Category Archives: 1960’s

CLASSIC GAME FISHING LAUNCH – BLUE SKIES

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CLASSIC GAME FISHING LAUNCH – BLUE SKIES

During the week I was sent the b/w photo of the game fishing boat – BLUE SKIES, a quick search on WW and we see the photo appeared in a Oct 2021 story, we learnt the photo of BLUE SKIES in Whangaroa Harbour, Northland was used by the Marlin Hotel in an publicity advertisement in the #4 issue of the Northlander published in 1964.

The photo triggered my memory that I had photographed a launch named BLUE SKIES berthed at the Thames Marina. Check out the winch set up, very OTT 🙂

Back in the 2012 story we never uncovered details on the designer / builder – any new input?

CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos

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CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos

The weekends weather in Auckland certainly wasn’t conducive to boating so on early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and headed to Whangarei for the 2024 Maritime Festival at the Town Basin.

Year two and a quick overview, – more tie-dyed tee shirt vendors and food trucks, a lot more general public – less launches, more large cruising yachts. Steam boat rides were the most popular offering – long queues of kids that probably walked away with a life time memory – well done to all the  steam boat skippers and crew.

Nice to see a couple of woodys from the Waitemata make the trip north – RAWHITI and JOHN DORY. 

As always when she makes an appearance anywhere Dick and Colleen Fisher’s ex pilot boat – AKARANA was the start of the show.

THE AUCKLAND WOODYS HAD AN INTERESTING TRIP HOME ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON 🙂

RAWHITI
JOHN DORY

CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – KAHENO

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CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – KAHENO

Todays photos recently popped up on the ‘ Carey Boats’ fb in a post by Phillip Carey and show the very smart looking 46′ workboat KAHENO. Phillip commented that when launched in 1966 she was powered by a Gardner 6LX, which may have been replaced in the 1990’s with a 5LW.

Hamish Mason commented that she was built for his grandfather – Dick Mason. She was once owned by the Salvation Army to service Rotoroa Island. She tragically sank with the loss of 4 lives in the Tamaki Strait circa 1986 whilst carrying timber as deck cargo.

From previous WW stories we learnt that she was refloated and in the 2016 > 2019 period underwent a conversion to pleasure craft. Links to those WW stories below.

WW Oct 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/10/24/23166/

WW Dec 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/27/kaheno/

Do we know where she is today.

Full details here  https://www.whangareimaritimefestival.co.nz/boatshow

CLEONA MAE – A Peek Down Below

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CLEONA MAE – A Peek Down Below

The classic wooden launch – CLEONA MAE last made an appearance on WW back in June 2017, link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/19/cleona-mae/

In the 2017 story thanks to a previous owner – Nigel Drake, we received a wonderful insight into the vessels past. 

Today thanks to a Ian McDonal and tme we get to have gander below decks.

Some intel – designed and built in 1962 by Brin Wilson, 39’ in length, built from kauri, carvel construction. Forward motion is by the ever popular Ford 120hp, 6 cyl, diesel engine.

COULD THIS BE THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MANU-ITI

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COULD THIS BE THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MANU-ITI

Last weekend one of the woodys that we past on the Wairoa River was the launch – MANU-ITI, a rather striking small classic launch that was crying out for some TLC.

During the week WW was contacted by Kerry Alexander who posed the question – could the launch seen in the top photo above be MANU-ITI ?

Kerry commented that he I did not remember the build name but i think it may have been for Mr Yates sen , of the seed company. The builder Keith Atkinson is seen in the doorway. 

A possible date for the photo is c.1965 and the boat maybe a Bill Couldrey design.

So woodys can anyone comment / added to this mystery boat in the shed photo.

INOUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – yes, designed 1964 for Yates and one for Birkenhead and Northcote Yacht Club. Only the Yates boat built.

02-10-2024 UPDATE ex Chloe Salthouse – photo below of Manu-iti crossing Parekura Bay up in the Bay of Islands, with Norman Yates at the helm. Date probably not long after her launch in 1965.

