Category Archives: 1960’s

Marnine

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Scan 12

c1963

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Ready for engines

MARNINE
Story & photos from Terry Porter
The name ‘Marnine’ is an anagram of Margaret (Joan Porter’s mother) and Janine (Fred and Joan’s only daughter after four sons).  ‘Marnine’ replaced ‘Wanda’ to cope better with a bigger family.
Dad and Garth Lane were good friends.  ‘Marnine’s’ lines were based on Ted Clarke’s ‘Lady Margaret’.  Mum and Dad were great friends with Ted and Margaret (Uncle Ted and Aunty Marg to us kids though no relation).  Dad liked ‘Lady Margaret’s’ sea-keeping characteristics so took control of the design of ‘Marnine’.  ‘Wanda’ rolled!  ‘Marnine’s’ styling and engineering design were all Fred’s work;  done in house at Mason & Porter with help from Ralph Ricketts and others (in particular Jack McLeod).
‘Marnine’ was launched at the end of 1961;  being 46 feet long with 4 feet added not long afterwards.
Contrary to some thinking, the boat performed OK as it was but the extra 4 feet would provide more bunks, a bigger head and more storage up forward.  A benefit was that ‘Marnine’ cruised and looked better.
‘Simran’ was also lengthened from 58 feet 3 inches to 64 feet.  This time on the stern and she too cruised and looked better.
On reflection, it seems most boats should be designed and then have 10% added prior to construction.
Photos
– B&W at Lanes Tamaki River being launched to have engines fitted across the river at Rothery’s Landing.
– Colour is cruising in 1963 prior to being lengthened.  Lack of forward handrail indicates pre-lengthening.
Note: to view more photos, just enter Marnine in the search box
08-05-2018 Input from Peter Wheeler – Regarding extending the bow.I was an apprentice at lanes at the time and helped Ray Pateman to loft out MARNINE. Ray actually altered the original design and extended the bow. Fred would have none of this and told Ray to go back to the original design. I had left Lanes and was surprised to see MARNINE getting her new bow when I called in to see the lads. She looked much more balanced I thought and saw her a few months ago and pointed out to my friends with me that I spent many a happy time helping to build her. She looked what she is classy.

Meola

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MEOLA
story & photos ex Russell Ward
One of my favorite workboats- was built in 1961 by Miller and Tunnage at Port Chalmers. She was built for the Ministry of Works for servicing of Marine Dept and navy installations around Waitemata Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf. Barney Soljak told me that she was modeled on Clematis but with a transom instead of a ducks ass. He felt that she was a little archaic and that they needed a more modern boat.She is 42’6″ LOA x 12’7″ Beam powered by a 4L3 Gardner. She was taken over by the Navy in 1976. She performed some impact hydrography cutting the corner inside Emu Rock and sank in Islington Bay 8 November 1978. RNZFA Arataki and a barge had her salvaged the next day –The tug Arataki had an interesting life in those days, frequently sorting out the Navy coastal cockups (usually before the media got there).
Meola is now in private ownership and much loved. She comes to all the classic workboat events.

Lola

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LOLA
A unique and incredible boat in our Marlborough Sounds, lives in a purpose built, air-conditioned building, on the waters edge.

‘LOLA’ is a 1962 Riva Tritone Aperto, tritone means the boat uses twin engines and apertos is the large open sunbed on the aft deck. She has a LOA of 27ft and is one of only 15 in the world. It is believed to be the only original Riva in New Zealand, and a stunning example of boat restoration. Only 3000 Rivas were built, between 1950 and 1966.

The restored Riva, has a flared bow, confident lines, a tumblehome hull, gleaming engine and exhaust vents and chrome fittings. It seats up to 10 people, plus two (or more) on the sunbed.

The boat is left-hand drive, and uses independent throttles and gear shifts. The latter are on the steering column, (one on either side), while the horizontal throttles are mounted on the side, to the left.

The two Riva Crusader 350XL V8 5.7L 270 horsepower engines offer agility and smooth manoeuvring. The Riva’s fine entry, chine line and deep forefoot combine for a soft ride, light steering and perfect trim. The Crusaders push the boat to a top speed of around 40 knots.

Features of the now restored Riva, include the brand name set into the boss of the steering wheel, the rear vision mirror, the flagstaff, the fairleads, the navigation lights, the windscreen and the windscreen wipers. The attention to detail involved in the craftsmanship is second to none.

LOLA was restored by Sounds Marine boatyard in Waikawa, where the paint was stripped, and the bottom faired. Topsides, some of the teak and mahogany foredeck needed replacing, and a new kingplank was crafted. The interior was cleaned and repainted.

All of the instrumentation is original Riva gear, with original hand-beaten chrome fittings. Many of these latter pieces required re-chroming. Four coats of International’s Epivar two-pot varnish were used on the completed hull, and the bottom painted.

The engines were removed and reconditioned by a local engineering firm, Boating Marlborough.

Specifications

Length 8.02m
Beam 2.62m
Draft 0.60m
Engines 2 x Riva Crusader 350XL V8 5.7L 270hp
Top Speed 40 knots
Fuel Capacity 476 litres

Video footage at link below (thank you Trade-a-boat)

http://www.tradeaboat.co.nz/news-reviews/2009/5/video-1962-riva-tritone-aperto

Story & photos supplied by Ken Rickets. edited by Alan H

Royal Visit – Britannia

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Royal Visit - Brittania

Royal Visit 1963 – Britannia

Photo taken by William (Bill) Fletcher, ex commodore of the Devonport Yacht club, Grant Cardno’s step grandfather.
Fletcher was an active photographer.
While Britannia is an interesting backround boat, waitematawoodys is more interested in the wooden launches in the foreground.
Any input on naming them would be appreciated.

Photo supplied by Grant Cardno

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