Wakatu – A Peek Down Below
Wakatu was launched in Dec 1976, her hull was built by Des Scott & then finished off by her first owners – Ron & Mary McGehan.
Now if she looks like a Roy Parris design, that would because her designer, Graeme Bronlund had worked for Roy 😉
You can read / see more at this link to her previous ww story https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/23/wakatu/
Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe listing heads up.
Southern Work Boats – at the Catlins
Fiona Driver & Rod Marler were recently down south, very down south – The Catlins (situated between Dunedin & Invercargill) & as you do, they dropped into the Kaka Point pub to re-hydrate. The photos above were taken from prints on the hotel wall, they tell the story of a proud past. Very wild section of our coast & I suspect as were the blokes that worked it.
I wonder if any of the boats are still around today?
The photo below from the same pub, caught Rod’s eye, shows a surf comp at Kaka Point beach mid 1960’s – none of the locals they asked could remember the exact date but the collection of cars gives it away.
Nereides & the Wahine Sinking + My Girl Restoration Update
Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of the Wahine sinking, the inter-island ferry that ran around on Barrett Reef in the entrance to Wellington Harbour. Sadly 51 lives were lost that day, but 100’s were saved by the brave actions of the Wellington boating community that mobilized to rescue passengers as they abandoned ship.
One of those vessels was the 39’ classic motor-sailer Nereides. Nereides these days is owned by woody, Mark Lever – check the link below to read in the on-line ‘Junction Magazine’ how Mark when researching Nereides past, discovered a personal friend had two family members rescued by Nereides. It’s very small world. I have also included WW link to Nereides for you to view this stunning woody.
Photos below show Nereides in Wellington (b/w) & at Patio Bay, Waiheke Island
https://www.junctionmag.co.nz/junctionmag/2018/3/26/national-tragedy-with-local-connections
https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/26/nereides-centenary-book/
There is a great website on the 50th Anniversary – link below, that covers the sinking & what unfolded on the day/s that followed – click on the ‘What Happened’ tab.
The site also details Tuesdays (tomorrow) events, both on & off the water that have been organized to commemorate the event. It is an amazing day & a must do if you are in Wellington.
THE WAHINE DISASTER
The attached document, see link below, was sent in by Greg Skinner- & contains notes from his late great uncle – in fact an extract from his book “A Kiwi Journal – the life and times of Barney Thomas Daniel” – son of Capt Charles Daniel – skipper of ANZAC.
I stress that this is one man’s view & published for general reading only.
MY GIRL POPs OUT OF THE SHED
The My Girl is Jason Prew’s foray into classic launch ownership – on Saturday she popped out of the shed for the first time in 4+ years, looking rather fast, even sitting on a trailer. Splash date May/June – WW looks forward to it – you can view on My Girl more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/24/28126/
Nana
Mahanui
Volantis
Korara
Classic Woody Riverhead Hotel Cruise
Not wanting to sound like a parrot but the CYA has an amazing track record of aceing the weather for its launch cruises to the waterfront Riverhead Hotel.
The forecast was average, but it just never eventuated & subsequently the boats that made the trip had a great day.
So cool to have one of our yachties make the trip, that center-board helped 😉
Highlight of the day for me was seeing John Wright’s recently restored launch – Nana. Nana was designed by C. Bailey Jun. & built by C. Bailey & Sons in 1934. You can view more on Nana’s amazing journey, from rescue to re-launch at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/02/01/nana-resuced-restored/
John has one of the best eyes for how a woody should look, the final details on Nana make her look perfect, in my eyes. John, you should have finished the trip & come up to the hotel, I have a WW tee-shirt for you – email me your postal address – waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Also had a peek at the publican’s – Paula & Stephen Pepperell’s 1967 Jorgensen launch -Volantis, that is nearing the end of an extensive re-fit, Stephan is another woody with a great eye for detail.
Below are a collection of photos from the camera of Simon Smith who was perched on the Greenhithe Bridge – they give us another perspective on some of our classics. Pity Simon wasn’t there for the return trip – Raindance & the motor-sailer Korara, were just passing under the bridge, being good woodys, traveling to starboard of a large plastic yacht (a Hanse) that was approaching the bridge – when all of a sudden the yachts bow shot up out of the water & the yacht shot backwards. The reason – you guessed it – mast hit the bridge (photo of dent to the bridge, below) luckily they were travelling slow, any faster & they might have lost the mast. I suspect there was a change of undies needed for the crew.
Raindance & Nana
Lucinda
Lucille
Mahanui
Arohanui
Korara
Upper Harbour ‘V’s’ Yacht Oops
HDML – Kuparu – P3563 Looking Rather Smart
Kupara
MANAIA – Launch Day
The above photos of Manaia were sent to me by Paul Drake – I’ll let Paul tell the story behind them.
“The first four I took on launching day. I was 15 and in the midst of School Certificate. No exam that day, so off I went on my bike from home in Balmoral, camera in my bag.
In the second pic, Capt. Warwick Dunsford can be seen in charge on the foredeck (white boiler suit and black beret).
In the third pic, Percy Vos himself is clearly recognizable just by the fore foot.
