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.

What happened to Abalone (ex Manuwai ex Nissan)

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Russell, Bay of Islands – 1990s
Devonport, Auckland – 1990’s

What happened to Abalone (ex Manuwai ex Nissan)

Abalone was originally built for the New Zealand Army in 1943 and named Nissan. After WW2, the Tourist and Publicity Department obtained the boat in 1949 and she was placed into service initially on Lake Tarawera and later on Lake Rotomahana and eventually renamed Manuwai.

In  the late 1950’s the boat was sold to Ces Jack in Tauranga who undertook a four year rebuild. On relaunching the boat was renamed Abalone and became a deep-sea fishing launch, owned and operated by Ces Jack and later owned by Ian Clunie. She was relocated to Auckland, where during a violent Auckland storm in1983 she smashed on rocks in Hobson Bay. Repair work after the storm was undertaken by Nealy Craft – anyone know who that is or was? She was eventually repaired and placed back to work as a charter boat by Jim Insley.

Abalone was purchased by journalist Warren Berryman and his wife Helen Vause in 1987 and they used the boat for family excursions out around the Hauraki Gulf; as well as occasional fishing and dive charters. Every summer from 1987 until 2004, Abalone went north to the Bay of Islands and then often on to Whangaroa.

Abalone was sold after Berryman’s death in 2004.

Abalone is a fairly distinctive boat so hopefully someone recognises her and can help advise who purchased her in 2004 and where she is today.

Story and photos above ex Greg Philpott. 

INPUT ex Mark McLaughlin – About 10 years ago Abalone was on a private pole mooring on the Tamaki River, near the Panmure Bridge. She sank on her mooring. I don’t know if she was restored or scrapped after that but she was under water for quite a while IIRC. Photo below of the location of where she sank – nearest launch to the building.

14-09-2023 UPDATE ex Ray Morey –  photos below of Abalone from her re launch 1962. The view of her as original from NZTourist Corp guise is unusual. Note the black top (soot band) on the pipe exhaust.

Sick Of Getting Socks For Fathers Day

This year grab the reins and tell the family what you really want. Today is the un-offical launch of the new waitematawoodys burgee – a long time in the making but I picked the first batch up yesterday. I’ll do a longer story on them later but the quick over view is – 100% canvas, printed 2 sides with the Waitemata Woodys logo using old-school screen printing methods = long lasting. Size is 40cm x 30cm. Sorry about the bad mast photo, no wind yesterday -:) See flyer below – Burgees are $40, caps $38. P&P is $7 – Buy both and WW will pay the P&P. Email orders to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with your address and we will send them off and let you know payment details etc.

Work Boat Wednesday – Seastar + Fathers Day Sorted

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Work Boat Wednesday – Seastar + Fathers Day Sorted

Todays woody photo comes to us from the Tauranga Museum collection via Dean Wright. The vessel on the slipway is Seastar, and her home port is shown as Gisborne. The photo is tagged May 1965 and that woodys is all we known. Fingers crossed that one of the Work-Boat group can help out with some details.

Sick Of Getting Socks For Fathers Day

This year grab the reins and tell the family what you really want. Today is the un-offical launch of the new waitematawoodys burgee – a long time in the making but I picked the first batch up yesterday. I’ll do a longer story on them later but the quick over view is – 100% canvas, printed 2 sides with the Waitemata Woodys logo using old-school screen printing methods = long lasting. Size is 40cm x 30cm. Sorry about the bad mast photo, no wind yesterday -:) See flyer below – Burgees are $40, caps $38. P&P is $7 – Buy both and WW will pay the P&P. Email orders to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with your address and we will send them off and let you know payment details etc.

MANULELE

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MANULELE

While mooching around Half Moon Bay at the weekend I spotted the launch – Manulele, a newbie to me.

Can anyone tell us more about the vessel.

CLEVEDON WOODYS WEEKEND – DOCKSIDE SPOTS FILLING UP – RSVP TO AVOID MISSING OUT – September 30th > October 1st.

RSVP with boat name and approx. crew #’s to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Yvonne – A Peek Down Below

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Yvonne – A Peek Down Below

The launch Yvonne was recently for sale , asking /start price was c.$37k, quite a jump from the $17k she was listed for back in 2017 – but as you will read below Yvonne had a rather large birthday.

Before we get into that some background – her builder is up for discussion – could be Lane Motor Boat Co. or Collings & Bell, then again as Harold Kidd commented in a previous WW story  – she could just as well have been built by any number of Auckland builders from, say, 1912 to 1924 and may even have started life as a flush-decker under a different name. Approximately 33’ in length, built from kauri single plank carvel construction in c.1924. Powered by a 85hp Nissan diesel engine.

