Category Archives: 1910’s

Defender At Speed

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DEFENDER (Scripps III)

The above photo of the launch Defender, previously named Scripps III, was taken by H Winkelmann and appears to have been ’torn’ out of a 1918 copy of NZ Yachtsman.

In a 2013 WW story Harold Kidd commented that Scripps III was pretty quick with her 4 cylinder Model K Scripps, bore 5.5″ and stroke 6″ = 475 cu ins =7.6 litres. It was a straightforward side-valve engine with twin ignition, producing vast gobs of torque. The above photo was tagged as saying on the day of the photo she nearly hit 17 knots.

Her specs were 35’ x 7’6” beam. At the time she was owned by a Mr. E. LeRoy.

Question of the day – can anyone ID the white hulled launch (race #94) in the background.

(Photo ex fb sent in by K Ricketts)

WW 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/15/how-did-they-keep-their-hats-on/

WW 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/04/20/scripps-iii-defender/

WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL TRIP REPORT

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WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL TRIP REPORT

A little late posting todays story – its been rather a full on weekend – on Saturday we had our general election, which resulted in a change of government (very happy with that). Then early Sunday morning the All Blacks had a do or die clash with Ireland in the Rugby world Cup which resulted in a well deserved win for the AB’s. 

After the final whistle I was in the car and heading north to Whangarei to check out the Whangarei Maritime Festival. The temptation to stay in Auckland and enjoy a celebratory breakfast was very strong but wow I’m so glad I didn’t – I was rewarded with a most enjoyable day out.

I’ll start by thanking Druce Dunlop for alerting me to the upcoming weekend and also say that the organisers did an great job promoting the event on social member. Anyone contemplating hosting a similar event  could learn a lot from mirroring the WMF. It ticked all the boxes and was rewarded with a huge turnout.

A wonderful collection of mostly wooden craft on display that given the location / layout of the dockside, allowed the public to get up close and experience the vessels.  

Well done to everyone involved – both on and off the water. Enjoy the gallery of images.  As always – click photos to enlarge 😉

MYSTERY MILFORD LAUNCH

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MYSTERY MILFORD LAUNCH

Whilst taking in the photo gallery on display at last weeks Milford Cruising Club’s 100th anniversary I photographed several launches. In the top photo todays craft is seen entering the Wairau Creek and the photo is dated 1919. No one will be around that would have seen the launch but maybe someone is familiar with the photos and can put a name to her.

AND WE HAVE ANOTHER CONTESTANT IN THE CRAFT THAT SHOULD BE A HOUSE AWARD – words fail me, but someone loves it 🙂

VICTORIA CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL – Vancouver – Dockside Tour 

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VICTORIA CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL – Vancouver – Dockside Tour 

Last week we had a story about Peter Knowles and his travel to the Victoria Wooden Boat Festival vis his v-blog ‘Boat Life – Travels With Geordie’. Peter very briefly showed us some of the craft arriving – today we get a dock-side wander, complete with captions for the classic woodys.

I hope the people at Auckland’s maritime museum see this video – re their upcoming Auckland wooden boat festival next year. The stand out observation is the mix of yachts + launches + work boats + small craft – it is all mixed in together and thats what works all around the world – not rocket science……………..

INPUT ex Neil Chalmers – Great video , at 2 56 there is the NZ yacht ‘Two Sisters’ (was sail no. F3) . Has a Woollacott look about her. I often wondered where she got to .

A picture of her at Bon Accord Kawau appears in the ‘Cruising in NZ Waters’  by GR Paul (below). This was the go to book in the 1960’s before to the RAYC Cruising Guide was published.

REMEMBER BOAT BOAT SALE 11am SATURDAY @ MILFORD SLIPWAY – 5 OMANA ROAD, MILFORD $BRING CASH$ WW MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

Ronaki – Collings & Bell

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RONAKI – Collings & Bell

In my communications with Sue Rivington re Sundays story on the launch – Leone, we uncovered that her grandfather also owned the launch – Ronaki. There are several vessels with that name on WW, but this one last appeared on WW back in August 2015, the two photos below ex the team at Whangateau Traditional Boat Yard are from then when Ronaki was jn storage in Ruakaka, Northland.  At the time we learnt that she was built as a fast harbour launch by Collings & Bell for the Auckland Harbour Board in January 1913, a 38 footer powered by a big 55-75 hp H.C. Doman marine engine with a max of 14 knots.

The last photo above is of her, ex Ron Watton, during her sea trial. After many years of service with AHB she was sold to G Hyauiason  (Sue Rivington’s grandfather) who had her bridgedeckerised.

