FELISA
Every so often you get sent a photo of a vessel & you just go ” where the hell did that come from”. Today’s launch was photographed last Sunday anchored in Oneroa, Waiheke Island by Lindsay McMorran & folks she is a complete stranger to me – any woodys able to put me curiosity to rest ?
UPDATE – that was fast it is Felisa & you can read all about her here , Harold Kidd has all the details 😉
A Woody Weekend – CYA Patio Bay Invasion
As promised today’s post is a photo essay from the 2016 CYA Patio Bay weekend. I know by saying it I will put a curse on things but the big boy up in the sky must have been a fan of wooden boats because the fine weekend % for CYA events is very high. He must also have been a launchie because he tends to smile on us weather wise more than the yachties.
For the launch fleet Saturday was a pearler, but not so good for those in the yacht race – lots of sun-screen & H2O would have been the order of the day. The lack of wind meant a late arrival in the bay for the yachts but soon after the anchors dropped, crews were heading ashore for the BBQ at Margaret & Bert Woolicott’s bach. I apologize for the lack of BBQ / Prize giving photos, for once I was just enjoying the company of the classic wooden boating community. Nice to see so many new members & boats joining in the festivities.
The above photos are just a selection of the turn out – enjoy, I did 🙂
Lake Rotoiti Calendar Winner = Simon Smith with the correct answer of Grant Cossey as the commodore of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association. Saturdays post featuring the calendar was huge in terms of viewing numbers, 2nd highest in the last 2 months so I hope that results in lots of calendars sold 😉
I’m a big fan of what they call ‘paying it forward’ – via ww I come across quite a lot of boats bit- some of these I have re-gifted to a woody that was undertaking a very hands on restoration. Over the weekend he gifted me the below – proof that paying it forward works 🙂
Update – lots more very good photos at the link below. These ones are from the camera of Chris Miller, who was aboard Raindance with me. The one below makes me laugh – you have to twist Chris’s arm to get him to photograph a yacht – this photo sees him using a yacht to frame the real photo – the launches 🙂 http://wp.me/p6Eld4-1is
A+B+C Class Yachts Racing To Rocky Bay
In the above photo we see, from left, Kotiri, Ladye Wilma, Waione, Rawene (race winner) & Ngatoa just after the start of the official opening race of the season (year unknown).
Photo ex the Mac Taylor collection.
Help Needed
ww has had a request from Gary Chaplin, who owns the yacht, Fidelity, see below & click photos to enlarge, based in Christchurch Gary has commented that she looks just like the Shiralee which featured on ww in October , (link below).
Gary would like to know if it is the same vessel or possibly a sister ship . Gary believes Fidelity was built in Milford Creek by Allen Williams in 1960 .
REMEMBER LOTS OF PATIO BAY WEEKEND PHOTOS ON WW TOMORROW
Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade
Good morning woodys – I’m as excited as a dog with two willies today, its the CYA annual trip to Patio Bay, Waiheke Island for the CYA Xmas BBQ, we have fleet of nearly 50 classic yachts racing down & based on past years they will be joined by the cream of the classic launch fleet. Its a magic setting & a fun night – check ww out on Monday for a photo gallery of the weekend.
Another great woody weekend is the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, an event myself & Chris Miller have attended for the last 3 years – check out the links to those ww stories & photos below.
2016 PARADE https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/02/09/lake-rotoiti-classic-and-wooden-boat-parade-2016-150-photos/
2015 PARADE https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/02/09/2015-lake-rotoiti-classic-wooden-boat-parade-photo-gallery/
2014 PARADE https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/02/11/2014-lake-rotoiti-nth-island-classic-wooden-boat-parade-snapshot/
Todays post is really a shout out from the Lake Rotoiti event organizers, 2017 is the 20th parade so will be special – the organizers are calling for any woodys interested in participating in the weekend to contact them – the crew keep things pretty simple e.g. if its wood & it floats – its eligible – so woodys start thinking about attending – I highly recommend it 😉 Date = Feb 3>5, thats Waitangi weekend. Contact details below.
The 2nd shout out is to promote the events calendar (see below) – this year its twice the size (A3) & packed with over 35 of mine & Chris’s photos. Perfect xmas gift for any woodys office, shed or kitchen (if you are brave). The calendars cost $15 or $40 for 3 – order via Rachel at zea.rachel@gmail.com or on the parade website http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/
WIN A COPY
And folks ww has a few to give away – so a wee quiz – all woodys that email the correct answer to the question below – go into the draw to win a calendar – email address = waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: Name the current Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association commodore.
Draw closes 5pm Sunday 4th Dec 2016 & winner notified on ww on 5th Dec 2016
LADY KARTIA
I very happy to be able to advise that the 1938,43′ Sam Ford designed bridge decker Lady Karita is now in the hands of a new woodys friendly owner, Murray Shaw. Murray also owns the Collings & Bell bridge decker Kawhiti so the man has been bitten by the bug 🙂 . Work is already underway to return her to her former glory, see photo above, ex Steve Thomas, of ‘work-in-progress’ restoring her brightwork. The immediate plans are for her to remain in the Nelson region, but hopefully one day we will see her back on the Waitemata.
