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.
REBUILDING OF THE FIRE DESTROYED CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KOKORU
The top photo above is probably the most harrowing photo WW has published and the second photo is one I’m sure will see us all in good spirits. As unimaginable as it seems the 40′ 1960 Jack Morgan built classic launch – KOKORU is currently being rebuilt.
Back in March 2022 the classic wooden boat community learnt of the loss of KOKORU from a dockside / marina accident – fire on neighbouring vessel (refer photo below) that spread to several nearby craft. KOKORU had just been relaunched after an extensive high end refit. She was a right off and her owners made the right call and harvested what they could to start again with another classic launch. Link to WW March story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/21/kokoru-ravaged-in-marina-fire-a-call-for-help/
I thought that was the end of the story. Normally is, they sit in a yard for a few years and then end up in a dumpster.
Well not KOKORU, last week I chanced on a Facebook thread that was show casing the work that Burnnand Marine were undertaking to rebuild KOKORU – well done to the owner.
I understand there is a large amount of that very thick paint that comes in rolls being used but we can turn a blind eye to that if it means we get one back from the grave.
OLLIE IRENE- with covers removed, catches her breath in Port Macquarie for a couple of years
Splined hull and repaired bow …and installed 5 new laminated ring frames to secure shape
Repaired garboard and glassed under waterline rolling the glass into a rebate and glued a “spline” into it secure the transition at water line.
Installed self draining front cocktail cockpit through front hatch carlings, including provision for ice bucket to chill the “ bubbles Also allowing safer working space for anchoring. Storage for 3 piece hard deck cover when cockpit not in use and spare anchor in locker under seat…
Fabricate and fit keel extension for rudder and install new prop shaft tube
New rudder
After removal of a number of previous era bearers New engine bearers install to take 80HP Vetus, new prop shaft and drip less seal
The tank!…..out, modified to fit and be removable in future increased baffling, water sump and inspection plate which now sits below the cockpit engine hatch…Cockpit sole and structure remained in tact
Engine pan fabricated and installed
Engine in position for installation
Front engine cover/ companion way with storage bins in each step for oils , spare belts, filters etc
About this time I decided to put Ollie out in my back paddock
OLLIE IRENE
Over the past couple of weeks I have been chatting online with woody from over the ditch – Keith Glover is well known to some of us in the classic wooden boat community having competed in several Auckland classic yachting regattas as crew on Auckland classics. Unlike most Keith has even gone as far as to sail his 1949/50 Alden ketch ‘WRAITH OF ODIN’ (photo below) from Brisbane to Auckland to compete in the 2010/11 regatta.
Todays WW story is based on Keith’s launch – OLLIE IRENE, that Keith has been restoring/rebuilding//recommissioning/rebirthing (multi-choice) for the last few years as he says “out in the back paddock’Probably best if I let Keith tell us about OLLIE IRENE:
* LOA 32’x Beam 9.3″‘x Draft est 3’ x Displacement est 5.5 Ton
* Original Iron bark keel, Spotted gum frames and hull planking, new sheathed ply deck, house, and laid teak cockpit sole
* Little is known of history or providence (long story of how it finished in my hands) other than to say it was a completely stripped-out mildly hogged hull, with a rebuilt deck, and bare house structure. No engine, gearbox, drive train, prop or rudder, although you could see from remaining engine beds it would appear at least 3 different power plants had made an appearance over time! However there was a fuel tank of unknown age or condition totally built-in positioned aft between floor plates and captured by custom deck beams prior to the teak cockpit sole being laid BONUS!!….it was sport but suffice to say it turned out to be new SS which now has better baffles, removable and the cockpit structure remains intact!
* De hogged (adjustable steel cradle) and Splined hull, installed a 80HP motor with hydraulic box ,bow thruster pressure hot water, head etc etc etc
*The complete fit-out has been built, dry fitted, finish coated including upholstery ,basic electrical systems and switchboard etc etc and are in storage awaiting installation whilst we finish painting stuff.
* Limited research suggests Ollie was built in Brisbane during the 1920s as a spec (launched as Irene) built by a yard long since gone and appears to have a close design reference to Blanchard Lake Union Dream Boats of the 1920s from the NW coast USA.
Along the way, I have managed to repurpose many orphan genuine classic bronze bibs and bobs boat bits including some from my original restoration of Wraith of Odin, and targeting a Wooden Boat show in Pittwater November this year.
