Category Archives: 1950’s

PATIO BAY CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WEEKEND – 2023

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PATIO BAY CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WEEKEND – 2023

Todays story wasn’t meant to happen, the 2023 Patio Bay Weekend was not on the radar but several woody skippers told me late in the week that they were going so I shuffled the plans around.

Saturday mornings weather and sea state was average but sometimes you just have to make the call and head out. I was also suffering from serious cabin fever, so little boating in the last year.

As the day unfolded the weather improved but from the fireside chat post race, the classic yachts racing down did not have a pleasant trip.

CYA numbers were down significantly from previous years , in fact I was the only launch in the bay. 

The venue hosts, the Mahoney family, ensured a great time was had by all, with the emphasis on an old-school / retro boating gathering e.g. open fire / bbq, Pohutukawa and driftwood smoke and the legendary barrel of rum……….. on that subject most were amused when the yacht “Prize” won her division – part of the winning is having to re-fill the rum barrel the following year – I was told Prize’s skipper historically has gone to great lengths to sidestep the expensive.

The assorted collection of photos above is simply to give you a glimpse of the weekend, and showcase the magic of Aucklands woody fleet and Patio Bay. Enjoy (passage photos B15 Frances & dark hulled yacht ex Dennis & Sue Rule) – (some photos below average in definition – long lens the camera).

Xmas Boat Reading – 10+ years ago I asked at my local 2nd hand book store, about an out of print copy of a book titled “Hemingway’s Boat’ by Paul Hendrickson – out of the blue last week I got a call telling me one had turned up – I started to read over the weekend and after just 10 pages put it down, just a gem, to be saved for the summer xmas /ny trip. Best $15 I have spent. If you see one for sale, grab it.

SCHOOLHOUSE BAY KAWAU ISLAND – XMAS 1959 – BOATS & OWNERS

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SCHOOLHOUSE BAY KAWAU ISLAND – XMAS 1959 – BOATS & OWNERS
In todays photo Ken Ricketts has tagged as may launches as he can confidently ID and provided us with details of who owned the boat at the time of the photo + details on each craft. Hopeful Ken’s memory from 64 years ago is better than mine 😉 Photo by Palmer ex Lew Redwood fb. Engines are listed as on that day, a number had had other preceding engines, some mentioned and most have had other engines since.

  1. MARGARET S – Owner – Alec Stewart. Builder – Collings, & Bell c1919, Engine – Fay & Bowen 40hp petrol
  2. HUKARERE – Owner – Les Ravenhall. Builder– McGeady, ( hull& engine), & L Ravenhall (coamings & interior), 1949,  Engine – Perkins diesel.
  3. ROTUI – Owner – Alec & Linda Walker. Builder – Chris Craft, c1938-39. Engine – Ford V8 petrol        
  4. VARLENE – Owner – H T Morton. Builder – McGeady. Engine – 4 cyl Ailsa Craig diesel.
  5. APACHE – Owner – Harold Parkinson. Builder – home built by original owner in Capt. Springs Rd Te Papapa 1939. Engine – Chrysler Crown petrol.
  6. GAY DAWN – Owner – Ralph Ricketts. Builder (&designer), home built by Bill Waters 1953. Engine – twin 6 cyl Leyland diesels.
  7. MENAI – Owner – Clive Menzies – Builder – Sam Ford 1936/37. Engine – Ford V8 petrol, or perhaps newly fitted Ford 4 cyl diesel, – (original engine when built, 8 cyl Lycoming petrol repl., 1942 by Ford V8 ).

I think I have ID’ed REHAI , the 1938 Colin Wild built launch on the right, last launch – see below. 

03-12-2023 ADDITIONAL INPUT EX KEN RICKETTS – below is additional data ex KR, the accuracy of which is un proven so view as ‘maybe/could be 🙂

Some engine history & installation details of the above where known.

1. MARGARET S original or early days Twigg petrol engine.

2.HUKARERE original Less ( Ford?) marine petrol engine

3.ROTUI – original 

4. VARLENE –  original

5. APACHE – original

6.GAY DAWN original single flathead Studebaker petrol converted truck engine ex ROYAL FALCON painted bottle green.

7. MENAI – original 8 cyl Lycoming petrol engine

LADY MARGARET – original twin Fairbanks Morse diesels. These were side exhausted, out each side, below the bridgedeck, about 6 inches above the waterline, & were left in place for many years blanked off, after the Fodens were installed. 

Her Fodens to me, had a unique exhaust system, with 2 short stacks, one out each side of the cockpit cabintop, & were identical to those installed in Fred Porter’s MARNINE, during the building of her, for him, by Lane Motor Boat Co. 

Ted C. & Fred P. were very close friends, for much of their lives, & shared the same shed for the 2 boats, in Wakatakataka Bay, for a great many years, & both sets of engines were  purchased & installed at the same time. 

