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 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.
Todays woody has a few question marks alongside her provenance – on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) her owner has said she was built by Lanes to a Logan design and a commentator has mentioned maybe / possibly built by Charlie Gouk in Herne Bay. Build year is listed as 1928, measures 32’ in length with a 9’ beam. Built in traditional kauri carvel planking. Forward propulsion is from a Nissan LD20 engine, reconditioned but not operational.
The name draws a blank with me so it would be nice to clarify the boats DNA and what she has been up to for the last 96 years. Home is Picton, South Island.
INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD – G Tanner of Auckland was the first owner. Later she was sometimes called GEORGENE T. She was registered with APYMBA as late as 1935 as GEORGENE T with the number 20..
16-04-2024 UPDATE – Never believe what you read on tme 🙂 the listing named the boat as – Georgine, so that was the name we used for the WW story. Harold Kidd commented above about the name – Georgina T.
Then yesterday well doing a deep dive in the WW archives for another vessel I came across the March 2016 story based on a trip south by Nathan Herbert.
When I received the photos above the first thoughts were ………… where and why.
Chatting with the sender, Ant Smit, I learned that the location was the MacKenzie Basin, which is situated approx. 1/2 way between Christchurch and Queenstown in the South Island. The area is almost the dead centre of the island.
Ant advised that a friend was on a motorcycle tour and spotted the boat and couldn’t not stop and snap a few photos.
I quick chat to my WW steam guru – Russell Ward and we learn she was purchased ex Picton and should currently be viewed as ‘art’. Lets hope there is a long term plan to restore her.
Her back story is a good read and she appeared on WW in May 2020 – link below. We learned then she was made of steel in 1987 and was originally named – James Torrey, and was used for trout fishing tours on Lake Tarawera – lots of details in the story. In the photo below we see her at Picton when she was running as a commercial passenger vessel. https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/17/ss-duke-of-marlborough/
Anyone able to enlighten us more on her future
INPUT ex DAN CONAGH (owner) – I can confirm that I’ve purchased and moved the Duke to a section of land I own in Twizel. Our intention is to restore, repaint and return to service on one of the lakes in the MacKenzie District.
Unfortunately the boat is showing the signs of having been stored next to the ocean in Picton. The hull has some rust that requires attention. The wooden topside has some sun damage. New varnish required, and the PVC roll up sides are beyond repair. The photos in this article are very recent as I was up there on Saturday cleaning up all the coal spread across the floor inside.
Hi Alan – nice to see Skipjack, nee Sea De’il featured in a recent post. Perhaps I can clarify re your question about whether James Hoey’s boat is in fact Skipjack? You are quite correct that the length has changed. Many things have changed with this boat since she was launched! The owner/guardian before me, which is pre-2016, was Brent Gribble of AkzoNobel Paints. Brent and his father had a major stern modification carried out by Glenn Burnnand of Burnnand Marine in Auckland. This increased her length to 10 metres, with a square, step-through transom and with a fish cleaning s/s basin built-in. Prior to Brent’s ownership, Sea Devil, as she was called then, was a restoration project for Captain Vern Tonks in Whangarei. I received the boat’s original history from Winston Hoey, via Brent. Winston recorded that Sea De’il was built and designed by Chas Bailey circa 1918, for James Hoey and his son Cecil (Born 1901). The boat was used for transport from Whangarei to Reotahi Meat Works, near where the family bach was located. She was powered originally by a flat head Dodge or Desoto gear, and the first doghouse was added in 1928.
Cecil Hoey in stern of “Sea De’il” in Whangarei Harbour
Subsequently, Dec 1951 – ship wrights Angus Henderson and Bill Naggs – built a new cabin to create more head room. They also created the step-up foredeck, and added the lead board on the bow. This was built of Kowhai timber and each rib in the boat was replicated – doubling the ribs in the hull to strengthen for the extension, and a bronze rudder was cast in Whangarei. At this time too, a 4-cylinder Ruston Engine was fitted.
After the refit and new topsides in 1952
In 2005, after hearing she was destined for the tip, Captain Vern Tonks took her on as his “passionate hobby”. Captain Tonks was quoted saying, “She’s a piece of Whangarei’s history that requires restoring. It’s quite amazing really how many of them are lying around the country, sticking out from under covers, in various states of disrepair. We are a very strong nation of boating people and unfortunately a lot of these crafts have become non-existent and some of them are nice classic vessels”
Vern expected that he had a two-year project. He completely gutted her and started rebuilding the structure, keeping the original portholes, installing a new wheel house with the engine under the floor and a couple of bilge keels to dampen rolling. “Three or four trailer loads have gone to the dump out of her. She’s been derelict for so long and from what I’ve found there was a lot of things that weren’t up to spec in the construction. Someone somewhere along the way has put a lot of veneered Rimu custom wood into her, which is allergic to water and of course it all went rotten. So, I got to the stage where all the timber I’ve had sitting around is coming to good use”
Vern also changed the name back to the English meaning of Sea Devil. Sadly though, one month before finishing her, with plans to compete in the Classic Boat fishing completion in Whangaroa Harbour, Vern passed away in 2008.
