Category Archives: 1900’s

BONDI BELLE – A PEEK DOWN BELOW & SHE COULD BE YOURS

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2017
2017

21-12-2024 INPUT ex MAURIE OGDEN – photo below of WHAKAPARA (BONDI BELLE) on launch day

BONDI BELLE – A PEEK DOWN BELOW & SHE COULD BE YOURS

The classic 45’ vessel BONDI BELLE has a great back story – we have uncovered a lot about her on previous WW stories – links below – but the executive summary is BONDI BELLE was built as S.S. WHAKAPARA, at Whakapara (North of Whangarei) by Charles Bailey Jr. for the Foote family who were saw millers at several Northland locations . Construction started in1898 and she was launched in early 1901. Initially she was a steamer and was converted to diesel in the 1920’s. These days a 130hp Mercedes diesel provides the forward motion.

In the this 2014 WW link there is an amazing history of her past https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/02/17/bondi-belle/
And here we get a peek at her 2017 restoration  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/20/bondi-belle-relaunched/

The Wooden Boat Bureau was contacted last week re finding the next custodian for BONDI BELLE. As you can see from the above photos, her current owner has done a wonderful job maintaining her to a very high standard. She presents in ‘sail away’ condition. 

Given her size, configuration, provenance and tasteful fit out, BONDI BELLE is offered for sale at a very realistic price, sadly reflective of the current depressed marine sector. I hate to use these words but she would make an impressive live-a-board, probably the best priced waterfront accommodation in Auckland.

Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details. Its a busy time of the year so please – genuine enquires only 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PUB CRUISE TRIP REPORT 40+ Photos

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NGARO

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PUB CRUISE TRIP REPORT 40+ Photos

Saturday was a great day for the classic wooden boating community – 13 classic craft (twelve launches and one yacht) made the journey up the river to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch.

In addition to the 13 woodys we were joined by 5 skippers and partners who made the trip by car.

As seems to always be the case – the weather and sea conditions was perfect for the trip and everyone had a great time.

Nice to welcome several newbies to the flock – these gathering are ideal for meeting fellow classic boating enthusiasts – the anchoring, coming ashore to the wharf and dining make it a shared experience and helps break the ice with ’strangers’. These days people seem loath to row up to another woody in a bay and say hi, some anything that grows the classic woody community is to be encouraged.

Saturdays cruise was the last event on the Classic Woody Calendar for the year, we will be back to you in the new year with details on more events. As always click on photos to enlarge – photos thanks to Margo Hudson & yours truely.

NEWSFLASH – as I have told anyone and everyone, the Mahurangi Regatta in late January is not to be missed. PLUS – details soon on an exciting new activity for the Sunday – the heads up – old school yachting and launch race/cruise to Kawau Island and a party at Kawau Boating Club on Sunday night. Perfect for those wanting to enjoy Mahurangi / Kawau longer eg not heading back to Auckland on Sunday morning.

A sad reminder that we were missing one of our family awaited us on the tables at the tavern – RIP David Cooke 😦

KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA REVIEW – 70+ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS

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KBC Spring Splash Launch Parade Start
PRIZE GIVING
AGM
Sunday Race Pre-Start
Sunday Race Start
TAWERA Finish Line

KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA REVIEW – 70+ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS

 WoW what a long weekend – our first long weekend as we slide out of winter into summer. The on-the-water boating season kicked off this year with a new event on the calendar – the ‘Labour Weekend Spring Splash Regatta’ at Kawau Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. Going forward the hosts – Kawau Boating Club and race organisers – Ponsonby Cruising Club intend to ran the regatta every year. The weather gods were against us at times – but the weekend was a winner with everyone that attended.

Firstly I’d like to thank all the skippers, family  and crew that took the leap of faith and pointed their craft north in conditions on both Friday and Saturday morning that can best described as character building for the skippers and testing for the craft.

I went north at mid day on Friday and all I saw in terms of other craft afloat was a procession of yachts returning to Auckland after pulling out of the Coastal Classic race to Russell. Big ups to the yachts that pushed on and completed the race, I’m sure most skippers will have trouble rounding up crew for next years race 🙂

Fridays race to Kawau was light on numbers due to the weather but the fleet pushed on and most made it to KBC to swap stories. Mike Mahoney commented that his majestic 1935 Logan built classic – TAWERA spent more time going thru the waves than on top of them.