REEL THING / REAL TIME / MARY ANN + 2025 TALL SHIPS REGATTA 

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REEL THING / REAL TIME / MARY ANN + 2025 TALL SHIPS REGATTA 

Not often I start with an apology but todays craft wouldn’t normally be a lead WW story, a tad too much happening up top but I spotted REAL THING berthed in the Tutukaka Marina recently and the there is a very smart hull under the additions. I’m sure the addition would pass the Auckland Council Unitary Plan re height of new dealings 😉

Can any of th northern woodys tell us more about REEL THING.

INPUT ex ERIC SANDERSON – the boat featured on WW back in 2023 under the name REAL Time (also once named MARY ANN) built in 1962 by ‘Tauranga Boatbuilders’ See/read more at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/15/reel-time-mary-ann/

TALL SHIPS REGATTA 2025 – RUSSELL BOATING CLUB

Learn more here russellboatingclub.org.nz

MYSTERY LIDGARD WOODEN LAUNCH – LE ANNE > SALACIA TOO > EMMZEE

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MYSTERY LIDGARD WOODEN LAUNCH – LE ANNE > SALACIA TOO > EMMZEE

John Dawson wrote in earlier in the week that while sniffing around fb he came across the above photos. In them we see a c.1960’s launch built by John Lidgard at this West Auckland yard on a Winstone Ltd transporter on route to launching.

Can we ID the boat and learn more about what became of her.. Update – was originally named LE ANNE and now named EMMZEE.

INPUT ex KEN RICKETTS – The boat is the SALACIA TOO. She lied at the Sandspit for many years & was named as she is, (or was originally), by the early owners as their first boat was called SALACIA. Photos of SALACIA TOO below (last three relate to – SALACIA)

Now named EMMZEE – photo below

WAIMARIE – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

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WAIMARIE – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

Last September Dean Wright shared with us photos of the Oliver and Gilpin launch – WAIMARIE on launch day, link below to that story. At the time it was recorded that the date was Sept 1964 and she was 32’ in length. WW Sept 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/09/22/waimarie-ii-2/

Now thanks to a recent tme post we get to have a gander down below – interestingly the launch date there was given as 1960 and her length being 34’4”.

Built from kauri planks in the carvel technique. Forward motion is via a Ford 80hp Diesel engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TAINUI RELOCATES NORTH

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THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TAINUI RELOCATES NORTH

As reported last week the 38’ 1968 ex work boat – TAINUI was heading north to Blair Boats in Kerikeri to bring to fruition owner John Sloane’s dream.

In the photos above we see TAINUI leaving the Whangateau traditional boat shed via the beach and then heading north to Kerikeri .

Third photo sees her resting on the lawn at the Blair yard, waiting her turn in the shed. 

Last photo is of the Gardner 5LW installed. John commented previously that there is no intention to have an engine box – the mighty Gardner will be centre stage – as per MY GIRL, photo below – we like that 🙂

15-11-2024 UPDATE – to quote owner John Sloane ’The journey begins’ at Blair Boats

18-01-2025 UPDATE – work underway in the Blair Boats shed – we like that 🙂

Screenshot

WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ALLISON (Lady Helen) A Peek Down Below

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WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ALLISON (Lady Helen) A Peek Down Below

Back in May 2015 we ran a story on the 36′ Salthouse built launch – LADY ALLISON, at the time we learnt that when launched she was named – LADY HELEN. Harold Kidd has commented that there is no record of a LA or LH on the Salthouse yard records, so there is a wee degree of mystery around the boats name. Brian Worthington has previously commented that at one stage it was named LA VIDA.

She is probably a sister ship to the other Salthouse 36’ launches – SEA FEVER (LADY BERYL when launched) and KAILUA. 

As is often the case with tme listings its states a 1968 build but we understand it was 1965.

Powered by a Ford 120hp D series diesel engine.

Thanks to Ian McDonald and the listing we today get a good gander below.

Link to May 2015 story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/02/lady-allison-lady-helen/

MESSAGE TO THE NEW’ISH OWNERS OF SEA FEVER CURRENTLY AT THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – DO NOT GET ANY IDEAS RE ADDING AN APARTMENT ON TOP OF SEA FEVER 🙂 🙂