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.

Arohanui (McGeady)

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Arohanui

Screen Shot 2014-01-08 at 9.11.41 AMArohanui fishing off WaihekeArohanui @ Pah Farm Jetty Kawau 1998

AROHANUI

photo & details ex Ken Ricketts

In Kens eyes, she was one of the best sedan top examples that McGeady ever built, having the forward section & forward deck longer than usual & giving a further aft helm position, which means a smoother ride for the helmsman & crew in rough weather being further aft than usual & a sort of more sleek laid back concept to her & excellent balance of line.

She was built for Tucker Brothers food product manufacturers (Sunshine Jellies etc) in Khyber Pass Aucland., circa 1952, in McGeady’s Summer St Ponsonby premises & had the usual Ford 6 cyl Diesel fitted by Tracey Nelson. She was the second boat built by McGeady for Tuckers, the first being a bridgedecker built circa 1939 called Lady Sunshine, which was owned just after WWII by Com Hardley, M.D. of Hardleys Plumbing Merchants, of Morrow St Newmarket, who renamed her Varlene, the name as far as Ken knows she still has today.

Varlene was sold to H.T. Morton, a lawyer of Cliff Ave Belmont & Auck Hospital board Member in the later 1940’s. If anyone has a photo of Varlene, Ken can do a post on her, as he knows quite a bit about her early days.

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To view more WW stories & photos on any subject, just key in the ‘subject name*’ in the search box, click your computers enter key & related posts will appear. Scroll down to view & click on each post to view details.

*designer,builder,type of vessel e.g. launch or yacht,CYA only vessel,period launched e.g. 1920 etc

05/03/2105 – New photo ex Karen Moren – sent in by Ken Ricketts

Photo ex Ken Rickett’s – Tauranga Harbour

09/04/2015 more photos ex trademe

13-07-2015 Update sent in by Paul Newell ex Sea Spray ex NZ Classic Game Boat

Lady Jane

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LADY JANE

 

I spotted the above leaving Man-O-War Bay early on New Years day, apologies for the poor photo but I was in the dinghy doing the rubbish barge drop (post NYE).

Anyone able to ID her?

WANT TO SEE MORE?

To view more WW stories & photos on any subject, just key in the ‘subject name*’ in the search box, click your computers enter key & related posts will appear. Scroll down to view & click on each post to view details. 

*designer,builder,type of vessel e.g. launch or yacht,CYA only vessel,period launched e.g. 1920 etc

NZ Antique & Classic Boatshow 2014 – Lake Rotoiti, Sth. Island

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NZ Antique & Classic Boatshow 2014 - Lake Rotoiti, Sth. Island

NZ Antique & Classic Boatshow
Nelson Lakes National Park, February 2014

Classic boat-lovers have the opportunity to indulge in a long weekend of glorious hydromatic relaxation at St Arnaud in the Nelson Lakes National Park, with this year’s NZ Antique and Classic Boat Show linking with Waitangi Day.

Some photos from the 2010 event here http://classicyacht.org.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=810&hilit=NZ+Antique+%26+Classic+Boat+show

The show is set for the weekend of February 8 & 9 and Coordinator Pete Rainey says if people can wangle Friday off they’ve got a four day mini-holiday.

“It’s the same weekend as Taste Marlborough and a Tasman Makos’ game in Blenheim so it’s an excellent time for North Islanders or Cantabrians to see what a varied range of action the Top of the South can offer,” he said. “Being a month earlier than usual means the weather is more stable for visitors who want to pack in a bit of mountain-biking, some exploration of the Nelson Lakes National Park or a few visits to our famous vineyards and art galleries.”

But for the true enthusiast, there’s no reason to wander further afield than the shore of Lake Rotoiti where the Classic Boat Show takes place.

“There will be the usual range of boats…cedar kayaks, jet boats from the 60s, clunky clinkers and veteran wooden yachts,” Rainey said. “From early morning on both days of the weekend you can wander around the boats on land, chat with the owners, view displays with stories of restoration and rebuild and then watch the races on the lake in the afternoon. We have a lot of fun, from the slightly chaotic sail-past to the Seagull dinghy race with its Le Mans start, which always has some poor bugger who can’t get his motor going.”

Another attraction this year is the new Nelson Lakes Classic Boat Museum, alongside the Clinker Café and gift shop complex at the St Arnaud village. It will be open with boating displays all weekend.

The NZ Antique and Classic Boatshow is now in its 16th year, and continues to grow in the number and quality of craft presented, as well as the number of people coming to view the boats and the action. Judging will take place on Saturday, ahead of an evening awards ceremony at the Alpine Lodge. At stake is the Jens Hansen Trophy where the judges are after good looks as well as history, construction and a boat with a story to tell.