The RNZN took her over in 1942 for control service (at the boom, HDK thinks) but sold her in 1944 to J.A. Collins. Harold’s uncle – Lou Wilson, MD of Morris Black & Matheson bought her soon after that. The AHB bought her back subsequently and fitted a Leyland.

The photos above come to us ex Sue’s family album/s, Sue commented that the background in several of the photos is at Sandspit. They used to own the farm there above the Motor Camp and out down the point to Brick Bay and around to Kanuka Road. Sue’s father sold the farm to developers in 2015 – now a subdivision. There maybe more than one launch in todays photo gallery – I would appreciate your views on the below and anything else that you see-
1. Are the launches #746 and #1661 the same launch

2. Is #748 the ‘bridgedeckerised’ launch Harold refers to above

3. Is the dark hulled launch another launch or part of the evolution of Ronaki

Back in 2017 WW got two comments added to the 2015 story. A Graham Watt advised that he owned Ronaki from 1969 > 1971, when he purchased her she was moored off Little Bucklands Beach. Graham immediatly undertook repairs to the boat at Westhaven as she was very ‘run-down’. Back then a Perkins P6 powered hr. The second comment was from a gent named Grant advising that Ronaki was on the hard at Mangapai, Whangarei, Northland and work was underway to refit her. We haven’t heard anything since then so very keen to learn the status of Ronaki.

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert – Three boats shown: First one possibly Miss Aussie then progress photos of the single-sheer Ronaki being rebuilt into raised foredeck bridge-decker. Third and dark painted boat is the Iorana in original guise.

SILENS – A PEEK DOWN BELOW + 4SALE

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SILENS – A PEEK DOWN BELOW + 4SALE

The 38’ launch – Silens was built / launched in 1912 by Harvey & Lang (photos below).

Built from kauri planks and carvel construction. Beam is just shy of 9′ and she draws 3’.

Powered by a 85hp Ford diesel engine that gives her a top speed of 10 knots. The forward propulsion is supplemented by a small battened main and jib – Silens is one of the few woody launches that actually looks all good under sail.

Over the years I have been on Silens many times but oddly for me I have never shared photos of her impressive interior, today we get to see what a well designed and crafted classic launch Silens is.

As I have discussed before on WW that the best woodys rarely come on the market and you normally have to wait a consider time for their ownership to turn over – Harold Kidd told me once he waited 15+ years for a particular classic to come on the market. Well woodys the owners of Silens have made the hard call and asked the Wooden Boat Bureau to find her next custodian – so yes she is for sale – asking price – $70k, and that is a very fair price for a craft of her pedigree, size and condition. Initial enquiries to  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

2023 Thames Traditional Boat Festival + Woody Kawau Weekend

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2023 Thames Traditional Boat Festival + Woody Kawau Long Weekend

Following on from Sundays story on Olaf Wiig’s slipper launch – Vega, todays photos comes to us from Olaf who attended the Thames traditional boat festival in his slipper launch.

There is an awful lot of varnish on display and the attention to detail is spot on. The festival is on my bucket list. Olaf commented that this years festival didn’t have the usual sparkling weather but there was still plenty of varnish on display. He focused the camera on some of the interesting smaller boats.  

Links below to previous festivals:

2019 (photos ex Ian Gavin)  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/11/04/2019-thames-traditional-boat-festival-100-classic-wooden-boats/

2020 (photos ex Olaf Wiig)  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/06/thames-traditional-boat-festival-2021/
2021  (photos ex the ‘Cruising The Cut’ weblog)  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/29/2022-thames-traditional-boat-festival/

There are a few woody events coming up as we enter spring > summer, but I wanted to highlight the plan for Labour weekend (October 21>23). If your anything like me this year has been a non event in terms of over nighting on the boat, so lets all try and make Labour weekend special.

As a bonus the Kawau Boating Club will be re-opening that weekend after a refurbishment, if your not a member I encourage you to join, the club needs help to continue to operate as a haven in the gulf.

Ps you don’t have to be a KBC to enjoy the weekend.

More details closer and pre-xmas event dates below.

Kairanga – That Was Quick

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KAIRANGA – That Was Quick 

Only last week the 32’ Kairanga popped up on tme, and already appears to have sold, or maybe the owner realised it was too cheap and pulled the listing. In my eyes Kairanga is a real looker and always kept in top condition.

Kairanga’s past is a little cloudy in terms of builder and year – but its been commented on WW before that she is possibly a Baileys and built c.1912.