This is when Brent and Sarina Gribble took over the project, and with the help of widow June Tonks and close friend of Vern’s and Brent’s – Steve Ekman, they completed the refit, and in June 2008, she was launched on the beach at Oakura at low tide – going back in the water for the first time in 23 years. After a time, Brent took her to the Outboard Boating Club, onto a swing mooring in the Okahu Lagoon, and as mentioned, I purchased her and kept her there before moving her in 2019 to her current berth in the Waikawa Marina in the Sounds.
June 2008, Oakura Beach Whangaruru, Peter Gribble in foreground
Like all classic boats, and especially those of considerable age, Skipjack has had lots of work done to suit the inclinations of the various owners and simply to keep her seaworthy. Since I’ve been taking care of her, I’ve concentrated primarily on improving the mechanical side of things – which has included all keel-bolt replacement (which you reported at the time), new prop and shaft, new gearbox shaft and universal, new steering, all engine seals and engine mounts replaced (Ford Dover 80hp), new water-pump and tanks (replacing an old copper hot water cylinder!), new stove, Eberspacher diesel heater (which in the Sounds makes winter cruising a doddle…), replacement of all topside decks, new mast, large holding tank and shore pump-out fitting, new electric toilet, new oil cooler and all hosing upgraded, all s/s exhaust system and dry riser…you get the picture! Something always needs to be done. But these days, Skipjack is very seaworthy and much loved! The pic below shows her recently, in Greville Harbour on the western side of D’Urville Island – a trip of around 250kms. Skipjack cruises at 7.5 knots at the engine’s optimum rpm of 1,800.
The 47’ motor sailer Nukutere last appeared on WW in Dec 2017 – link below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/12/18/nukutere-part-2/ This story was following up on a previous story where her owner was seeking information about the vessels past – the request hit the jackpot when Bernie Warmington contacted WW and sent in extensive details and photos – of the bridge-decker built 1939 > 1941 by Arthur Sang for Bernie’s grandfather- Foster Warmington. Check out the link above to that story, it is an amazing insight into the history of Nukutere, from felling the tree > approx. 2016 when Gavin Warminton authored a family journal on the vessel.
Today thanks to John Dawson sending in the above photos we get to have look at her as of 2023. ENJOY 🙂
Following on from yesterday today we have PARTS #3/4/5 /6 – Recorded ‘live’ last Thursday evening at the Devonport Yacht Club- we have Harold Kidd speaking on the topic – ‘Yachts & the Waitemata, HDK broke the talk into several time periods.Apologise – Part #4 – 1945>65 is missing due to an editing error.
PART #3 – 1920 > 1945, Post war boom and bust, and boom again. • The rise of the one design and restricted centre board classes and their competitions • Launch building extended • Keel yacht building boom in the 1930s • The effect of WW2
PART 3
PART #4 (Missing) 1945 > 1965, post war boom again, new materials • Boom in keel yacht construction and offshore cruising • New materials arriving. • Designers take advantage of new materials • International contests
PART # 5 1965 to date • Increasing sophistication in design and use of materials• International racing success • Americas Cup • New Zealand at forefront of world yacht design and construction
Following on from yesterday, today we have PART #2 – Increasing sophistication, 1870 > 1900, Yacht Clubs & Regattas :-
• The first yacht clubs • Competition in the yacht building industry • Use of kauri and diagonal construction • The rise of the mullet boat as a type • Open sail boats • Exports of yachts • Volunteers • The rise of yacht clubs and the proliferation of regattas • Patikis
Recorded ‘live’ last Thursday evening at the Devonport Yacht Club- we have Harold Kidd speaking on the topic – ‘Yachts & the Waitemata, HDK broke the talk into several time periods.The filming was a last minute idea so the quality is a little average and on the night there were a few technical issue with the sound, I have edited the best I can.
NOTE: The slides on screen were always going to be average in terms of reproduction so I focussed on the man (HDK) and his narrative. Turn up your sound and enjoy (approx. 40 minutes)
As mentioned yesterday on Thursday evening I attended the monthly ’talk’ at the Devonport Yacht Club – this months speaker was the one and only Harold Kidd. The topic was ‘Yachts & the Waitemata, HDK broke the talk into several time periods, I recorded the talk on my iPhone and with HDK’s permission are reproducing on WW. The filming was a last minute idea so the quality is a little average and on the night there were a few technical issue with the sound, I have edited the best I can.