Lady Karita was built in Kauri for a flag officer of the Ponsonby Cruisng Club, Mr Victor Salek. Powered by Ford 130hp diesel, shaft drive, sees her cruising economically at 8.5 Knots. For many years she has been based in the Pelorus Sounds.
Back in June, CYA member Mark McLaughlin (Mapuna) alerted me to the fact that LK was on the market, Marks father has been Lady Karita’s caretaker/skipper for the last 15 years in Havelock & supplied the 2 press clippings below.
04-04-2018 Photo below ex owner Murray Shaw of Lady Karita hauled out in Nelson. In the background is Lady Ellison – nice to see the two Sam Ford built launches together 🙂
Floating Apartment – Beaufort a Grand Banks 50
With the average house price in Auckland knocking around $1million, this 50′ wooden Grand Banks currently on the market for $429k sure beats a wee box apartment.
Launched in approx. 1972, she is built like a brick outhouse, constructed in mahogany and Burmese teak. She is hull number 37, of 65 produced & the current owner of 6 years, bought her in Virginia, cruised her down to Florida then shipped her to New Zealand.
This woody offers amazing cruising comfort and luxury with a large covered cockpit leading to a massive main saloon. To starboard in the saloon is an L shaped settee with dining table and chairs. Opposite is a settee and buffet and, forward to starboard is the bar and fully-equipped galley. To port is a walkway to the huge pilothouse with guest seating and access to the wide covered side decks through port and starboard doors. Before entering the pilothouse, there is a stairway down to the sleeping accommodation. The two forward staterooms each have 2 x single berths and share 2 x toilets and 1 x shower. The passage to the master aft provides access to the port and starboard engine rooms and the master features 1 x double and 1 x single bed with own ensuite with head, shower and, tub.
Powered by twin 210hp Caterpillar 3160’s & a fuel capacity of 3,800L she falls into the long range cruiser class if you were considering extended trips.
24-12-2016 photos below ex Ken Rickets
SEAWAY
This rather fine looking launch was listed on trade earlier this year, at the time the seller stated she was a 1930 Sam Ford. In discussions with Harold Kidd & Nathan Herbert, the collective thinking is that is not the case, Harold commented that a chap called Fred Brake called all his launches SEAWAY or a variant of SEAWAY & he suspect he owned this one once. She certainly wasn’t built by Sam Ford as SEAWAY in 1930 (if at all).
So woodys what do we know about this classic? I seem to recall she sold & is now moored off Herald Island, but I could be wrong 🙂
TAREE
Taree, the 1966 36’ Owen Woolley sedan launch has appeared before, briefly, on ww. Back in the late 1980’s I even looked at buying her. I think she held a few records:
(1) the longest trademe listing for a classic launch
(2) the number of failed surveys
So to see her in the hands of a new owner & one thats sympathetic to woodys is a very good thing. From the photos above, some ex her owner & some 2016 emailed to me by Ken Ricketts, she is getting the attention she deserves.The name Taree means “sticks” in Aborigine, I assume a link to the fact that she is built with kauri, carvel planked over jarrah ribs, the Australian hardwood. She has teak coamings.
Power these days is via a GM 165 hp V8 Diesel fuel pincher, installed by the previous owner in 2009. This sees her easily cruise at 8 knots.
She was bought by present owner Don Bruce in Dec 2015 & is now kept at Gulf Harbour. He bought her off a John Graham, who owned her for 23 years & kept her at Pine Harbour
Her current owner believes she was built for Emmitt Keenan and had a Perkins 46109 installed when launched.
Gray Mathias, possibly the 3rd or 4th owner, fitted a 2 stroke Detroit in 1985 and after one more owner Mike McDonald, John Cameron bought her in 1988. The Detroit lasted till 2005 and the 165hp V8 fuel pincher was fitted in 2009, at a cost of $17000.
Recently she has spent time in the Brin Wilson shed at Gulf Harbour (see photos above), receiving some serious TLC.
Always good to see a classic get lucky & find a good home – well done Don Bruce 🙂
Peter Peal Book Winner
The winner of yesterdays quiz for a copy of – Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction.
Is Nathan Herbert with – Z Class. Lots of people sent in Silver Fern & Frostbite but surprisingly only one – Z Class entry.
Well done Nathan.
I Have Just Solved The “what do you want for xmas” Problem For You.
Morning woodys – Sorry no classic boat today, I had a story lined up & then last night I started to read a copy of the latest woody boat book to be published – its called ‘Thoughts On Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction’ by Peter Peal. The editor is Baden Pascoe & the book design is by Steve Horsley.
