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.
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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.
Something a little different today – whale boats. The photos above come to us from Don MacLeod and were taken at the recent regattas – Kawhia on Jan 1st and Te Waiter on Jan 4th.
The photos show the 5 boats that took part, Kawhia Harbour is the only place in the world that holds rowing regattas for whaleboats.
Don commented that the competitors range from 10 years old to the aged, everyone is welcome. The crowd was fantastic and the beer cheap.
Two of the whale boats were built in Auckland in the 1880s and shipped to Kawhia in 1910. The other 3 were built in the 1990s.
The construction is Kauri plank with bent hardwood frames.
Photo #1 Kawhia whaleboat – built in Auckland in 1880s, shipped to Kawhia in 1910
Photo #2 Kawhia whaleboat – built in 1990s
Photo #3 Te Waitere whaleboat (brown) built in the 1880s in Auckland
Photo #4 Te Waitere whaleboat (blue) – built in the 1990s Kawhia waterfront on regatta day
MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH A LONG WAY FROM THE SEA – PRIVATEER
Todays photos were sent in by Jason Prew who spotted the launch ‘high & dry’ at Tokaanu. I’ll assume that like me most of you will go ‘where?’, so I’ll make it easy for you – Tokaanu is a small settlement at the southern end of Lake Taupo, near Turangi, in the central north island.
She is quite pleasing to the eye and appears to be well looked after. Maybe a few inches off the top of the dog house and replace the windows………..
Can any of the lake woodys (Drakes brothers?) ID the craft for us.
INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – The Tokaanu launch is PRIVATEER. She appeared on woodys in 2015. She was the last boat to be ejected from the old Motuaopa Marina before it was re developed. In about 2221 she was purchased from the Harbour Master as an abandoned vessel. Her new (Auckland) owner has done well to get her to the stage she is at, but the last step – getting her back in the water – seems to be eluding him. Good things take time……
The painting above was commissioned by Gary and Yvonne Sterling when they owned her 1983-1987.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MASEKA – A Peek Down Below
Todays woody is – MASEKA, designed and built in 1968 by Chris Robertson. When launch she was 36’ but now measures 40’ that includes the normal protrusions + a 800mm hull extension.
Her owner Grant Keighley commented that she was built the same year as the launch – WAIMIGA however each owner wanted different looks, WAIMIGA the more traditional style while MASEKA’s wanted the modern look. WAIMIGA has made numerous appearance on WW and was once one of the ‘poster childs’ of the classic wooden launch movement. Photos below for comparison.
MASEKA”s hull is all kauri, double diagonal planking on stringers and frames, originally only glassed to the waterline. Her combings are solid teak. Decks and flying bridge (later addition) are plywood.
Some History Below Ex Her Owner (as they know it ) Any help in adding to this would be appreciated. Its so great when we get such extensive details of a vessel – also always a good sign that she is well cared for, and we like that.
OWNERS
• Built for a unknown family with a business in Newmarket It is possible that the name was from family members eg. Mary, Sera, Karen? 1968-?
• Brian Purdy, who owned North Coast Builders ?
• John Priestley ?
• Gary and Yvonne Sterling 1983-1987
• A partnership of 3 airline pilots 1987-1995
• Grant and Lee Keighley 1995-2025
POWER
• 145hp lay over Perkins, going by the cut out in the starboard engine bearer to accommodate the vertical heat exchanger
• 175hp lay over Perkins
• 2004, 240hp Yanmar 4HLA
The Perkins broke it’s crankshaft so it was decided to bite the bullet and install the Yanmar (non common rail marine diesel) matching 8 degree angled ZF gearbox, high tensile SS prop shaft, Briski 22×18 four blade prop, this transformed the boat giving, reliability, much better performance and economy
To strengthen the hull to cope with the extra power, additional laminated floors installed between the frames in the engine room, frames flinched for additional strength
OTHER WORK (carried out by the Keighley ownership )
Just prior to the xmas break I had cause to visit Warkworth, ok I’ll tell the truth – I was buying a pie on route to Sandspit marina 🙂
Rather than fill the car with crumbs, I went for a stroll down to the riverfront dockside. As always there was a very salty looking collection of craft tied up.
Most of the craft will be attending the 2025 Mahurangi Cruising Club Regatta later this month (Jan 25th) – the biggest gathering of classic craft afloat in New Zealand, refer flyer below.
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.
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