the A-class keeler, Arohia is flying a Logan flag I assume that she is a Logan design, odd that her owner would leave that out of her 4sale listing……….. We do know that she was built in 1949 by Colin Wild for John Seabrook. The timber was supplied by Gordon Pollard on the proviso that he would get first option to buy if ever it was sold. As a result the best NZ kauri was used, hand picked by Gordon Pollard. Full length (47′) planking, triple skin kauri.

Arohia has an impressive racing history both local & off-shore & is now for sale by her owner of 34 years.

(sorry for the photo quality – that is all there was & wont be helping the sales process)

A Little Classic Sailing Porn
The video below is from the recent Vela Classic Menorca-Mahon Regatta – its 15mins of stunning classics & race footage.

 

Omega

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OMEGA BY QUALITY BOATS - 24.11.15 - 1

OMEGA

I received an email a couple of weeks ago asking for info on the launch Omega. A search of my files turned up the above photo, ex Ken Rickets that was tagged ‘Omega by Quality Boat 15-11-2015’. Never made it onto WW back then because it was a solo photo & did not show much. Given Ken’s abode, the photo is most likely to be taken at Gulf Harbour.
She looks a little racey, so with the right engine I imagine she gets along.
Interested to find out more Omega.

12-05-2018 Update ex Matt Hambrook – I bought Omega in Dec 2016 she is currently berthed at West park marina.
We reconditioned the 150 hp Ford engine in June of 2017. She cruises at 9-10 knots, and has a top speed of 15 knots.
Omega is 35 feet by 11 feet and was built by Quality boats in Tauranga in 1965. Designed by Carl Augustin.
We’ve many miles around the Hauraki with our 3 young kids and plan to do plenty more.
Any more information on her history would be much appreciated.

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BAILEY TABLE

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How if Steve Horsley or Harold Kidd win Lotto tonight, I have the perfect first purchase for them – the Bailey Table. Built by one of NZ’s leading bespoke furniture makers ‘Rose & Heather’ – its design was inspired by the structural elements of a classic yacht & is handcrafted using traditional tools – the spokeshave & drawblade. Youtube link below to see more.
A friend of mine owned a house in Ponsonby that was once owned by one of the Rose & Heather family – had a one of kitchen made by the firm – rather nice 🙂

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Lady Eileen – Friday Flash Back

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LADY EILEEN - LAUNCHING DAY

LADY EILEEN - OTEHEI BAY-1952 - T.COLLINS COLLECTION EX MUSEUM I.D. PH-2...

LADY EILEEN & RANGINUI B.O.I. c1952 - TUDOR COLLINS COLLECTION EX MUSEUM I.D. PH-2013-7-TC-B470-15

LADY EILEEN AT SPEED c1950

LADY EILEEN – Friday Flash Back

Lady Eileen the 48′ Shipbuilders / SupaCraft launch, built in 1947 is currently undergoing an extensive & very impressive restoration by owner Hylton Edmonds. Now Hylton needs no motivation but to just keep him on the straight & narrow I have published the above photos from the Tudor Collins collection that were emailed in by Ken Ricketts. Apologies for the condition of a few of them, a little ropey – but worth publishing.
The launch day one is my favourite. You can read / view more on LE by typing her name in the WW search box. Enjoy 🙂

WW T-Shirt Winner – Michael B was the winner , it is ‘Kiwitea’. Mike, email me your postal address & size to waitematawoodys@gmail.com & I’ll pop your prize in the mail 😉