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.

Sir Francis & A Cool Family Idea

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SIR FRANCIS 

During the week Paul Drake commented that every year he produces a family calendar for circulation amongst my family – brothers, children, nieces and nephews. What a cool idea 🙂

All family birthdays are included. Every year the birthday list grows longer.  Paul said it takes a bit of work, but it serves to keep family connected, and it pleases him to know that the calendar hangs on walls in England, Austria, and Australia, as well as in New Zealand. 

Every year I choose a photo of one of the familiesboats, for the calendar, this year it features SIR FRANCIS, a photo from the 1980’s, homeward bound on Lake Taupo. Paul brother Michael is on the helm, and out of sight in the cockpit is their mother. Looking at the phot you would think that SIR FrANCIS had just rounded one of the headlands on the east coast of the North Island, a great reminder that Lake Taupo can get little gnarly.

SIR FRANCIS has made several appearances on WW before and is of course is a 1916 Collings and Bell built launch. 

Paul remembers that as children, the brothers all thought that any vessel which was not Collings and Bell was rubbish! These days they are not so blinkered 🙂

I’m back on dry land now after 9 days mooching around the gulf – lots of woodys out and about – big story on Monday. Talking of big – the beast below was anchored in Bon Accord, Kawau Island on New Years Eve – the tender was approx. 48’ 

Wainui – A Peek Down Below

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WAINUI – A Peek Down Below

The 32’ launch – Wainui last appeared on WW back in Sept. 2015, link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/09/30/wainui/

Now thanks to a tme listing (via Ian McDonald we get to have a gander down below.

Quick overview – built in c.1960 and powered by a Ford 60hp diesel engine.

Current home is Monks Bay, Christchurch.

The Motor-sailer – Silver Spray

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SILVER SPRAY – Motor-sailer

WW was recently contacted by Bella Scott whose father owns the rather impressive motor-sailer – Silver Spray.

WW is very short / light on details – can anyone tell us about Silver Spray

INPUT EX PAUL DRAKE #1 -Built for the McManaway family of Paremata, Wellington, as a commercial fishing boat, and fished out of Paremata for many years. Converted to present configuration at Mana Marina twenty or more years ago. Good to see that she has retained her name.-

INPUT EX PAUL DRAKE #2 –Built by Jack Guard in about 1938. Owned by Wilfred Thomas McManaway and fished as a line boat in Cook Strait. According to his grandson Ian who served on SILVER SPRAY as a teenager and who I talked with today, she was a very stable working platform. Painted green with white boot topping when new. After being sold out of the family and reconfigured much as she is now, she struck rocks in the Marlborough Sounds and sank. She was salvaged and somewhat rebuilt by McManaway Marine (Picton). It is said that she survived her rocky encounter only because of her collision bulkhead, which had been retrofitted by grandson Ian at the behest of the Marine Surveyor, probably in the late 1960’s. Ian McManaway served his time as a shipwright with the Wellington Harbour Board when he finished his time fishing, and later became a Pilot-Launch Master.

Is There Money To Be Made In The Classic Wooden Boat Industry

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Is There Money To Be Made In The Classic Wooden Boat Industry

Short answer yes – if you are good, own a railway slipway and fair in your costs.

The Slipway Milford smoko room wall of honour is a good indication of the woodys that have been for a ride on the Slipway railway 🙂

Would make a good quiz – ID’ing the boats but too busy / lazy doing nothing in a bay at the moment.

SPRAT – Workshop Update

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SPRAT – Workshop Update

The 28’ David Bedham designed spirit of tradition launch that we featured on WW back in November 2023, link below  it nearing completion at the Slipway yard in Milford.

Will be a very smart and fast addition to the Waitemata Harbour, were her intended use is as a fast island commuter.

Looking forward to the sea trial report after the addition of a very smooth and quiet Yamaha 4-stroke o/board.                https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/18/sprat-spirit-of-tradition-orakei-hardstand-good-news/

2024 THE YEAR TO BUY YOUR CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT

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2024 THE YEAR TO BUY YOUR CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT

I hope you all survived New Years eve, these days its always a struggle to last to midnight 🙂

I’ll make a new year prediction – 2024 will be least expensive time to buy a classic wooden boat for the next 5+ years. Prices were very deflated thur-out 2023 but they won’t stay like that – so if a classic craft is something you have on the bucket list – check out the link below. There are others that for privacy reasons do not appear on the list so if you are or are going to be in the market in 2024, let us know.               https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/16/buying-or-selling-a-classic-boat/

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS FOR SALE

KAWAU BOATING CLUB – OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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KAWAU BOATING CLUB – OPEN FOR BUSINESS

If the weather gods have been nice to me I’ll be in residence at KBC tonight- checked out the photos above of the recent (winter of 2023) refurbishment – the club / bar is looking its best ever. Big shout out to everyone involved.

BUT – these things come at a cost – so if you are cruising about Kawau _

1. Call in for a fizzy drink and /or meal – all welcome

2. Consider joining the club while you are there – we need your support.

Happy New Year Woodys 🙂

UPDATE – Dinner was very good. Scallops & Salad and the kiwi classic- fish & chips

HAZEL MAY – Update

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HAZEL MAY – Update

The launch – Hazel May last appeared on WW back in Dec 2015, link below, lots of intel and photos there.

Today thanks to some dockside (Nelson marina) mooching we get a better look at Hazel May.

Quick overview ex Geoff Brebner – built c.1920, probably by T le Huquet.

CLICK ON THE YELLOW BANNER BELOW FOR TIPS ON NAVIGATING THE WW SITE

WEKA – 1

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WEKA – 1

Woody Murry Deeble sent in the above photo of the workboat – Weka-1, that he spotted on his xmas/ny migration north. 

We have previously learnt from a Lew Redwood post that in a past life she was a cray-boat > snapper longliner working out of KAWAU ISLAND.

Previous owners have included Wilf Tech and Gordon Johnson.

Photos below ex Lew’s fb

A very smart, well proportioned workboat, you dont see many of those 🙂

MV GUNNER Update

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MV GUNNER Update

The Lanes (Picton) built launch Gunner last appeared on WW in April 2021  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/20/help-needed-iding-gunner-woody-involved-in-collusion-sinks/

On a recent mooch around Bayswater marina I spotted her looking rather smart – some one has spread some TLC on her – a very salty looking small ship, the canoe stern making her near perfect.

Photo below ex K Ricketts taken during her period doing survey work