Category Archives: 1940’s

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AT BAYSWATER – TAWHIRI

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AT BAYSWATER – TAWHIRI

Being a resident of Devonport I’m a follower of a fb page titled ‘Original Devonport Locals’, recently Geoff Glanville posted the photo we see above.

The location is Bayswater, just along from the waterfront clubrooms of the Takapuna Boating Club. 

The building still stands today (photo below) but in poor condition and is the subject of heated debate between local residents, sporting clubs (rowing) and the TBC. The TBC several years ago built very smart new clubrooms at Takapuna Beach, but refuse to give up the peppercorn lease on the Bayswater building.            

Recently there are noises about an extensive refurbishment, but time will tell.

Anyway, back to the photo, which is from the E.B. (Jim) Menzies collection, can we put name and possible date to the vessel.

INPUT ex KEN RICKETTS – She is the TAWHIRI, built c.1946 by Roy Lidgard in his Kawau Island shed, & taken to Auckland to have her 4cyl Lister diesel engine installed, (in a box come table,) in the centre of the main cabin. Later replaced, with a 6 cyl. Ford diesel, by Uuan Berger, who owned her in the 1970s, after which she floated about 6 inches higher in the water in the bow. (photos below ex KR)

CLASSIC WORKBOAT VANGUARD – A WATERFRONT APARTMENT FOR $2.50

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CLASSIC WORKBOAT VANGUARD – A WATERFRONT APARTMENT FOR $2.50

First up that isn’t a typo in the headline – todays woody is for sale and the current bid is $2.50 and the reserve has been met……….

Two option here, buy her as a live aboard or as a project to end up with a very fine workboat conversion.

What we know about VANGUARD –

• Built in 1947 by Lidgard’s

• 50’ in length with either double or triple skinned hull

• Powered by a GM V8.

• Was in survey up to May 2025.

• Located currently in Pelorus Sound.

(thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)

MYSTERY TIM WINDSOR DESIGNED CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH

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MYSTERY TIM WINDSOR DESIGNED CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH

Recently the prolific fb poster Lew Redwood has been sniffing around the Maritime Museum photo archives and has discovered ( I use that term because so much of the museums treasures are ‘hidden away’ ) a treasure trove to old b/w boating images from the 1940’s.

Today thanks to Lew we get to see a 26’ classic wooden launch that was designed by Tim Windsor and built at the Shipbuilders yard in Auckland.

The photo is dated 1948 and the photographer is most likely Tim Windsor.

Can we put a name to this classic wooden launch and learn what became of her.

A CLASSIC 1949 NORTHLAND HOLIDAY CRUISE

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A CLASSIC 1949 NORTHLAND HOLIDAY CRUISE

Todays woody story comes to use from Archives NZ via Liz Ferry on the Northland Heritage Group fb. The film was a National Film Unit production from 1949 and mostly showcases the 1949 Russell (B.O.I.) Regatta.

Lots of familiar woodys to be seen, sail numbers A3 – ARIKI, A4 – IORANGI, A18 – TAWERA, A19 -The regatta was won by IORANGI, the 1901 Arch Login designed classic yacht. With ARIKI second.

We see several classic launches at the start of the film.

Given the date, the crews would have been enjoying post WWII informality.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARIKI

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARIKI

Todays classic wooden boating photo comes to us from John Dawson and shows the launch – ARIKI. At the time of the photo (1946) the launch was located in Napier. At the time of the photo the launch was owned by B. R. Menzies.

And that woodys is all we know.

Interested in learning more about the craft.

AND ONE FOR THE WTF FILE

A recent arrival on tme. I’m sure she will find a home, someone, somewhere must need a floating porte-loo. (thanks Ian McDonald for the photo)

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – MANDALAY

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2013
2016
2023

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – MANDALAY

Yesterdays deluge of emails to the WW inbox contained a gem – todays top photo (2013) and a note from Janet & Bob Heart the owners of the 36’, 1940 built classic launch MANDALAY. Over the years MANDALAY has appeared on WW – first in Sept 2016 as a mystery launch seen at anchor in Jacobs Bay in Pelorus Sound, (second photo above).

