Category Archives: 1960’s

Jan

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Jan

JAN

photo ex Russell Ward

Designed & built from kauri in c.1960 by Brin Wilson for the late Sir William Stevenson & family. Sir William owned many boats on numerous lakes around NZ , Jan being one of them. She still resides in a boat shed in the Okere Arm of Lake Rotoiti. Jan is well known on the lake & one of the boats I hope to see next weekend at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.
Check out http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz to view more lake boats & the event. Boats are listed on the left side of the home page & grouped in chronological order.

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Manapouri @ Mahurangi Regatta 2014

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Mystery Launch #1 @ Mahurangi Regatta 2014

Manapouri @ Mahurangi Regatta 2014

Every year I look out the cabin window & go “where did that come from & how come I have never seen her before”.

Well it happened again this year, this beauty attempted to drop anchor on top of the launch I was enjoying a cleansing ale aboard. Could not get a clear view of the name board but if my life depended on it I would say it said something like ‘Manapori’. As quick as she arrived she was gone again off to the other side of the bay.

Can anyone ID her & shed some light on her story.

Harold Kidd Update

I think that’s MANAPOURI built by Parkes in Whangarei c1960 and owned for many years by Peter MacDonald there. Now owned by Mark Sorenson in Auckland.

Update 06/02/2014  –  I can confirm it is Manapouri & it was built in 1960 & I’m told the design being ‘Thornycroft’ ??. Still owned by Mark Sorrenson – so top of the class again Mr Kidd 🙂 And they have just joined the CYA.

Message for Mark Sorrenson – 24/02/2014

Hello Alan and Harold,
with regards to Manapouri. Firstly, excuse my anchoring skills.
I have researched Manapouri’s history and have a complete list of owners and rough dates.
I have little information regarding her design. Terry? Ashby of Ashby’s boat builders believes that she may have been a Thornycroft design.
She was built for Hector Parks by Crow Ewings at Ewings boat builders at the end of Ewings Rd Whangarei. It is said that one Kauri was felled and milled for her construction. Hector and Celia lived at One Tree Point, Marsden Bay and spent their final years at Ramburne Rest Home.
She was sold to Peter MacDonald whom I believe was the transport manager at McBreans Transport. He replaced the two Lister engines with Ford 120’s. He also reconfigured the rudder from a single to a double set up. I believe that he has passed away.
She was then sold to Jack Turnbull and was based in Lyttleton Harbour. Jack is survived by Rosemary and Richard. They remember many happy summer holidays spent in the Malborough Sounds aboard Manapouri
She was then sold to Ken McLeod who is based in Christchurch. He remembers many crossings of the Cook Straight and some in terrible conditions.
She was then sold to Graham Ashby (Ashby Boat Builders family). Graham recalled one trip from Picton to Auckland in 40 Knots and remembers that she is a sound boat with no vices. Graham owned her from 1990 to 2000.
She was then sold to Peter the marine engineer. He was estranged from his wife and was a live aboard at Opua. Unfortunately he drowned whilst trying to board Manapouri after a night on the Rum at a Christmas party. 2001-2003.
She was then purchased from the estate by Derek Stokes, who now owns the Whangaroa Motel.
Derek had the walk through transom built and replaced the soft coverings throughout the interior.
Derek had a reasonable amount of paper work and photos of Manapouri and he gave them to a prospective puchaser. She was never bought by this person and the photos where not returned.
Derek had to, with some reluctance sell Manapouri.
She was then sold to a Character by the name of Hawkins, who owned the Kaikoura Motel. I have not managed to contact him.
Jeremy Glubb was her next owner, whom I purchased her of.
Both Glubb and Hawkins were unkind to her and I found her rather neglected and in need of much attention.
I purchased Manapouri through Gordon Low in February 2009, she was my reward for recovering from Lymphoma. I have enjoyed her for five years and have beavered away, endeavoring to return her to her former glory. She now rests at M054 in the Gulf Harbour Marine Village.
Lastly, I have a note in my journal that says Hector Parks bought her plans from Thornycroft through the rudder Magazine. But I do not recall who gave me this information.