Other awards include prizes for best new restoration, best steamboat, best jet-propelled craft and best themed display. Races will be held for yachts, row boats, seagull motored dinghies, poppers, canoes, child rowers and swimmers.

All boats will be checked for noxious aquatic weeds, and oil leaks before entering the water; and boaties are reminded to be aware of minimising the spread of didymo. And remember DOC has released Kiwi into the National Park very close to where the show takes place, so no antique and classic dogs please!

More info at http://www.nzclassicboats.com

WANT TO SEE MORE?

To view more WW stories & photos on any subject, just key in the ‘subject name*’ in the search box, click your computers enter key & related posts will appear. Scroll down to view & click on each post to view details. 

*designer,builder,type of vessel e.g. launch or yacht,CYA only vessel,period launched e.g. 1920 etc

Artemis

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Artemis

ARTEMIS

One of my ‘cub’ reporters 🙂 was out & about over the holiday period & spotted Artemis in a paddock in Puhoi. As you will see from the photo she has seen better days…

Anyone know more about her?

Update & new photos ex Russell Ward 15/03/14

Russell spoke with the current owner who he said he has had her for four years, built in the ’30s and top works from the ’60s. Doing up the old villa behind her in the photos, so is short of time for other projects.

Miss Velocette

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Miss Velocette

MISS VELOCETTE

photo ex Dean Wright

Anyone know more details on the above ‘racer’ ? The photo was taken at Ngamotu Beach, New Plymouth, date unknown.

You have to chuckle get the bloke sitting there with a ‘rollie’ in his mouth, the engine/s would have been petrol – no wonder a lot of these craft never survived 🙂

Recollections of Kawau Island – By Bob Edwards

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Recollections of Kawau Island – By Bob Edwards 

Bob Edwards lived on Kawau for a ‘number’ of years (he was the ferrymaster at one stage) & this is a record of his recollections of those times. It was given to Keith Presland & typed by Flo Presland (I love the old typewriter font & hand corrections)

This was forward to ww by Ken Ricketts & I have posted the tale because I agree with KR in that much of the history contained herein may be lost forever, if this is not recorded in a formal way. While not all wooden boat related, Kawau is a special place to most of us & I’m sure this 15 page tale will be an enjoyable read for most of you.

Click on the link (blue text) below to view / read – enjoy 🙂

KAWAU MEMORIES -BOB EDWARDS RESIDENT FROM 1940s TO EARLY 70s

photo of Bob Edwards on-board ‘Kawau Isle’ at North Cove c1970’s

BOB EDWARDS ON KAWAU ISLE NORTH HARBOUR KAWAU ISLAND 1970s

 

Harold Kidd Update

It’s a great piece of local history with some brilliant, spare tales. A few comments. NANCIBEL was built by Bailey & Lowe in 1920 and was not a conversion of Andros’ open boat. “Emptage” is Emtage of course of Motuora who had the launch ILA/OLA. “Bunty” Palmer married a Nops. Unless I’m confusing the several KORORAs, this KORORA was built by David Reid in 1907 for Judge Seth-Smith and was later MURIWAI, then OSTEND before reverting to KORORA. She had been used by the RNZAF who had bought/hired her from Whakatane in 1943. She then had a K2 Kelvin which was undoubtedly replaced in service by the standard armed forces issue of a Chrysler.

PS Spero Andros sold NANCIBEL to Gubbs shortly after his wife Molly (Kathleen Mary) died in February 1941. Gubbs’ first day of operation was 11th June 1941.

A Neat Idea from Baden Pascoe

This is great stuff. Let’s ask any readers if they can find photos of the boats mentioned in the articles. I remember the “Mairie” (not sure if the spelling is correct) very well. One of the Harrison boys ran her out of Whitianga. Last time I saw her she was on the hard up at Te Atatu as an unfinished project. Shame, nice little boat. One day my brother Mitch and I were steaming with her in a big sea out by the Twins (in Mercury Bay), man could she roll! 

Sea Crest – Summer boating in the good old days

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photo ex classicboatnz, chat ex Ken Ricketts

SEA CREST

Ken Ricketts initially thought Sea Crest could have been a Lidgard build but a discussion with his old friend Jim Thomson who has a wonderful recall, on all the Lidgard boats & was involved with the construction of virtually all his boats, from about 1949 onwards, until Roy & his son Jim’s very sad & untimely death at sea, in the 1960’s, has confirmed Sea Crest was not a Lidgard. Reviewing the photo both Ken & Jim feel she may very well be by Billy Rogers.

Sea Crest has a platform on the tuck, which may not be original, as these did not become popular until the very late 1950’s or 1960’s, so she could well have been built just before that time.

She is a lovely boat with superb balance of line, symmetry, colour scheme & is a great advert for her builder & all her owner/s.

Does anyone have information & photos on this boat?