Category Archives: 1900’s

The Sad Demise of Norwest

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The Sad Demise of Norwest

Back in early 2013 Zach Matich sent me the top photo of Norwest. Zach also supplied the details below.
This last weekend Jason Prew was mooching over on the West Coast and snapped the photos showings the final resting place of Norwest on the Kaipara Harbour.
“The Norwest was built in Whakapirau in 1909 by Arthur Forester. She was named the Kuaka, the Maori name for Curlew, and had “Kuaka” written on her port side and “Curlew” on her starboard side. She was built for a Mr Adams who had a pear orchard just down the harbour from Whakapirau on what is now the Cullen farm. She was designed so that Mr Adams crippled daughter could wheel her wheelchair around the deck, and was used for transporting fruit to Helensville for the markets. She was powered by a Union Standard single cylinder ‘Make and Brake’ motor and had a swinging cradle for 6 wet cell batteries. This motor is now in the private collection of Darcy Sterling at Maungataroto.
After lying idle for some years the Kuaka was sold to Mr Cliff of Paparoa in 1919. Mr Cliff took her to Pahi and re-corked and painted her and added a new piece to the stern post which was suffering from dry rot. he used her for taking picnic parties down the harbour and moored her when not in use up the Paparoa Creek behind what is now the Paparoa Pub. There was a huge flood in Paparoa in 1923 and the Kuaka was picked up by the flood, carried over the bridge and placed in a paddock on the other side with no damage to her at all. When Mr Cliff passed away in 1924 his sons sold her to a Dr Marshall, from, I believe up Port Albert way who in turn sold her to Mr West who owned West’s Timber Mill in Helensville. It was at this time that she was renamed the ‘Norwest’ after Nora West, Mr Wests wife. She was used for about the next 20 years up until 1945 towing logs all over the Kaipara Harbour, and then in about 1945 Harold Stanaway bought her, followed by Dink Jolly, and then Everard Judd bought her for $250.00 for towing barges. By this time she was in a terrible state so he employed Rodney Morgan, a boat builder to more or less rebuild the hull and cabin.
Everard Judd sold her to Murray Prictor of Port Albert in the late 60’s who is turn sold her soon after to somebody on the East Coast and the history is pretty vague after leaving the West Coast. We do know that some time was spent up the Clevedon Creek and we also know that she has been used as a fishing boat on that coast. 
She was brought back to the Kaipara by Stafford and Rosemary Hill.
Unsure who currently owns her.”
Update 11-07-2019. photos below taken in 2015 by Dave Stanaway
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Ruahine > Whizzbang SOS

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RUAHINE SOS
Ruahine, previously named Whizzbang is in need of urgent help / saving. The Taupo Harbourmaster has put the 26’ woody up for disposal (landfill) if no one acquires her before 21st July.
Ruahine was previously berthed at Nukuhau Marina, Taupo – where she was abandoned. She can be viewed on the hard at Lake Taupo Marina.
She was appeared before on WW (2013) but sadly she has ’slipped’ in terms of maintenance / presentation – hopefully someone will save her and return her to her previous state. Make sure you read the comments section. https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Whizzbang&submit=Search
Powered by a 4 cya. Isuzu diesel.
There must be a woody looking for a low entry ($) project. Photo below of her in 2013, looking very smart.
If no one steps up and she is heading to the landfill – I want the forward cowl 😉

Update ex Paul Drake

The photo below shows RUAHINE  in happier times (c.1970’s) at Waihaha, Lake Taupo.
On her foredeck is Ray Perry who saved her the last time she was abandoned.
Paul commented that he wondered how many boats have the distinction of being abandoned twice in their lives, nearly 50 years apart?
She is certainly worthy of saving, and can get along quite quickly with her Isuzu.
Ruahine c.1970 ex Paul Drake
UPDATE 29-07-2019 GREAT NEWS !!!!