30-08-2016 Update – My name is Brian Nobbs, from Whangarei.  I was Heck’s next door neighbour, I was only a boy at the time approximately 16 years old.  I’m the one who held the dolly under the boat while Heck peined the copper rivets inside the boat and that would have been approximately 1958, and the boat was built in Heck’s property in a large shed on Anzac Road, Whangarei.   Also a Bill Keogh helped Heck to built the boat. Brian also recalls that the bow was made out of a bent pohutakawa. When it was finished we did a trip to Great Barrier for 2 weeks – and had a really enjoyable time, good memories.  Heck was a real character.

Trinidad at Mahurangi Regatta 2014

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Trinidad at Mahurangi Regatta 2014

Trinidad
I have posted lots of photos of Trinny since my winter visit to  Lees Boatbuiders but this is the first one ‘on-the-water’. I went for an early morning row & snapped the lady looking stunning in the early light.

Cara Mia

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CARA MIA

photos & details ex Ken Ricketts & trademe

Cara Mia, 37.7 ft, was built by Maurice Palmer at Devonport in 1961 & has a 6 cyl. 120h.p. Mitsubishi diesel, present owner has had her for 10 years. Currently for sale on trademe, it might take a while to sell – the listing only says “This boat is for sale. Make an offer” 🙂

On first viewing Ken saw her as a classic 1950’s McCeady, but the owner has strong evidence she is not + the bow portholes are “rounded” at the ends & McGeady’s were always oblong.

The two boat photo is Cara Mia & Arohanui in Coromandel Harbour in 2006

Harold Kidd Update

CARA MIA (proper spelling – fixed) was indeed built by Maurice Palmer of Devonport in 1961 for T. Harrison. She was 36′ x 34’3″ x 10’3″ x 2’9″. Later owners included R.M. Waite and L.W. Moore in Auckland. There was also a CARA MIA gamefishing from Tutukaka owned by Ray Dinsdale but I’m pretty certain it’s another boat.

This CARA MIA’s original engine was a 100hp Fordson diesel.

Palmer was well regarded as a designer/boatbuilder. Included in the yachts he built were the 22ft mullet boats STARDUST (I) and CONTROVERSY and the Stewart 34 PANIA.

 27/10/2014 – Chris McMullen Update

I was Morrie Palmers only apprentice. First at his house in Meola Rd Point Chevalier. He then moved his boatbuilding operation to 15 Clarence St Devonport. He purchased an old house that I believe had been the Police Station. He removed all the interior walls as the boats got bigger. The Council building inspectors were not happy. Cara Mia was built in the this old house. She was one of two built drawn by Morrie but definitely based on a Billy Rogers design.  I remember Morrie telling me about the advantages of the Rogers flam bow in a launch.  He said ” Only Aircraft carriers have flared bows.” I guess (now) he was referring to “Wirihana”.  The Flam Bow has more room in a small displacement launch and contrary to what you may think, the extra buoyancy is better in a big head sea. At the time I was only interested in Mullet Boats but I remember most of what he told me. Years later from my own experience. I believe he was right. And yes, We did use large Kauri demolition timber from the Rutland St Drill Hall but not for planking. I did about half my apprenticeship with Morrie until he closed the doors, the balance with Max Carter.  Two very good hard working and knowledgeable Tradesmen. I was very fortunate to be an apprentice Wood boat builder in the early 1960’s.when you could still get good Kauri.

Deodar

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DEODAR

photos ex Keith Munro

Ex Auck Police launch. 52ft x 15ft, Millar & Tunnage, 1960, kauri, twin 210hp Cat dsl s (9 – 16 knts). The older photos show her being restored in 1996 by John Wright & Dave Brown.  The ‘older’ photo of her post re-launch in the water has the launch Alwyn alongside.

Deodar has recently had an extensive refit is back to her former glory & now for sale & quote the trademe listing ‘owners will trade & priced reduced to sell.