During her current owners stewardship Yvonne has had all new electrics, LED lighting throughout, new gas system, new stove, new solar panels, and some interior TLC.  The Greg Lees boat yard at Sandspit did a lot of structural work that included a custom fabricated stainless steel keel “shoe” and restored kauri window framing.In my book the coolest item is a genuine Model T wheel – I have admired that piece of kit since I first saw Yvonne back in 2014.I understand she didn’t sell – can anyone confirm?
More photos and details in the June 2014 WW story –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/06/23/yvonne-2/

SPACE LIMITED – RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME & CREW #

email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

WAIMANA – Very Affordable Waterfront Living

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WAIMANA – Very Affordable Waterfront Living

Waimana had the best possible start in life – built at the Percy Vos yard in 1943 as a 51’ seine trawler for Sanford Fisheries (AK77). At one stage post launching she was set to be requisitioned by the US Army for war use in Noumea, New Caledonia,  but this cancelled. 

Built from single skin 1.5” kauri planks over double hardwood frames, she weighed approx. 35 tonnes.

Powered by a Gardner 6L3B diesel (not sure if original) .

Fast forward to the 1980’s and Waimana was converted to pleasure use and these days has a very homely fit-out. But still very well spec’ed for cruising.

Originally for sale for c.$110k, its a deceased estate sale and the new tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) is $60k – that woodys is very low entry into a 6 >10 bed apartment.

Elsinore

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ELSINORE

Todays photo is from the Tauranga Library collection (but is tagged Nelson) and comes to us via Dean Wright.

It would be nice if we could learn more about Elsinore but the main reason for posting the photo is that it is just such a cool photo.

it has all the feel good vibes written all over it – clinker / motorboat > sail / gaff rig/  beach railway haul-out and everything in proportion, even the name plate is perfect. Maybe a small porthole on the cabin side, but that is just me being OTT.

Enjoy the photo and weekend 🙂

INPUT ex John Burland – excerpt below from the NZ Gazette 1944 wherein a J. Chapman applied for (declined) a fishing license for Elsinore. The location being Motuka supports the ‘Nelson tag on the photo. Where is she currently?

SEA FEVER – A Peek Down Below

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SEA FEVER – A Peek Down Below

The 34’ sedan top classic launch – Sea Fever has the best of pedigrees having been designed and built by John Salthouse. When launched she was named Onetaunga.

Stepping aboard the design and build quality of the Salthouse yard is everywhere, and thanks to the last two owners Sea Fever has been a lucky boat.

Built in 1958 from kauri (carvel planked) her beam is 10’ and she draws 3’6”. Forward motion is via a 115hp Ford )Lees conversion) diesel engine, that gives her a top speed of 9 knots.

BONITA  – Only In The South + Boat Boot Sale

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BONITA  – Only In The South

Cameron Pollard sent in the top photo of – Bonita, seen here in the Marlborough Sounds c.1985. Bonita was built in 1923 by ER Lane in Picton, her specs are 36’ in length with a beam of 8’6”.

The second photo is from the 1960> period and the last from 2022 when she had just had a major birthday prior to selling.

There is a wonderful history of the vessel in the WW links below.

The History of Bonita
Bonita

UPDATE 30-08-2023 – Input ex Cameron Pollard. Photos of Bonita as launched and later pics from the 1960’s.

BOAT BOOT SALE – THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – SEPT 16 – 11am

Mystery Launch 23-08-23

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 23-08-23

Today we have another woody from Sue Rivington’s family album. Photo most likely taken by her grandfather – George Hyaulason.

Looks to be around 32’ in length and her hull design looks familiar – fingers crossed Nathan Herbert can ID the launch.

The ‘eye-brow’ on the forward edge of the cabin top is a perfect example of the difference they can make to the appearance of a launch – and even the davits are a good look – very salty both get my tick  🙂

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert – I’d like to say it’s Boucher’s boat, the Baby Lu, with altered windows (pre or post racing era I’m not sure). Furthermore, I’ll add that I think she may be the present/recent ‘Waratah’. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/16/waratah-needs-a-new-home/

Waitemata Woodys Gear Update

Start saving your pennies – we have just ordered another run of the WW canvas caps – these ones are now the #1 selling WW crew gear.

And after years of hearing “where are the WW flags” we have pushed the green light on production – 100% canvas, printed both sides with the Waitemata Woodys logo (below) using old-school screen printing method (long lasting) and pennant shaped.

Ordering details soon – in time for Fathers Day 🙂

Mystery Launch At Gt. Barrier Island – 1963 – WESTWIND

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MYSTERY LAUNCH AT GT. BARRIER ISLAND – WESTWIND

Todays photo was spent in by Dave Stanaway and shows the Radio Hauraki ‘pirate ship’ – Tiri alongside the wharf at Fitzroy, Great Barrier Island. 

The photo is dated 1963 and todays question is can we ID the launch alongside Tiri. Dave commented that he recalls she was island based but the name eludes him.

UPDATE – As mentioned in the comments section, as pictured above Tiri wasn’t yet the Radio Hauraki ship. Dave advised his father ran the Tiri for Tiri Co-operative Shipping Co at the time of the photo. Ran from Auckland to Whangarei and Great Barrier.

Grant Schults ID’ed the launch alongside as Westwind, that serviced the local guesthouse on the island.

23-08-2023 INPUT ex Greg Philpott  – photos below of Westwind in the Whangarei Town Basic Marina.