MYSTERY LAUNCH 24-03-2016
photo ex Robin Elliott
Another mystery launch from Robin’s collection of photos from the Whangarei Cruising Club Collection, as far as Robin knows, all are from the 1940’s early 1950’s & and were taken by Palmer Photography in Whangarei (1910-1999). Most by the late Graeme Palmer and possibly some older ones by his father.
So woodys who can ID this one?
Reproduction of advertisement below ex Robin Elliott
SIRIUS
info ex Les Sharman via Ken Ricketts
Sirius was built by Owen Woolley in 1956. She is 32′ long & is powered by a 4 cyl Ford diesel, which owner Les says is 90 hp.
Les bought Sirius in 1999 off a retired car dealer called Fraser Chapman. She was moored in Thames at that time.
Les spoke to Owen Woolley before he died, when he lived in the Warkworth area & Owen told him she was the first boat he built, after he completed his apprenticeship & she was built at Panmure. Sirius is berthed at Gulf Harbour
Any of the woodys able to supply more info on her earlier days?
Harold Kidd input
According to APYMBA records this SIRIUS was built by Owen Woolley in 1956 with dimensions 32’x29’8″x10’4″x2’9″ and had a 52hp Fordson diesel. Her owners in the period 1960-73 were G.D.B. & J.M. Chambers of Hinemoa St., Birkenhead. There seems to have been another SIRIUS in 1957 owned by D.H. McMillan of Lunn Ave., Mt Wellington, with a different registered number but it could be the same boat, I suppose.
Off Gt. Barrier 2003
17-04-2016 photos c.1990’s, ex past owner Fraser Chapman via Ken Ricketts
The Rebirth of JUANITA
photos Greg Lees & Alan H
Yesterday I was privileged to be asked by Greg Lees to attend the re-launch of the 32′ classic launch Juanita, a 1951 Allan Williams (Milford Creek) built beauty that has just spent the last 4 months in the Lees Boatbuilder shed at Sandspit. In Greg’s words she was in for a ‘refresh & to bring her back to her original appearance’ – well Mr Lees, I do not think she has ever looked this good before so you have exceeded the brief, but we have come to expect that from the yard. Greg commented that Juanita’s new owners (Nick & Anna Davidson) contribution to the work was huge, every weekend for the 4 month period.
Juanita has had a busy life having called numerious places home – Auckland, Whangarei, Lake Taupo, Whitianga & now Sandspit.
Juanita’s past has been well documented on ww – some links below for details & photos
I took the photo of her below late last year, moored off Greg’s wharf looking very sad & tired as she awaited her turn in the shed. Arohanui was in-residence at the time mid restoration. One of the reasons Nick chose the Lees yard was the long association the yard & Greg personally has had with Juanita, in fact Greg told me that he once got very close to adding a flybridge to her, luckily that never happened 🙂
Again I’m so pleased to see so many of our classic launches being returned to their finery – so woodys who’s next in the shed?
Took the opportunity to have a peek at Karros hauled out & chat to Dave Jackson, with a 14′ beam she is a rather pretty big bottomed old girl 🙂
MYSTERY LAUNCH 19-03-2016
photo & details ex Robin Elliott
The above photo is another ex Robin Elliott’s Whangarei Cruising Club collection. Photo most likely from the 1940’s > early 1950’s period and taken by Palmer Photography in Whangarei (1910-1999). Most by the late Graeme Palmer and possibly some older ones by his father.
With the swordfish graphic on her bow she has a slightly familiar look to her but my memory bank isn’t sparking today, so woodys – anyone able to ID her & the two vessels in the background? The #38 might help – race?, fishing comp?.
MYSTERY LAUNCH 16-03-2016
photo & details ex Robin Elliott
Another photo sent in by Robin ex the Whangarei Cruising Club collection. Photo most likely from the 1940’s > early 1950’s period and taken by Palmer Photography in Whangarei (1910-1999). Most by the late Graeme Palmer and possibly some older ones by his father.
In the photo the crane was from ‘S.G. Bignall, Ph 2802, Whangarei’, also the gent holding the stern line has only one arm (no left arm) so maybe that helps in ID’ing the launch?
A little bonus viewing today – check out the latest (March-April) on-line addition of the USA ‘Classic Yacht’ magazine. Lots of great motorboat & yachts featured in this issue – link below
http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/ClassicYacht/classic-yacht-march-april-2016/2016030901/
RONGOTAI – Mystery Launch 09-03-2016
photo ex Robin Elliott
The answer is Rongatai – details in the Comments Section
Long over due for a serious mystery launch post. Robin has sent me a collection of photos from the Whangarei Cruising Club Collection, as far as Robin knows, all are from the 1940’s early 1950’s & and were taken by Palmer Photography in Whangarei (1910-1999). Most by the late Graeme Palmer and possibly some older ones by his father.
