Category Archives: 1960’s

Classic Woody Weekend At Patio Bay – 60+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

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The Big Winner On The Day – the Duder Family on Spray – 1st Across the Line
A visitor from Hawkes Bay

Classic Woody Weekend At Patio Bay – 60+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos


As you will have come to expect, the first weekend in December sees the CYA hosting the annual Patio Bay weekend, for some reason in recent years its morphed into a potpourri of events – these days its – the CYA Xmas party, a cake competition, a motor boat poker rally and what it always was – a yacht race down to the bay for a old school waterfront BBQ. A little busy these days but it seems to work 🙂

This year was the first visit since the ownership of the property changed hands from the Woolicott family (100+ years) to Mike Mahoney. It was comforting to hear Mike talk of their feature plans that include continuing the event.


New to the programme this year was a poker run rally for the CYA launches. Skippers collect a playing card from 5 collection on route and then play a round of poker ashore to determine the winner. The event was sponsored by The Slipway Milford. Winners below:

First Across The Line – Gay Dawn – Mark & Pricilla MacDuff – Burnsco voucher + wine

Poker Run Winner- Kumi – Hayden & Linda Afford – COMPLIMENTARY SLIPWAY MILFORD HAULOUT + 4L ANTIFOUL PAINT + WW T-SHIRT

Biggest Oops (involuntary swim) – Lucinda – Jason Davies – WW T-shirt

Shoddy Boat Handling Skills – Lucille – Alan Good (wife name withheld as she was innocent) WW T-shirt
A great time was had by all and special thanks must go to everyone that helps pull the weekend together. To me it always signals the start of summer boating.

Yacht Race Results https://classicyacht.org.nz/patio-bay-mark-foy-race-results-2020/


Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book

Most WW readers will be very familiar with the annual Mahurangi Regatta – the biggest gathering of wooden boats in NZ. The MCC also put together a year book that is a one of the best boating reads each year and perfect for on the boat over xmas. So woodys, if your looking for a self present (always the best) or being asked what you want from the kids – at $20 for 108 pages it’s a steal.

Pre-order a copy here  ngairehopwood@gmail.com Or pick up a copy in store or on-line at BoatBooks

Virgo – 4sale

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VIRGO

And up pops another work boat conversation for sale on tme (thanks Ian McDonal). Virgo was built in 1963 from kauri by Jorgensen & Son in Picton and started life as a commercial fishing boat before being converted to pleasure use. Virgo is 39’3’ in length and powered by a 130hp Gardner 6LXB Diesel engine. Current home port is Waikawa marina, Picton, South Island.

Interested to learn when and who did the conversion and any other intel on the vessel.


REMEMBER WOODYS – CYA PATIO BAY PARTY THIS WEEKEND

Sarita

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SARITA
I have been contacted by Brian Blake in regard to his launch – Sarita, a 28’ possibly built by Shipbuilders. Brian purchased approx. 12 months ago and knows very little about her other than she was kept at Rocky Bay, Waiheke Island. Prior to this she may have resided in the Tauranga area.
In the next few weeks Brian plans to haul her out for a refit that will include re-powering.
Like all of us woody owners, Brian would love to learn more about Sarita’s past – so any help would be greatly appreciated.


Make sure to check out WW tomorrow, we have a stunning photo gallery of the classic yacht – Little Jim, competing in this years Coastal Classic Yacht Race. Tease photo below 🙂


Coming back last night from a 5pm re-launching at The Slipway Milford, I spotted a pod of Orca off NorthHead – that is two sightings in the last month.

Dee 3

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DEE 3
Today’s woody bridge-decker was built in the early 1960’s by Phil Lange for Roger Chamberlain of Chamberlains Island and comes to us via tme (thanks Ian McDonald).

Dee 3, surely not her original name?, measures 38’ in length, and is built from 1 & 1/4″ strip planked kauri. Powered by a 130hp 6 cyl. Perkins diesel. 

Currently located in Napier, can anyone tell us more about Dee 3?

Woody Classics Weekend – Riverhead Tavern Lunch Cruise

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Woody Classics Weekend – Riverhead Tavern Lunch Cruise
Saturday night in Auckland was evil, rain, thunder and lightening – up and down several times during the night, each time thinking – Sundays woody cruise will be cancelled. But once again the weather gods smiled on us and half way up the river the sun came out and stayed out all day. Saturday nights weather scared a few boats off making the trip but most decided to join in via car.

A very pleasant afternoon was had in the Tavern’s Boathouse, which we had reserved for the group. Wonderful to catch up with everyone and to welcome several newbies to the group.Hats off the Jim and Karin Lott who made the trip up the river in their 38’ Stewart yacht – Mokoia. Make a note yachties – sub 2m draft and you are all good 😉

You will notice from the upper river photos that after all the rain, the water was very muddy – worst I have seen it – makes you wonder about all the farm land ‘converted’ to high density housing in the area. When we first started woody trips to the Tavern, most of the surrounding land was either forestry or pasture.