Fred P. was the M.D. of Mason & Porter Ltd, ( Masport), the huge engineering organization, & my father, Ralph Ricketts, was manager of the machine shop for about 30 years, & Fred asked my father to design, & for dad & his staff, to manufacture, the 4 exhaust/muffler units, for the 2 boats, which were a wonderful feat of engineering design, & a great success, as he was able to make the exhausts on both boats, almost completely silent, something that with those engines, was almost impossible, as exhaust back pressure, can be a real issue with all 2 cycle engines, which is what Fodens, GM Detroits, Commer TS3s, & others are also. — 

You never heard either of these 2 boats leave the bay, (Compare with original Police launch DEODAR I, which had 2 similar engines, or the navy HDMLs,  you could hear them coming around North Head, from Mansion House Bay Kawau Island, — well almost anyway!!).    

REHIA – still had her original engine, but the installation had a number of unusual special features about it & its installation. It was a Buda 6 cyl flathead, painted grey, with dual ignition (12 spark plugs), with a single 12 position distributor, with double sided rotor, which to me, seems inappropriate, as one benefit of dual ignition system, is the safety factor of having a separate back up, in event of failure of 1 system. She also had a Bendix reverse control system on the manual gearbox, which was operated by a little 6 inch lever, in a dual reverse lever/throttle control, console mounted unit, with an emergency long lever, for a manual linkage control alternative, poking through the floor, by the helm, that could be quickly connected, in event of failure of the Bendix system. I knew the boat & Ryans so very well, & in all the years I knew them, I never knew the Bendix system to fail. The Buda remained for a great many years, during their very long stewardship & was eventually replaced by a 6 cyl Ford Diesel, as I recall, around 1980ish. — KEN R           

When You Sell On-Line You Have Little Control Over Who Buys Your Gear 🙂

QUEST – Heads Home 

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QUEST – Heads Home 

WW got alerted last week that the Roger Carey built double-ender – Quest was heading back to Picton after my time in the winterless north.  Sad for the northland fleet, but good news for the southern woodys.

Now Quest has been well documented on WW (use the WW search box) but we have never really got to have a good look aboard. Today thanks to the camera of Dean Wright we see Quest in all her glory.

The short story is – built 1959 as Roger Carey’s private boat, later converted to a work boat, then converted back to pleasure. She sat on the hardstand in Picton for a number of years and then came north, where she was given a major refit. Specs – 33’ x 9’9” x 4’6” and powered by a Gardner 5LW. A lot of boat for 33’ and in my eyes her new owners bought very well.

Nows The Time To Order WW Kit For Xmas – click link for details https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

MILADY – A Peek Down Below

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MILADY – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody is the Billy Rogers designed and built launch – Milady. Milady was launched c.1955 , approx 38’ in length she is powered by a Ford 130hp diesel engine. In recent times she underwent an extensive refit, in my eyes a tad too modern in places, but certainly a very well presented craft.

Thanks to Ian McDonald spotting the tme listing we get to have a gander below decks. 

Previous (Aug 2015 WW story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/31/milady/

Aries

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ARIES

Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Steve Burrett in regard to his father’s old boat – Aries. Aries was designed and built by Owen Woolley c1958. 

Steve was having a review (tidy up) of some of the families old photos and came across the above.  Steve commented that the first two were taken by the editor of Seaspray magazine who did an article. The photos were taken in Islington Bay. The third photo was taken going up the harbour on an Auckland Anniversary day very soon after the boat was launched so probably about 1958 as there was no boot top. Also there were no bow rails which were laminated up sometime latter. Also note the family were dressed in Whites which was the custom of the day.

Its a special photo for the family as Steve’s grandparents were also on board.To quote Steve “I’m the little tacker to the right of the mast.” 🙂

As well as wanting to share these photos with us, Steve is also keen to make contact with the present owner, as they may like copies of the photos. contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Steve also commented that he believes the original profile looks a lot more attractive without the ‘oxygen tent’ that was fitted many years latter. I think we would all agree on that . Link below to past WW story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/11/30/launch-with-no-name/

22-10-2023 UPDATED HISTORY ON ARIES EX STEVE BARRETT

“Aries was built in 1957 for my parents Bill and Joan Burrett who at that time were living in Old Bridge Rd a short distance from Owen Woolley’s yard.

Dad was quizzed as to why he would use a relatively unknown boatbuilder to design and build a then anticipated 40’ launch.

Owens first boats were a 26’ Sedan for Ross Reid of Ross Reid Earthmovers and a 32’ Sedan for Don MacMillan the then Manager of Bitumix of Lunn Ave.

Dad had great faith in Owen and Aries was the first of five Launches either designed or built for the Burrett Family. ( Bill Burrett- Aries, Proteus then Nereus. Steve-son. Firstly ‘Hine-awa’ then “V”(Five).