So woodys who can ID this one? I’ll give a Lake Rotoiti Wooden Boat Parade 2016 Calendar to the first correct answer, backed up with some form of proof & for the record neither Robin or myself know anything about the launch.
Note: Ken R – you only get one attempt, you can’t blast out 5 names & expect to win if one of them is correct 😉
CYA 2016 Classic Yacht Regatta
photos from Simon Smith, Rod Marler, Peter Loughlin & myself
Yesterday (06-03-2016) was the final day of the 3 day regatta & the weather gods delivered the goods to finish the regatta on a high note.
I’ll let the photos tell the story but really need to say that the new venue & host club, the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron was a winner with everyone, perfect venue for our event & the crew at the RNZYS were fantastic.
I’m sure race results will be view able on the CYA website, I’ll post a link when they go live. Enjoy 🙂
Remember to click on photos to enlarge
Day 1 – sorry working
DAY 2
Day 3
Prize Giving
PLUS – some great up close photos on Jason Prew’s facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/jason.prew/media_set?set=a.10154699374602178&type=3
Mystery Launch 29-02-2018
photo ex A. Turnball Library / Whites Aviation
Todays photo is dated 29 Jan 1950 & is from the 100th Anniversary Day Regatta. The ferry spectators are watching the 18 footer race.
Who can ID the launch in the forefront?
Nor West
photos & details ex Peter Crane
Peter has just taken possession of ‘Nor West’ & is a little frustrated with the lack of known info on. Obviously from the builders plate she is a Lane, designed & built in 1951 by the Lane Motor Boat Co. in Panmure, Auckland.
There is lots of data on ww about the other ‘Nor West’ built by Lanes https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/27/nor-west/ but zip on this one.
Can anyone help Peter out?
Update from Don Rae via Ken Ricketts, edited by Alan H. photos ex KR
Don Rae bought her in July 2007 off Cam Wilson. She was at Milford at that time. He in turn, had bought her from Peter Anderson, in July 2001 according to Don.
She has been everywhere from the top of North island right down to Tauranga and everywhere in between for the Raes. They spent a lot of time in the Mahurangi area Don said.
Unfortunately Don didn’t have time to use her, at a time in his life when he feels he should be able to, hence she he put her up for sale.
Don had a love of launches from an early age as his father (Monty) had a Roy Parris boat built in 1954, the 33′ Pleasure Lady, which he is happy to say, is back in his family and fully restored & in beautiful condition. She is owned by his nephew Tony Rae. Previously featured on ww.
Nor West is a wonderfully well built boat according to Don, and must have been very expensive in her day he says.
Powered by a petrol engine early on and now has a 6 cylinder 120hp Ford.
She was described as 32ft in sales jargon, when he bought her, but he measured her at 33′, with a beam of 10′ drawing 3’6″ .
Don feels the fly bridge was added probably about the seventies, when they were all the go. She is built of heart kauri.
20-03-2016
Below a two early days photos of Nor West sent in by owner Peter Crane, who received them from Warren Fleming.
09-04-2016 – photos below (ex Ken Ricketts) of Nor West hauled out at Gulf Harbour Nov 2015
30-05-2017 Additional photos
Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat Parade Weekend – 2016 – 150+ photos
Get comfortable this ones a biggie, 150+ photos from the 2016 Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat Parade weekend.
The inclement conditions (lots of H2O) on Saturday resulted in the parade being moved to Sunday, to most this was a positive as it gave everyone more time to socialize. We took the opportunity to mooch around the lake & visit a few lake-side properties. The transport for the day was rather special – 2 of the regular parade attendees, Cathy & Shawn Vennell and Pam & Tim Aurisch had bought their classic cars – a 1960 Dodge & 1956 Chev Bel Air, very impressive tow cars & a cool mode of transport.
So today’s post is a mix of classics – motorboats, day boats, speedboats, steamboats, yachts & cars – Its a visual attempt to give to you a taste of the weekend & showcase the vessels that make up the parade.
Special thanks to the LRC&WBP committee, especially Commodore Grant Cossey, past Commodore Fraser Wilson and the lass that makes it all happen Rachel Jamieson.
Due to another engagement we could not attend the post parade picnic.
Each boat carries a number, to find out more details on any vessel e.g. name, year, owner – refer to this link to a master listing. 2016ParadeEntrantDetails
Enjoy 🙂
Click photos to enlarge 😉
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