Category Archives: 35′

The Exquisite – VALERIE

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The Exquisite – VALERIE  

The photo above of the launch Valerie shows her on the slipway at the Lane Motor Boat Company (designer and builder), Mechanics Bay, Auckland just after her sea trial.

Everyone has their own favourite style, but in my eye this is an outstanding example of the pure, uncluttered designs that were being built in the late 1920’s > early 1930’s – then we got greedy and wanted more space at the same waterline length, so the boats got wider and higher ………

Thanks to an earlier Valerie story on WW in June 2022 we learnt from Robin Elliott and Harold Kidd that she was built for a Mr M G King of Whangarei – 35’ in length, beam of 9’ and when launched powered by a 35hp engine.

This WW link will take you to several stories on Valerie – lots of photos  https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Valerie&submit=Search

(todays photo ex fb via K Ricketts)

2021

KAWAU BOATING CLUB NEW CLUBROOMS OPENING DELAYED

So woodys that means the woody gathering this Labour Weekend is postponed until we get confirmation of the new date. If you are in the bay I understand you can poke your nose in the door for a work-in-progress peek 🙂


WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL TRIP REPORT

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WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL TRIP REPORT

A little late posting todays story – its been rather a full on weekend – on Saturday we had our general election, which resulted in a change of government (very happy with that). Then early Sunday morning the All Blacks had a do or die clash with Ireland in the Rugby world Cup which resulted in a well deserved win for the AB’s. 

After the final whistle I was in the car and heading north to Whangarei to check out the Whangarei Maritime Festival. The temptation to stay in Auckland and enjoy a celebratory breakfast was very strong but wow I’m so glad I didn’t – I was rewarded with a most enjoyable day out.

I’ll start by thanking Druce Dunlop for alerting me to the upcoming weekend and also say that the organisers did an great job promoting the event on social member. Anyone contemplating hosting a similar event  could learn a lot from mirroring the WMF. It ticked all the boxes and was rewarded with a huge turnout.

A wonderful collection of mostly wooden craft on display that given the location / layout of the dockside, allowed the public to get up close and experience the vessels.  

Well done to everyone involved – both on and off the water. Enjoy the gallery of images.  As always – click photos to enlarge 😉

KURANGI

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KURANGI – 4sale

Earlier in the year we ran a brief story on the 35’ launch Kurangi, at the time we didn’t generate much intel on her but today we can share more.

Built in 1960, from single skin kauri carvel, her builder is unconfirmed -15 years ago when her owner purchased her he was told Kurangi was a Oliver & Gilpin design / build but this doesn’t sit well with the O&P gurus 🙂

Who ever penned the design, she has very good lines and is well built.

Kurangi is propelled by a Ford 6cyl. 100hp diesel and has a speed range of 7.5>9 knots.

Unlike so many woodys – Kurangi has an impressive service history and has been well maintained – in recent times – new frig/freezer, new toilet, new starter motor and batteries, new canvas canopies, heat exchanger serviced.

The boat has also just had an out-of-water survey for insurance purposes.

After 15 years of family cruising her owners are now at a stage in life where boating is a challenge so have made the decision to pass Kurangi onto new owners. OBC marina available tbc.

Interested parties looking for a turn-key classic launch , ready for summer cruising – contact the Wooden Boat Bureau for more details  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

VICTORIA CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL – Vancouver – Dockside Tour 

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VICTORIA CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL – Vancouver – Dockside Tour 

Last week we had a story about Peter Knowles and his travel to the Victoria Wooden Boat Festival vis his v-blog ‘Boat Life – Travels With Geordie’. Peter very briefly showed us some of the craft arriving – today we get a dock-side wander, complete with captions for the classic woodys.

I hope the people at Auckland’s maritime museum see this video – re their upcoming Auckland wooden boat festival next year. The stand out observation is the mix of yachts + launches + work boats + small craft – it is all mixed in together and thats what works all around the world – not rocket science……………..

INPUT ex Neil Chalmers – Great video , at 2 56 there is the NZ yacht ‘Two Sisters’ (was sail no. F3) . Has a Woollacott look about her. I often wondered where she got to .

A picture of her at Bon Accord Kawau appears in the ‘Cruising in NZ Waters’  by GR Paul (below). This was the go to book in the 1960’s before to the RAYC Cruising Guide was published.

REMEMBER BOAT BOAT SALE 11am SATURDAY @ MILFORD SLIPWAY – 5 OMANA ROAD, MILFORD $BRING CASH$ WW MERCHANDISE FOR SALE

Northern Classic Woody Gander

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PATHFINDER
October 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/17/eunice-k/
March 2023  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/30/pathfinder-eunice-k/
LEISURE HOUR
WHITE HERON
May 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/25/white-heron/
REEL TIME
LADY J 
May 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/06/joel/
April 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/29/lady-j-joel/
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
NGAIO
BLUE FIN
Nov 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/26/blue-fin/
Dec 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/12/09/blue-fin-an-old-sailor-dies/
April 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/27/blue-fin-2/
CLOUD NINE
FLORENCE MAY
Jan 2016  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/21/florence-rose-2/
Feb 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/02/22/florence-may/
LINDA II
FOUR WINDS
Oct 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/10/22/four-winds/

Northern Classic Woody Gander

Today thanks to Dean Wright we get to wander the docks at Tutukaka marina and point the lens towards the Ngunguru River.