“Well, now I’m the new owner of ruahine formerly whizzbang.
She was delivered to my driveway last Saturday 27/7/19.
She seems to be in good nick. I plan to strip the hull, repair and repaint.
There is rot in the cockpit and a bit on the gunnal. So after hull it’ll be replace and rebuild the top. Inside will be a new refit.
Engine appears to be in working order, will give that an overhaul in time as well.
My go is to have her back in the lake by summer…..

I am very interested in any of her history, so if anyone can provide me with some leads on getting further info I’d really appreciate it.
I’ll keep you all updated with my progress.
George”

What Happened to Floral

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FLORAL

The photo above (ex Keith Humphreys fb) is of the Bailey & Lowe launch Floral. The photo is dated Jan 18 1908 and the caption states that the previous Saturday Floral had won the Devonport Yacht Club’s motor race.
On Dec 12 1908 we know that she competed in the Rudder Cup launch race around Sail Rock and back (108nm).
In a previous WW story Harold Kidd commented that Bailey & Lowe sold Floral in 1909 to Capt. J.S. Clark for use as a passenger and cargo launch on the Whitford run, she probably still exists under a different name.
Harold believed there may have been a candidate to follow up, last seen on the hard at Coromandel. HDK – did you ever solve the mystery?
HDK’s story on The Rudder Cup can be read on the WW link below. Its a good read 🙂
 
Harold Kidd Input – FLORAL was on the run to Whitford for a few years, then was bought by A. Munro. She was sold to T. Paterson of Tauranga c1920 and was gamefishing out of Tauranga by 1924 run by E. Gray. In June 1926 a petrol fire burnt her out and sank her off North Rock, Mount Maunganui. Gray’s nephew was badly burned but got away in the dinghy.
Yesterday was a cracker for launches – sun shinning, the sea like glass and very few people out.

Mahurangi Regatta 2019 – Classic Wooden Boat Movie

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Mahurangi Regatta 2019 – Classic Wooden Boat Movie

The weather forecast is for a very average day today so I decided to share some serious eye candy with you. The video above comes to us from the very talented Roger Mills via his drone camera.
Once again Roger was out and about over the regatta weekend and captured some amazing classic woody footage.
I have to comment that it was very pleasing to see the classic woody launches featured, thank you Roger. All to often people forget there are more wooden motorboats afloat on the day than the stick and rag boys 🙂
Enjoy the video – its a goodie.
To view a high res / quality version of the movie – us the link below.

The Marine Photographer’s Eye, Benjamin Mendlowitz – OCH Video Featuring Kiwi Classic Wooden Boats

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The Marine Photographer’s Eye, Benjamin Mendlowitz – OCH Video Featuring Kiwi Classic Wooden Boats – The best photos of our fleet you will have ever seen!

Today’s story is rather special as the team at offcenterharbor.com have given waitematawoody readers access to their latest video that features woodys from this years Mahurangi Regatta. The OCH site contains over 500 videos (& 500 articles) that range from boatbuilding, to trimming sails, to a complete course on understanding every aspect of your marine diesel engine. There’s even a 42-part series on how to build a Caledonia Yawl camp cruiser. The collection of videos features mariners and craftspeople at the very top of the boating field, showing exactly how they do things, and which products they use in their work.

One of the OCH founders is Benjamin Mendlowitz who, in my eyes, is the worlds finest photographer of classic wooden boats, this January, Ben and his co-founders escaped the US winter and headed down under. Whilst in NZ their #1 mission was to attended the Mahurangi Regatta and to this end on the Saturday Jason Prew with My Girl & myself with Raindance hosted – Maynard Bray, Benjamin Mendlowitz & Steve Stone for a Regatta photo shoot.