Took a detour on the way back into the viaduct, almost feel embarrassed asking the bridge control to raise the bridge for Raindance 🙂 , to check on the John Spencer / Classic Yacht & Launch gig at Kairanga Plaza, Wynyard Quarter – scored a VIP berth, thank you Tony Stevenson.Not as many photos as normal , for once I spent most of the afternoon chatting, special thanks to Chris Miller who grabbed my camera a few times and snapped some goodies.

WIN A COPY OF ‘THE JOHN SPENCER STORY’ 64 PAGE BOOKLET

All woodys that answer the following question correctly, go into the draw for a copy of the above – As always, entry ONLY VIA EMAIL to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Q – “What was the longest yacht John Spencer designed and built”?

Entries close 8pm 09-11-2020

Wooden Boat Yard Visit – 50 Photos

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New Zealand Wooden Boat Yard Visit – 50 Photos

Yesterday afternoon, Auckland based woodys got to rub shoulders with an impressive collection of classic wooden boats at one of New Zealand’s leading wooden boat yards – the Peter Brookes ‘Brookes Boatbuilders’ complex in rural Waimauku, West Auckland. I have been privileged to visit numerous times but every visit is a treat, where else would you see over eight classic yachts and launches in varying stages of restorations.


I’ll let the photos tell the story, if I have a photo mixed up, let me know 🙂 – enjoy – remember as always if you click on the photos they will enlarge 😉


Amakura II – 1936 Colin Wild, 52’ Bridgedecker


Impala – 1960 Fife, Teak planking 


Matia A23 – 1939 Lidgard, 50’, triple skinned kauri


Kenya II – 1940 Lidgard, 50’, triple skinned kauri. Gardner 6LXB


Pilot Cutter – 50’ 


Kotiri – 1897 Logan


Ladye Wilma B26 – 1895 Logan Bros, 43’, triple skinned kauri


Katrina II K100 – 1944 Bob Stewart, K-Class

Labour Weekend Woody Cruise

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Labour Weekend Woody Cruise
The last 3 days would have to be one of the best boating long weekends in a very long time, well thats if you own a motor-boat. The classic woody stick and rag boys racing in the Coastal Classic race to Russell in the Bay of Islands made very hard work of it – did any finish?, those I talked to pulled out on Saturday morning. A quick glance at the results show about 75% of the total fleet did not finish. 


The biggest decision of the weekend was whether to turn left or right at North Head, I went left and made the right call, as the reports from the bottom end of Waiheke and Coromandel was it was a zoo 🙂 On the other hand Rakino was perfect – great weather and not too crowded. Only saw 3 other woodys – Gay Dawn and Juanita in Woody Bay and Mahanui just out from West Bay (very early Monday morning) and passed Felicitare 


Highlight was a seriously up close encounter with some Orca while anchored in West Bay – they were rounding up a feed of stingray for lunch.
I see Trinidad is making a star appearance in the AWLWOOD (Uroxsys) advertisements 😉

Update – Arohanui mooching around the bottom end of Waiheke and Coromandel

Wanderer II

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WANDERER II
Wanderer II was built in 1965 by Owen Woolley and measures approx. 39’ with a 13’7” beam. Powered by a Ford Lees 100hp 6 cyl. diesel she gets along at a comfortable 8 knots. A recent addition to tme (thanks Ian McDonald).


Can we uncover where and what Wanderer II has been up to for the last 55 years?

Input From Nigel Drake – Below is another photo of Wanderer 11, I am a friend of the present owner. The previous owner showed me this photo of her when he sold her 5 years ago. She is in her original colours. Not sure of the date but interestingly the name on the side is Wanderer not Wanderer 11. The previous owner had her for about 17 years to my knowledge and kept her in Doves Harbour, Bay of Islands. The owner before him, who was the 2nd owner, also had her for about 17 years apparently.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS FOR SALE

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Buying or Selling a Classic Boat
Without sounding too much like the late Jacinda Ardern (“be kind”) – when people ask me about classic wooden boat ownership, I normally say that owning a woody has a positive effect on your life i.e. you end up forging a life you don’t need to escape from.

