Category Archives: 1920’s

CLASSIC WOODYS ON THE WAITEMATA

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A8 VICTORY
A3 ARIKI
A13 HEARTSEASE

CLASSIC WOODYS ON THE WAITEMATA

Todays photos are from my wife’s side of the family, who had a higher % of salt in their veins than my side. Her grandfather John (Jack) Bonner was a co-owner of the yacht  ALEXA C7 colourised photo below), built by T. Le Huquet in 1904. Later in life he was a very accomplished painter, several of his works grace my walls. When you factor in that he had (medical records speak) an ‘arm removed via field amputation i.e. no general anaesthesia in France WW!, the paintings were well done.

There were 3 random photos in the album , as seen above but no names, dates, or captions.

The top photo, carries the sale # A8 is VICTORY the 1907 Logan built A-Class yacht. Last I heard she was tucked away in boatbuilder Marco Scuderi’s shed in Helensville.

Second photo has the sail # A3, making her ARIKI – Ariki the 1904 yacht designed by Arch Logan and built by the Logan Brothers.

In the last photo the yacht centre stage has sail # A13, now I could be very know but my search has come up with this intel – HEARTSEASE (A13) was a historic 51-foot classic wooden cutter designed in Auckland by J.G. Trevithick, which raced locally before embarking on an international world cruise in 1932.

Just realised there has been a little too much B/W photos this week so promise some colour on Monday 😉

COMMENT ex ANGUS ROGERS – Angus has pointed out the spelling of the yachy above – blowning the photo up it appears to read ALXER. Every piece of intel I have seen on the boathas her named ALEXA, so I’m confused – anyone able to help out.

INPUT ex OWEN ASPDEN – I saw Heartsease posted on WW today below is a photo of her with sail number 141. According to my grandmothers diary Tom Aspden bought the Ida in 1921 and the Heartsease in 1919. FYI she now for sale in Sydney for $450k.

INPUT ex ROBIN ELLIOTT – HEARTSEASE carried number 141 in the 1913 Anniversary Regatta

1929 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SOUTHERN MAID SAVED

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1929 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SOUTHERN MAID SAVED

Lately too many WW stories have been about wooden craft that have an impending appointment with a back-hoe. Today is a feel good story – the 1929 classic 42′, Ernie Lane of Picton built wooden launch – SOUTHERN MAID has been saved.

Let’s back the truck up – back in June  2026 we ran an SOS story on SOUTHERN MAID, reaching out for someone to step up and save her. Link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/06/13/sos-southern-maid-classic-1929-motor-launch-needs-saving/

On Saturday I received an email from Jeff Giddens – reproduced below

“As you often post, of boats that are heading for an appointment with the back-hoe, this one brings joy. 
The vessel “Southern Maid” which had fallen into hard times, had been placed up for sale, was once owned by the McAllister family in the Marlborough Sounds for a very long time years ago, has now been purchased for $1 back to the family to be restored to her former gory. Such a fantastic outcome”.

We look forward to following the project.

04-09-2026 INPUT ex JOHN WICKS – In the  photo below of her under way is actually right in the middle of Blenheim, on the Opawa River, the other photo is at a wharf just inside the Wairau River bar. Date is c.1950, maybe a year either side.

CLASSIC WOODYS GETTING READY FOR A SPRING SPLASH

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CLASSIC WOODYS GETTING READY FOR A SPRING SPLASH

Dropped into the working end of the Milford Creek / Marina yesterday and caught up on the woodys getting some late winter TLC

MY GIRL – the 1925 Dick Lang built (to a W H Hand design) was out at the Slipway Milford for an application of a new go fast bottom paint. All hush hush trial but I can tell you it wasn’t around in the 1920’s. Note to handicappers – alter MY GIRLS handicap 😉

See more of MG here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/11/12/my-girl-and-pacific-relaunched-60-wooden-boat-photos/

MENAI – keeping MY Girl company was the 38’ 1937 Sam Ford built MENAI – continuing her rolling restoration. See more of her here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/09/11/menai-a-peek-down-below-2/

