Category Archives: 1960’s

TAREE – OWEN WOOLLEY CLASSIC LAUNCH RECEIVES SOME TLC

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TAREE – OWEN WOOLLEY CLASSIC LAUNCH RECEIVES SOME TLC

While walking the docks at the recent Classic Woody Boat Show at the OBC I bumped into boatbuilder Colin Brown, who mentioned the recent work his son-in-law Josh Hawke (Kauri Classics ) had undertaken on the 1966 36’ Owen Woolley built classic launch – TAREE.

TAREE was in the Kauri Classic shed for work to her running gear e.g. new shaft log and floors + some planking work.

Check out the fb video at the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BB1XuaWUU

BOAT BOOT SALE TOMORROW (Saturday) AT THE MILFORD SLIPWAY BOAT YARD

We have an impressive number of woodys turning up to off load their excess goods, and given what I know about them, I suspect there will be some real bargains on offer. Remember to bring cash, but I’m sure bank transfers will be fine for larger ($) items.

DATE: SATURDAY 02 AUGUST

TIME: 10am > 12pm

VENUE: 5 Omana Road, Milford

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SUSAN ROSE > ODYSSEA 

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1975
1984
2025

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SUSAN ROSE > ODYSSEA 

Our first glimpse of the 34’ ex game fishing boat SUSAN ROSE was in August 2017, (2nd photo above) this 1984 photo and others were shared with us by Dean Wright. At the time we saw her docking at Paihia in the Bay of Islands – link below to that story.                            https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/17/susan-rose/

Now thanks to a tme listing we get to see her back in 1975 (top photo) and today, re named ODYSSEA, with an extra ‘story’ on top and a lot of upgrades.

Her back story is she was launched in 1960 in Mangonui, Northland but it has been reported that it took 18 years to build her. Design unknown.

In c.1991 she was repowered with twin 90hp Ford 4cyl. 2722E diesel engines that gives a cruising speed of 8 knots. 

The seller comments that all she needs is a lick of paint and an oil change. These days she is Auckland based.

SPOILER ALEART – THE WW SITE OR THE WRITER ISN’T THAT SMART – NO ONE PICKED UP A PREVIOUS STORY WHERE THE BOAT NAME WAS SPELT – ODYSEA………… sorry and just too tired to write a replacement 🙂

CLASSIC WOODYS BOAT SHOW AT OBC

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All Alone & Very Cold – (overnighting due to mast height)

CLASSIC WOODYS BOAT SHOW AT OBC

On Sunday we held the inaugural classic woodys boat show  – hosted by the OBC Marina. 

WW was holding hands with Auckland’s – Outdoor Boating Club on Tamaki Drive as they celebrated their annual open day. Magic location and set up – check out the club here https://www.obc.co.nz

As it seems to always happen at woodys events, the weather was 10/10, a perfect winners day. Check out the photo gallery above.

The day had all the ingredients for a fun family day out – Nice boats + Nice people, topped off with classic trailer boats, classic cars, food/coffee trucks, kids activities and a bonus – the team from LEGASEA , the kiwi hero’s that are dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of NZ’s marine environment – check out the website https://legasea.co.nz

Enjoy the photos, it was a great day and everyone left with a smile on their face.

MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH AT WESTHAVEN IN 1967 + BOOK REVIEW 

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MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH AT WESTHAVEN IN 1967 + BOOK REVIEW 

Earlier in the week I was sent by.John Burland a link to a fb video that featured the 1967 visit to NZ by ‘Miss Wool USA – 1966’.

I won’t bore you with the link, but it shows her touring NZ, of interest WW is that in the video there is a very brief shot of Westhaven marina, Auckland. 

I have taken a screen grab that show a rather large wooden launch, an interesting mix of styles – bridge-decker, tram top + dog house.

Anyone able to put a name to the launch.

