Category Archives: 1920’s

CLASSIC COLLINGS & BELL WOODEN LAUNCH – MAITAI HAULED OUT ON WAIHEKE ISLAND

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CLASSIC COLLINGS & BELL WOODEN LAUNCH – MAITAI HAULED OUT ON WAIHEKE ISLAND

Earlier this week I was chatting online with the owner of MAITAI— the 30’ classic wooden launch built by Collings & Bell back in 1928.

MAITAI has featured on WW several times over the years — master link to past stories here: https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Maitai&submit=Search

She’s recently been hauled out on Waiheke Island, her new home, for some tidy-up work after a few stern fasteners decided to call it quits. The owner was full of praise for a talented young boatbuilder based on Waiheke who took on the transom rebuild — great to hear skilled hands are still out there keeping these classics alive.

With the heavy lifting underway, the owners rolled up their sleeves and treated her underside to a well-deserved birthday.

As the black-and-white photo below (ex Nathan Herbert) shows, MAITAI has made it close to 100 years without suffering at the hands of the dreaded wood-butchers. Long may that continue.

PAIKEA – ONE OF OUR FASTEST CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOATS 

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PAIKEA – ONE OF OUR FASTEST CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOATS 

Last week during a visit to Gulf Harbour I spotted PAIKEA tucked away on one of the inner berths, looking very smart. This master link will take you to several stories that document her past + lots of photos https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Paikea&submit=Search

In one of the stories we learnt from Harold Kidd that PAIKEA was built by Collings & Bell for A.H. Court and launched on 26th January 1921. She was fitted with a 120-150hp Model M Van Blerck 6 cylinder petrol engine (not a straight-eight Packard as is often said). PAIKEA had Chas. Collings’ “concave-convex” type of hard chine design which he made famous with his various FLEETWINGS and whale-chasers. Indeed she was a refinement of the FLEETWING whose image appears in the Collings & Bell section of WW.

PAIKEA was good for 20 knots and can still do it with her present big Iveco/Fiat, Harold commented that she goes like hell and stable with it.

I n recent years PAIKEA has been one of launches that line up for the Auckland anniversary day motorboat inner harbour drag race, in fact earlier this year (2025) she was 1st across the line on corrected (handicap) time. Will be interesting to see if she turns up in 2026 to defend her title.

Photo below from the 2025 race where we see PAIKEA unsuccessfully trying to catch the winner – MY GIRIL.

THE REFURBISHMENT OF CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – TASMAN BEGINS

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Ready for re-launch
Back home at OBC

THE REFURBISHMENT OF CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – TASMAN BEGINS

The classic 38′ wooden launch TASMAN, built/launched in 1929 by New Zealand foremost wooden boat builder – Colin Wild, has made numerous cameo appearance on WW as her past owners were attendees at most of the major classic boating events in and around the Waitemata Harbour. A few years ago ownership of TASMAN changed hands and her new owners are perfect custodians of this soon to be centenarian.They have committed to undertaking a rolling restoration that will see TASMAN celebrate her 100th birthday in 2029, looking better than the day she slid down the Wild slipway.
In owner, Stephen’s words – ” This is the first of a stepped plan of restoration for her centennial at Easter 2029. This first stage was completed by Marineskills at Half Moon Bay. The primary task was the removal of the original 1929 foredeck canvas to ply, glass and strengthen the foredeck.  

This required removal of all the furniture, toe rails, winch and sundry gear.  The 1960-period guard rails were replaced with a reduced rail around the work area forward.  

Old winch and gear chromed, salt water wash-down pump fitted and new spare-man provided. Toe rail teak restored and rebuilt. Sundry other works around ‘Tasman’ included restoration of period navigation lights in wheelhouse roof mounted boxes to reflect the originals.”

We look forward to future updates on the refurbishment and will keep the WW readers updated.

(Photo below dated Feb 2021 of TASMAN in Whakaatakalaka Bay aka OBC, Auckland by Nathan Herbert)

Feb 2021

CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – LINDA – THE FULL CIRCLE

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CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – LINDA – THE FULL CIRCLE

Back in 1959 the 1927 Colin Wild built 47’ launch LINDA relocated from her home waters , the Waitemata Harbour, to Whangarei, Northland. Her new owner was Reg Fisher.

In the April 1961 edition of Sea Spray magazine there was an article (as above) on the boats history and recent modifications and updates.

In later years she returned to Auckland and in the last 2 years has relocated North again to Kerikeri, – the full circle.

The Sea Spray article comes to us via Ken Ricketts.

Lots of WW stories and photos of LINDA at this master link https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=LINDA&submit=Search

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW B4 STOCK RUNS OUT

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS AT SANDSPIT MARINA 

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS AT SANDSPIT MARINA 

Today we have a report in from Mark Newcomb who was stooging around Sandspit Marina and the Club hardstand over the weekend. 

The first classic woody above is one we normally see at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – its named RURU was possibly built in 1935 by Lidgard, 19’ in length.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/07/22/ruru/

In the second photo we see JUANITA, the 32’ , 1951 Allan Williams designed and built classic launch, getting some serious pre-summer TLC. https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/03/21/the-rebirth-of-juanita/

In T he third photo we see LADY MAY, a Salthouse 37, spirit of tradition classic. If its the same launch I spotted at KAWAU ISLAND over Labour weekend , I think is is running a Hamilton Jet unit.

