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.

HEAO – A Peek Down Below

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HEAO – A Sailors Motorboat

Regular WW readers will be aware of my thoughts on the Logan 33 replica launches and how they were decades ahead of the market place. These days there always seems to be a good market for a classic craft that allows an owner to still retain a connection with some canvas and string but enjoy all the benefits of a modern motor boat including the low maintenance benefits of GRP construction.

The L33 Heao, hull # 17 was built in 2002 in Whangrei by Eric Knight, one of approx. 40 that he built.

L33’s are very slippery craft – their 39hp Lombardini engine can achieve a comfort cruising speed of 8.5 knots. Add in the addition of a steadying sail, auto pilot,  bow thruster, bilge keels and cabin heater and you have a very comfortable family cruising launch.

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DOLPHIN V

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DOLPHIN V

The above photos of the 43′ launch Dolphin V were sent in by Bruce Ryrie, who had recently been aboard her in Westhaven. 

Designed and built in 1963 by K.E. Swanson, Queen Charlotte Sounds, South Island. She is carvel kauri construction and powered by a Detroit 6v53. And thats all WW knows about her.

The size and location of the exhaust stack indicates a sizeable engine and possible work boat pedigree. 

Hopefully someone can enlighten us as to how she ended up in Auckland.

SPARTACUS – Why You Can’t Stop The TLC

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SPARTACUS – Why You Can’t Stop The TLC

Back in August 2019 Baden Pascoe drew our attention to a 32’ launch named Spartacus that was parked up in a paddock in Waipapa, Northland (top two photos).

Fast forward 4+ years and she’s is on tme and looking VERY neglected and offered up for sale, a suspect a ‘on-behalf-of’ sale. There is talk she may have started life as a NZ Navy cutter.

Question of the day, did she sell or will someone in Kerikeri not need to buy firewood this winter?

RSVP > waitematawoodys@gmail.com

MANA-NUI STEP ABOARD – 4sale

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MANA-NUI STEP ABOARD – 4sale

The double end motorsailer Mana-Nui has made several cameo appearances on WW but today we get to see and learn a lot more about this classic vessel.

Mana-Nui was built by Harvey & Lang in 1913 and is kauri carvel construction and approx. 39’ in length with a 10’6” beam and 5’ draft. Power is courtesy of an underfloor Ford 120hp diesel engine that sees her cruising at 7 knots while sipping 4L per hour.

In recent times her owner has spared no expense on bringing Mana-Nui up to a very high standard of presentation – the recent addition of the custom davits an example. Amongst todays NZ classic fleet Mana-Nui is one of the few that retains her original aura, character and pedigree, while at the same time, a careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures a high level of comfort and safety.
Stepping aboard one of the first things that hits you is the great accomodation space and her light and airy saloon with large windows, these features make her a very comfortable classic cruising vessel both on-route, at anchor or in the marina.

By now I’m sure you will have guessed that Mana-Nui is offered for sale and unlike so many craft offered for sale, she is sail away ready. 
If you or someone you know is scouting for a 9/10 classic that is perfect for either day cruising or weeks away at a time – contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more information.
Note – photos below dated c.1956>1961. Location is Hokianga 

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HELENA 8363 – Sailing Sunday

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HELENA 8363 – Sailing Sunday

Recently WW was contacted by Daniel Keat who owns the yacht – Helena. Daniel was reaching out to uncover more on the craft. Daniel has owned Helena for approx. 4 years and is working away to bring her back to her former glory.

Story goes that she may have been built c.1920’s and built in Helena Bay, hence the name. She’s made from 1&7/8” thick kauri. When the wind is off-duty there is a Perkins 6.354 to help the forward motion.

In her early days Helena fished out of Dunedin and Lyttelton , and fishing out of Nelson when in 2012 an Irish boatbuilder bought her and completely rebuilt her except of the hull (thats an Irish statement). Recently Helena has been at the Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei, Northland where Murray Wilkinson commented that she maybe older than the stated c.1920’s.

So woodys – can we help Daniel out re Helena’s past.

27-02-2024 UPDATE – photo below of Helena on sea trials off Onehunga ex Baden Pascoe

RSVP > waitematawoodys@gmail.com

ROMA + Next Woody Cruise Details

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 24-02-2024 – ROMA

Mid last year the above photo popped up on a Keith Humphreys fb post – we learnt that the photo was from the Darroch Collection and the vessel is thought to be one of their craft. 

