Category Archives: 36′>38′

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH QUANDO AGROUND – What Happened Here

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH QUANDO AGROUND – What Happened Here

Recently woody John Dawson contacted WW regarding the top two photos of a launch named QUANDO, as we see in the (oldish photo) photos the vessel has ‘come ashore’.

On face value it appears to be not* a major mishap , maybe skipper miscalculated the tide when anchoring or dragged anchor. *(Unless the port-side tarpaulin and dinghy is covering up a major oops.)

Can anyone enlighten us as to what happened, the date and location.

A search on WW popped up the 3rd and 4th  photos above ex Jason Prew and Nathan Herbert , who spotted QUANDO berthed at Sulphur Point Marina, Tauranga, in February 2015. 

Sadly she has acquired a second story and lost the varnished coamings.

In the WW search the name QUANDO also popped up on a story on the launch KARINA (photo below & story link), where Adam Jane-Rashleigh commented that KARINA was a sister ship to his launch QUANDO.

KARINA

Read / view more on KARINA here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/04/karina-2/

RSVP – boat name to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC LAUNCH TAINUI – RELAUNCH DAY DRAWS NEAR

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CLASSIC LAUNCH TAINUI – RELAUNCH DAY DRAWS NEAR

WW has been following the restoration of the 38’ 1967 built classic launch – TAINUI for several years and as we can see from todays photos from Blair Boats, the big day is not too far off. Wonderful work being done and owner John Sloane must be over the moon.

Lots of previous WW stories covering her past, but looking at todays photos its hard to believe she was once a Harbour Board workboat. 

Check out the previous updates at this linkhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/17/restoration-of-classic-launch-tainui-update/

Photo below from ‘way back’ 🙂

FATHERS DAY SORTED FOR ANYONE WITH SALT IN THEIR VEINS

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FATHERS DAY SORTED FOR ANYONE WITH SALT IN THEIR VEINS

Rarely these days do I pick up a book and can not put it down – well it happened recently. I received an advance copy of Davey Jones just published book – ‘Davey Jones of Wakatahuri’ and its both a cracker read and an amazing account of his boating life and his interaction with the Wakatahuri region. Now I’m sure some of you will be asking yourself ‘ where is that?’ – well its in the outer Pelorus Sound at the top of the South Island, the Marlborough District (refer chart below). The area has been many things to many people – a fish factory, a boatyard, a ship breaking base and a community hub.

Davey Jones arrived at Wakatahuri as a young fisherman in 1956 and still lives there today , on and off when he’s not lapping NZ in his boat.

It’s an additive read that with the help of over 200 photographs will have you hooked. 

And as a bonus – included is a reprint of an equally wonderful read -’Sounds Wrecking Co.’ by Martin Burthold.

So woodys drop a hint to the family re what you want for Fathers Day (Sept 7th) or just order one for yourself – $60+ p&p – all enquiries to daveyjonesofwakatahuri@gmail.com

AND I HAVE A COPY TO GIVE AWAY – just answer correctly the name of the vessel Davey Jones has most recently been lapping NZ on. Enter ONLY via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com all correct entries go in the draw. Closes 6pm 17-08-2023.

AND THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE A BOAT PHOTO – this is from Davey’s book and shows the work boat MARLBOROUGH PN47, in Picton Harbour c.1929, built by E R Lane. In the background are VALMARIE, at left, and Ernie Lane’s boat shed, the Picton Rowing Club sheds at right. The vessel under repair at Lane’s yard is a lighter from Port Robinson (Gore Bay)

SURPRISE – EX WOODY WHALE CHASER NEEDS RESCUING 

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SURPRISE – EX WOODY WHALE CHASER NEEDS RESCUING 

WW has recently been contacted by Jeff Giddens concerning the Picton built 36′ ex whale chaser – SURPRISE. 

Jeff owns a boat shed at Mana, Paremata, in Wellington and a fellow resident owns the whale chaser. Jeff commented that the craft has been out of the water for some years and is now for sale. These craft hold a special place in NZ’s Maritime history and any example needs to be saved. See old Sea Spray magazine artice on the history of these craft.
Jeff mentioned that she probably needs some work in the hull, and the project is best suited a retired boatbuilder or the like. There is an engine sitting in place, could possibly be a TS3 Commer, condition unknown.