THETIS – cross the fence in the Milford Cruising Club yard was THETIS the 45’ 1955 launch built by the Lane Motor Boat Co. Out for a refresh. More here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/02/thetis-a-peek-down-below/

WHY DO SOME WOODEN BOATS NOT SELL – MARAMA

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WHY DO SOME WOODEN BOATS NOT SELL – MARAMA

Short answer because the owners are just lazy – take todays 1927 built double-ender 33’ classic wooden boat currently on tme, one photo and the copy below –

“Boat and mooring in Oamaru. Fordson major engine parsons3/1 gearbox. Needs some ribs replaced ( freshwater damage) also comes with 8 meters of brand new 60mm thick heatproof waterproof sound deadening for a new engine cover ( cost me $2000 ) Good wee sea boat. Time for someone else to give it some love. $1 reserve”

OK – there is no reserve and a starting bid of $1, but seriously you’d be better off giving it away.

I hope she finds a new owner, the bones are there of a smart woody.

REMINDER – TOMORROWS BOAT BOOT SALE – 10am – details below – BRING CASH 🙂 PLENTY OF ROOM

FRIDAY FLASH BACK – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RONGO 

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FRIDAY FLASH BACK – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RONGO 

Back in June thanks to input from several WW followers we had a wonderful peek back in time on the classic wooden launch RONDO. https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/06/07/classic-wooden-launch-rongo/ 

Earlier in the week Tobias Forsyth contacted WW to say his mother – Carol Forsyth had been going through a few old photos after Tobias’s dad, Iain, had found a few photos of his own on RONGO. The hunt was prompted by a WW story mentioned above. Tobias commented that some were taken at Kawau Island at ‘Two House Bay’ and some from Iain’s place at the entrance to Helliers Creek. The bare timber shots would have been in the boat sheds down at Ngapipi Road when Ernie Gordon (owner c.1985>2007) did a full strip.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT – WELLINGTON’S CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT

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HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT – WELLINGTON’S CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT

I’m guilty of a lapse that a lot of us northern woodys fall into – that being, we forget about NZ’s capital city Wellington as a home to some of our best classic wooden craft. 

Auckland, the Bay of Islands and the top of the South Island tend to dominate WW content. So it was so good to receive a trip report from Auckland based woody Geoff Fiebig (SV CAPLIN) from Chaffers marina in Wellington.

Extra special to see that the 49’ woody VANESSA was now in her new home and looking very salty. VANESSA was Geoff’s reason for the trip, hopefully we can get an insight into the project he has been commissioned to undertake. If you missed her story on WW when she was 4sale with the Wooden Boat Bureau, check out this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/10/23/ready-to-unwind-this-summer-classic-motorboat-vanessa-ticks-all-the-boxes/

The next woody is the 26’ 1925 Colin Wild built launch – LITTLE TASMAN, another woody that slipped thru our hands and headed south. Not before an amazing restoration at the hands of Colin Brown and Josh Hawkw at their Omaha yard. Check out this WW link and view the video of the project. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/06/17/little-tasman-restoration/

Lastly we have the 1964 Ben Hipkins built  50’ bridge decker – RANGIORA looking the best she has in a long time – well done to her owners.

RANGIORA has had an interesting life , check out this 2022 WW story that backgrounds her partial sinking in1973 after hitting rocks off the northern coast of Waiheke Island, Auckland. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/04/rangiora-sinks-off-waiheke-21-09-1973/

CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALICE

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CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALICE

Todays photo is another from the Auckland maritime museum, specifically from the Fletcher Collection and the photographer is listed as William Fletcher. The photo comes to us via Lew Redwood.

Sadly we have no other intel but she does look very familiar.

Anyone able to enlighten us with a name, builder and location etc.

UPDATE – Thanks to input from Nathan Hebert we now know the launch is ALICE, link to Nov 2013 WW story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/28/alice/

HAROLD KIDD INPUT – ALICE is right, built by Chas Bailey Jr in September 1921 for the Inspector of Fisheries, Northland. 30hp 3 cylinder Twigg.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WINSOME II (MAUDE T > LATEX) 4SALE

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH WINSOME II (MAUDE T > LATEX) 4SALE

Todays feature classic wooden craft is WINSOME II, the 36’ William Hand designed launch was built in 1924 by the Lane Co., Freemans Bay, Auckland.

