FATHERS DAY SORTED FOR ANYONE WITH SALT IN THEIR VEINS

FATHERS DAY SORTED FOR ANYONE WITH SALT IN THEIR VEINS

Rarely these days do I pick up a book and can not put it down – well it happened recently. I received an advance copy of Davey Jones just published book – ‘Davey Jones of Wakatahuri’ and its both a cracker read and an amazing account of his boating life and his interaction with the Wakatahuri region. Now I’m sure some of you will be asking yourself ‘ where is that?’ – well its in the outer Pelorus Sound at the top of the South Island, the Marlborough District (refer chart below). The area has been many things to many people – a fish factory, a boatyard, a ship breaking base and a community hub.

Davey Jones arrived at Wakatahuri as a young fisherman in 1956 and still lives there today , on and off when he’s not lapping NZ in his boat.

It’s an additive read that with the help of over 200 photographs will have you hooked. 

And as a bonus – included is a reprint of an equally wonderful read -’Sounds Wrecking Co.’ by Martin Burthold.

So woodys drop a hint to the family re what you want for Fathers Day (Sept 7th) or just order one for yourself – $60+ p&p – all enquiries to daveyjonesofwakatahuri@gmail.com

AND I HAVE A COPY TO GIVE AWAY – just answer correctly the name of the vessel Davey Jones has most recently been lapping NZ on. Enter ONLY via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com all correct entries go in the draw. Closes 6pm 17-08-2023.

AND THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE A BOAT PHOTO – this is from Davey’s book and shows the work boat MARLBOROUGH PN47, in Picton Harbour c.1929, built by E R Lane. In the background are VALMARIE, at left, and Ernie Lane’s boat shed, the Picton Rowing Club sheds at right. The vessel under repair at Lane’s yard is a lighter from Port Robinson (Gore Bay)

EX WORK BOAT ARGO – A Peek Down Below

EX WORK BOAT ARGO – A Peek Down Below

Back in May 2022 we ran a story on the 55’ ex commercial fishing boat – ARGO, that at the time she was berthed at the Kaipara Boating Club (west coast of Nth Is) during an extended (3yr) cruise around New Zealand. Link here WW May 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/22/argo/

Fast forward and she is currently calling Milford (Sth Is) home and has recently popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald).

A very tasteful conversation to pleasure use and being built in 1944 by Miller & Tunnage ARGO is more than capable of handling any conditions that Mother Nature might throw at her.

ARGO is powered by a 240hp Caterpillar D334 diesel engine that gives her a comfortable cruising speed around 8.5 knots.

So woodys today we get to have a gander below decks.

CLASSIC WOODYS BOAT SHOW AT OBC

All Alone & Very Cold – (overnighting due to mast height)

CLASSIC WOODYS BOAT SHOW AT OBC

On Sunday we held the inaugural classic woodys boat show  – hosted by the OBC Marina. 

WW was holding hands with Auckland’s – Outdoor Boating Club on Tamaki Drive as they celebrated their annual open day. Magic location and set up – check out the club here https://www.obc.co.nz

As it seems to always happen at woodys events, the weather was 10/10, a perfect winners day. Check out the photo gallery above.

The day had all the ingredients for a fun family day out – Nice boats + Nice people, topped off with classic trailer boats, classic cars, food/coffee trucks, kids activities and a bonus – the team from LEGASEA , the kiwi hero’s that are dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of NZ’s marine environment – check out the website https://legasea.co.nz

Enjoy the photos, it was a great day and everyone left with a smile on their face.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MARINUS RE-LAUNCHED

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MARINUS RE-LAUNCHED

Back in May we started following the haul out of the 1946 classic woody – MARINUS, at the Slipway Milford. Link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/16/classic-wooden-launch-marinus-gets-a-birthday/

The brief was for a Jason Prew Paint Job and to overhaul her running gear (driveshaft, props etc), well as is almost always the case the shopping list grows and approx. 9 weeks later MARINUS was re-launched yesterday.

The most visible highlights being her new colour and the removal of the 2 lower portholes.

MARINUS has a rather nice interior which we featured back in April 2023- link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/17/marinus-a-peek-down-below/

Quick overview – Designed by A. Deeming, built by Barr Brown, 46’x12’4”x4’ , and powered by twin Cummins 85hp diesel engines.

(photo below showing the ‘old’ porthole placement)

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT

MATRIA
KIWA
MANAPOURI
KIWA
NGAIO + MANAPOURI + TUHUA
KALUA
WAIKARO
MA CHERIE
KIWA + MA CHERIE
TUHUA
KIWA + KALUA
MARISTELLA
WAIKARO+ MY GIRL
RAINDANCE
MANAPOURI

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT
Fridays Classic woodys cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch was a grand day afloat, 13 classic wooden craft made the journey up the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour to the historic tavern. It was extra special with several first-timers making the trip.
We were blessed with the weather and also having just one of the tourist ferries making the trip on the day, which allowed us to berth a lot of the boat on the jetty.