So woodys in the interest of your mental well being listed below a sample of some of the boats that are currently berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau Sales Marina. There are others for sale, some owners request privacy. To read more about the Wooden Boat Bureau – click https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/01/wooden-boat-bureau-advice-for-buyers-and-sellers/
The Wooden Boat Bureau is uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-date market information and objective advice to both sellers and buyers. So if you are looking for a wooden boat or considering selling – email us at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Or call Alan Houghton 027 660 9999

SELECTION ONLY – 50% of Listing Are Private

LADY MARGARET 🔻 38′ 1955 Deacon- Asking Price +/- $100k

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/09/14/classic-wooden-launch-lady-margaret-4sale/

ASTROLINDA🔻 34’6″ 1966 Athol Burns Motorsailer- Asking Price TBA

Learn more –https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/09/09/classic-motor-sailer-astrolinda-4sale/

WINSOME II🔻 36′ 1923 William Hand- Asking Price +/- $40k

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/07/06/classic-wooden-launch-winsome-ii-maude-t-latex-4sale/

ATHENA🔻 48′ 1962 Des Donovan – Asking Price $102k

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/01/30/classic-wooden-launch-athena/

MARGARET ANNE 🔻 45′ 1960 Oliver & Gilpin – Asking Price TBA

Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/11/10/classic-42-launch-margaret-anne-4sale/

MAHANUI 🔻42′ 1977 T Atkinson – Asking Price – TBA

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/28/classic-42-sports-cruiser-mahanui/

ROMANCE II🔻36′ 1919 Bailey & Lowe – Price by negotiation

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/20/quick-classic-launch-4sale-romance-ii/

KURANGI🔻35′ 1960 Builder tbc- Asking Price – TBA

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/10/06/kurangi-2/

RESTLESS 🔻40′ 1920 Alden/Tercel – Asking price – TBA

Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/19/restless/

SOLD – Selection below, some names withheld at seller / buyer request:

ADONIS     45′ – Owen Woolley – 1965 launch

ALLERGY 58′ 1985 Denis Ganley / Pete Culler – Motor sailer

AROHANUI            48’ – Donovan/Hacker – 1965 launch

ATHENA     25′ c.1950 Couldrey launch

AWARIKI 32′ 1967 Owen Woolley launch

BALLERINA    28′ – Lidgard – 1951   launch 

BONDI BELLE 45′ 1901 CHARLES BAILEY JNR.

CAPLIN     35′ – Anderson & Sons (UK) 1937/8 -Gaff Yawl yacht

CASTAWAY            33’ – Dick Lang – 1947 launch

CENTAURUS         42’ – Bailey & Sons – 1967 launch

KAILUA                  36’ – Salthouse – 1960/1 launch

KOKORU               39’ – Jack Morgan – 1960 launch

KOTARE                 24’ – Kingfisher Boats – 1954 launch

LADY ADELAIDE    35’ – Dick Lang – 1922 launch

LADY PAMELA       59’ – Pelin Warrior – 1986 launch

MAHANUI               42’ – Keith Atkinson – 1977 launch

MANA-NUI 39′ 1913 Harvey & Lang

MANURERE 43” 1937 Miller & Tunnage –

MATAROA 36′ Joe Slattery 1928 launch

MONTEREY 33’6” 1946 Lidgard bridge-decker launch

NGARO                   45’ – Lidgard – 1953 launch

NGARUNUI 48′ 1959 Jim Young motor-sailer

PIRATE                    42’ – Leone Warne – 1938 launch

POCO LENTO         33’ – Roy Parris/Bagnall – 1979 launch

RANUI 48’ 1948 Lidgard

WAIKARO                33’ – Roy Parris/Bagnall – 1978 launch

WAIMIGA                 36’ – Robertson Boatbuilders – 1968 launch

SEA FEVER 34′ Salthouse – 1958 launch

SEQUOIA 36′ 1938 Lewis McLeod launch

SHALOM                  48’ – Keith Atkinson – 1973 launch

SILENS 38′ Harvey & Lang 1912 launch

TARANUI 36′ 1965 John Gladden Motor-salier

VANESSA 48′ 2005 Robbie Roberts Passage Motor Yacht

Big Wooden Launch Gets A Face Lift

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Big Woody Gets A Face Lift

The 1965 Salthouse built woody – Trinidad is currently tucked up in the Greg Lees Boatbuilder shed at Sandspit getting some botox i.e touch-up coats to the coamings and wheelhouse and a re-paint of the topsides.

Yesterday, the brains trust from the yard + Akzo Nobel (AWLWOOD MA & International Paints) + AWLWOOD MA Guru (Uroxsys founder) David Waddingham met to discuss the upcoming work on Trinidad, she is a bit like their in-house model. It was interesting to be a fly-on-the-wall and hear about the latest thinking on application / thinning / primer techniques and their newish line extensions eg the Multi-climate gloss finish. The product has come a very long way in the last few years.
You can see from the last two photos that the GL’s boys only just manage to get the doors closed when Trinidad visits, very cozy.

While there, foreman Dale Collins, flipped the covers on his recently completed clinker dinghy (photos below) – stunning and woodys its 4sale 🙂

WOODYS LUNCH CRUISE TO RIVERHEAD TAVERN – TIME TO RSVP

If you are planning on joining the fleet for the cruise up the Riverhead river to join fellow woodys for launch on Sunday November 8th – drop me a quick email with boat name and approx crew numbers waitematawoodys@gmail.com