WINSOME II has appeared on WW numerous times over the years as we have followed her movements around New Zealand.

Today thanks to her current owners we get an extensive deep dive into her past. I have included below a brief overview but encourage you to open / download the PDF file attached to todays story to experience her amazing visual and written history.

Built 1924 – LOA 36’, beam 9’6”, draught 2’9”, kauri chine hull.

Launched as MAUDE T for David Teed, the then mayor of Newmarket, Auckland. Purchased by a Capt. A.E. Emanuel, a ships’ pilot who came to NZ from Shanghai. Re-named LATEX. Commandeered 1940 by the RNZAF, served in Auckland and Tauranga harbours ferrying trainee pilots to and from airports. Acquired by Andy Donovan 1945, used as a charter boat, big game fishing, etc Re-powered with Gray V8 gasoline engine, Cruised at 20 knots. Wheelhouse added 1952. Repowered with Nissan SD 33 diesel 1991. Bequeathed to grandson Andrew Lusty c.1995. Then an unknown owner took her to the Bay of Islands. Found in 2002 by Mike Allan (Marlborough) and trucked and sailed down to Havelock, Marlborough. Refurbishment is ongoing, continued by Chris and Julia Knowles from 2002. 

Maintained with significant assistance from Richard Browning (mechanic/electrical engineer) who also refurbished hull, and installed new galley, conversion to all-round LED lighting, installation 40 V solar panel and associated control panel. WINSOME II is powered by a Nissan diesel  SD 42 T 120 HP straight 6 cylinder that had a marinised cooling system installed 1995. Refurbished motor installed 2016. Her comfortable speed range (cruise > max) is 8 > 10 knots. 

Todays photo gallery are a mix of dates, used to give an overview of her adventures.

Today’s story has two objectives.

To record and share the remarkable history of this beautiful 100-year-old classic so that her story is preserved for future generations.

And to help find her next owner – not simply a buyer, but a custodian who recognises they are acquiring one of New Zealand’s maritime treasures… a vessel that also happens to stop people in their tracks wherever she goes.

Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details.

Brochure 2026Download

14-07-2026 INPUT ex ELLEN ANDERSON – Daughter of the “unknown owner” (mentioned above) that took WINSOME II to B.O.I. – the old photo below is Ellen at the helm as a little girl.

THE BEST BOAT RESTORATION TOOL IS OFTEN A SHARP PAINT SCRAPER 

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THE BEST BOAT RESTORATION TOOL IS OFTEN A SHARP PAINT SCRAPER 

At first glance todays classic wooden launch would scare most off but the last photo shows that beneath all that old paint lies a nice woody. Her seller on tme is open to offers so this could be a great winter (or winters…) project.

What we are told – built in 1929 by Lidgard , she measures 31’6” and has been dry stored for a period.Her interior has been removed, as has the engine – so a blank canvas.

Anyone know the name of the vessel.

CLASSIC 1920’S WOODEN LAUNCH – DUCHESS – One Of The Most Impressive Woodys To Grace The Waitemata

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CLASSIC 1920’S WOODEN LAUNCH – DUCHESS – One Of The Most Impressive Woodys To Grace The Waitemata

I tend to rotate the laptop screen saver image on a regular basis – for the last week todays photo of the ccc classic wooden launch DUCHESS has been the photo of choice, hard not too – she is such a looker.

DUCHESS has made numerous appearances on WW , starting back in 2013.

Thanks to a 2018 story and input from Harold Kidd and Nathan Herbert we learnt the 40’ DUCHESS was built in the late 1920’s by Bailey & Lowe. In 1934 she has a wee incident with Eel Rock, off Cowes Bay, Waiheke Island. Photo below.           More details on DUCHESS here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/03/25/duchess/

More details and photo from her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/13/duchess-2/

Todays photo is from Ian McDonald via Lew Redwood , via the Auckland Maritime Museum. It was commented that the location was Kawau Island, date unknown.