The purpose of Ollie is to explore some Australian East Coast river systems for which Wraith is unsuitable.
Back in April 2024 we did a brief story on the 30’ launch – ELIZABET I that at the time was hauled out at the Te Atatu Boating Club. Todays thanks to Ian McDonald spotting a tme listing we get to have a peek down below.
The launch has had a lot of work done on her and is now back in the water. In her present form she presents as a great water project to finish her off ready for summer cruising.
She has a 50hp BMC Commander in her that has been reconditioned so thats a big expense you shouldn’t have to worry about.
As mention previously the launch – LADY CAROLE has just commenced a refit that will see her returned to as launched configuration (or very close). The project is being overseen by co-owner Patrick Crawshaw and Patrick has agreed to report into WW with updates on the work. Patrick is a talented and articulate gent so I’ll hand over to him to tell the story:
“She came out on the 30th of May and is now on the hard in the Bay of Islands. First job was to remove all the plastic bits and pieces she had accumulated over time. Then the chrome and rub rails came off. Once she was stripped, we could see what we had, and already she was a better looking boat. Since then we have been sanding – a lot of sanding! And many discussions and decisions around how best to return her lines and original appearance.
A lot of thought has gone into the colour scheme in order to pop the lines again. In one of the photographs, you’ll see where we have put a makeshift pipe to know where that mid section line was (we had to do this by eye) and also to know where the windows need to be reduced to. We will have to do the windows by eye/photograph as well so we are filling the whole section, then cutting them out.
One problem was, the ceiling in the main cabin has been raised so we are going to re-cut the back curve so it lines up with the top of the windows, which will make that upper aft section look more elegant than it is at the moment – if you compare the 1950’s b/w photo to the now one, you’ll see what I mean.
There has been much deliberation over the bowsprit, and as it’s glued and bolted down, we want to really work with it, so I have redrawn it to make it look more elegant.
There were cuts along the side rail for water to drip down, but these have been filled today so we can get a sharp white pinstripe along the side that will contrast with the midnight blue hull and the red side section.
The rub rails are copper and everything else is chrome, so I am going to treat them to make them black, which will pop the white pinstripe and work with the midnight blue.
Great discussions over the glass windows – should they be tinted, or clear? Originally they would have been clear so I think we are going for that. I would also like to replicate the striped curtains (seen in the 1950’s photo) in blinds, so you get that horizontal stripe from the fabric which looks great – So the fabric blinds need to be blue and white to work with the exterior colours.
The mast is pretty knackered and has lost its cross rails, so we took the decision to make a new one. I’m in the process of designing this so will forward that on when it’s done. I want it to look very streamlined 50’s so taking those curves at the back and the new bowsprit design as inspiration so they all work together.
We have fortunately found only a tiny bit of rot, so someone is smiling on us.
Another item is her stern and name – my grandfather put the duck board on her in the late 70’s, but before that she just had a ladder up the back (as seen the 1970’s photo) so in order to centralise the lettering properly we are going to raise that aft entrance cut up and then put the letters in between the duck board and the bottom of the new line.
I have some interior design drawings, which I need to finish, but will send these to you as well, so you can see what that cockpit and interior fit out will look like. “ (edited AH)
HELP NEEDED IDENTIFYING THESE WOODEN BOATS – Lady Eileen As mentioned on Tuesday WW has been contacted by Ted Armitage in regard to a collection of glass plate negatives he inherited. Ted had the photos digitised and has sent them thru to WW in the hope that we can identify the location / boats. Today we have two woodys alongside a wharf, the launch looks familiar, if my life depended on it, I would say it is VALSAN, the 46’ Bridgedecker built in 1948 by Lidgard.
As to the sail boat behind – that is too hard for me, may be an early scow. So woodys can we put names and a location to the boats in the photo.
UPDATE ex RUSSELL WARD – No question of it, its Lady Eileen (confirmed also by Nath Herbert). Look at the launching pic (below) – even got the drop down canvas cover side of the aft dodger. Question of the day – How is Hylton getting on with her restoration?