Today we have PART #1 – The Early Period1840 >1870.
• Reliance on maori for fish and produce • Development of boatbuilding industry • Regattas and match races
Make sure you check out WW on Monday for part #2 – lots of motorboats featured.
NOTE: The supporting slides were always going to be average in terms of reproduction so I focussed on the man (HDK) and his narrative. Turn up your sound and enjoy (approx. 5 minutes)
ADVICE NEED – A woody has a serious problem with bird poop. The photos below are from a 2 week period, that coincided with the’Tern season’ – the young fledglings are leaving the nest and still being fed by the parent birds – it also coincides with the whitebait being plentiful as well. So boats in the area become the nursery and whitebait processing station. The boat has since been ‘covered’ with line and bunting.
The bird poop is staining the newly painted side decks and the varnish has what looks like a calcium scale which resists scrubbing.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. So The Question Of The Day – How do you clean off the poop, any secretold school tips ?
Todays woody was spotted by John Dawson on the UK site ‘Classic Wooden Boats on the Broads’ and was promoting the 2024 Thames Traditional Boat Festival.
The vessel is named Atta Boy and is 109 years old. She’s one of five 30ft craft built by JW Brooke of Oulton Broad in Norfolk, and was one of the first boats commissioned by the Admiralty as a fast motor launch for HMS Royalist, then she was simple known as MS436.
MB436 was transferred into private hands in 1923 and renamed Atta Boy. Between 1955 and 1989 she was owned by C J Broom & Son, Brundall and used as a hire boat and tender. Boat number Y57. Significant restoration work then started on her to bring her back to her former glory, which continues to this day.
In 2012, Atta Boy took part in the Royal Pageant as part of the Historic Naval craft.
Devonport Yacht Club – Sea Talks – Harold Kidd
On Thursday night I attended the monthly ’talk’ at the DYC clubrooms – this months speaker was the one and only Harold Kidd. The topic was ‘Yachts & the Waitemata, HDK broke the talk into several time periods, I recorded the talk on my iPhone and with HDK’s permission will reproduce on WW. The filming was a last minute idea so the quality is a little average and on the night there were a few technical issue with the sounds. I have edited the best I can and tomorrow (Sunday) I will post PART #1 – The Early Years 1840 >1870.
Todays woody launch has had several names and appeared on WW numerous times, links below to a couple of those stories.
Thanks to Harold Kidd back in 2016 (refer screen grab below) we learnt that when launched she was named Sea De’il, most likely after a well known race horse of the time.
Lots of colour photos from thru out her recent years but we had never seen her as launched. Yesterday while doing a deep dive in the WW archives I found a press clipping that shown the launch at anchor at Reotahi, Whangarei Harbour in the late 1920’s.
Owned at the time by Jim Hoey her first owner. There has been a lot of speculation re a possible builder so I won’t go down that rabbit hole 🙂
The launch was 30’6” in length, full length kauri planking but must have been stretched at some stage as some sources have her at 33’.
When launched she was a workboat and whilst primarily working in and around Whangarei Harbour she was a frequent visitor to Kawau, Great Barrier Island, Mokohinau & the Hen & Chicken islands.
NOTE: I’m interested to hear debate on whether the two boats above are actually the same, now that we have an early photo of Sea De’il, there are a few features that do not gel in my eyes – thoughts?
On a recent ’Ex NZ Post Office Construction Staff’ fb post, a Dave Hansen posted the top photo ( location Amberley Beach, early 1980’s) his the story was actually about the truck, but the partial photo of a vessel named – Sea Hawk sparked the attention of a reader named ‘Wolf Man’ who supplied a current day photo and advised the vessel was still on the same section.In his post Dave Hansen commented that the section and contents were neglected due to the owner being a guest of the state eg in prison. On a follow up visit the boat and truck were gone. So at some stage the boat returned.
Keen to learn more about the boat and what’s been happening to her these last 40 years.
JOYCE TALBOT RESIGNS FROM CYA Dockside chatter has CYA Secertary Joyce Talbot resigning from the CYA after 20+ years. An example of missing her attention to detail – in the March 2024 issue of the CYA’s newsletter ’Sheerlines’ , the editor infers that last weekends Classic Woody Cruise To The Riverhead Tavern, was a CYA event – well folks nothing could be further from the truth………. When it comes to the CYA I’m even amazed they know how to spell the word ‘launch’. I bet the editors laptop always tries to auto correct it to ‘lunch’ 🙂
And I’m told the CYA vice chairperson has also resigned………………………
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