We were told there is an ‘R’ carved in amongst scroll-work at the bow. And those port holes have to be a giveaway.

No mention of location but the photo is ex the Devonport Museum, she is flying an ‘Auckland Motor Yacht Club’ pennant + sporting a #8 – so may some Waitemata Harbour launch race / event?

INPUT EX NATHAN HERBERT – The vessel is Roma, she made a WW appearance back in August 2016, in that story Ross Dawson and Harold Kidd advised she was 35′ in lenghth, built in 1910 by Tom Le Huquet. Sadly she came ashore in 1918 and broke up.. Link to the 2016 story below https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/08/31/mystery-launch-31-08-2016/

HAVE TO RSVP’ed FOR RIVERHEAD TAVERN WOODYS LAUNCH CRUISE

RSVP waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Details below – RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with boat name and approx. crew numbers.
DATE: Saturday 16th March TIME: Meeting at Lucas Creek area at 11am. Arriving hotel at 11.30am TIDE:  HW @ 1pm – 3.3m

PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below + Riverhead Cruise

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RSVP > waitematawoodys@gmail.com

PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2020 we ran a short story on the 33’ launch Pursuit – at the time we uncovered she was deigned by Max Carter. Link to that story belowWW Feb 2020  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/02/18/pursuit/

In late 2023 Pursuit popped up on tme , thank you Ian McDonald, and thanks to that we get to have a gander below.

Pursuit was built c.1964 from double diagonal kauri , then in the 1990’s she was glassed.

Her forward motion is via a Lees Ford 100hp diesel engine that gives a comfortable cruising speed of 7 knots.

Hopefully she found a new owner and fingers and toes crossed that the ‘block of flats’ on top has a appointment booked at the barbers 🙂

REMEMBER – YARD SALE AT TE ATAU BOATING CLUB SATURDAY

MOTUEKA MARINA – TIDE IN

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MOTUEKA MARINA – TIDE IN

Almost always when John Burland sends in photos from the Motueka marina the tide is out, not in todays photos from earlier in the month.

So woodys today we get to see the woodys afloat and its certainly a better look 🙂 Enjoy.

The ‘ditty’ was sent in by Dave Stanaway – Dave commented – ‘Below is a ditty I learned as a 12 year old. An old retired seaman thought good for me to learn as I spent all my school holidays on towboats. Funny thing was when studying for second mate I was told to forget such a ditty.’

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Affordable Classic Boating – 1/4 The Cost

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Affordable Classic Boating – 1/4 The Cost

Today I want to touch base on an newish trend in the classic boating world – fractional ownership. Sure there are lots of two owner eg 2 buddies  or 2 linked family partnerships, but with the raising cost of marina berths more and more boats are having multiple owners. And thats a good thing, maintenance and berth-age costs are affordable, new owners are entering the classic community at a younger age  and best of all – the boats are being used more.

One such partnership centres around the 36′ 1953 Billy Rogers built classic sedan launch – Margaret-Anne. There is a link below to a 2017 WW story on the launch. Some boats are lucky in their owners – Margaret Anne has had two very passionate classic friendly owners who have restored her to a better than new condition  – then moved on to bigger craft.

Margaret Anne is now in the hands of 4 parters and one of the ’shares’ is now available to purchase, the buy in includes access to a Westhaven marina.

So woodys if you and your family are looking to get afloat in a stunning classic wooden boat – contact Sonia Garica for more details songarcia@yahoo.com

WW April 2017 storyhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/23/30737/

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

FAITH – A Peek Down Below

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FAITH – A Peek Down Below

The 1968 30’ Phil Lang designed and built launch – Faith has made several appearances on WW – links below – lots of details & photos from her past

https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/01/faith/https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/06/faith-flash-back-friday/

Faith is a well travelled old girl, originally built by Phil as his own boat for commercial fishing out of Whangaparoa, Auckland. She later went to Northland then to Dunedin, South Island (Port Chamlers & Carey Bay). Then up to the Marlborough Sounds. These days she resides in Picton.

Forward propulsion is via a 38hp Nanni diesel engine that gives her a cruise speed of 6.5 knots.

Thanks to Ian McDonal for the tme alert. 

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com