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.
FLUMDY – Looking For Help Identifying This Wooden Boat
WW was recently contacted by Dion Allott in regard to his 28’ launch – FLUMDY. Dion purchased FLUMDY approx. 6 years ago from a gent named Steve who was the yard manager at Pier 21 at the time. FLUMDY was previously owned by a lawyer who left NZ for the USA and didn’t pay her fees.
Dion moored her at Little Shoal Bay, Auckland for a couple of years — and now she is on his front lawn for re-caulking and restoration. Her hull is single planked, caulked and ribbed kauri.
Other than what is recorded above, Dion knows nothing about the vessel and is asking if any of the WW readers can help with any information etc etc about her.
CAN WE ID THESE WOODEN CRAFT WASHED ASHORE AT BROWNS BAY
Todays images come to us from a fb post by Mungo Lloyd via Chris Leech.
Mungo commented that they came from his grandfathers photo album and showed the boats washed ashore on Browns Bay beach after breaking their moorings during a severe easterly storm in the 1950’s.
The 1919 classic – PHYLLIS M (once named WAINUNI) was built by the boatbuilder Fred Mann as his own vessel. She as made several appearance on WW , two of those stories are linked below.
These days she calls Sandy Bay, Waiheke Island home and reviewing the photos sent in by Angus Rogers has found her happy place.
HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER
In a Dec 21st story we did a fly-by of the last minute, year end work happening at the Slipway Milford. I mentioned that the 36’1921 Arch Logan built launch – NGAIO was hauled out to have a set of davits fitted to accomodate the recently refurbished clinker (f/glass) tender. Fast forward to this week and the Slipway team, which included owner Jan Barraclough, are putting the final touched to the new set-up and the sinks got a ’sea-trial’ in the creek.
Well done to everyone – a stunning executed project.
The b/w photos above were sent in by Mark Sorrenson (MV ), Mark spotted the framed photo in a 2nd and shop in Thames last week. The sale sticker said ‘Auckland Pre WW2.’
Mark bought the photo with the thought that someone following WW may own this boat and would like the photo. Mark commented that he was happy to hand it on. So woodys – can we ID the boat. My guess is – LINDA or WIRIHANA
INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – the vessel is ALCESTIS refer HAROLD KIDD input below.
INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD – Nathan is right, it’s MOLLIE, built by Joe Slattery in 1919 for Percy Colebrook, heavily modified by Colin Wild for the Guthries in 1928 and renamed ALCESTIS. Alf Seccombe of Lion Breweries bought her in 1936 and renamed her RAIONA (Maori version of LION). The image from the book came from Richmond. My memory is that it was miscaptioned “MARION D” at Richmond. MOLLIE, as originally built in 1919 looked nothing like this image. It’s not the first time people have been confused about the boat. Even at the time she was confused with GLADYS II / RONGO as well as IMANOTA (I) / MARION D which were also extensively altered out of recognition.
COASTGUARD MEMBERSHIP CAN BE GOOD VALUE
The owners of the launch – WAIKARO got their monies worth from their CG membership over the weekend. WAIKARO was off Leigh on route to Whangreai when they had a mechanical issue (the two joined sections of the water pump pulley decided they no longer liked each other and parted company). Kawau Volunteer Coastguard towed WAIKARO to Tiri where they handed WAIKARO over to theHibiscu CG to continued the tow back to her Auckland marina berth. The Kawau CG commented that conditions weren’t pleasant – “20 knots+ from west-southwest with gusts over 30 knots + a confused 1m sea” Check out the video below. I think the skipper of WAIKARO was very fortunate that Mrs WAIKARO wasn’t on-board 🙂
The boys at the Slipway Milford came to the rescue with a replacement pulley harvested off CONNIE V.
Todays report comes to us from the camera of Bay of Islands photographer – Dean Wright. Dean snapped this gallery of craft over the xmas period in and around the bay.
Some familiar faces here and a few newbies – Dean commented that “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes a Maritimo with a XOS six person island pool float. Every wooden boat should have one or two… Yee gods what next” – photo below Enjoy the stunning photos – As always – click on photos to enlarge😉
What you buy when you can’t quite afford a beachfront bach at Omaha
The video below showing LADY ADELAIDE leaving Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island gives you a look at some of the weather closer to Auckland. Sent in by Andrew Sunde.
Todays woody comes to us tme via Ian McDonald and is the 34’4” motor sailer -SAFARI. What we know is she was built in 1950 by Cox and has undergone a recent refit inside and out. Powered by a 52hp 3 cyl. Fordson diesel engine.
Home is Lyttleton, South island.
Keen to learn more about this very salty looking woody.
05-01-25 INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – In support of the pic of MANUIA above, here she is below in the 1970’s? with original dodger. No doubt the higher dodger improves the liveability of these old timers (ALBERTA – LADY ADEAIDE etc) but it does not enhance their looks. Sometimes I wonder if lowering the cockpit sole could be an option if more headroom is required.There is nothing quite like a straight stem flush decker!
MARISE
REHIA
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TRIP REPORT #2
Today we get to visit a few of the bays and check out the lucky woodys that have managed to escape the marina. The first photo comes to us from Simon McMullen and we see MANUIA at anchor at Ponui, the unmarked bay next one around from Chamberlains. I love the sheep on the beach, Simon commented that there were three donkeys also roaming the beach at times.
The second photo shows Sarah and Peter Wren’s Salthouse 37 – MARISE at anchor at Man 0 War, Waiheke Island. Peter also supplied the gallery of photos of Amanda and Joe Telford’s Colin Wild launch – REHIA.
LA PALOMA recently appeared on tme and sold rather quickly – probably based on the lowish asking price and her interior presentation. A little too much happening up top for my taste. We learnt from Ian McDonald’s hawk eyes that she is powered by a Ford 130hp 6 cyl diesel engine that gets her along at a 7>8.5 cruising speed. With a beam 13’8” she is a FBG ;- )In the b/w photo below, from a Oct 2019 Nathan Herbert WW story we get to see her as designed and built. Enjoy the peek down below.
LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE 2025 CALENDAR WINNERS The competition the other day that offered up a LRCBP calendar to the first 3 woodys that emailed in the correct date of the 2025 parade was proof that the early bird catches the worm. I had recieved 5 correct answers be 5am – the winners were:-D. Holmes / G. Logan / J. McConnell
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TRIP REPORT #1 Despite the evil SW winds that have kept a lot of woodys dockside so far, a few lucky skippers got away early and have enjoyed some boating in sheltered bolt-holes. Two woodys have sent in the photos above to prove that good times are happening out there . The first batch of photos are ex Andrew Sunde and taken from aboard MARISTELLA and include the launches – BLUE FIN and CLEONA MAE. The location is the Bay of Islands
The second gallery below is from Peter Loughlin, taken at Man o War and show Peters woody – LADY MARGARET and two others that I should know the names of but the brains a little hazy today, so I’m sure one of you will help out. Thanks to Ken Ricketts input – we have names for the two craft – TAMURE and KOWAI.
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