Best Kiwi Woody Boating Photos Of Summer

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Best Woody Boating Photos Of Summer

The above photos showing James & Michael Dreyer’s recently relaunched  33’ 1949 Luders designed motorboat – Laughing Lady & Jason Prew’s 1904 Arch Logan gaff rigger- Wairaki – are my 2 favourite photos from this summer. They capture what classic kiwi wooden boating is all about – fun, friendship & fraternity. 

The rebirth of these woodys would not have happened without people like Jason & James & the dozens of talented, enthusiastic craftspeople & helpers that rubbed up against the projects. And amazingly both of the guys have other classic woody projects on the go – Jason is restoring (rebuilding) the 1925 Dick Lang motor launch – My Girl. And James has a Rhodes 33 sloop in restoration in the USA, that hopefully will makes its way down under one day. In the meantime he gets his sailing fix from a 1937, 31’ Yankee One Design – made of kauri here in NZ, that he co-owns with his dad, Barry.

If your interested in viewing the restoration of LL or Wairiki, just search they name in the WW search box. 

  At the other end of the scale below is a short video on the 1910 Camper & Nicholson 162’ classic super yacht – Orion of the Seas, for sale in Italy. It is just magnificent but her maintenance budget would be bigger than the GDP of a lot of African nations. Enjoy the varnish porn. Tomorrow I’ll share with you my trip aboard Trinidad from Whangaroa, down the west coast of NZ to Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton.

http://www.classicyacht.tv/classic-yachts-for-sale/?utm_source=Subscribe+to+CLASSIC+YACHT+TV&utm_campaign=2ca530097f-Orion&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fe7f446382-2ca530097f-56204649#classic-yacht-tv-featured-classic-boat-for-sale

CYA Classic Yacht Regatta 2018 – 50+ Photos

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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 🙂

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Miss Kathleen

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Miss Kathleen

I have been contacted by Lake Rotoiti boat builder Alan Craig in regard to the launch Miss Kathleen. Alan had her hauled out at his yard pre Christmas for a bit of repower. Barry Green had owned her for a number of years but unfortunately he passed away last year. He left the boat to his grandkids, so it was being given a bit of work by his son Ross to make it more use friendly for them.

Out came the old 50hp David Brown engine, from the 1940s? & in went a much smaller Nanni. Alan commented that Barry would be turning in his grave over it, he swore the motor never leaked a drop of oil 🙂

Miss Kathleen is going back in the water soon and will continue to be used on the lake.

If there’s anyone out there who wants a trusty old 50hp David Brown diesel engine and a Clae gear box, Alan says it is there for the taking, its only being used as a lawn ornament at the moment.

You can see other photos & details on MK at the link below – but note the claim it’s a 1902 Logan is under question & Haold Kidd has suggested that she is more likely to be built by David Reid 10>20 years later.

Miss Kathleen

 

Lake Rotoiti 2018 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 240+ photos

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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

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Want To Get Into Classic Boating, For Less Than $10k?

CAPRICE

Woodys – Caprice has to be the buy of the year (so far), was previously listed at $30k, her owner (last 35 years) needs to sell her. Price dropped to $10k. Will someone buy her. She measures 34′ , has a 60hp Ford & as you’ll see in the photos below – is a lot of boat for the price. More details on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/17/caprice-2/ Thanks to Nathan Herbert for the trade listing heads up

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07-02-2018 Harold Kidd Input

A CAPRICE was built by the Grandison brothers in 1916 and looked a bit like this eventually but was longer at 36ft. For many years she was owned by John W Andrew, the Ford agent. Around 15 years ago she was at Mangonui owned by Les Barclay of Redan Motors, Kaitaia. Ken Ricketts knows her well. Same boat or just same name?
I reckon PATERANGI wasn’t built under that name. Any clues as to the original? She sank in Shoal Bay in April 1973.

