After a very average summer, we are enjoying a stunning autumn – none more so than Mark Lever the owner of the 1927, 39’ J Jukes built launch – Nereides. Early in the week Mark was mooching around Kawau Island and sent me a couple of videos of life aboard. The freshly caught snapper for breakfast had me salivating. View the two videos at the instagram links below.
When not afloat Mark designs and makes beautiful homewares, furniture and light fittings from his workshop in Matakana. The pan the snapper is cooking in is one of his.
Post Re-buildAs LaunchedOriginal EngineWellinton 1940’sWellington WWII – NavyWellington – Navy
Pre Re-build
PENCARROW – Where Is She
WW was recently contacted by Dylan Saggers in regard to the 1916 built, 38’6″ vessel – Pencarrow. I’ll let Dylan tell the story
“The bridge-decker has been close to my heart and the history has been with many other happy owners. 95% of her life she has been called Pencarrow but when she was launched (as described In the paper article below) she was christened Valerie. Originally had a NZ made 4cyl. Twigg marine engine, then a 160hp petrol Kermath engine and I possibly believe she still has her 6 cyl. Ford diesel.Built In Auckland by Lanes (as I was told) not sure If this is correct . She has been many tops and 1 hull change In her lifetime, as described In the photos she has been many things. Many owners have had her. The Pencarrow spent time with the Pencarrow Sand Shingle company for a year in the mid 1930’s towing barges to Wellington for reclamation of the wharfs. In the 1940’s she was owned by the NZ Govt for Navy Patrol for Wellington. After that she went to the Dunn family who owned it from the early 1950’s to late 1960’s.
But through the 1970’s > 1980’s unfortunately, I didn’t know who owned her. Early 1990’s my Dad had her and she did not have the extended top (as pictured with her reflection shining in the water) She was very beautiful to me In that configuration. She is my favourite boat of all the boats my father had. Then sold to the Macmorland family with partner family (It’s easily understandable why the top was extended including the wheelhouse being put forward for more room) as pictured the current top as it is now. Then the Coles family. Last sold In 2016 I think In Waikawa in Queen Charlotte Sound. After that I don’t have any Info.”
Dylan would like to locate the present owners, keep In touch with them and make an offer on it when he can. Dylan’s main outcome of all this is to buy her and restore her how Dylan remembers her when his father had her. Any current info or pictures Is very welcome.
The 1928 Joe Slattery built 36’ launch – Mataroa (previously named Kenya) has popped up on WW numerous times – enter her name in the WW search box to see and read a lot more on her.
Back in 2016 she received a refresh to her exterior but her interior remained almost un-touched, which it still is today.
Powered by a Ford 80hp diesel, like all Slattery designed craft she has a respectable turn of speed (11 knots).
Mataroa’s owner for the last 6+ years has made the big call and decided that she deserves a new custodian that will complete the final work to bring her back to her former glory. As they say “all the hard works done” just needs someone handy with the tools to tidy the interior up.
The 36’ launch – Rehia, designed and built in 1939 by none other than Colin Wild, our foremost wooden boat craftsman, has been undergoing a rolling restoration since changing ownership back in late 2021.
Last Sunday at the Woodys lunch cruise to the Riverhead Tavern, Rehia was front and centre looking very majestic.
When purchased her interior was a tad tired and new owners Amanda and Joe have given Rehia a revamp and she is looking rather dapper. (As purchased photos below)
I’m told that the next project is renewing the varnished coamings.
Yesterdays upper harbour cruise to the historic waterfront Riverhead Tavern ticked all the boxes – perfect weather and sea state, best (21- record) turnout of classic craft we have had, great food and as always – nice people 🙂
100% record of no oops on the sand/mud banks, but LOTS of timber floating around kept the skippers on their toes.
The above photo gallery tells the story of the day – enjoy.
UPDATE – Photos & Videos below from the camera of Tracy and Alan Gilder aboard Pirate.
