Category Archives: 1960’s

SOUTHERN SEAS – A Peek Down Below    

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SOUTHERN SEAS – A Peek Down Below    

The 34’ classic wooden launch SOUTHERN SEAS was launched c.1966, most likely built to a Shipbuilders ‘kit boat’ design. Her hull is triple planked kauri (f/glassed over).

She last appeared on WW back in April 2014 – link here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/04/6728/ at the time we only saw her hauled out at Gulf Harbour Marina.

Back in Sept 2025 she came on the market, and thanks to Ian McDonald we get to have a peak down below. The photos are a good example of a seller not maximising the vessels features eg most photos are very cluttered with items that should be removed, but its their boat, their money.

Back in 2014 she was powered by a Lees Ford 6cyl. engine, but was re-powered in 2018 with a Ford D Series (2nd hand).

Do we know what became of SOUTHERN SEAS. 

CLASSIC LAUNCH – FREYA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – FREYA – A Peek Down Below

Launch FREYA was built in 1963 is sits on the fence between a classic and spirit of tradition.

It has been commented that she is a ‘Banshee’ design (but shortened to 30’) from the yard of Alan Williams in Milford, Auckland.

30’ in length and powered by a 60hp Ford Parsons engine ( I suspect the word Parsons refers to the gearbox). Home is Nelson, South Island.

CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – OCEAN SPRAY – BEACHED IN 1967

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CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – OCEAN SPRAY – BEACHED IN 1967

Todays classic wooden workboat is seen aground at Santoft on the west coast of the north island (Manawatu – Wanganui region). The photo comes to us from Chriss Taylor, via Maurice Sharp fb.

Thanks to a comment from John Hair we learnt that at the time of the mishap the vessel was named OCEAN SPRAY, later named  KERIMOANA. John also commented that these days her home is Tonga.

Any input on design / builder.

19-06-2026 – UPDATE ex HAROLD KIDD- built 1942 by Jack Guard

CLASSIC LAUNCH – KAREN ANN

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – KAREN ANN

Todays launch is KAREN ANN, built c.1960 by Bishara Boats for T. M. Smith, probably to a Hartley (Harmony) design.

Her length is 31’8” and when launched she was powered by a  60hp Ford 4 cyl. diesel engine. 

The photo (excuse the poor quality) is from Sea Spray magazine and comes to WW via Ken Rickets.

Despite being a Hartley design*, she looks very smart under power. The bow rail wouldn’t win any design awards 🙂 but I’m sure is very practical.

Anyone know what became of the craft – is she still afloat.

  • I’m not anti all Hartley craft – the 33′ one below built in 1951, named LOVELY LADY > STAR DRIFT is a real looker.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ARGYLE

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ARGYLE

Todays classic wooden launch is the 52’ 1965 bridge-decker LADY ARGYLE , built by John Lidgard for Mac Stewart. When launched she was named SANTA ROSA, and later ARGYLE.

She was built based on drawings done for the original owner by “Hoki” Williams, a retired staff member of Shipbuilders Ltd., with modifications by John Lidgard.

She first appeared on WW back in May 2015, lots of ownership details and photos in this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/29/lady-argyle/

Todays photos come to us from Angus Rogers and show LADY ARGLE in her new Whangamata Marina berth.  Angus commented that she was very smart.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING FRIDAY FLASH BACK – BANDIT

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING FRIDAY FLASH BACK – BANDIT

Todays photos appeared recently on social media and in the two photos we see a young Sir Peter Blake sailing the yacht BANDIT that Peter and his brother Tony built in 1966 on the family’s front lawn in Belmont, Auckland.

I first saw BANDIT back in May 2013 when I accompanied a team for the NZ Classic Yacht Charitable Trust on a road trip to Warkwork to scope out extracting the yacht from an old farm shed. Story below –  WW May 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/21/sir-peter-blake-bandit/

Fast forward to May 2017 and we were all celebrating the yacht eventually being placed on permeant display in Auckland’s maritime museum on the waterfront, after a restoration by the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust , led by Bruce Tantrunm. Story below –   WW May 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/21/sir-peter-blake-bandit/

In the original post ut was commented that Peter was approx. 18 years old in the photo and the location was Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf, possibly the bottom end of Waiheke Island.

Todays question of the day – we anyone ID the launch on the left go BANDIT, closer to the shore, in the top photo.

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – the launch is AURORA.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – KORARI II – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – KORARI II – A Peek Down Below

Back in 2017 the 1964 built, 36’ Mason Clipper – KORARI II made an appearance on WW but we never got a gander below. Now thanks to Ian McDonal’s eagle eyes on tme we get to see her impressive interior.

KORARI II is powered by twin 135hp Perkins HT6364M diesel engines.

ENTRY LEAVE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – WANDERING WAYS

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ENTRY LEAVE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – WANDERING WAYS

Todays classic launch needs some serious TLC from someone with the space to park her and a winter of part-time work but come next summer they could have a no cost entry into the classic wooden boating movement.

What we know – 36’ supposedly built in 1965 by ‘Baileys’, she is double planked, and powered by a 120hp Ford diesel (tme listing states 2014, and recently recon’ed).

WANDERING WAYS is currently hauled out in Rotorua, so may have been a lake boat in recent years. (thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up)

Can we learn anymore about the launch.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AWARIKI GETS SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AWARIKI GETS SOME TLC

Back in early 2025 the 1967 Owen Woolley built 32’ classic wooden launch AWARIKI underwent a re-fit at the Slipway Milford yard, the work included the removal of her small flybridge ✔️ – Links to the work below + a 2025 photo of her at The Slipway Milford, waiting on the tide.

Feb 2025 https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/19/classic-wooden-launch-awariki-gets-a-top-chop/ April 2025 https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/03/two-classic-wooden-launches-getting-some-tlc/

Alan Sexton was mooching around the Sandspit Yacht Club yard recently and spotted AWARIKI in the tent getting some TLC, including a bottom shave and new antifouling. During the work the team doing the work uncoveredsome soft wood issues around the shaft log which have been repaired, the boat builder commented to Alan that it was similar to the problems found on TAREE. Maybe a common Woolley issue.

Nice to see that the new owners of AWARIKI arecontinuingthe TLC thatprevious owner Kerry Lilley did during his tenure.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – MAHENO

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – MAHENO

Todays woody is described as a 38’ Morgan design, built by JackGuard. 

She was launched in 1966 and has strong work boat styling. 

Forward motion is from a 210hp Caterpillar V8 that gives her a comfortable 8.5 knot cruising speed, 10.5 tops.

Being a southern lass (Marlborough Sounds) MAHENO is very well fitted out. The marine chandlers down south won’t get rich selling varnish 😉