Mahurangi Regatta 2018 – Classic Woodys Weekend – 100+ photos

 

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Mahurangi Regatta 2018 – Classic Woodys Weekend – 100+ photos

For the first time in yonks I missed the regatta, my excuse – I was boating elsewhere. Today’s photo gallery comes to you from numerous sources – but special mention to Jason Prew, Peter Loughlin & Nathan Herbert for sharing their cameras with us. Stunning photos guys. Mixed in with their photos are ones from – James Dreyer, Nick Davidson, Ken Ricketts, & John Bertenshaw.

The Classic Launch Parade had a great mix of familiar favourites & some new CYA members & a few who have not seen the light & joined the CYA yet 🙂 . From all reports, the sailing on Saturday was a challenge with wind / no wind / wind & very hot conditions – but as always with Mahurangi a good time was had by all.

As always – click photos to enlarge 😉

Great Video Footage below – the launch parade starts at approx. the 3min stage.

 

Raema

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RAEMA

Raema appeared on WW back in Dec 2014, at the time Harold Kidd corrected as few discrepancies re her provenance , you can view that story here for more details & photos https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/12/22/raema/

She was built in 1923, most likely be Collings & Bell. She has a carvel planked kauri hull & zoom zoom comes from a 6cyl. 120hp Ford diesel. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trade listing

MAHURANGI REGATTA PHOTOS

A FEW TECH GLITCHES MEANS THE MAHURANGI PHOTOS WILL BE ON WW ON WEDNESDAY. 

 

Waiari – Gets A Top Chop

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Waiari – Gets A Top Chop

I first featured the 1962 Own Woolley sedan launch, Waiari back in June 2014 & added updated photos in May 2017. While she looked very smart, she had a wee addition on top that in the eyes of some, was a little like ‘a pimple on a pumpkin’.

I’m pleased to be able to say that her owner, Tobias Forsyth has done the deed & given her a haircut J Photo below of the b4 & after. I know which I prefer.

You can read more about her in the comments section of the WW link below.

https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/06/17/waiari/

BEFORE PHOTOS

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THE PROCESS

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Teigene

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TEIGENE

Teigene was designed by Athol Burns & built by Tibble & Parsons (Motueka) in 1956. Her specs are LOA: 31’6” ,Beam: 10’ & Draft: 2’9″ 

She is built from 1″ planked kauri with ply glassed top sides & teak decks. A 55 hp 4 cyl. Mercedes diesel pushes her along at a comfortable 6.5 knts, max is 7.5 knts 

Her trademe listing (thx Ian McDonald) shows her moored in Havelock Marina.

LAUGHING LADY – 1949 33’ USA LUDERS – COMMUTER / SPORT MOTOR BOAT REFURBISHED IN NEW ZEALAND

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LAUGHING LADY – 1949 33’ USA LUDERS COMMUTER / SPORT MOTOR BOAT REFURBISHED IN NEW ZEALAND
Yesterday, I was privileged to join a small group of friends of the extended Dreyer family at Omaha wharf to celebrate the re-launching of Laughing Lady, owned by brothers James & Michael.
 It’s hard to believe it was over 4 years ago that I first talked to James about the purchase of Laughing Lady in the USA & where would be a good home for her during her restoration. Given James overseas work schedule & desire to be hands on with the project, there really was only one option – the Whangateau boat yard, so that was where she went, just under 4 years ago.
With projects of this size & standard – the end result is always a reflection of the number & calibre of people that have ‘rubbed-up-against’ the vessel, in LL’s case there have been a lot – from Pam, George, James & an army of friends & family. As time ticked on & a re-launch date was set, more wooden boat artisans were roped in. Having seen LL in the flesh, the photos above do not do justice to the work that has been done on her, everyone should take a well deserved a bow.
I was very pleased to see that the project has been a restoration, not a rebuild, James & Michael have kept most things as close to ‘as-launched’ as possible – sure there is modern material & technology in play but its tucked away out of view – the GPS / nav unit is a perfect example, when not needed, it drops down out of sight – very James Bond.
Stunning boat, but the big question, where to keep her – anyone got a vacant boat shed for hire?
I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I did taking them.
The old lady has had a lot of air time on WW – click the clinks below to view the process (top > bottom) – enjoy
This link will show you photos of her being re – floated https://www.facebook.com/287523138699/photos/rpp.287523138699/10155947222558700/?type=3&theater