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.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALBERTA – 4sale

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LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALBERTA – 4sale

The classic 1913 wooden launch – ALBERTA was designed and built by H N Burgess, in Parnell, Auckland.

Alberta is a woody that I have always admired when visiting Lake Rotoiti, she has a rather prominent waterfront berth and is one of those lucky craft that looks dam near perfect from any angle. 

Her specs are 28’ in length and has a beam that would make her a trailerable classic – given the cost of a marina berth in most NZ cities thats a serious bonus.

Powered by a 30hp Lombardini, new in the boat approx. 5 years ago, with 138 hours on the clock – not a lot of places to go to on the lake 😉

Configured currently as a day / picnic boat she is all good for overnight / weekend cruising.

Fresh from a visit to one our best classic boat yards (Craig Marine) where she had a refresh to paint and varnish work.

Starting to sound like a woody 4sale advertisement – well she is. And probably the buy of 2024, even allowing for transporting her back to the Waitemata and setting her free again 🙂

Link here to a 2022 WW story – lots more photos and links to previous ALBERTA stories https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/09/15/alberta-a-peek-down-below/

Interested parties contact her owner Jon Dustin for more details – honedustin@gmail.com

INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE  – I came across the photo below of ALBERTA which I took in 2006 at North Harbour Marina. Pre Rotoiti days and without a dodger.

LOOKING FOR HELP IDENTIFYING THIS WOODEN BOAT

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LOOKING FOR HELP IDENTIFYING THIS WOODEN BOAT

Todays woody story could be a long reach – but the woody universe is longer, so fingers crossedHarold Kidd was recently counted by Lindsay Woodward regarding the launch – MINERVA, that Lindsay believed was once her grandfathers (Charlie Woodward).    

Harold commented that he was pretty sure the launch in the photo supplied by Lindsay is not her grandfather’s MINERVA. Records show that the grandfather’s  launch was a 30 footer built c.1912 by Miller & Tunnage in Port Chalmers. The vessel pictured above is much bigger and a later build. Harold also is of the belief that the location of the photo may be Port Levy, Banks Peninsula, South Island.

So woodys can we put a name to the above launch and possibly learn more about her.

Input From John Gander: The photo looks like the Claud Wells boat “Noeline’ 45’ x 11’ 1932 and built for the French Pass D’Urvile island mail run


NOT TO LATE TO RSVP FOR NEXT SATURDAYS WOODY CRUISE TO THE RIVERHEAD PUB FOR LUNCH

RSVP – TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC GAME BOAT – ALMA G II – RE-LAUNCHING CEREMONY 

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CLASSIC GAME BOAT – ALMA G II – RE-LAUNCHING CEREMONY 

Yesterday we covered the relaunching of the 1927, Collings & Bell built game boat – ALMA G II.

Co owners (brother & sister) Shelly and Brett Arlidge, grand children of the original owner – E C Arlidge, hosted a very proper ceremony, with a welcome, a history of the boat, a Waiata and formal blessing. With the restarts of a working boat yard in the background and large crowd I have attempted to record the ‘formal’ parts of the ceremony – TURN YOUR VOLUME UP.

One of the missions of waitematawoodys is to archive this content for future review and reference. I encourage you to spend a few minutes and take in the wisdom being shared. 

THE WELCOME

HISTORY OF ALMA G II

WAIATA

BLESSING

CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN GAME BOAT – ALMA G II RE-LAUNCHED – 45 Photos & Videos

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CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN GAME BOAT – ALMA G II RE-LAUNCHED 

For the last 18+ months WW has been following closely the refit / restoration of the 1927, Collings & Bell built game boat – ALMA G II.

On Wednesday I pointed the car north and attended the re-launching celebration at Opua, in the Bay of Islands.

Today is about sharing the day with all the WW readers – In previous WW stories (links below) we have extensively covered her past and how she progressed to what we are viewing today.

Tomorrow on WW we will run the videos I recored of the speeches, Waiata and blessing.

Co owners (brother & sister) Shelly and Brett Arlidge, grand children of the original owner – E C Arlidge, are to be commended for ensuring ALMA G II will still be cruising the Bay of Island waters in 100 years time.

I really like the interior fit out, its a take on the old school look and she even sports a reconditioned Ford Lees 130hp diesel engine, no ‘black box’ electronics connected to this engine.

Boatbuilder Craig McInnes and the team at CMC Design have excelled themselves with this project.

The game chair and salon table are original 1927 items.

The gallery of photos comes to us from the cameras of yours truely  and professional B.O.I. photographer Dean Wright. As always click on photos to enlarge 😉

Restoration #1 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/01/restoration-of-alma-g-ii-begins/

Restoration #2 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/06/alma-g-ii-restoration-update-2/

Restoration #3 & #4 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/08/14/classic-wooden-launch-alma-g-ii-restoration-updates-3-4/

THE PEOPLE – A fantastic number of people turned out to celebrate the re-launch, seems anyone and everyone with a link to the boat or game fishing in the Bay of Islands was there.

MYSTERY WAIKAWA WOODEN LAUNCH

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MYSTERY WAIKAWA WOODEN LAUNCH

Last week we ran a story on a very salty looking launch named JOAN, moored at Waikawa, Picton. In that photo (2nd above) there was a another launch moored closer in. Several woodys asked about her and now today, again thanks to Jason Prew we get a better look at the vessel.

Can we learn more at the launch.

