Category Archives: 1950’s

Cachalot

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CACHALOT

The name Cachalot has graced the stern of several whale chasers, this one if you believe the 4sale advertisement (back in 2021) was built c.1950’s by Jack Morgan. Sometime in the 1980’s her hull was refurbished (not my words) and then in 1998 the current cabin top was popped on. Being based down south, I suppose the design is best described as ‘fit for purpose’

Sadly several of these ex whale chasers with very efficient, speedy hulls, were ‘modified’ using the following items – a few sheets of plywood and a skill-saw.  Certainly no marine/naval designer was engaged. Then on the other hand we have wonderful examples like – Primadonna.

Cachalot is powered by a 210hp 8 cyl. Caterpillar 3160 engine that gives her a top speed of 12 knots. Probably quite down on her working days.

Input from Cameron Pollard – Just shows how looks can deceive you all.
This is Cachelot 2. Built by Morgan’s as a whale chaser.
Originally had a V12 gas gobbler.
1 of 3 Cachelots.
1 was destroyed.
She was cut down the middle by the Wells brother’s. A huge undertaking but they made her over 3ft wider and raised the bow for commercial use.
Nothing fazed the Wells.
Rex Sellers fished her commercially for some time with a set of gallows on bak deck.
Had a gm and then worked thru a couple of cats.
After commercial use she was pleasurised into her current form. Photos below

Omaha – Project Boat

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OMAHA – PROJECT BOAT

Must be the week for ‘be-kind-to-woodys’ – todays story features a 30’ launch named – Omaha, built in the mid 1950’s.

Her tme (thanks Ian McDonald) listing states she is an ex work-boat (fishing) from Tauranga.

Current owner has had her in a covered shed for the last 10 years, as they have undertaken the re-fit. The hull has had that ‘F’ word applied to it and it appears most of the structural work has been done. Next step – fitting out and she needs an engine etc. She does come with a drive shaft, prop and a few other bits.

Has a buy-now price of $4.5k so could be project in the making – currently stored in Auckland area.

MV Thetis

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MV THETIS

The 45’ (49’ overall) bridge-decker – Thetis was built in 1955 by Lanes on the Tamaki River, Auckland. Built from single skin/fore and aft kauri planking, her beam is 13’ and she draws 4’.

Twin Greymarine 6 cyl. (1960) 120hp diesel engines give Thetis a comfortable cruising speed of 8+ knots.

Lots to read about her from back in the construction  / launching period at Lanes in this WW previous story https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/13/thetis-ii-the-lane-motor-boat-co/

Thetis is an exceptionally well built launch and is presented in near original fit-out, which is always a good sign that the designer / builder got it first time. Her subsequent owners have chosen to maintain her as intended and with some modern upgrades, followed by routine maintenance she will continue to be one of the most admired woodys in our classic fleet.

I say this about very few classic boats – but Thetis is one of those boats that attracts admirers both at anchor and as you can see from the above photos – even when she’s hauled out.

INPUT FROM OWNER – The print below of Thetis in turbulant water was the work of a retired Hollywood artist, rather effective
Most wives would say they were glad not to be aboard that day!

Escapade / Escapada – Where Is She Now

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ESCAPADE / ESCAPADA – Where Is She Now

Alan Warren sent in the above photo of the launch – Escapade, the photo was taken in the mid 1950’s when  owned by Keith Warren, one assumes a relative 🙂 Escapade was 32’ in length and built from Kahikatea. And that woodys is all we know.

Hopefully we can pad out her story some more .

Thanks to input from Nathan Herbert it appears that there has been ‘issues’ with the spelling of the boats name in the past – view WW link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/05/23/escapada/

AND IN CASE YOU MISSED IT LAST WEEKEND – CHECK OUT HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THE WW SITE – SEE BELOW

1953 Jorgensen Mystery Launch

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1953 JORGENSEN LAUNCH

Earlier in the year todays classic 30’ woody launch made an appearance on tme. We do not know much about her but she built by Jorgensen in 1953 using carvel kahikatea.

Powered by an 80hp Ford, she has a beam of 7’11” and draws 3’11” – and that is all we know. Given the level of presentation she looks to be a recent recipient of some serious TLC.

If anyone (or her new owner) can update us more on the launch that would be great.

Input ex Geoff Bagnall – Most likely named Sea Princess and used call Milford Creek home.

ATHENA – Next Caretaker Wanted 

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ATHENA – Next Caretaker Wanted 

Whangaroa Harbour is a spot I spend a bit of time in/around – when waiting for pickup I mooch around the marina and there is one launch – Athena, that always catches my eye – its hard not too its just so perfect. Most designers were challenged when it came to getting the lines right on a sub 30’ boat, Athena is spot on.