Next appearance was in May 2023 when Dean Wright was mooching around Havelock Marina (third photo above). This story prompted WW reader Phil Vining to recall the vessels broker listing from c.1980’s  when she was 4sale – see below.

Janet has commented that MANDALAY was built in Auckland by Lanes in 1940, this has been questioned on WW previously because she certainly has the look (and paint scheme) of Lanes Picton.

Janet has kindly written a brief review of the craft.

“We ( Bob and Janet Hart ) have owned Mandalay for 39 years since 1987. She’s been based in Havelock Marina and has been a regular sight around Pelorus Sound over these years. Her original design has been faithfully maintained. She’s been much loved and cared for.

She has a cockpit with seats. With full headroom, there’s  a saloon with table and seating for captain and passenger facing forward. A separate bunkroom sleeps 4 people and a separate bathroom has the rope and chain locker. 

 With a Ford 75Hp  engine, Mandalay uses approx. 1 gallon of diesel an hour.”

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MAKURA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MAKURA – A Peek Down Below

The classic wooden bridge-decker MAKURA was designed and built in 1949 by Collings & Bell, and is approx. 40’ in length.

Forwar motion is from a 115hp 6 cyl. Ford diesel engine.

Back in January 2025 we shared some photos of MAKURA from her past – lots of intel in that story on her ownership and re-powers over the years. 

Link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/01/18/classic-wooden-launch-makura/

The b/w photo above is from Sea Spray magazine July 1951 edition and shows her as built. 

IF YOU THOUGHT CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES WERE LOW PRICED – Check out OMICRON

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IF YOU THOUGHT CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES WERE LOW PRICED – Check out OMICRON

The 20’ classic sloop OMICRON was built in 1945 to a Harrison Butler design at the Percy Vos yard in Auckland. She made a cameo appearance on WW back in November 2019. 

Full length 1” kauri planking, kauri deck and teak cabin and cockpit coamings + all the proper metals in the bolts and rivets.

As testament to her build and easy of sailing this 20’ has even been offshore.

And the added bonus is a purpose built road trailer.

Her tme listing mentions she needs some TLC so its safe to assume todays photos are not recent.

OMICRON is one of those classics that look perfect from any angle.

At sub $30k someone needs to buy this woody, its so much boat and drop did gorgeous 🙂

RESTORATION OF THE CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – CLYDE GS 28

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RESTORATION OF THE CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – CLYDE GS 28

WW has been contacted by Mark McLaughlin regarding the 25’ Roger Carey built (1949) ex workboat – CLYDE GS28. Mark’s notes below – 

“I have been following the Facebook page of Doug Johnson who is a traditional boatbuilder in Picton documenting his restoration of the lovely little Roger Carey 25ft fishing boat “Clyde”. Originally built in 1949, Doug has rescued Clyde and spent the last three and a half years on a thorough restoration which is nearing completion with launching planned for Labour Weekend. Clyde features in the book “By Boats We Live” by Roger’s daughter, Joan Clark, which recorded all of her father’s designs & builds and designs built by others. The watercolour image is by Joan from her book and shows Clyde’s original working boat configuration” 

Mark also sent in the selection of photos above from Doug’s Facebook page, and commented that there are many more photos and videos of the restoration there, link below  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084924609149  Mark tracked down a copy of the story on CLYDE in the “By Boats We Live” book from his mother down in Marlborough. Photos below.

A ROAD TRIP TO WARKWORTH + CEMENT WORKS BOAT YARD

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A ROAD TRIP TO WARKWORTH + CEMENT WORKS BOAT YARD

I had a good reason last week to head north and so took the chance to mooch around the woodys berthed or hauled out in the upper reaches of the Mahurangi / Warkworth River.

The excuse for the trip was to delivery a model of the coastal cruiser VANESSA to the vessel before she heads south to her new Wellinton owner. 

VANESSA was out for a serious service before the delivery crew headed away down south.

Sad to see such a salty looking woody leaving our area but we tend to win more than we lose eg more coming north ✔️

In varying stages of repair were  – NEPTUNE, LADY JANE AND WAIONE. The yard was very busy but I started to itch as I got close to most of the other craft hauled out.

I also popped down to the river and spotted – RIPPLE,JANE GIFFORD, ANAM CARA (L33), and NOW .