There have been books written on Deodar’s life in the ‘force’

18/06/2104 A selection of ‘random’ photos added from ex Deodar crew member – John Elingham’s collection. Posted to ensure they are recorded / stored for the future.

click images to enlarge

Also below – a few from John of the ill-fated Wellington police boat – Lady Elizabeth

Marnine

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Marnine

MARNINE

photo ex Shane Anderson

Marnine is one of our hidden classics i.e. we do not see her out & about much so to get this great photo of her post re-launching at Gulf Harbour is a gem.
She enjoyed a very long tenure with the Porter family & I understand her current owner has had her for approx. 20 years. She looks as sharp as the day in 1961 she was launched

Built by Lanes (Panmure), her owner (the late) Fred Porter had a very big input to her design & styling.

At 50 feet & with a beam of 15 feet & 25 tonnes she is a beautiful big girl.
Search Marnine in the ww search box for more photos & details.

16-10-2016 Hauled out at Gulf Harbour (photos Ken Ricketts)

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Waimiga Re – fit /launch

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WAIMIGA

Now Waimiga always was a very special launch, she would feature on a lot of classic owners bucket list. Her pervious owner looked after her like one of the family & now Shane Anderson has taken her to another level, on Wednesday she emerged from Wayne Olsen’s Horizon Boats shed in Stillwater after 4 months of man love. This was a total make-over & unless you knew the boat you would not notice the extent of the project. There is still a few wee jobs to finish on the marina & ‘bits’ to be add, so when she is 100% I’ll post a lot more, in the mean time enjoy.

Another floating billboard for Awlwood MA (Uroxsys).

Trinidad

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TRINIDAD

CYA members Barbara & David Cooke have had 52′ Salthouse built Trinidad hauled out for the last 4 months in the boat shed at Lees Boat Builders, Sand Spit.

The original intention was to take the cabin top back to bare wood, replace all the glass & give her the Awlwood MA (Uroxsys) treatment. As happens, the to do list grew just a little & just about everything that could be painted, polished or re-chromed was given a birthday. The attention to detail & workmanship from Greg Lees & his team has impressed every classic boater that has passed thru the shed. The end result is simply magnificent, but you would expect that from Barbara & David as they set a pretty high bar when it comes to Trinidad.

She slipped out of the shed yesterday (12/12/13), with a little help from the little classic work boat ‘Karewa’. At 56′ Trinny was a tight fit & the shed sure looked bare post launching.

My photos will give you a good idea of the ‘new’ Trinny but there were more camera’s there than on a Japanese tour bus so there will be better ones to come.

Also David Waddingham (Mr Uroxsys) commissioned marine photographer Gareth Cooke to film a mini movie of the complete Uroxsys process, so once that has been edited I will post that on ww.

if you enter Trinidad into the ww search box you can view previous posting on her, including a peek down below

A Brief history of the Kawau ferry transport 1946 -1990

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KAWAU ISLE NORTH HARBOUR KAWAU ISLAND 1970s
MAIRIE 1954 MANSION HOUSE FERRY Builder Roy Lidgard
KAWAU ISLE MANSION HOUSE BAY WHARF 1962
KAWAU ISLE SANDSPIT 19.9.90
Ken Ricketts sculling towards Kororo
FRED LADD MANSION HOUSE BAY 1950’s
Kawau Isle berthed at Maritime Museum
Kawau Isle 60th Anniversary Skippers
Kawau Isle 60th Anniversary at Bon Accord
Kawau Isle
Kawau Isle at Riverhead Hotel

A Brief history of the Kawau ferry transport 1946 -1990

photos & details ex Ken Ricketts

MAIRIE

Purpose built in the early 1950’s by Roy Lidgard, in his boatbuilding shed in Smelting House Bay Kawau Island, for Alan Horsfall owner of the Mansion House, in Mansion House Bay, Kawau, for the carriage of passengers & freight, to & from the Mansion House, to the Sandspit at Warkworth, which was the embarkation point, for the vast majority of the guests, & virtually all freight, food, & most importantly, for boaties, grog, during Mansion House’s time as a hotel /guest house, which was up until about September 1967, at which time it was bought by the Government of the day & turned in to a historic place, under the Historic Places Trust.

A few lucky commuters travelled in style, by amphibious aircraft from the 1950’s onwards, — a Grumman Widgeon, piloted by a the famous, Freddie Ladd,  a delightful, colourful, extroverted, & very learned, & tremendously skilled, pilot,  see pic on the beach of Mansion House Bay, c.1954, (this photo along with the one of Mairie was scanned by Ken from 8 mm movie footage shot from his families launch, Juliana, c.1953-55, thence the poor quality). Ladd usually had Christmas dinner on Juliana, & later Gay Dawn, an entertained the Ricketts family with his seemingly endless supply, of real life anecdotes.

