Category Archives: 1960’s

CLASSIC 42’ LAUNCH MARGARET ANNE – 4SALE

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CLASSIC 42’ LAUNCH MARGARET ANNE – 4SALE

Todays classic wooden launch – MARGARET ANNE has been a hidden gem on the WW site – lots of reference to her in other stories but we have  not had a chance to do a deep dive.MARGARET ANNE started life in 1960 with the best possible pedigree – designed and built in Tauranga by the renowned boatbuilders – Oliver & Culpin (launch day photo below)As with so many of the O&G craft she started life as a big game fishing launch and plied her trade in the Bay of Plenty and later the Bay of Islands. In my experience the best looking craft caught the most and biggest fish, so MARGARET ANNE has an impressive log book recording her catches. 

She fully retains her original aura, character and pedigree. At the same time, a careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures the very latest in comfort and safety.

Because MARGARET ANNE is finished without exterior brightwork (varnish), maintenance is both affordable and a breeze.

Some specs – 42’ when launched (now approx. 45’) she has a 12’6” beam and is constructed via carvel planking, and is powered by a Ford 135hp diesel engine.Sleeps 8 (2x double berth cabins) + exterior shower / head.

MARGARET ANNE is an elegant classic with pedigree and class, and yes she is for sale – after nearly 20 years of ownership her owner has asked the Wooden Boat Bureau to find her next custodian. 

So, if you’re looking for an exceptionally well built and maintained classic launch with plenty of life left in her, MARGARET ANNE is it.  Given the current market, her owner is very realistic with the  price expectation.  Genuine buyers only to initially contact myself at the email below for more details and to arrange a viewing.  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

NOTE TO KEYBOARD LOOKERS –  stick with trademe for your vicarious boats for sale entertainment
MARGARET ANNE is presented ready for cruising this summer

CLASSIC WOODYS AT ANCHOR – MOTUIHE ISLAND 1969

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CLASSIC WOODYS AT ANCHOR – MOTUIHE ISLAND 1969

It never ceases to amaze me where I get sent photos from, woody John Dawson sent me a link to a fb page titled – Golden Days of New Zealand. 

A gent named Neil Rawlins post these today from tagged Ocean Beach, Motuihe Island, Auckland, Its dated 1969. Neil commented that folks traveled to the island on the following ferries – KESTREL, TOROA  and NGOURO.

A good collection of classic launches at anchor – can we ID any of them. Sorry for the quality of the enlargments.

Check out this link to a very cool on-the- water event in Copenhagen -its the Santa Lucia Kayak Parade. Sent to me by Brent Kennedy ✔️

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – TAIMARINO – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – TAIMARINO – A Peek Down Below

Last Wednesday we ran story on TAIMARINO – Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/29/can-we-learn-more-about-the-classic-wooden-boat-taimarino/

As a result of Wednesdays story Dean Wright pointed me in the direction of the photos you see today. Same name, now slightly different e.g its been sliced in two – now TAI MARINO.

What we have learnt is that she is 40’ in length, built c.1968 by Kingfisher Boats in Tauranga, originally for game fishing.Kauri carvel planked hull.

Currently powered by a 120hp Ford (Lees) engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – TAIMARINO

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CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – TAIMARINO

Woody John Dawson recently unearthed the top black-and-white photo of the classic wooden boat TAIMARINO. The image appeared in an old article on big game fishing and immediately caught his eye. John’s detective work led him to Paul Wilson, who kindly sent through the colour photograph above. Paul also mentioned that TAIMARINO was possibly built by Bill Visser in the late 1960s. And that, woodys, is where the trail currently ends. Can anyone help fill in the gaps in TAIMARINO’s story? Any background on her design, builder, or early adventures would be greatly appreciated.

A SAD NOTE – Yesterday I learned of the passing of Bruce Tantrum – a true enthusiast and long-time supporter of the New Zealand classic wooden boating movement.
R.I.P. Bruce — your passion and knowledge will be greatly missed on the waterfront.

Bruce Tantrum – MV Menai

2025 KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA – A WOODY WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – 50+ PHOTOS

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THERE IS A WOODY HIDING IN THERE – SEE BELOW ⬇️
RAINDANCE
KAIKOURA
CENTAURUS
CALLISTO
HGARUNUI
MARIHI
ST CLAIR
TAREE
MEOLA
RONAKI
VOLANTO
KIWARUA
MOANALUA
TUNA

2025 KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA – A WOODY WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – 50+ PHOTOS

Pleased to report that the long weekend’s woody action at Kawau Island was an absolute triumph. Now in its second year, the Spring Splash Regatta — a joint venture between the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club, and Waitematawoodys — continues to grow in both size and spirit.

It’s still early days for what’s shaping up to be a great annual tradition, but this year’s event had an unmistakably upbeat, jaunty vibe. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, swapping yarns, and clearly having a great time afloat and ashore.

I’ll apologise up front for being light on the yacht racing and prize-giving coverage — for reasons I won’t bore you with — but rest assured, the competition and camaraderie were both in full swing.

Sunday’s Woodys Classic Parade was the visual highlight of the weekend, showcasing a handsome flotilla of 17 classic launches for all those anchored in Bon Accord Harbour and watching from waterfront properties. Aside from a brief 10-minute burst of H₂O at the start, the weather came right and the parade looked spectacular.

A big thank you to the classic skippers and crews who took part — your efforts made for a great show.

Helming a boat among moored craft while trying to take photos is a fine line between “challenging” and “slightly reckless,” so I’m especially grateful to Dean Watchlin, Murray Deeble and Richard Bicknell for sharing their superb photos from the weekend.