28-11-2024 INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – Maybe NGATEA ex Mana, Wellington

Pointed the car north yesterday to attend the re-launch of a very historic classic game boat – tease photo below – full report on Friday.


A 48’ CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT – BUT WHERE WOULD I KEEP IT

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A 48’ CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT – BUT WHERE WOULD I KEEP IT

The 48’ Lidgard built (1948) motor launch RANUI is quite a ship, her interior layout is reflective of an apartment, it is just so spacious and being varnished, oozes traditional character.

Boats of RANUI’s size are normally a challenge to find a home for eg a marina at a reasonable cost. Well woodys RANUI’s owners wants a sale and are prepared to include the 14m Bayswater marina berth in the $210k asking price.View more of RANUI here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/07/08/ranui-a-peek-down-below/

Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RAIONA – DOCKSIDE 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RAIONA – DOCKSIDE 

Back in July 2022 we had a superb insight into the 48’ 1919 Joe Slattery built launch – RAIONA as she exited the Colin Brown / Josh Hawke yard – links below. Her interior is so impressive.

I spied RAIONA recently dockside at Sandspit Marina and very happy to report she is being so well cared for. How goods that clinker dinghy, her 48′ make it look just right.

RELAUNCH https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/09/raiona-relaunch/

DOWN BELOW https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/11/raiona-a-peek-down-below/

24-08-2025 UPDATE ex Kiwi Classics – hauled out for annual maintenance at Sandspit Boat Yard

HAVE YOU RSVP’ed FOR THE WOODY RIVERHEAD TAVERN LUNCH CRUISE – RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT IONA II MAKES A SPLASH – NZ Restoration Of The Year

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT IONA II MAKES A SPLASH – NZ Restoration Of The Year

We have been following (link below) the refit the classic wooden launch IONA II at the Slipway Milford yard since late May. Last week she slipped back into the water , check out the video below – don’t you love a railway haul-out, such a gentle procedure.

IONA II was built in 1994 to a Bruce Askew design so sits very comfortably into the spirit of tradition category. The recent work commissioned by her owner has magnified her existing appealing looks and made her even more easy on the eye.

Probably the finest example of the Slipway Milfords work – so a big shout out to Cam, Jason, Jan and team. Easily the restoration of the year in New Zealand.

I’m pretty sure nothing on the boat has escaped an upgrade or replacement – the biggest being ditching the Nissan TD23 60hp diesel engine and installing an electric propulsion set-up.

A few finishing touches to be completed at the marina – we will do another update when completed.

As always click images to enlarge.

IONA II – RESTORATION STORY  https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/28/iona-ii-gets-a-birthday/

2024 CENTREBOARD CUP – Traditional Centreboard Classic Yachts

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2024 CENTREBOARD CUP – Traditional Centreboard Classic Yachts

A cancelled happening had an upside – I pointed the car to Marine Parade in Herne Bay Auckland to see the start of the 2024 Centreboard Cup.

The race started back in 2013 and is based at what the locals call ’Sloane Beach’ – one of Aucklands hidden gems.

The traditional centreboard yachts do two laps of a course that takes in Watchman Island and the Chelsea Buoy (off the Chelsea sugar works).

Numbers were done this year but that seems to be the norm of late – but on the plus side, the fleet was 300% up on Fridays CYA Classic Weekend Rally turnout 😦

I’ll hand over to Andrew Mason who supplied the results. 

“The winner Scullet L56 finished in 52:20. Rangi Manu L52 was 2nd just 48s later. Melita L28 withdraw on leg one. All boats had a most enjoyable day on the water.”

Beach / Clubrooms below

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC YACHT – MANURUA
Recently WW was contacted by a gent considering purchasing a Bob Stewart designed 1965 yacht (Camelot design) named MANURUA. The craft is currently in Opua, Northland but the story goes that she was apparently built by Oliver and Gillpin in Tauranga, and possibly operated as a dive charter vessel in Bay of Plenty. The current owner doesn’t have much history, so woodys can we confirm / expend on the above.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – JOAN + CYA Spring Rally Report

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CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – JOAN

Recently Jason Prew from the Slipway Milford has been wandering around the upper South Island on a 4×4 rally – being the good lad he is the camera was at hand to record any woodys he spotted.

Todays craft was seen moored in Waikawa, Picton, Marlborough and is named JOAN.

Lots of styles on display, but it kind of works for me.

Keen to learn more on JOAN

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – Joan needs explaining, perhaps by Harold? Collings and Bell is obvious in her transom being typical of Ruamano, Paikea, Fleetwing etc. That eould seem to drag her build date 20 or so years back from what I’ve seen noted before(1940s 50s?). I would assume that her hull has been raised to a flare and the superstructure/coamings rebuilt at that stage? She doesn’t appear in old photos, perhaps she was reclusive or just not a ‘club boat’?

21-01-2025 – INPUT ex PHIL VINING – Around 20 years ago we had this vessel listed at Vining Shipbrokers Ltd and the
information supplied by the owner at the time is below.

CYA 3 Day Classic Spring Rally – Report

Not really sure if it warrants a report. Excuse the photos – my roving cub photographer needs some lessons 🙂

Sad to report only one vessel on the start line (late) – the organisers yacht. Well he had to turn up I suppose. At the published time a launch arrived from the direction of Waiheke but with not another vessel in sight – didn’t hang around.

Maybe after two years of ’thanks but no thanks’ interest – this event needs to be retired from the calendar.

I’m told there was an impressive gathering of jet ski’s out.