Category Archives: 1960’s

Valray

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VALRAY TAKEN ON OWNERS FAMILY SLIPWAY1975

VALRAY 
Tale & photo supplied by Ken Ricketts
Valray,named after Mr Ray & Mrs Val Hamilton, as one would think, is 38 ft, built of fiberglass Kauri, on the family farm, by the original owner himself, who was the then Harbour Master at Sandspit, Ray Hamilton, a real craftsman & artisan at all he did, or attempted, with his son Andrew, whom I thank so much for making this the photo available to me, having carried on what he started, with the boat building craftsmanship dynasty, & who is at the moment building a fascinating launch, on the same farm in Hamilton’s Rd Warkworth.
I saw her under construction on the farm during the later 60s. I can tell you all, the quality of materials & workmanship was almost better than the best, with beautiful lines as you can see, & a superbly crafted & finished interior.
As is obvious she is of the Vindex concept.
She was powered when built by 2 unusual model 6 cyl in line Perkins Diesels in N.Z., they were the  “S6” model & the only 2 I ever saw, & they may well still be in her today. They ran beautifully.
I saw them before installation, & after, & they were lovely looking large, mid metallic blue painted, naturally aspirated motors, ideal for the job they would be doing, in my view.
She lived right off the main wharf at Sandspit, during Ray H’s stewardship, (surprise, surprise, since he was the Harbour Master), & was used regularly.
She cut through the water superbly, & at a really good turn of speed, sat very flat in the water, & did not push or drag lots of water either end — seemed to cruise circa 18 knots at least, I’d say.
BEAUTIFUL!!
All in all, as far as I know, a great well keep boating secret, until now.
Would love to know where she is now if anyone can help. My email is kenpat@ihug.co.nz
Additional info
Valray was sold in 1978 to a Mr Gilbert.
Ray H imported the engines himself from UK specailly for her & the family still have a complete engine (not running at the moment) & many spares if anyone knows of a home for them.

Seafarer

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SEAFARER
Started life as a motorsailer , built by Walter Deeming at Opua in 1963 to a John Brooke design. Seafarer was my ‘neighbour’ on the hard at Devonport Yacht Club last year & her owner Richard was the best neibour you could ask for. When ever I needed a second opinion all I had to do was tap on the hull & Richards head would top out.
The other plus was that Seafarer was very tired & needing a lot of love so if I got depressed I would just hop aboard Seafarer & 5 minutes there would see me walking away feeling better. That ‘fix’ did not last too long as Richard started at the stern & dam near rebuilt / replaced everything & in most cases he made everything himself, very talented guy + a great sense of humour. And the best bit, he bought the boat & did it up so his grandkids could go boating.
The before haul out photo versus the ready for relaunching photo tells it all – amazing. The wonderful finish is from Uroxsys, Richard was another of my converts.
A hear a new motor is going in this winter so Seafarer will almost be a new boat.
Now if I can just get him to join the CYA 🙂

Bandit – Sir Peter Blake’s First Keeler

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Bandit - Sir Peter Blake's First Keeler BANDIT

Bandit was built by a young 18 year old Peter Blake in the family’s Bayswater backyard & just recently been discovered in a shed at Warkworth. The Classic Yacht Charitable Trust have purchased her & post restoration she will be on permanent display at a suitable Auckland’s waterfront location. Click for more details on Bandit & to view the CYCT’s fleet of classic vessels.

Rorqual the ex whalechaser for sale

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RORQUAL
The last of the Perano whalechasers launched in 1960. Completely rebuilt by Geoff Bagnall in 1988. Double diagonal kauri with Carvel to the waterline over the top. Sapele Mahogany topsides with glass covered ply decks and cabin roof.
GM 671 Detroit with Turbo.. Completely rebuilt by top GM specialist in 1988.
Cruises at 15 knots, top speed 20-22 knots. Uses about 26 ltres an hour cruising.
Click to view full listing

Tainui

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Screen Shot 2013-04-23 at 2.09.27 PM Screen Shot 2013-04-23 at 10.39.03 AM Tainui Jan 09

TAINUI
Designed by Eldredge-McInnis in the USA (original design / lines above), built in NZ c.1960 with kauri planking on oak rib. Originally powered by a Chrysler Crown engine. First owner possibly the Montgomery family in Nelson. Previous owners include CYA member Mark McLaughlin, Michael Cooper & before him CYA members Sue & Mark Edmonds.
 
Info supplied by Mark Edmonds

 

 

Pearl Diver

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Pearl Diver

PEARL DIVER

Launched 1966 owned & built by Ken Ricketts life long friend Lloyd Burnand, who passed away a few months ago. Built at 6 Ngapipi Rd Orakei from a 30 ft Shipbuilders kitset, powered by 6 cyl Ford Diesel, 2 skins of glued screwed Kauri, which made here enormously strong as he used an expensive special glue. Was sold later to Steve Lomax of Warkworth. Last heard of, was at Whangarei.

EL CAPITAN

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EL CAPITAN

EL CAPITAN. This boat has a fascinating story. A genuine Chris Craft design & specs, built of 2 skins mahogany in 1960 on his farm, by the owner at Ohakea. Still has original 2 x 6cyl 90hp Chrysler Crown Petrol engines (still only done 750 hours since new). Was used on Taupo & at the Sounds from 1960 to 1974 & then put back in shed at Ohakea for maintenance & never moved until owner died & she was sold to Tony Mitchell a professional self employed boat builder at Lake Rotoiti 8 years ago who has restored her beautifully in his spare time. She was relaunched Dec. 2012 & had been in the water 3 minutes when this pic was taken — I was at the relaunching at Lake Rotoiti.
She had never had a call sign, as the original owner was radio ham & used his ham call sign for marine use. —
I was instrumental in Radio Spectrum Management allocating ZMEC to her for life.

photo & story by Ken Ricketts

John Dory & her Lister engine

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Built as a commercial fishing boat for coastal long lining the objective of the overall design and construction methods was to create a simple, cost effective and easy driven vessel. John Dory is also an outstanding sea boat and has demonstrated this ability on many occasions.

Her 27hp Lister Diesel is a good example of the type of machinery once used in small coastal fishing boats. John Dory is well maintained to a commercial standard. Howard Pascoe cruised the Coromandel and Northern Coastline up until his death in 2001.

23/09/2014 – The Lister is getting some love, including a new (out of the box) reduction box – love the bronze nuts.