In the 11 minute video, Ben talks us through his day on the water filming woodys. In the opening section when Ben is commenting on our classic fleet he says “I was newly inspired in my photography”. When a photographer with as much experience as Benjamin Mendlowitz says that – that is saying something about our woody fleet. Plus the video is a master class for anyone interested in marine photography.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW AND SIT BACK AND ENJOY + CHECK OUT THE COOL OCH OFFER BELOW

https://www.offcenterharbor.com/videos/marine-photographers-eye-benjamin-mendlowitz-in-new-zealand/ww190523

SPECIAL 50% OFF – LIMITED TIME OFFER

The OCH site is 100 percent membership driven, and they do not accept advertising. Not lining their pockets with advertising enables them to provide OCH members with the unvarnished truth, straight from legendary masters of their craft – without worrying whether they piss off an advertiser 🙂

In addition to allowing WW woodys to view the video at no-charge, they have also put together a one-off subscription offer for WW readers.

They are offering 50% off the annual rate – thats an amazing US$24.50 – BUT woodys be quick it will not last for long + there is a Risk Free Guarantee – try it for a few days, if your not happy they will provide you with a 100% refund. I’m a subscriber – I love the site, I have watched one story probably 10 times.

JUST CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE  

https://www.offcenterharbor.com/join-now-2450-ww/

WHAT YOU GET:

  • FULL ACCESS to everything on the site for 1 full year (including our growing library of over 1,000 videos and articles)
  • Your membership includes three full “how-to-build” video series (80+ videos worth over $500 that you get free)
  • You can get your questions answered in the “comments” section under each video and article
  • Join our community of “off-center” boating enthusiasts around the world

 

 

Pearl

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PEARL

Today’s photo ex Lew Redwood’s fb, show that launch Pearl off Motiuhe Island dated c.1918.
What makes the photo ’special’ is the German POW – Count Von Luckner is aboard (in the stern).
I have to question the date of the photo as Von Luckner escape from Motuihe Island in December 1917 aboard Pearl, but was captured and returned to the island.
 Can anyone tell us any details on Pearl – builder, year etc and does anyone know what became of Pearl  – was she returned to Auckland post the escape, or did she remain  at the Mercury Islands?.
A lot of what you read about Von Luckner makes him out to be a bit of a folk hero – but at the end of the day he was a German commander that sank 14 Allied ships 😦
Harold Kidd input- PEARL was built by Collings & Bell in 1914 for McIndoe of Otahuhu. McIndoe sold her to Dr. Endletsberger. She came ashore and was badly damaged in the severe gale of early 1917. Colonel Turner of Motuihe bought her, repaired her and took her to Motuihe for his own use.
Von Luckner’s party pinched her, captured the scow MOA and towed PEARL behind to make for the Kermadecs. PEARL was lost in that tow. She was quite like the earlier HAZEL (later NGAROMA).
How Goods This Summer Been
It just seems to keep rolling on, hopefully I will be out and about on Raindance over Easter, so Tuesday’s story should be a goody from afloat 🙂
Just remember – its 5o’clock somewhere 😉
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Make sure you log in to WW on Monday – get story / photos on the evolution of the 1912 Harvey & Lang launch – Silens

CYA Double Banger – Riverhead Launch Cruise + Vintage & Veterans Yacht Race

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Achilles

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My Girl

Little JimA16 + Raindance
Oke Bay
Summer Wine
Monterey
Manapouri + Altair
Manapouri
Achilles
(F) Volantis (R) Altair + Tasman Star + Nana

 

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My Girl + Raindance

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Monterey, Te Arahi, Altair, Manapouri