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CAN YOU HAVE A LOOK IN YOUR TREASURE BOX As mentioned in a story on June 2nd, the launch – LADY CAROLE has just started a refit. I’ll cover stage one on Friday.The owner has a big favour to ask WW readers – they are looking for the following – so check the ‘maybe one day’ box. MUSHROOM VENTS – x2 – vents are 6cm from the top of the deck to the top of the mushroom when closed. Diameter of the outer flange is 115cm
COWL 1/2 VENTS x4 – (2 portside / 2 starboard) ideally between 200 and 300 high. (photos below reference example only)
NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCHNew Owners – She IS Coming Back To Auckland
That might be the case but there are free boats.
Today we showcase the classic yacht – JANET, designed and built by Chas Bailey Jnr and launched in 1902
Back in 2013 the yacht was purchased by a Hawkes Bay syndicate and transported to Napier where a restoration was undertaken by co-owner Michael O’Dwyer.
JANET was relaunched in 2015 and as you can see from the above photos has been very well maintained.
Her owners are just not using the boat so have made the decision to pass her onto a new owner – BUT not any old owner, you will need to have a good % of kauri sawdust in your veins to be selected.
So woodys for the cost transporting her to her new home – this iconic classic vessel could be tours.
14-06-2024 UPDATE – New Auckland owners , all classic launch owners (ex yachties) dipping their toes into a wee bit of rag and stick boating 🙂 Well done. And all Ex Classic yacht Association members 😉
CAN WEIDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT –KOTIRO > AHUAREKA
WW has been contacted by Ted Armitage in regard to a collection of glass plate negatives he inherited. Ted had the photos digitised and has sent them thru to WW in the hope that we can identify the location / boats.
Today we have a very salty looking double ender, unfortunately the name board isn’t legible but her design should make ID’ing her easier for the WW readers. So woodys can we put a name to her + builder +location.
UPDATE ex Nathan Herbert and Harold Kidd – the vessel is AHUAREKA. Previously named KOTIRO. Frank Chapman bought KOTIRO in 1919 and renamed her AHUAREKA. Built by Logan.
VERY CLEVER TARGETED MARKETING
Having spent a large chunk of my life in the advertising world, I get a buzz when I come across a clever idea. In todays Digital Online world this is a cool example of how there is still a place for ‘old school’ thinking.
I grabbed a copy of the UK Classic Boat magazine at the local library and when reading at home noticed that someone had placed a Post It note on one of the pages. Read below – its a plug for an artist that illustrates yachts, they can be contacted at the following email address if interested katja.bigalk@gmail.com
Jump forward to last Saturday morning and she is sliding down the rails looking rather grand. It is always a big ask ($$) to bring these craft back to better than as launch presentation. But the feel good factor when you walk down the dock or row away from her in a bay is priceless.
There is a saying that I believe originated from Frances Herreshoff that goes like this “if as you walk away or row away from your boat, you do not look back at her, you own the wrong boat”
Over the last 2 years her owners have had one major focus – to retaining/ restore all her classic characteristics and charm. Well done to the Telford family and the team at the yard.
A few minutes before REHIA was launched my RAINDANCE also splashed after a brief haul-out for a face wash and bottom shave. Sitting for 2 months on her marina and with the engine not working, RD had a very impressive beard + a plastic bag around the prop 😦
During the week WW was contacted Kevin Uptown regard to the Mullet Boat MATARIKI N10.Kevin’s brother John had discovered reference to the boat in a Oct 2020 WW story (linked here) https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/02/classic-wooden-boats-bin-diving/ The yacht featured in a NZ Herald photo from Dec 1931, the photo is below.
I’ll let Kevin tell the story: “My brother John Upton recently sent me a link to this web site and I noticed the Mullet Boat Matariki. (NZ Herald 1931) Our Dad Murray Upton bought Matariki in Tauranga in the early 60’s and sailed her to Gisborne I think in about 1963/64. At that time the Harbour basin was being dredged so Dad had no mooring. Being the type of boat she was, it had to stay in the water. Anyway long story, short we striped her down an took her Lake Waikaremoana and used her as a house boat for many years. Matariki is still on the lake at Waikaremoana I must say she is looking a bit tired. I have attached some photos which may be of interest to you.”
Doing the fatherly thing the other day, walking the dog, I was doing a lap of the Devonport Naval Base (outside of the ’no go’ fence) when I spotted the above launch tucked under a tunnel house.
Wasn’t sure if it was there slowly decomposing or whether the navy were refitting her.
I suspect the above question will be answered quick smart by Chris Leech and hopefully we might learn more about the craft.
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