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.

Sailing Sunday – Tango

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TANGO

photos taken at the 2014 Classic Yacht & Launch Exhibition

Tango was Jim Young’s first keel boat – designed / built in 1954/1955 & launched in 1956. As Doug Reid commented at the 2014 Classic Yacht & Launch Exhibition – Tango was 20 years ahead to the pack, with her world first, on a cruising keel boat, ‘spade’ rudder & short keel. Prior to this keelers had their rudders faired into their long keels.

Constructed of heart kauri planking  – single skin, caulked on spotted gum ribs. Her specs are: LOA – 9.45m LOW – 8.06m Beam – 1.83m Disp – 3500kg.

Photo updates from Graeme Salter (owner)
The out-of-water photo really shows off her lovely lines, which most people do not get to see, also check out the keel rudder set up.
The second photo was at the Mercury Islands February last year (2013)

2014 Classic Yacht & Launch Exhibition – A Toast to Jim Young

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A photo gallery from todays opening of the 2014 Classic Yacht & Launch Exhibition.

This years theme is a toast / celebration to legendary designer & boat builder Jim Young.

The show is open tomorrow (Sunday) between 10am > 4.00pm for those that did not make it today (Sat).

Tony S
A toy for the grandkids
A toy for the grandkids
Jim ‘children’

Click to enlarge

Jim Young & Delmar

 

The Only Boat You’ll Be Working On This Weekend

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No Sanding or Painting This Weekend

If your looking for something nautical to do on Saturday or Sunday, check out the Classic Yacht & Launch Exhibition down at the viaduct. This years exhibition celebrates the acclaimed designer and boat builder Jim Young. On display will be a static display of photos and stories celebrating his life and career. The exhibition will also feature several Young designed and built yachts and launches berthed next to the Tidal Steps at Karanga Plaza (near Team NZ base). Open each day from 10am > 4pm.
Remember its Auckland – 4 seasons in one day, so get in the day & come down.

So Much For Spring

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A woody reports in from Italy

Well so much for spring – here in Auckland its just foul today so I thought I’d brighten things up a little with a report from ww follower Bruce Rowe. Bruce owns the classic bridge decker – Ngarimu, photo here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/09/06/the-tale-of-two-ngarimus/
Bruce is currently holidaying in Italy enjoying some time on the Amalfi Coast which has a very old rich history of boating. The photos were taken while in Procida, an island in the Bay of Naples. A quaint little place and as you can see still a little fishing village. Bruce says he & Lyn spent days just wandering around the foreshore & sitting in cafes checking out the many different and interesting boats and the on the water boating activity. The rich had their launches (yachts) outside the breakwater but lunchtime saw flash tenders come in, throw a line to a waiter, then swagger up to a dining table. Of course dressed for the occasion.
Some of these boats were glass hulls but mainly wood. They had beautiful trim finished in wood and all typically followed a similar design.

Serene

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SERENE

photos & details ex Ken Ricketts, edited by Alan H

Serene was built by Roy Parris in the late 1950’s early 1960’s. She is approx. 36′ long & powered by a 6-354 Perkins diesel. She has had the same owners, Helen & Craig Brown of Whangarei for over 20 years & is kept at Opua & before that in front of their waterfront home in Whangarei.
The Browns bought her approx. 20years ago off an Italian living at Snells Beach who only owned her for 3 or 4 months & he had bought her of Garry Nordstrand who had owned her for a long time. To the best of the Browns knowledge Serene is the boats original name & she has spent all or almost all of her life in Northland from Algies Bay upwards. Her coamings were varnished until fairly recently as the surface had deteriorated so much they reluctantly made the hard call to paint them, with a thin new layer of timber like a veneer, beneath the new paint to improve the surface.

Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #4 – Kiariki Xmas 1962- 63

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Jack Brooke Cruise Collection Kiariki 1962/6

Jack Brooke Cruise Collection #4 – Kiariki Xmas 1962- 63

Thanks to Robert Brooke for making  another of these remarkable cruise drawings done by his father, Jack Brooke, available to ww followers. Jack produced a hand drawing on each cruise. Todays post is the fourth of several – enjoy.

The above drawing records the travels of Kiariki during their annual Christmas / New Year Cruise to Whangaroa, Bay of Islands, Gt Barrier & all points North

Crew: John Brooke, Elsie Brooke, Peter Walker, Rob Wallace.

This one is my favourite – the detail & humour is first-class 🙂

1934 Miller & Tunnage

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1934 Miller  & Tunnage

This 1934 work-boat conversion appeals to me. She is a big old girl 55’8” x 13’5” x 5’ 10” – built in heart kauri & powered by a Gardner 6L3 115hp diesel.

For sale on trademe she recently had an extensive refit. The owner is reluctantly retiring from the sea. would make a nice live aboard.

Anyone able to ID her? Currently in Picton so maybe one of the southern woodys?

More details here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/05/28/wairangi/

Info ex Paul Drake –
Below is the ad for WAIRANGI when she was put up for tender by the Lyttelton Port Company (in the 1980’s?).

Photos ex Frank Stoks of Wairangi taken today (01/10/2014)

Boat on the Move – Kiwa

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KIWA
photo & ‘heads up’ from Russell Ward

The classic (workboat) Kiwa is on the move – spotted last week on-route from the Hokianga to Auckland – so the questions are :-
1. Who has bought her ?
2. Where in Auckland is off to ?

Russell took the fogbound photo (below) of her on her ex home waters on the Hokianga in 2006
Paul Gilbert alerted Russell to the post on The Shipping Office website.

Russell’s message to the new owner is  “Look after her, mate. I’ve long admired her”.

Can anyone supply some more details on her builder & past life – Russell?

kiwafogsmall

2014 Classic Yacht and Launch Exhibition

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Jim Young

2014 Classic Yacht and Launch Exhibition

‘A celebration of acclaimed NZ designer Jim Young’

In conjunction with Auckland Heritage Festival 2014

Once again the Tino Rawa Trust is hosting the Classic Yacht & Launch Exhibition & all waitematawoodys followers are encouraged to attend & celebrate the acclaimed designer and boat builder Jim Young. On display will be a static display of photos and stories celebrating his life and career. The exhibition will also feature several Young designed and built yachts and launches berthed next to the Tidal Steps at Karanga Plaza. Viewing on-board vessels only with owner’s permission.

Location: Karanga Plaza and Berths, Halsey Street, Viaduct. (map below)

Exhibition Date: Saturday, 4 October to Sunday 5 October

Time: 10am – 4pm    (Free) Open to the public. Donation welcomed

Sponsors and Supporters: Tino Rawa Trust, Trillian Trust, Waterfront Auckland, NZ Maritime Museum, Viaduct Harbour, CityGuard, Classic Yacht Association, BIA.

Location Map (click to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

Tide In / Tide Out

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Tide In / Tide Out

Following on from yesterdays post, these two photos are from Mary Guthrie’s collection & are most likely from the same day c.1935, we get a glimpse of the launch in yesterdays photo.
Its that classic scene everyone having a great time ashore then oops – where did the tide go 🙂

Certainly the Manukau Harbour, most likely Titirangi / French Bay area.

Any one able to ID the launch?