The last two photos I have had since the 1960’s & most likely come from the camera of TW Collins. Great photos, especially the one from the port quarter, and show MANAIA at work.
MANAIA is certainly very original, but note that the stem now has an unattractive (to me) hook near the top. Much better straight in my view. Also note unusual chine aft. Double ender but hard chine aft. That’s why she can do 15 knots if required!
MANAIA was about the last of the large wooden pilot vessels built for New Zealand ports. About the same time as AKARANA and 10 years after TIAKINA (Wellington – and also a Collings design). TIAKINA of course built in England and steamed out via Suez Canal.”
You can see photos of Manaia today, looking very smart & read extensive details on her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/01/26/manaia/
Volvo Round-the-World Yacht Race -Auckland Start
Photos Below In The Order They Passed North Head
And a couple of Woodys amongst the sea of plastic boats
Peter Boardman – Lady Margaret
Angus Rogers – Mahanui
My Big Woody Adventure
Several months ago David Cooke tapped me on the shoulder & asked if I would like to join Barbara & himself aboard their 1965 Salthouse built classic motor-yacht, Trinidad, on the first leg of their circumnavigation of New Zealand – Bay of Islands (East Coast of the North Island) > down the West Coast to Picton (top of the South Island). The short answer was hell yes.
Fast forward to Saturday January 20th 2018 & the Cooke’s, myself & Jamie Hudson (owner of near sister ship – Lady Crossley) are having our last land based dinner at the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club. Very appropriate that it was fish & chips. An early night was called & we woke at 5.30am Sunday morning to prepare for departure – photos & trip details below – read on & enjoy the journey – I did 🙂
A slightly different format today – magazine style i.e. photos & copy to support them, have also captioned some. When you are doing 3 hours on 3 hours off watches, food plays a big part of the day – so there are a few food shots. When Barbara deemed I needed to be punished for some misdemeanor she would not tell my what was for dinner & keep me guessing all day. To a serious foodie, that was cruel.
Dinner at Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club
We left Whangaroa early on Sunday (21/01) – approx. 515 nautical miles ahead of us. Conditions were a little damp & a combination of sea mist & low cloud meant we saw little of the Northland coast. In fact North Cape / Cape Regina was only an outline.
We crossed the top of the North Island mid afternoon. Gave the Pandora Bank a very wide berth & pointed Trinny in a straight line to the South Island. The rain and drizzle continue into the first night but after that it was a dry run. We had a 10>15 knot breeze from NE most of the way & a 2>3m swell. The combination of a steadying sail & a wee headsail worked a treat, not for speed but simply to help steady the rolling motion. When both are set the wheel can be left and Trinny will hold her course.
They say an army marches on its stomach – well the Trinny crew certainly had no complaints with the gallery – we dined well 🙂
Stunning sunset
Stunning dawn, off Taranaki
The clock on the GPS says 3:58am & we were just off New Plymouth, the gas well / rig lights being the first thing we had seen other than H2O. Mount Egmont poking thru the clouds / mist. This was the view most days – same > same but very wow.
Lots of dolphins (& the odd shark)
The crew – Barbara, David, Jamie & myself below
Closing in on Stephens island at the northern end of the Marlborough sounds, the weather gods smiled on us for the trip across Cook Straight & with the GPS reading 9.6 knots it was a happy crew. It had been a dry trip, so we were hanging out for a cold beer once we had dropped anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound.
We arrived in Resolution Bay at approx. 6pm, a total travel time of close to 60 hrs. And immediately rafted up with friends of Barbara & David’s – Rob and Mandy Carpenter who own the Warwick designed launch Pandanoosa. When the engine was killed it was so peaceful, but saying that the faultless beat of the 6LX Gardner was quite hypnotic.
I lost the bet on how long the trip would take (only by 45mins) & was forced to wear a bar napkin, take orders and serve drinks while displaying my best manners……….
We had a great night & a superb meal of Blue Cod aboard Pandanoosa.
Captain Cooke – peeling the potatoes for dinner
Bay Of Many Coves Resort
The Crew, brunch & bubbles
We awoke after a great sleep – we had been doing watches of 3 hours on / 3 hours, to the magnificent beauty of The Sounds. It’s just so big & so stunning. The next 2 days were spent mooching around the bays & coves sucking up the scenery(Pickersgill Island, Blumine Island, Endevour Inlet, Anapawa Island). Brunch at the Bay of Many Coves resort was a special treat, as were drinks at Furneaux Lodge.
This is my pick of the waterfront properties we saw. I will do another WW story soon on the boat sheds – some stunners.
Cabin boy Jamie doing his morning chores
A little sad when we had to berth Trinny at the Waikawa Bay marina & clean / pack up. End of the line for Jamie & myself but just the start for the Cooke’s – you can follow their cruise on the Trinidad Travels facebook page – link below
https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cooke.9028/posts/160438894747674
The return journey – I had always wanted to do the Wellington > Auckland scenic train trip, so suggested to Jamie that we took the overnight ferry from Picton > Wellington & caught the train home. A great plan, just had to kill 5 hours in the middle of the night in Wellington. I think Jamie thought Mermaids was a seafood restaurant………..
