CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAINUI – On The Move Again

Back in early Feb 2016 we reported that John Sloane had recently purchased the 1967 38’ ex workboat – TAINUI and had transported her to the Whangateau traditional boat yard for a major refit – well woodys fast forward 8 years and the decision has obviously been made to relocate TAINUI to another yard. 

My spies tell me that Blair Boats in Kerikeri will be taking over the project, so we look forward to regular updates and photos.

At one stage there was a mint Gardner engine (see below) waiting to go in, keen to learn what became of that engine – hopefully still in storage.

In a previous WW story we learnt from Phil Saunders that TAINUI was the (then) Marine Department fisheries protection launch based at Russell during the 1950s and 1960s and was skippered by Jake Saunders and Inspector Anderson. She is a great sea boat and when in service she was kept in immaculate order. She sailed weekly to provision Cape Brett Lighthouse, often in inclement weather and also oversaw the harvesting of rock oysters up Kerikeri inlet.

UPDATE ex JOHN SLOANE – The 3LW was traded and we upgraded to 5LW . Which is sitting in her . Dave Shaw the grandmaster has done all the work as I wanted the engine to be a show piece with open engine room,  including move hydraulic gear box . Will keep you posted as things progress .