At one stage in her life she was a work-boat servicing lighthouses and marine construction in the Hauraki Gulf. The work-boat link is supported by the fact that she is built like a brick outhouse eg triple skin kauri – 2 diagonal planks and one horizontal

Forward motion these days is via a Ford 90hp diesel.

Current home is the far north – would be nice to see her back on the Waitemata. Photo below dated 2018.

Photo below ex K Ricketts

27-09-2024 INPUT ex CHRIS KOOGER – The photos and the listing on trade me was when we owned the good ship Kairanga. We had her for 30 years. Loved the boat and was hard to let it go but she is now loved by James and Ann-Marie. I bought the boat I 1992 from Derek Tanner and she was in a very sad state. We hauled her out and trailered her to Bucklands beach where she got a major makeover with the help from Harry Mieyer a boat builder who taught me a lot about boat building and repairs.  I was told by Derek that she is a Bailey built boat, 32 foot. Double diagonal and planked for and aft. About 40 mm thick. Super solid boat that handles the rough seas with no problems. She weighs about 7.5 tons. 

 It had a BMC engine in it when we got it but that was no good and we put the Ford 90hp engine in it. Changed the gearbox 3 times and fitted a hydraulic gearbox in it which was great. New Shaft and driveshaft fitted at the same time. I built the cockpit cover in the later years of our ownership. 

 While out in her we met a chap who said that his family owned her in the sixties and another time out we met a fellow who bought her in 1956.  Fantastic boat that I always felt safe in. My children and many friends have had great times with her and I think about her a lot. Great memories.  Great to see that she is still being loved and getting the regular attention that any boat needs. 

Doreen > Haku > Coquette – 1912 Logan Motor Launch – SOS

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Doreen > Haku > Coquette – 1912 Logan Motor Launch – SOS SAVED

When it comes to provenance it would be hard to beat this woody – designed and built by Arch Logan for his brother Robert, named after their sister Doreen. Then in 1945 she was ‘modernised’ by Bill Couldrey, one of the Arch’s few preferred boat builders. She has passed thru many hands and aside for her blue blood, her second claim to fame is that she was used to take the mould off for the popular 33’ fibre-glass launches (Logan33).

Last week I was contacted by her owners who advised that a few months ago while taking her out at very low tide they hit an unmarked reef inside the OBC Bridge on the way out. The damage sustained is that as a result of the keel and prop hitting reef the drive shaft, this was pulled out of the gearbox. I’m told no water entered the boat – BUT the insurance company has written the vessel off so now it is up for sale for $12,500 as-is-where-is. Potentially the bargain of the year.

Given the abysmal listing by the insurance companies boat broker, I’d be amazed if it sells. We plug it on WW today because the boat deserves better.

This WW link will take you to numerous WW stories that feature Coquette (Doreen > Haku)

https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Coquette&submit=Search

18-07-2023 UPDATE – SAVED !!!! – I can confirm she has been purchased off the insurance company by a previous owner and will be repaired and returning to the north – GREAT NEWS

Mapu Gets A Refresh + New Woody Event Dates Released

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MAPU GETS A REFRESH 

The 30’ 1914 Lane Motor Boat Co.designed and built launch Mapu has just emerged from the Blair Boats yard in Oromahoe, Harare (Far North) after a some TLC.

Mapu is one of the lucky woodys, still in the family of the great grandfather that built her. Like most woodys from her era she has undergone several additions / configuration to her tramtop / doghouse but the hull is still the original solid carvel planked kauri.

While it appears from the photos that she has lost her varnished coamings – I can report they were never varnished – the finish was a very smart brown paint and made of ply.

Mapu has appeared numerous times on WW – lots of history and photos in the links below.

MAY 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/28/the-launch-mapu-far-north/

JUNE 22 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/22/mapu-2/

JUNE 1 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/01/mapu/

Photo (L) below ex Nathan Herbert 2016

Photo (R) below ex Mark Lane 2013

2023 CLASSIC WOODY ON-THE-WATER GATHERINGS – DATES

Has it stopped raining………. I’m too embarrassed to tell you how many nights I’ve spent on the boat this year, makes the return on investment look very sad. But thankfully most of us don’t measure life on that template.

So on the assumption that the current meteorological conditions will end , we have pulled together a calendar of woody gatherings for the 2023 spring > summer period. Later in the year we will publish the 2024 calendar.

So woodys circle these dates on the calendar, and we will talk to you closer to each event.

In the meantime, light the fire and open that bottle you have been saving for a special occasion.