Enjoy today’s gallery — loosely divided into two parts: the weekend’s happenings and the Sunday Parade. Sorry if the cameras missed your boat – some joined the parade midway and some departed midway. The crew of KAIKOURA below, correctly attired for the occasion 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH CHLOE – FLASHBACK 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH CHLOE – FLASHBACK 

Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Graeme Holloway regarding the classic wooden launch – CHLOE – I’ll hand over to Graeme to tell todays story – 

 “I happened to stumble upon a photo Below) you had posted and recognised it as a launch my Dad owned back in the 1980’s. CHLOE was a Bill Cauldrey design, and the hull and topsides were built for Joe and Edna Gaunt and Joe finished off the interior.  She was launched in 1967 and the hull was originally painted green. She had no port holes and also had a mast on the foredeck. Joe and Edna were members of the Devonport Yacht Club and for many years she was moored just out from the club in Devonport.  She was 30ft long and the original motor was a 55 horse BMC Commander. She cruised at 8 knots.  My parents, Ian and Marion Holloway purchased CHLOE in 1983 and kept her moored in Westhaven. My Dad put the port holes in and painted her hull white. They too were members of the Devonport Yacht Club and over the winter months she would be pulled up on the hard in front of the clubhouse for maintenance.  She was sold in 1993 and was moored in Whakatakataka for a period of time and then disappeared.”  

Graeme commented  the photos with the green hull show her out from Motuihe Island c.1983. In the last photo of CHLOE we see her with the white hull and new port holes. Is being slipped up next to the clubhouse at the Devonport Yacht Club c.1986, and was published in the Metro Magazine relating to an article that was written about Devonport.  I recognise a few of the ‘helpers’ faces 🙂

2025 – Mahurangi

WHAT BECAME OF THE CLASSIC LAUNCH SIRENA

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WHAT BECAME OF THE CLASSIC LAUNCH SIRENA

The 1960, Orams built launch SIRENA once made several appearances at woody events and then I believe reverted to a live-a-board, with the occasional excursion as a mark boat for the Hobsonville Sailing Club.

Recently, SIRENA surfaced on the market — and from the listing photos, she appeared to be showing the effects of time and use. So today’s WW story is a bit of a call-out: does anyone know what became of her? Was she sold, and if so, where is SIRENA now?

WOODEN CLASSICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL – 60+ photos & videos

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WOODEN CLASSICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL

Early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and arrived in Whangārei just in time to catch the soft early light — perfect for photography and well before the dockside crowds arrived.

Whangārei’s Town Basin really is the ideal setting for a maritime festival — easy dock access, great viewing angles, and plenty of nearby cafés and attractions. Add in the buzz of the Saturday markets and you’ve got all the ingredients for a standout event.

Wooden boat numbers were a little down on last year, but a few visiting commercial vessels — including Customs, Pilot boats, fishing craft and a pair of Waka — helped round out the fleet. From a public point of view, it was still an impressive line-up. Given the number of classic boats that have migrated north in recent years, it would be great to see more of the region’s wooden heritage on display next time around.

It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces — clearly the new highway was busy with Aucklanders heading north for the weekend.

All up, a thoroughly enjoyable day. Hopefully today’s photo gallery will inspire a few more of you to make the trip in 2026.

And there is always a few foody pix – hands down the best two seafood fritters ever – one mussel and the star – one whitebait. And a free KOWHAI coffee because she liked my WW t-shirt.

FYI – when I’m at an event I point the camera at what catches my eye , sometimes I miss a few boats but I like to think the photos are more like someone strolling the docks rather than someone trying to capture the whole caboodle 🙂

CLASSIC SPEEDBOAT BLACK TULIP – LOST HER SHINE, KEPT HER ATTITUDE

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CLASSIC SPEEDBOAT BLACK TULIP – LOST HER SHINE, KEPT HER ATTITUDE

Earlier in the week one of my Picton spies (Steve) spotted a ’new’ arrival at Waikawa Marina, in Picton. Boats name is BLACK TULIP, which rang a few bells with Steve, so a quick WW search popped up a July 2022 story – link below. At the time Dean Wright had spotted the boat sign and dry in Paihia. 

Whilst needing some TLC she was a looker and we learnt that she was a Mason Clipper 23 and came with an impressive power boat racing history. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/22/black-tulip-where-is-she-today/

Now a few days later she popps up on tme – post an extensive make over, and powered by a 280hp Yanmar, that sees her topping out at 23 knots.

An oid salt told me once that once you lose the varnish on a classic ,it just becomes another white boat – well I think if you check out the photos below, you would have to agree, she has lost the WoW factor – but its only paint and maybe the next owner will see the light 🙂

COULD THE REAL MA CHERIE STAND UP PLEASE

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COULD THE REAL MA CHERIE STAND UP PLEASE

Earlier in the week John Dawson sent in the above launch day photo of the classic wooden launch – MA CHERIE, a WW search threw up numerous stories linked to that name but none that match the above launch size and design.

There was a brief mention of a MaCherie being built in the early 1960’s at the Visa Ship Yard in Tauranga for a Don Shattock. The Visa name may be a typo as I recall a Tauranga boatbuilder named Bill Visser, who possibly worked at Kingfisher Boats – sorry for any confusion – hopefully we can clarify todays launch heritage.

WW also ran a story in June 2025, link below, re a launch named MA CHERIE , that had been once named ADI KUILA  that had been recently relocated to Auckland  – in my eyes not the same boat, this ones much bigger and different design. https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/06/14/classic-wooden-launch-ma-cherie-adi-kuila-lives-on/

So woodys – what do me know about todays boat.