CYA Double Banger – Riverhead Launch Cruise + Vintage & Veterans Yacht Race

While mooching around under the Harbour Bridge waiting for the launch stragglers , I snapped a few photos of the yacht fleet tuning up for the start of the annual Vintage & Veterans yacht race – Photos below
The weather for the launch cruise was almost ideal, after we had arrived at the Riverhead Tavern and had planted ourselves in the bar, the rain started, so while we by dinning and chatting – the old girls got a fresh water wash down – perfect.
A good turn out for late in the season – 16 woodys – made up of 12 CYA members and 4 woodys that joined us for the day. I convinced one to join, but Jason Prew tells me I need to improve on my 25% conversion rate 🙂
Nice to catch up with those that made the trip by motorcar.
As always the food was excellent, just a wee hick-up with a power oops slowed the service down a tad but all good.
Sorry if I missed your woody with my camera – the fleet were very spaced out, so arrive times didn’t suit the need to sustenance 😉
As always, click photos to enlarge.
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Rawhiti A2 + Rainbow A7 + Waitangi A6

Arcturus K8638
Rainbow A7 + Rawhiti A2 + Ariki A3 + Little Jim A16
Rainbow A7 + Waitangi A6
Spray II. 725
Katrina II. K100
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Arcturus K8638

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Little Jim A16

Photos below of Thelma sent in by Simon Smith

Rebecca

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Waiheke Coro Iron Yacht

REBECCA 

This weekend is the last chance to experience ’Sculpture on the Gulf’ on Waiheke Island, I’ll be doing the 2km walk that features 26 new sculptures along the stunning Waiheke coastline including  Oneroa village and surrounds. Organisers say to allow around 2 hrs to enjoy the walk. 

Woody Angus Rogers snapped the above photos of Rebecca last weekend, built by legendary kiwi artist Jeff Thomson from corrugated iron and to quote Jeff “she references early NZ classic yacht designs and the long history of boats moored at Matiatia and elsewhere around Waiheke Island”.
She was inspired by her namesake Rebecca, a 1902 gaff-rigged yacht, now sailing under her original name – Dolphin (see link below for more info & photos) https://tinorawatrust.co.nz/dolphin
 
Note: no woodys library would be complete without a copy of the book ‘Rebecca – The restoration of an old yacht’ (cover below) by the late yachtsman, artist and educator – Peter Smith. I currently own 4 copies, whenever I see a copy for sale (on-line or in a secondhand book shop) I grab it. They make great gifts.
Rebecca book
 
Update 10-04-2019 – looks like the artwork has found a permanent home at Gulf Harbour marina, photo es Ken Ricketts
REBECCA -GULF HARBOUR

20th Lake Rotoiti – Antique & Classic Boat Show – 200+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

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20th Lake Rotoiti – Antique & Classic Boat Show – 200+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

On the 1st weekend of March we travelled south to Nelson for a wee escape. Just by chance (yeah right says the wife) there was a classic woody event on. I have seen and heard a lot about the Antique & Classic Boat Show that is held every year on Lake Rotoiti, one hour south of Nelson but I had never attended. We were staying with good friends in Mapua so early on the Sunday the men folk packed up the car  and headed off. We arrived at the lake as everyone was dusting off  / polishing their pride and joy – I understand there was a social event on the Saturday night and a few looked a little ‘dusty’ themselves.
The venue is just mind blowingly spectacular – and I have not seen so much varnished wood in one place in NZ before. Combine this with a very laid back southern friendliness and we had a great morning.
The woodys on show ranged from vintage radio controlled speedboats, sailing dinghies and speedboats to 100 mile-an-hour hydro-planes. Check out the movie of the hydro-plane Elray III below.
The photos above are intended to give you an insight into the show, warts and all – it’s not a gallery of perfectly presented craft.
Enjoy, we did.

Ione

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Ione

Australian woody – Andrew Christie sent me details on this 34’ 1900 Logan launch he spotted for sale in NZ.

Don’t know her name, she may have appeared on WW before but doesn’t ring any bells with me, I think I would have remembered the large flat screen plasma TV’s on her cabin sides.
Zoom zoom is via a 60hp Ford diesel & single skin carvel planked.
 
Anyone able to put a name on her & confirm she is in fact a Logan?
In the comments section we have uncovered she is called Ione and Harold Kidd puts her as a 1909 Bailey & Lowe.