REHIA
LADY JAN
PACIFIC
NEXT WOODYS EVENT – SATURDAY 15TH APRIL – STILLWATER DOCKSIDE PICNIC
First forward to last week and Mark contacted me to say the boat had just turned up on trademe in Motueka looking a tad tired, but recoverable. Mark commented that she seems to have had a few names along the way – in the tme listing they say she was previously known as – The Hattersly. The Master-Craft builders plaque is clearly visible in one of the photos.
Forward motion is via a Ford D series 120hp engine.Probably best described a
s a project but in the right hands she could be returned to her former self 🙂
During the week WW was contacted by Stuart Myers in regard to the whereabouts of the 36’ bridge decker – Marietta.
Marietta was built c.1920>1930’s by Collings and Bell, her beam is 9, she is semi-chine and had full length kauri planks.
Marietta was used by the NZ Navy during WWII as a look-out boat.
Marietta was owned by the Myers family from the late 1950s’ until the late 1970’s and was moored during this time in Little Shoal Bay. During this time she still had her original Chrysler Crown 6 cylinder, side valve, petrol motor. In the late 1970’s she broke her mooring and ended up on the rocks in Little Shoal Bay and after repairs (some re-fastening of planks by Baileys) she was sold, re-powered with a diesel motor and converted to a fishing boat.
Marietta was last seen about 8 years ago at Milford Marina moored outside the Milford Cruising Club and was painted a light green colour and had returned to being a pleasure boat.
The above photos are from the 1960’s, one of her on the old grid at Needle’s Eye in Little Shoal Bay.
So woodys – can anyone update us on what has become of Marietta.
17-03-2023 INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD – According to APYMBA records MARIETTA was built by Collings & Bell in 1934 for G A McKendrick who had a property at Rocky Bay. He sold her to B Kissin of Takapuna in September 1938 when she had an extensive overhaul at Percy Vos’ yard. I have zero information on the launch being used by the Navy during the war and doubt that it happened. The Hert brothers bought her in April 1947 and it was then that she was fitted with a Chrysler Crown. J S Richards owned her from 1952 to 1962 when Athol Myers of Queen ST Northcote bought her. Frank Cooper bought her in 2001 and kept her in Milford Creek. Dave Nicholson has brought you up to date.
21-03-2023 INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – I believe that she was built for Casey in 1927 as the Imanota, with a 70hp (50-75hp) redwing motor, steered from the aft dodger hence the hatch, with the bridge deck having been added later on. She was Marietta by the late 1930’s when owned by McKendrick. Notes from when she was new include various speeds claimed from 10 to 15 knots, 15 electric lighting points, all mod cons including sink, an unusually flared bow ‘like a destroyer’ and topsides which are so rounded that she appears to be of the ‘old fashioned’ round bilge type.
Last month I bombarded you with a several photo galleries of the 2023 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. As part of the wrap up of the festival, the organising crew have pulled together a 3min short film that utilises a lot of aerial film footage. The video gives us a wonderful overview of the festival, the Hobart harbour and waterfront – if there is any saw dust in your blood – Hobart February 2025 needs to be circled on your calendar. As festival director – Paul Stephanus says “This festival is one of a kind” . And its the largest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and surprise surprise woodys – its free, no charge – we like that.
Find a comfortable chair and prepare to be wowed.
TIP: To enlarge screen size – scroll over the screen above and click on the icon I have highlighted below
Woodys On Tour – Hobart – Australian Wooden Boat Festival – Day 5
Hello Again Woodys Felt slightly guilty this morning when I called home to advise Air NZ had cancelled my Hobart > AKL flight. Next available – 7 days away…. A little bit of online work and I found a flight out of Sydney on Thursday night. So 2 more days in Hobart 🙂
One big plus – I get to see the very cool kiwi singer- Marlon Williams live in concert.
Anyway back to the boats – today is an extension of yesterdays gallery – there is just so many woodys to see.
FYI – WW viewing numbers spike when the weather is bad and people are at home, so yesterdays numbers were approaching an all time high. Today (Tuesday will be another bumper day)
Boat Of The Day – HEATHER BELLE, a 24’6” gaff rigged pilot cutter, built in 1990 by Andrew Wilson to a Lyle Hess design. She is a sister-ship to Larry Pardey’s – SERAFFYN.
And compulsory food shot – lunch = seafood chowder 🙂
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