Special mention to the 7 classic launch skippers and partners that came by water taxi (MY GIRL) – Cam Malcolm (Connie V), Rodger Moore (ex Te Hauraki), Jason Davies (Lucinda), and those via car – Ian Gavin (Florance Dawn), Matt Cooper (Korawai) and John Chambers (Ngarunui), Murray Deeble ( Waikiore) combined with the 13 boats on the water we had crews from 20 classic craft present on the day. Very happy with that turn out.

True to form, the tavern and its staff extended their usual warm hospitality.
Enjoy the photo gallery

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – BOLD DREAMS, DEEP POCKETS

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – AORANGI BOLD DREAMS, DEEP POCKETS

Todays story is targeting any potential workboat conversion enthusiasts , the 60’, 1949 Shipbuilders built ex workboat – AORANGI is a project waiting to happen. Wonderful lines as seen in the b/w photo below and the bonus is down below there are two 180hp Gardner 6LXB engines – condition to be advised ex seller.

In answer to the “where would I keep her” question – there is a Tauranga mooring available at $70 a week.

We learnt a little about her in a May 2016 WW story – https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/05/10/aorangi/

Last time I look at the bidding, it sat at $619 and the reserve had been met.Thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.

CHECK OUT WW TOMORROW FOR A TRIP REPORT FROM FRIDAYS CLASSIC WOODYS CRUISE TO THE RIVERHEAD TAVERN

AFRICAN QUEEN – CLASSIC 1941 CLINKER RUN-ABOUT

2015

AFRICAN QUEEN – CLASSIC 1941 CLINKER RUN-ABOUT

The 1941 built Seacraft clinker run-about AFRICAN QUUEN has made several cameo appearances on WW.

Starting back in March 2015 and then again at the 2017 waterfront clinker exhibition, link here to that event. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/09/classic-yacht-launch-exhibition-2017-the-nz-clinker-boat-50-photos/

Recently she popped up on a fb page and her owner – Jeremy Longman commented she is built from Honduras mahogany and other hardwoods. 

Forward motion is via a 3 cyl. Sola (Spanish) diesel engine.

These days home is in Tauranga – the top two photos are of her over the 2024/25 summer.

IT’S A BUYERS MARKET – CLASSIC LAUNCH OKE BAY (DIANA S)

IT’S A BUYERS MARKET – CLASSIC LAUNCH OKE BAY (DIANA S)

If your selling your classic wooden craft this winter do not set your hopes to high in terms of price.

There are some amazing buys floating around, mainly on tme, todays woody is an example. $15k ono is just silly money for OKE BAY.

Then again so is sub $300k for the majestic woody TRINIDAD , she was the buy of the decade.

The 32’ OKE BAY was built / launched in 1945 by Roy Steadman of Herne Bay, Auckland. At the time of launching she was named DIANA S, her name was changed in 1956. Her hull is carvel construction with kauri planks.

Forward motion is from a Ford Lees 2701 64hp diesel engine giving her a cruising speed of 7 knots.

With some TLC someone will have a nice, very original woody for summer cruising. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.

Previous WW stories linked below. Lots of details in the 2017 link.

WW June 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/28/oke-bay/

WW June 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/06/20/diana-s-oke-bay/

RSVP TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENARAY

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENARAY

The 39’ 1942 Shipbuilders built launch – GLENARAY has appeared twice on WW but more times on tme – 2018 / 2021 / 2023 / 2025. 

Links below to the WW stories:

WW May 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/05/01/glenaray/

WW Aug 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/01/glenaray-2/

Compared to the 2018 photos her recent appearance on tme shows an interior fit out that has ‘drifted away’ from the tradition configuration. From what we can see and at the asking price she may be a bargain + with her power set uo,  might also suit a buyer looking for a live-aboard.

Forward motion is via a 180hp 6cyl. Ford diesel. 

We know she was built for WWII inner harbour mine patrol use, but never saw service – do we know any of her past, post war and up to 2018. Photo below ex Ken Ricketts dated 1958, when owned by Vince Norton.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MARINUS GETS A BIRTHDAY

APRIL 2023

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MARINUS GETS A BIRTHDAY

Back in April 2023 we got to have a gander down below on the 1946 classic wooden launch – MARINUS. A link to that story below. As you will see MARINUS has one of the smartest looking interior in the woody fleet. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/17/marinus-a-peek-down-below/

46’ in length she was designed by A Deeming and built by Barr Brown in Wellington.

In late April when helping relaunch Angus Rogers CENTAURUS, MARINUS was the next up the slipway.

Lots of TLC happening but the two projects that meet with my approval are:

1. The two lower portholes have been removed

2. The chosen colour of her Jason Prew Paint Job (JPPJ) – we kiwis are very boring in our chosen hull colours eg white>>>>>

You only have to look at the classic wooden boating movement in the USA for inspiration – well done to the owner for making the call.

And there’s another woody hauled out on the #3 slipway thats going to sport a splash of colour – details soon.