INPUT EX NATHAN HERBERT – This boat (originally Myrtle) she had more portholes on one side than the other. Don’t know what became of her but one guess is that she became the ‘Matira’?
https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/28/mystery-thames-wooden-launch/comment-page-1/

BOOK REVIEW – ‘WATER ROADS – Boat Travel and Tourism in New Zealand from 1840’

Recently a copy the above 530 page book appeared in the WW letterbox, I was amazed the letterbox didn’t collapse under the weight 🙂 The last time it would have carried the books weight would have been when NZ Post was still printing telephone books.

The author is Neville Ritchie and to quote Neville – “the book tells the story of water-based tourism in NZ” and focuses on the small boat operations established to take visitors to tourist attractions on overnight cruises. It also takes the reader on a history tour od boating building in NZ. The story starts at the top of the North Island and finishes off at Stewart Island.

As an indication of the extent of the content we start off c.1840 with maori in ex whaleboats and end with the electric foiling ferries on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

As indicated above its a monster of a read, I can see myself consuming it in bite size chunks over an extended period of time.

If your a serious marine historian your bookcase will be lacking if you do not have copy.

COPIES AVAILABLE FROM nevritchie@outlook.co.nz

WIN A COPY – Answer the question below correctly and you will go into the draw for a copy of the book. Entry By Email only to >  waitematawoodys@gmail.com.

Entries Close 6pm Friday 18-07-2025.

QUESTION: In the early 1900’s what were the words commonly used to describe (small) motorboats?

CLASSIC DES TOWNSON 30’ YACHT – FALCON + Win a copy of the book – DES TOWNSON A Sailing Legacy

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CLASSIC DES TOWNSON 30’ YACHT – FALCON + Win a copy of the book – DES TOWNSON A Sailing Legacy

As most WW readers will know, Des Townson never designed an unattractive craft, that skill is harder to do as the size of the vessel decreases. I have often said on WW that very few people can get a >30’ craft looking ‘right’.

Mr Townson excelled himself with the design of the 30’ keeler – FALCON (Reg. #873), as seen above.

Falcon was built / launched in 1965 and constructed from double diagonal kauri, and no f/glass ✓.

Her owner Grant Wylie has been the custodian of FALCON for the last 17+ years and contacted WW to say that age and health were against him and could we help locate a new owner.

I asked Grant about headroom and I had to laugh at his reply – “Yes & No”, Des’s design eye always won out over comfort 🙂

FALCON is powered by a Bush 20hp engine and sports a KIWI prop. She is well kitted out for gulf cruising but needs a refresh, which is reflected in Grant’s price expectations.

A great opportunity to acquire for a modest price a classic yacht from the design board of one of New Zealand’s most paramount designers.

Continue to enjoy her as she is or put your sanding / painting skills to use this winter and prepare yourself for the compliments at anchor this coming summer.

Interested parties to contact Grant initially via email – grant.wylie@xtra.co.nz

AND AS AN ADDED BONUS TODAY – ANSWER THE QUESTION BELOW CORRECTLY AND YOU ARE IN THE DRAW TO WIN A COPY OF Brian Peet’s book – ‘DES TOWNSON A SAILING LEGACY’. A 343 page  insight into the man and his designs.

Enty ONLY via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Question : HOW MANY INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS DID DES TOWNSON TURN OUT ?. (in the event no one gets the correct number – closest wins)

CAN WE ID THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH + Win A Off Centre Harbor Cap

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CAN WE ID THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH + Win A Off Centre Harbor Cap

Todays woody photo was sent in by Nathan Herbert and shows a classic wooden launch probably berthed at Westhaven Marina, Auckland.

Nathan commented that the date was c.1960’s and that the launch had a Woolleys look to her.

She is one of those boats that looks very familiar but we can’t put a name to her.

So woodys – the first person to correctly* ID the launch wins a OFF CENTRE HARBOUR cap. All entries via the WW comments section. *NOTE: WW must be able to verify the launch name. 