Her measurements are 25’ x 8’ x 1’6” and her hull is 3/4” kauri carvel planked and the decks, coamings, cabin top and bridge have all been f/glassed for weather proofing and low maintenance. Both fuel and water tanks are s/s. Sleeps 4 in a double and 2 single berths.

Powered by a Perkins 40hp 4107 engine (new in 1972, rebuilt 1991) she cruises comfortably at 7 knots. Some history – originally designed and built by Cauldrey in c.1950’s, she was rebuilt (hull up, photos below) in 1991 by her owner as a family launch with game fishing characteristics. Based in the Bay of Islands the owners lost count of the game fish landed over the last 30 years. Athena is still fully game rigged.Owned by a seriously devoted boaty, Athena is fully equipped with all the safety gear for coastal cruising.

We have been tasked with finding a new owner for this very salty looking classic woody – for more details on Athena – contact the Wooden Boat Bureau c/o waitematawoodys@gmail.com

1992 – 1st Marlin caught

43’ Classic Yacht With Exemplary Provenance 

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43’ Classic Yacht With Exemplary Provenance 

Very very rarely do I put a price on a classic vessel that is for sale on WW, but today is an exception. After over 50 years of ownership Tuahine is for sale and her owner is keen to sell, but only to the right person/s -so woodys if you pass the test -Tuahine could be yours for $100k. That is a bargain for a 43’ yacht designed and built in 1957 by the Dickson family, lead by Roy Dickson’s father (grandfather to Chris Dickson). Modern engine, her needs are mostly cosmetic, so give her some TLC and you will have a very fetching classic that should blow the b_lls off most of Auckland’s classic fleet 🙂

More photos and details at this WW link.https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/04/classic-yacht-tuahine-for-sale/

Classic Tender or Art

You decide – she is sub 10’, built of kauri ply (est. 65kg) and after 6 years of storage, has just had a birthday. Overseas owner says sell – not cheap but a very fair price at $4,300

Classic Woody Runabout

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CLASSIC WOODY RUN-ABOUT

Todays woody is a John Spencer Rocket and was built in the 1950’s and has only ever had fresh water use (Lake Taupo), and shed stored.

She is 14’ in length and powered by a Johnson 25hp outboard (1985) and if you believe tme it has only done 30 hours.

Anyone looking for an entry level woody fir the lakes or at the bach?

WOODYS CLASSICS CLEVEDON BBQ CRUISE – I will be sending out details on NEXT weekends (21-22/05) overnight cruise via email tomorrow to the skippers that have RSVP’ed – keep an eye on you email inbox 😉

The Relaunch of Quest

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THE RELAUNCH OF QUEST

The last we heard of the Roger Carey 1959 built woody – Quest was back in August 2020 in a report from John Gander who being prompt by a WW story on Quest II, sent in photos dated 2008 of Quest berthed at Waikawa Marina, Picton. In these 2000 photos she looked very smart. Sadly John also included a photo taken in 2013 of her hauled out in Picton looking very un-loved and her planks crying out for a life afloat again.

View details and photos at this WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/08/19/quest/

Then yesterday Bay of Islands woody Dean Wright sent in the above photos taken on Monday. Dean had been at Waipapa Landing, Northland to see Quest being put back in the water after a huge amount of work by owners Eric and Win Sanderson to get her back in the water again after spending so long on the hard in Picton. In my eyes there is a lot to like about this boat – while she started life as Roger Carey’s private boat, she was later sold and converted to a work-boat. She measures 33’ x 9’9” x 4’6”, has a canoe stern and best of all down below is a Gardner 5LW 🙂 Mondays splash was brief to check a few systems and caulking, we look forward to getting a peek-down-below when she is finally ship-shape.

You have to love the EBH (Exclusive Boat Haulage – JJ & Shelley ) rig, that is the way to transport your pride and joy 🙂

Serene

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SERENE

The 36’ Roy Parris designed and built launch – Serene last appeared on WW back in Oct 2014, link below for lots of photos and details. https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/03/serene/

Over the CV-19 lockdowns Serene’s owner Tom Lindesay gave the launch a birthday, work included new flooring, whilst ‘new’ to the boat, the wood is actually ‘young’ totara aged between 80 and 100 years. Tom commented that the trees were cut on a sustainable basis and that you are allowed to harvest 10% of a stand mainly on farming land. There has been a lot of totata planted over the last 20 years. The wooden boat business is going to need it, because there will be nothing else left. It would best used for inside work.

Tom made the two back hatches from sheep grating recycled from under a woodshed, the wood is heart matai and totara. The steering device is made from bits of the old flooring and turned on the lathe.

Great to see that Serene is going well and the old 6-354 Perkins is still doing the job 🙂

The top photo was taken by Dean Wright in the Bay of Islands in Jan 2021