It was a slow day yesterday so I have done the hard work for you i.e. you will find links to previous WW stories on the boats that have appeared on WW in the past. Links found in the title section under each photo – enjoy 🙂

And if you can tell us more about the unknown boats e.g. there provenance, that would be great. If you haven’t come to grips with using the comments section – just send an email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

The Boats of Major Bailey

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FLORAE > FLORAY > LEILANI
FLOLAINE > AWATEA – @ Te Atatu BC 2014
FLOLAINE > AWATEA – @ Thames 2016
CHRISTINE – 1970’S

The Boats of Major Bailey

Major (christian name, not a rank) Bailey built four launches that we are aware of – thanks to Ken Ricketts and Graeme Varcoe today we get to see them together, excluding the last built, those name is not recorded. 
The First built was – Florae / Floray (seems to have had an identity crisis over time) , later named Leilani and currently high and draw in a Thanes paddock.

Second was  – Flolaine, now named Awatea

Third was – Christine

Fourth – unknown – anyone able to help with details. Amusing (in hindsight) launch day story below ex KR.
The Launching And Near Sinking Of #4 Boat

KR commented that Major Bailey had some radical views on boat systems and fit out. With the fourth boat he developed a steering system which was or looked like half a petrol or oil drum encircling each propeller and turning right left which was supposed to direct the prop wash and steer the boat but when you turned the wheel absolutely nothing happened, as much of the prop thrust water just went out the back and the prop thrust was simply lost completely.

#4 had two 6 cyl. second hand Fords, very poorly home converted, and badly installed in the stern with detached vee drives, along other bits & pieces. All the underwater gear seemed to leak through the hull and added to almost sinking post launching, refer below.

KR commented that on launch day she almost sunk immediately on launching and would not steer. The yard would not lift her out again due to a dispute, so they steered her as best they could with the engines as quickly as they could downstream to Eastern Marina Services (Terry Burling). There they beached her on the ramp, to effect urgent matters to make her seaworthy and steerable. 

The boat had all sorts of unique bits about her all of which mostly designed by Major Bailey and mostly just did not work.

KR also commented that #3, Christine was very ugly, with the hull, all rough and showing all the planks & seams, and the flare was horrible with a slanting forward deck line at the bow. He was putting more & more radical & impractical ideas in the succession of his boats as they went on.

So woodys it appears and KR agrees that Leilani was the pick of the bunch 🙂 I wonder what became of the fourth build ………….

Mystery Couldrey Launch

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MYSTERY COULDREY LAUNCH

As always its only a mystery because the broker deletes the name 🙂 What we know is she was built by Bill Couldrey in 1972 so slips into the ’spirit of tradition’ grouping. 34’4” in length with a beam of 11’ 4” built from double diagonal kauri (+ glassed….). Powered by a 80hp Ford diesel that pushes her along at 7 knots. Appears to be well spec’ed. As always thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads us.
Can we put a name to the launch.

UPDATE 11-08-2023 ex Harold Kidd – She wasn’t BUILT by Bill Couldrey; he stopped building shortly after WW2.

Nana SOS

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NANA – SOS

The launch Nana popped up on tme 4sale by boat yard as a ‘As-Is-Where-Is’ sale.

Someone needs to snap her up – she has blue blood – designed by C. Bailey Jnr. , and built in 1934 by Chas Bailey & Son . 35’ in length and a very pretty woody.

Nana has appeared on WW several times – back in Feb 2017 she had just been repaired after being t-boned on her mooring by a wayward vessel. Link to that story with lots of pictures here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/02/01/nana-resuced-restored/

I very rarely post links but check Nana out here https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/4199572782?tm=email&et=47&mt=16373835-5D46-4FFE-A44C-B8ECA6A92162&bof=hzam1Goh

Be quick woodys – someone will score a bargain. Starting bid is $5k. Photos below from 2017.

(Thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up)

Buccaneer Gets A Revamp

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Arriving for her appointment at the parlour

Buccaneer Gets A Revamp

Back in April 2121 we reported that the 1966 Brin Wilson designed, Fred Lidgard built 34’ 8” launch – Buccaneer had sold and was relocated to Auckland 🙂 A the time it was talk that originally Buccaneer may have been Brin Wilson’s personal boat.

Read see more about her at this link – as always read the comments section, thats where you often find the gold nuggets –https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/10/buccaneer-moves-north/

Fast forward two years and her owners have had her out at Precision Boat Painters, Panmure for some serious TLC , the plan is once relaunched the owners will give the interior a lick of paint this winter.

Her co-owner Tim is a very talented man in the metal work industry so as expected there has been some new bling going on. 

A very smart looking woody, and one of the few that carries a flying bridge well.

29-06-2023 UPDATE all set to leave the shed

As bought – early 2021
 Woodys Clevedon River Cruise & BBQ – Aug 2021
 Woodys Classic Beach Picnic – Nov 2022

UPDATE 04-11-2024 – Looking very sharp below

Classic Canadian Wooden Boat Eye Candy

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Classic Canadian Wooden Boat Eye Candy

Today we get to have a dockside gander at the 20+ fleet of classic craft that came together for the 2023 Ladysmith Heritage Festival at the Ladysmith Community Marina in the town of Ladysmith, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. 

The photo gallery is via the camera of Maurizio Hublitz, one of Maurizio’s fellow woodys commented that he is fixated with sterns, but it’s all about showcasing / recording the vessel names.

Over the years I have enjoyed Maurizio’s event reports and been very envious of the set up at the Ladysmith Community Marina, reading this years report I was surprised that there is a dispute underway in regard to future access to the marina area – in fact they have been issued with an eviction notice to be out by Dec 31 2023 – I won’t bore you with the details but it appears that New Zealand isn’t the only country with indigenous (minority) land ownership issues. Fingers crossed sanity rules so this remarkable location can be enjoyed by everyone.

Politics aside – enjoy the photo gallery. Great to see the ex work boats sharing the limelight 🙂

As always – click on photos to enlarge 😉