VIEW OFF CENTER HARBOR HERE – offcentreharbor.com

UPDATE ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

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UPDATE ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

On Wednesday we asked for more information on the classic wooden launch – COLUMBIA and the WW readers delivered, link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/06/25/looking-for-information-on-classic-launch-columbia/ . 

Then on Thursday night Sandra Gibson sent in the gallery of photos above and advised that “Columbia has been restored by Stanford Boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. And she is now powered by a V8 Cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable.”aunt 

Reviewing the book cover below, her exterior hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS GETS SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS GETS SOME TLC

Earlier in the week one of the WW spotters, Alan Sexton, dropped WW a note to say that the 44′ Oliver & Gilpin 1964 built classic wooden launch NAUTILUS was hauled out at Sandspit Marina for some TLC. Always good to see the big old girls being looked after. My lips are sealed but NAUTILUS is another classic woody owned by one of NZ’s yachting ‘royalty’.

The first grouping of photos is as of this week, the b/w photo is probably as launched, and the last lot are from approx. 4 years ago + a peek down below (again 4>5 yrs ago). Forward motion is via twin120hp Isuzu diesel engines.

We understand home these days is the Whangateau area.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

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LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

Recently WW was contacted by Richard Erdman who had just finished re-reading 2 books penned by Ralph S Von Kohorn that document Ralph’s circumnavigation of the South and North Islands of New Zealand in the early 1970’s aboard his motor vessel COLUMBA.
Richard commented that COLUMBA was designed in 1967, 45′ loa, and powered by a single Detroit GM 283, 8 cylinder engine, that gave her a top speed of 15 knots but she cruised at 9 knots. No mention was made of the vessels designer or builder.

The books were published : South Island cruise – Jan 1977 and North Island cruise – Jan 1979 

In 1977 Ralph was commodore of the Mana cruising club in Wellington. 

The artist painting of COLUMBA on the North Island book has been very generous in their rendering i.e. she looks better than in real life (South Island cover) 🙂

So woodys todays question is what became of COLUMBA and can we earn more of her back story.

INPUT EX ALAN SEXTON – A very detailed description of Columbia is provided in Appendix II in “Columbia Cruises North”. Quick summary, designed by Jim Cole (California), built by Lidgards, 2 skin kauri , powered by Detroit 8V53, launched 1967. Baron Ralph Steven von Kohorn died in early 2011 aged 91, his wife Jill died some months later aged 67.

INPUT EX JEFF GIDDEN – Used to be moored under the bridges at Paremata many years ago.

INPUT EX BOB SPEARMAN – Columbia is in Havelock, Pelorus Sounds

26-06-2025 INPUT EX SANDRA GIBSON – The Columbia has been restored by Stanford boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. She is now powered by a V8 cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT

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MATRIA
KIWA
MANAPOURI
KIWA
NGAIO + MANAPOURI + TUHUA
KALUA
WAIKARO
MA CHERIE
KIWA + MA CHERIE
TUHUA
KIWA + KALUA
MARISTELLA
WAIKARO+ MY GIRL
RAINDANCE
MANAPOURI

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT
Fridays Classic woodys cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch was a grand day afloat, 13 classic wooden craft made the journey up the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour to the historic tavern. It was extra special with several first-timers making the trip.
We were blessed with the weather and also having just one of the tourist ferries making the trip on the day, which allowed us to berth a lot of the boat on the jetty.

Special mention to the 7 classic launch skippers and partners that came by water taxi (MY GIRL) – Cam Malcolm (Connie V), Rodger Moore (ex Te Hauraki), Jason Davies (Lucinda), and those via car – Ian Gavin (Florance Dawn), Matt Cooper (Korawai) and John Chambers (Ngarunui), Murray Deeble ( Waikiore) combined with the 13 boats on the water we had crews from 20 classic craft present on the day. Very happy with that turn out.

True to form, the tavern and its staff extended their usual warm hospitality.
Enjoy the photo gallery