Without a doubt this is the most interesting woody book I have started to read, now I say started to, because after a quick power skim I decided it was too good to read at home – it’s a on the boat read. If you have any interest in wooden boats & the Kiwi boat building scene this is a must have.
To quote Chris McMullen who penned the forward – “this book is more than ‘just another book’ about how to build one of these boats the quick & easy way with the aid of modern glue – it is a book that takes you back in time & puts you in the mode of becoming an artisan who uses the characteristics of wood to his benefit. This lies at the heart of the boat-builders art & is something of which New Zealanders can be proud”.
WIN A Copy: all woodys that correctly answer the question below will go into the draw to win a copy of the book. Entries must be emailed to me (address below). The draw will take place on or near 10pm 28/11/2016. Winners name will be published in Tuesdays ww post. waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: What was the class of yacht first built by Peter Peal for his own use?
REMEMBER ENTRY IS VIA EMAIL ONLY – If you post your answer on ww, you tell everyone the answer, that’s if its right 😉
Below is a review of the book by the editor Baden Pascoe.
Book Review:
Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction – By Peter Peal, editor Baden Pascoe, book design Steve Horsley.
There are a few good books on this subject from various authors around the world. As materials and power tools have progressed so has the content of these books explaining how to go about building a clinker / lapstrake boat that one can still call it “a wooden boat”. And to add to this the term a wooden boat is now more associated with art form and a thing you own because of the experiences, stories and history attached to it. Recent books on this subject all use the upside down method of construction and the use of high tech adhesives with super gap filling abilities. A good example is Ian Outhtred’s “Clinker Plywood Boat Building Manual” this book is in a class of its own and the results are stunning.
Here in New Zealand we have Peter Peal’s book hot off the press. From the outset he has set out to offer the reader and potential builder more than just an outcome. In the first section of the book he takes you back in time to the late 1930’s via a story line were you can almost feel the day to day atmosphere of the Percy Vos boat yard. A time when young men were immersed in knowledge and exposed to an experience were they got to know what a nice shear line or lay of a plank should to look like. A place where they learnt to touch a piece of timber and instantly know it’s capably of strength and durability. Working with wood was what they loved to do and they played with the results of their work during their weekends sailing, rowing and steaming their floating works of art that were so kind on the eye. The method used to build these boats without the aid of moulds or temporary frames made the task even more challenging but once mastered it elevated these young men to go on to be the legends of our marine industry that are now the cornerstones of the world class marine industry we now have.
The second part of his book his based on much the same principles as in the first section but ply planking can be employed instead of timber. Laminates can be used instead of natural crocks and to make it easier and moulds or temporary frames are recommended to control exact shape. May I remind you as I have been reminded by the few men left standing today who were taught this method, men who regularly built these boats without moulds could build more boats to near exact shape, something not recommended to the one off enthusiast builder. During the process the builder can experience all the aspects and challenges of the artisans of yester year.
In the third section Peter offers three of his designs with full lines off sets and construction drawings. Boat 1 being a traditional launch or yacht tender, boat 2 a small rowing or pulling boat and boat 3 a clinker large enough to be a small out board run-a-bout. He also recommends designing your own boat.
Section four is a short glossary of the terms and slang used in the Auckland boat yards during his time in the trade. This is something very special and possibly unique to the Auckland area.
Yes, there are many fine tradesmen in Auckland and around the New Zealand coastline who have built what I would be proud enough to say, some of the best clinker boats in the world, but very few of them could explain how this is done via the detailed sketches and drawings from Peters very own pencil. Peter never held knowledge close to his chest, his first love was the parting of knowledge and this fact is reinforced in the forward written by one of his early students, Chris McMullen. This book is a life time treasure and a reminder of Peter’s values and high standards.
A huge thanks to a wonderful man who I have worked with to produce ‘Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction”.
Sadly Peter passed way this year aged 95 – this book is a perfect testament to the man & his trade. – Enjoy
Note: This book is a very limited edition. It is at this time not available in bookshops.
Retail $60 + $7 post and packaging
For orders. Email Chris Peal: chrispeal8@gmail.com
Bank Account no: 01-0210-0030056-47 please include your name as reference.
NOTE: bank a/c number is now correct.
WINDHAVEN II
Yachting Developments have just completed a major refit & restoration on the Colin Wild ketch Windhaven.
Her relaunch was a little more dignified than when she was first launched at her builders, Colin Wild, Stanley Point, Devonport yard. Ngatiringa Bay lacks H2O, even at high water 🙂
Wonderful to see one of your iconic classics returned to her former glory. In fact, the team at YD have delivered her in better than ‘as-new’ condition. As further proof of the work YD do on classics see the photos below of Ranger, also returning to the water after some TLC in the YD shed. Thanks to Paige Cook/facebook for the images. Launch day photo ex John Salthouse collection via Mike Drummond.
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