Train was very cool, a few issues with brakes overheating that extended the travel time – but I would do the trip again.
Highlights:
For the overseas viewers I have included below a few photos of Trinidad, a rather magnificent ship – looking as always very regal. You can see / read more about her here
https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/19/trinidad-52-salthouse-motor-yacht/
CYA Classic Yacht Regatta 2018 – Day Two – Race 2 – 50+ Photos
Popped out early on Raindance to catch the start of the regatta – not much of a day for photos, overcast………. but the stick & rag boys would have been happy with the breeze.
If there appears to be a high degree of repetition with the photos – thats because there were not a lot of classics competing. A-division had a good turn out but you could count the rest with out having to take our shoes & socks off.
Maybe everyone sleep in & they turned up for the afternoons race ?
Numbers aside – bloody impressive sight when they are all powered up. Things got a little tense at the start – some very un- corthinthian yachting language was heard, more often then not, the worst culprits always seem to flying a small blue burgee…… 😦
Below – My Pick For Best Photo (not mine, ex Jason Prew’s FB page)
When you arrive 5 mins late for the start you have to do whatever it takes to get into the race – it’s not often you see Jason out of the cockpit, let alone on Wairiki’s rail 🙂
Lake Rotoiti 2018 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 240+ photos
Last weekend marked the 21st birthday of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.
The parade is one of the icon wooden boating events in New Zealand, with each year between 70 & 100+ classics on display. The LRC&WB Association are very active & hold many events thru-out the year, but the parade is the highlight. You would struggle to find a more inclusive, welcoming group of people that each year open the parade & picnic to anyone with a classic or woody boat – sail, power, big, small.
On the day we ‘enjoyed’ a mix of weather from fine > light drizzle > rain > fine, this didn’t stop everyone having a blast but taking photos was a challenge at times – a little bit of editing hopefully has help out 🙂 The photos of the ‘speed’ boats doing a demonstration run (health & safety red tape means it can not be called a race) were shot with a very long lens, so a little soft focus.
Post the picnic, several boats headed off to the Manupirua thermal pools, which are only accessible via boat. To an Auckland boaty the concept of pulling up at a jetty, tying up, & enjoying a soak in a hot thermal pool is rather special + its licensed, so one can enjoy a refreshing beverage, very civilised.
I would like to thank LRC&WB Association past commodore – Fraser Wilson, for the generous loan of his RIB, sure makes getting around & taking photos easy.
Each year my LRC&WBP experience is extended & 2018 saw Robyn & I hosted at Florence & Rod Prosser’s waterfront property. Berthed at Rod’s jetty is the 1882, 25’ counter stern day launch – Firefly, which now has a playmate in the recently acquired 1930, 23’ Chas Robinson built motor-launch – Rainbow. There are several more boats in the stable but I won’t out Rob on the exact number 🙂
In addition to their holiday home, Rod & Florence run a very funky, cool lakeside bach called ‘The Love Shack’ – its available for rent (via BookaBach, see link below). If you a ever looking for accommodation in the Rotorua area I would highly recommend it – see photos below – AND its got WiFi !!!!! https://www.bookabach.co.nz/baches-and-holiday-homes/view/2381
I hope you enjoy the photo gallery as much as I do attending the event.
AS ALWAYS – CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE
THE LOVE SHACK
KAIRAKI
Kairaki was built in 1964 to an Athol Burns design. She is best described as a 25’ Marlborough Sounds overnight launch. You will see from the photos that she has been completely restored after extensive refurbish, all done by a boat builder.
Carvel planked in Kahikatea and fully treated with Metalex. She sat in a shed for 5 years & then was completely stripped to bare boat. Fiberglass sheathed above deck from gunnel to gunnel, new cockpit, also glassed.
The get up & go comes via a 35hp Isuzu diesel that sees her cruising at 7 kts with max of 8.5kt. Being trailer-able is another big bonus, so if there are any Lake Rotoiti woodys looking for a perfect lake boat – check her out on trademe. Again thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up.
LASANTA
I was contacted recently by Louis Jensen from Christchurch who owns the beautifully restored Mason Marlin classic runabout, Lasanta. Very pretty classic. Louis has promised to send more details & photos (nudge nudge) but I could not resist putting these ones up on WW today. It was the perfect excuse to give this coming weekends Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade a plug. You will find full details here http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz
It’s an amazing event, so if you are anywhere around the central North Island, make an effort to attend. I’ll be there, so look out early next week for another big classic woody photo gallery. Might even buy a boat……………………….
CYA WAITANGI DAY PICNIC @ MOTUIHE ISLAND – TUESDAY 6TH FEB
The annual Waitangi Day CYA picnic at Motuihe is always a great boating day out & with most of us sliding away on the Monday, its a perfect stop off on the way home. Location will depend on the wind i.e. whichever side is most protected from the breeze/sea. Look out for the big CYA burgee on a pole in the sand and that will be meeting spot, bring your picnic and introduce yourself. Motuihe gets busy on a sunny day but there’s always room 🙂
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