Saturday’s around the island race was cancelled due to high winds, but the KBC turnover was the winner. A great night ,with a DJ on hand.

Sunday we had the Waitematawoodys classic parade and 15 woodys (one yacht) did a lap of BON ACCORD Harbour – a brilliant turnout for the opening year. Those participating were recorded with stunning weather.

Post the parade, the yacht race got away, check out the video below of TAWERA coming in hot to the finish line – perfect timing by skipper Mike and crew, Only problem it was to decide 3 and 4 place 🙂

Sunday nights prize giving was a hoot and most people left with a prize and a smile.

Other activities over the weekend were a children’s lolly scramble and the KBC AGM on Sunday morning. Brilliant turnout at the AGM and very positive vibes.

The weekend report wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the recently refurbished KBC clubroom / bar / bistro – the presentation of the interior is a perfect fit for a boating club of the KBC’s standing.

And the food and staff…………… 10/10 – the food photos tell their own story.

The winner of the major prize for parade participants – SPONSORED BY THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – was Jill Hetherington and her 1939 C. Bailey built launch – TUNA.  Jill’s prize is a haulout and 3 days hardstand at the classic friendly railway slip.

I have to sign off now, I’m falling asleep at the keyboard.

Enjoy the photo gallery & videos, several people clicking the camera (phone) over the weekend, so thanks for everyones contribution.

SeaLegs A Popular Mode Of Transport On The Island

CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos

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CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos

The weekends weather in Auckland certainly wasn’t conducive to boating so on early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and headed to Whangarei for the 2024 Maritime Festival at the Town Basin.

Year two and a quick overview, – more tie-dyed tee shirt vendors and food trucks, a lot more general public – less launches, more large cruising yachts. Steam boat rides were the most popular offering – long queues of kids that probably walked away with a life time memory – well done to all the  steam boat skippers and crew.

Nice to see a couple of woodys from the Waitemata make the trip north – RAWHITI and JOHN DORY. 

As always when she makes an appearance anywhere Dick and Colleen Fisher’s ex pilot boat – AKARANA was the start of the show.

THE AUCKLAND WOODYS HAD AN INTERESTING TRIP HOME ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON 🙂

RAWHITI
JOHN DORY

CLASSIC YACHT – MARERE I1 – Looking For A New Home

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CLASSIC YACHT – MARERE I1* – Looking For A New Home

Recently WW was contacted by the owner of the mullet boat – MARERE asking for help finding a new custodian for the yacht. 

MARERE was built by Fred Mann in 1919 at his yard on John St, Ponsonby. She was designed by Ralph Goodwin, who owned her until 1923, when she was passed on to Olie Goodwin who kept her until 1935. (*note – sail number is I ONE)

In the gallery of photos above we she her in 1922 in a Henry Winkelmann photo and in the more recent colour photos, given the outboard on her transom. I’d guess late early 2000’s.

In the last photo she is wrapped up for storage, waiting a someone with the passion and wherewith-all to return this 105 year old piece of NZ’s maritime history to her former glory.

WALL OF SHAME -I think I need to start a wall of shame – woodys whose owners need to better care for their craft or pass it on to someone that will.

First Photo On The Wall – LEXIA, the 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr. Built yacht.

CLASSIC YACHT JANET COMES HOME

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Leaving Havelock
Arriving Auckland

CLASSIC YACHT JANET COMES HOME

Back in June we reported that the owners of the 1902 yacht – JANET were looking for a new custodian. Of course they looked long and hard, it would be like looking for a rest home for your 122 year old grandmother, you would only want the best of the best. 

JANET had an 11 year sojourn in the Hawkes Bay and was cared for by passionate Napier woody Micheal O’Dwyer and his sailing partners. Now thanks to their affection for JANET and their generosity, JANET arrived back in Auckland yesterday and into the arms of a new ownership partnership that are perfectly qualified and situated to care for her.

Some facts – Designed by Chas Bailey Jnr and built by the Sutherland brothers in Devonport.  JANET was launched in1902.