Lastly we have the 36’ , 1922, Dick Lang built launch – LADY ADELAIDE looking like she is about to be hauled out. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/22/lady-adelaide-a-peek-down-below/

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

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Robert Brooke (L) – Paul Tingy (R)

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

Recently WW has been following a major re-fit/build on the 1921 Logan designed and built classic wooden launch – NGAIO. Link below to the progress updates.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/08/heritage-refit-for-1921-logan-launch-ngaio/

I visited Milford during the week to view the work underway on the launch – MONTEREY (yesterday’s story – scroll done) so took the opportunity to check out NGAIO.      On previous visits there has been mainly deconstruction, template and repair work – yesterday we got to view first-hand the skills of boatbuilder Paul Tingey. So rather than ‘bury the photos on the end of the existing story, I made the call they deserved their own story. (I will also add them to the existing on-going story)

While at the yard I caught up with 3 generations of the Brooke family working on the family launch – LINDA. Robert came over to inspect the work on NGAIO and even though in the photo above it looks like Paul Tingey is having a chat with the headmaster – Robert had high praise for Paul’s work.✔️

LINDA

30-11-2025 Been a tad slack on the update photos – three sets (visits) below. Re-launch is close.

CLASSIC 1928 KAURI LAUNCH – MANAAKI

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CLASSIC 1928 KAURI LAUNCH – MANAAKI

Todays woody is the 36’ launch –  MANAAKI built in 1928 by Collings & Bell. The photo comes to us from Karl Webber via Lew Redwood fb. In the fb story is comments that at the time of the photo (1930) the boat was owned by the Webber family and was built of kauri and used primarily to cross from Kapiti Island to Paraparaumu.

MANAAKI first appeared on WW back in August 2015 – link below, lots of old and newish photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/10/manaaki/

Then in May 2021 she was for sale and we got to have a gander down below – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/05/09/manaaki-a-peek-down-below/

Looking for confirmation that todays MANAAKI is the same launch that was build for the Zane Grey fleet – ALMA G, OTEHEI and AVALON were the names of some of her sisters.

INPUT ex KARL WEBBER via Dean Wright

2025 KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA – A WOODY WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – 50+ PHOTOS

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THERE IS A WOODY HIDING IN THERE – SEE BELOW ⬇️
RAINDANCE
KAIKOURA
CENTAURUS
CALLISTO
HGARUNUI
MARIHI
ST CLAIR
TAREE
MEOLA
RONAKI
VOLANTO
KIWARUA
MOANALUA
TUNA

2025 KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA – A WOODY WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – 50+ PHOTOS

Pleased to report that the long weekend’s woody action at Kawau Island was an absolute triumph. Now in its second year, the Spring Splash Regatta — a joint venture between the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club, and Waitematawoodys — continues to grow in both size and spirit.

It’s still early days for what’s shaping up to be a great annual tradition, but this year’s event had an unmistakably upbeat, jaunty vibe. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, swapping yarns, and clearly having a great time afloat and ashore.

I’ll apologise up front for being light on the yacht racing and prize-giving coverage — for reasons I won’t bore you with — but rest assured, the competition and camaraderie were both in full swing.

Sunday’s Woodys Classic Parade was the visual highlight of the weekend, showcasing a handsome flotilla of 17 classic launches for all those anchored in Bon Accord Harbour and watching from waterfront properties. Aside from a brief 10-minute burst of H₂O at the start, the weather came right and the parade looked spectacular.

A big thank you to the classic skippers and crews who took part — your efforts made for a great show.

Helming a boat among moored craft while trying to take photos is a fine line between “challenging” and “slightly reckless,” so I’m especially grateful to Dean Watchlin, Murray Deeble and Richard Bicknell for sharing their superb photos from the weekend.

Enjoy today’s gallery — loosely divided into two parts: the weekend’s happenings and the Sunday Parade. Sorry if the cameras missed your boat – some joined the parade midway and some departed midway. The crew of KAIKOURA below, correctly attired for the occasion 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH VIVEEN – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH VIVEEN – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

The classic wooden launch VIVEEN is one of Colin Wild’s early landmark motor launches, built in 1924 for W.G. Rapley of Devonport. A vee bottom bridge-decker VIVEEN has always had an impressive turn of speed.

Her original  power plant was a 35hp Kermath but that was upgraded to an even more high-powered Winton. Her early owners raced her consistently until launch racing died out during the Depression when feeding such monsters with benzine became impracticable.

Berthed in the Milford Marina for many years, she relocated to Thames marina in early 2000’s.
Todays photos are a gallery from 1938 to more recent times. Recently she appeared on tme and thanks to that listing we get to have a gander down below.

Link to WW Jan 2021 story here – lots of photos + details and links tp other WW stories. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/01/19/viveen-update/

WOODEN CLASSICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL – 60+ photos & videos

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WOODEN CLASSICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL

Early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and arrived in Whangārei just in time to catch the soft early light — perfect for photography and well before the dockside crowds arrived.

Whangārei’s Town Basin really is the ideal setting for a maritime festival — easy dock access, great viewing angles, and plenty of nearby cafés and attractions. Add in the buzz of the Saturday markets and you’ve got all the ingredients for a standout event.

Wooden boat numbers were a little down on last year, but a few visiting commercial vessels — including Customs, Pilot boats, fishing craft and a pair of Waka — helped round out the fleet. From a public point of view, it was still an impressive line-up. Given the number of classic boats that have migrated north in recent years, it would be great to see more of the region’s wooden heritage on display next time around.

It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces — clearly the new highway was busy with Aucklanders heading north for the weekend.

All up, a thoroughly enjoyable day. Hopefully today’s photo gallery will inspire a few more of you to make the trip in 2026.

And there is always a few foody pix – hands down the best two seafood fritters ever – one mussel and the star – one whitebait. And a free KOWHAI coffee because she liked my WW t-shirt.

FYI – when I’m at an event I point the camera at what catches my eye , sometimes I miss a few boats but I like to think the photos are more like someone strolling the docks rather than someone trying to capture the whole caboodle 🙂