Mairie was approx 42 feet long & powered by a 4 cyl Kelvin diesel & served the Island & Mansion House for many years. In her later years such was the demand for her services that Lidgards built (1952) another boat for Mr. Horsfall, called Kawau Isle, slightly bigger & powered by a 6LW Gardner diesel, which in later years, took over most of the passenger load & left Mairie to do the donkey work, with the freight side of the logistics. The 6LW I understand, has fairly recently been replaced by a newer 6LX Gardner in Kawau Isle.

KAWAU ISLE

Kawau Isle is a traditional kauri timber motor vessel built in 1952 by Roy Lidgard at Smelt House Bay, Bon Accord Harbour. She is 45 feet in length, powered with a 6LW Gardner diesel engine and cruises at 7.5 knots.

For around 30 years the Kawau Isle operated a ferry service between Sandspit and Kawau Island. More recently she worked from Half Moon Bay as a charter boat and then Whangarei as a school ferry. She currently plys her trade ferrying day trippers to & from the Riverhead Hotel, on the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour.

In the bow on photo with the ‘Riverhead Ferry’ logo, the men on the bow are all past and preasent skippers of Kawau Isle. This photo was taken at Kawau Island, Bon Accord Harbour November 2012 during a cruise to celebrate the 60th anniversary to the launching of the ferry.

Note : Mairie & Kawau Isle replaced the ‘Nancibel’ – (may have been Nancibelle), which was powered with a 4 cyl 4-53 GM Detroit & ‘Kororo’ which was powered with a P6 or 6-354 6 cyl Perkins. Both of these boats were painted bottle green & given there appearance probably built in the later part, of the early 1900s. You can see the Maritana stern on, behind Kawau Isle in the 1962 pic at Mansion House Bay wharf. The back end of Kororo can be seen in the photo of a young Ken Ricketts sculling the dinghy.

A question ex Don Macleod

Refer below article / photos that appeared in DIVE Magazine Vol 11 No3, of 1972.

Is this the same launch, Nancibel, that serviced Kawau Island. (click photo to enlarge)

Nancibel _ DIVE Magazine

Update from Don 02/12:

The divers got into real trouble that weekend at the 20 fathom reef, Mayor Island, 3 cases of the bends, one of which died (Henry Liason).

There was another boat that hit a Mayor Island rock that weekend. It was the Edward G which flooded its engine room at the time

that Henry Liason was surfacing from a very deep dive.

Tauranga divers went out and salvaged the Gardner engine from the Nancibel the week after she sank.

 

Seafarer

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SEAFARER

I last posted about Seafarer when she & her ‘owner’ Richard were my haul out neibours at the Devonport Yacht Club in 2013 winter.

Seafarer was built at Opua by Walter Deeming in 1963 to a John Brooke design.

This year Seafarer got an even bigger fright than 2013, mostly based around a new motor & all the bits that go with that – new fuel tanks, new exhaust system etc etc.

You can see from the exterior photos that the standard of workmanship is faultless. Below, it would pass the Colin Pawson test with flying colours 🙂

There is a little bit of me on her, I did the name boards (I’m not that talented, I pulled a favour with a mate) as a thank you for all the advice Richard gave me in 2013.

The new wooden mast replaced an ugly stainless steel ‘thing’ left over from the days when she was a motor-sailor.

Seafarer was relaunched on Sunday 24 November at the DYC . Photos show her, on the club mooring, post launch looking very smart. In my opinion she would be one of the prettiest & ‘biggest’ 28 footers on the harbour & with a 9’6″ beam there is no shortage of living space below.

05-11-2016 UPDATE

Owner Richard Darke has had Seafarer out again at DYC this winter & the biggest item on the to-do list was to strip the coamings & re-do the Uroxsys. A wee oops a few years ago when doing it resulted in a finish that did not meet Richards standards, so off it came & this time the result is stunning – see below.

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Relaunching in spring 2017 after another winter of TCL ex Richard D

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