Now if the new owners are wondering about who gets to go sailing and when – check out Mike’s 2016 b/w photo below – plenty of room 🙂

12-08-2024 UPDATE ex Richard Guy –  My Grandfather Clement Menzies owned “Janet” many years ago (after WW1) and the photo below is from when he had it.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

1902 CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT – 4sale

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A CLASSIC WOODEN TRAILER-SAILER YACHT – Yeap You Read That Right 🙂

As covered many times on WW the cost of a marina berth is the #1 deterrent to owning classic wooden craft. I have speculated that smaller trailerable woodys will be the future of the classic boating movement in NZ.

MERLN – todays 22’ clinker kauri built, gaff-rigged sloop is one such boat that ticks all the boxes. And most importantly MERLIN is a looker and we like that.

Built c.1902 as a motorboat she was converted in the 1920>30’s to a yacht (deadwood/keel added etc). Then in the late 2000’s restored by professional Christchurch boat builder – Davie Norris. 

MERLIN received another birthday in 2015/16 with restored gaff-rig and ‘converted’ to tabernacle set-up, plus new sails and all rigging. Also included was a new custom trailer and new 4-stroke 6hp outboard.In the last 10+ years MERLIN has been shed stored and only used on Lake Hood, Canterbury, South Island.Her current status is in storage and as with all traditional built clinkers may need some tweaking / re-caulking to the garboard seam.

So woodys if you’re considering stepping up to life as a classic woody owner, MERLIN is the vessel for you and at the end of a days sailing you get to take her home. Interested parties to initially contact Andrew  andrew@siseed.co.nz for more details. And almost forgot – she will sell for around $25k – a bargain.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Help Needed ID’ing This Wooden Boat

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Help Needed ID’ing This Wooden Boat

Todays photos another from the McLeod Collection at the Auckland Library Heritage Collection and comes to us thanks to Nathan Herbert.

The photo is just tagged Bayswater and has a 1900>1909 time period on it. It does look vaguely familiar but I couldn’t find any reference to the photo in the WW archives.

Can anyone help put a her to her.

What’s The New Must Have In Classic Wooden Boating

Answer bow thrusters  – the Slipway Milford is doing a roaring trade in retro fitting – hauled out for work that included a bow thruster – IONA II, SEA FEVER , PACIFIC

PACIFIC

CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT – CELOX H8 –  A Look Back In Time

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CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT – CELOX H8 –  A Look Back In Time

I’m constantly sent via email and post details on classic boats that people have owned or rubbed up against – which is great.

Yesterday was different, one of the gents, Bruce Buccanan, that frequents my regular coffee shop, handed me a USB data stick with the gallery of photos above, all centred around the 26’ mullet boat – CELOX H8, built by Logan Bros and launched in 1908

I think the old school term jaunty best describes the gents that sailed or crewed on CELOX back them. Bruce’s father (a part owner or owner) is the gent in the last 2 photos , and thats all son Bruce knows about the photos.

CELOX has made several appearances on WW and the yacht had an eventful life, which may have ended in 2015 – WW would love to learn what finally happened to the yacht, we know she or parts of were salvaged but thats where the story stopped.

2015 WW STORY LINK + more intel in the Comments Section https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/02/01/celox-sos/

And Can We Name The Launch In The Photo Below – alongside CELOX at Mansion House, Kawau Island

NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH – New Owners – She IS Coming Back To Auckland

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NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH New Owners – She IS Coming Back To Auckland

That might be the case but there are free boats.

Today we showcase the classic yacht – JANET, designed and built by Chas Bailey Jnr and launched in 1902

Back in 2013 the yacht was purchased by a Hawkes Bay syndicate and transported to Napier where a restoration was undertaken by co-owner Michael O’Dwyer. 

JANET was relaunched in 2015 and as you can see from the above photos has been very well maintained.

Lots of details and photos here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/23/janet-sailing-sunday/

Her owners are just not using the boat so have made the decision to pass her onto a new owner – BUT not any old owner, you will need to have a good % of kauri sawdust in your veins to be selected.

So woodys for the cost transporting her to her new home – this iconic classic vessel could be tours.

Initial enquires to Michael O’Dyer c/o  modwyer@nghs.school.nz

14-06-2024 UPDATE – New Auckland owners , all classic launch owners (ex yachties) dipping their toes into a wee bit of rag and stick boating 🙂 Well done. And all Ex Classic yacht Association members 😉