Aries was designed as a 40’ but when the Kauri log was felled it had a useable 45’ of timber so the plans were stretch to 42’. She had a diagonal and full-length carvel planking.

The initial engines were war surplus 6cyl Chrysler Crowns. These came from England in the original packing cases (together with a host of Simpson Lawrence gear. Anchor, winch, chain, toilet and other sundry essential equipment). 110hp with 2/1 mechanical boxes. The engines were a marine salt water cooled unit complete with instrumentation. They had a downfall in that the salt water pump was a gear pump and often would not lift the water. The exhaust note dry was significant!

 Carrying petrol was not desirable so diesel engines were investigated. Fords were considered but the then HP rating was under 100 hp. TS3 Commer diesels were chosen due to power to weight, height for under the floor. and their smoothness. Two Truck engines were purchased. I remember one straight out of the truck being started whilst sitting in a truck tire. Very smooth with instant start. These engines were stripped and rebuilt by Ernie Williams uprating the hp from 85 to 117hp. @2300rpmBorgWarner boxes were fitted, a Lees Heat Exchanger and the cast truck manifold wrapped with a copper jacket. The performance bettered the Chryslers but exhaust noise was significant. Elastomufflers were tried but the insides tended to expand too much with the TS3’s supercharger putting through too much volume..

Eventually a galv steel muffler was built which sorted the problem.  I still have the design. Aries was sold to Ed Carter who later on sold. Pete Walsh bought her and she was taken to his Transport company’s yard and he replaced the Engines with brand new TS3’s rated at 135HP. @2300rpm.The mahogany coamings were stripped back and revarnished. He did a great job.

In the meantime, Dad had Owen build the 36’ Proteus again with 2xTS3’s. He later had a follow up with the 34’ Nereus with a single TS3. It was about this time that the Rootes group had developed a 4cyl TS4 which was to produce 175hp however we could not obtain one as Chrysler bought out the manufacturer and canned production, wanting to replace the Commer with a Chrysler 6cyl diesel 225hp.

We lost track of Aries for a while until Mike Wiles bought her. We then learnt that the TS3’s had been replaced with heavier Fords and the oxygen tent had been added.

She has a great hull easily driven and with the TS3’s would cruise comfortably at a good 10k and would achieve 13k easily.

I often wonder how these hulls would perform with today’s light weight high horsepower engines.  The modern 225 hp ,4cyl engines would be superb in a hull like this.

GAY DAWN – Gets A Refresh 

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GAY DAWN – Gets A Refresh 

Todays woody is the 35’ Bill Waters 1953 built bridge-decker  launch Gay Dawn –  lots of back info and photos on WW – this link will take you there https://waitematawoodys.com/page/2/?s=Gay+Dawn&submit=Search

Back in July 2019 we had a peek down below on Gay Dawn, thanks to a tme listing, link belowWW July 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/07/05/gay-dawn-down-below/

GD has always been a lucky boat in that her past owners have kept her in good nick, and that continues to right now as GD is currently hauled out for a new shiny paint job. 

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 😉

Quest

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QUEST 

Back in May 2022 WW ran a story on the relaunch of the 1959 Roger Carey built 33’ double-ender – Quest , link below. The story goes that she was Roger Carey’s private boat and when sold was converted to a work-boat and then later on returned to pleasure use fit out. Her current owners did an amazing job of refitting her after a long spell on the hard in Picton. 

The Relaunch of Quest

If her looks aren’t enough to weaken your knees, the engine room will – tucked away is a Gardner 5LW.

SUNDAYS QUIZ WINNER – ALISTAIR McRAE Correct Answer Was –

Jo Marli – A Peek Down Below

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JO MARLI – A Peek Down Below

A couple of weeks ago (Sept 1st) we ran a story on the launch – Jo Marli, link below, at the time we uncovered some intel on her, short story –  built in 1959 by Jack Taylor. 

Today thanks to a tme listing from May 2023 we get to have a gander below decks. Photos sent in by K Ricketts. The listing must have resulted in the relocation from a swing mooring in Mahurangi to Auckland. Always nice to see the classics going onto a marina berth – they get better looked after and more people see them, and we like that 🙂

https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/09/01/jo-marli/

SEA FEVER – A Peek Down Below

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SEA FEVER – A Peek Down Below

The 34’ sedan top classic launch – Sea Fever has the best of pedigrees having been designed and built by John Salthouse. When launched she was named Onetaunga.

Stepping aboard the design and build quality of the Salthouse yard is everywhere, and thanks to the last two owners Sea Fever has been a lucky boat.

Built in 1958 from kauri (carvel planked) her beam is 10’ and she draws 3’6”. Forward motion is via a 115hp Ford )Lees conversion) diesel engine, that gives her a top speed of 9 knots.