Any woodys interested in taking on the project can contact Jeff at j.giddens@xtra.co.nz

SUNDAYS CLASSIC WOODY BOAT QUIZ- WINNER/S

This got a little complicated – the plaque on the front – see below, incorrectly ID’ed one of the boats. But this was my base and one woody – Noel Baker, entered with the answer that matched the plaque. Then Ken Ricketts entered with a massive (as he does) entry where he supplied intel that differed from the plaque. Consulted Nathan Herbert re the boat names and the boat names matched KR entry.

So decided that in fairness to both – I’d split the prize – NB gets the OCH cap and KR the WW T-shirt. In regard the split it was based on the physical size of these two gents 🙂

I have added an edited version of KR’s entry to the WW story for those interested. Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/08/10/a-classic-wooden-boat-quiz-win-an-off-center-harbor-cap/

MYSTERY SHIPBUILDERS WOODEN LAUNCH + SPRING SLASH REGATTA DETAILS

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MYSTERY AC DCS – SHIPBUILDERS WOODEN LAUNCH + SPRING SLASH REGATTA DETAILS

Well todays woody is only a mystery because (1) the owner didn’t put the vessels name on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and (2) the phots are out of focus, stopping reading the name board.

All that aside we learnt that the launch was built in 1959 by Shipbuilders, is 36’ in length and powered by a 90hp Ford Dorset engine.

Hull is 3 planks of diagonal kauri so built like the brick out-house.

As for the Sea Nymph transplant canopy on top…………………….. I suppose it would be simple to remove ✓

UPDATE – as advised by John Bullivant the boats named AC DECS and resided on the Tamaki estuary, near the Panmure yacht club. It is shown in the ‘a woody tour of the Tamaki river’ WW story and also featured in a Feb 18 2023 WW story – linked below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/02/18/ac-dcs/ Ken Ricketts advised it was named WHIRONUI and has previously commented that she was most likely a Shipbuilders ‘kitset’ boat.

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR – LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SLASH REGATTA @ KAWAU ISLAND

The place to be on the long holiday weekend of October 24>27th is Kawau Island and the crew at the Kawau Boating Club and Ponsonby Cruising Club are again hosting the world famous (in NZ…) Labour Weekend Spring Splash Regatta. waitematawoodys are chuffed to by involved with organising the classic woody parade on Sunday, details in the flyer below + downloadable PDF file, which includes the entry (free) form for the sailing events. Link below to 2024 eventhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2024/10/29/kawau-island-spring-splash-regatta-review-70-classic-wooden-boating-photos/

ATTENTION YACHT SKIPPERS – If the coastal classic isn’t your scene, put the Kawau Spring Splash Regatta on your radar ✔️

LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SPLASH (2)Download

TAREE – OWEN WOOLLEY CLASSIC LAUNCH RECEIVES SOME TLC

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TAREE – OWEN WOOLLEY CLASSIC LAUNCH RECEIVES SOME TLC

While walking the docks at the recent Classic Woody Boat Show at the OBC I bumped into boatbuilder Colin Brown, who mentioned the recent work his son-in-law Josh Hawke (Kauri Classics ) had undertaken on the 1966 36’ Owen Woolley built classic launch – TAREE.

TAREE was in the Kauri Classic shed for work to her running gear e.g. new shaft log and floors + some planking work.

Check out the fb video at the link below.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1BB1XuaWUU

BOAT BOOT SALE TOMORROW (Saturday) AT THE MILFORD SLIPWAY BOAT YARD

We have an impressive number of woodys turning up to off load their excess goods, and given what I know about them, I suspect there will be some real bargains on offer. Remember to bring cash, but I’m sure bank transfers will be fine for larger ($) items.

DATE: SATURDAY 02 AUGUST

TIME: 10am > 12pm

VENUE: 5 Omana Road, Milford

CLASSIC WOODYS BOAT SHOW AT OBC

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All Alone & Very Cold – (overnighting due to mast height)

CLASSIC WOODYS BOAT SHOW AT OBC

On Sunday we held the inaugural classic woodys boat show  – hosted by the OBC Marina. 

WW was holding hands with Auckland’s – Outdoor Boating Club on Tamaki Drive as they celebrated their annual open day. Magic location and set up – check out the club here https://www.obc.co.nz

As it seems to always happen at woodys events, the weather was 10/10, a perfect winners day. Check out the photo gallery above.

The day had all the ingredients for a fun family day out – Nice boats + Nice people, topped off with classic trailer boats, classic cars, food/coffee trucks, kids activities and a bonus – the team from LEGASEA , the kiwi hero’s that are dedicated to restoring the abundance, biodiversity and health of NZ’s marine environment – check out the website https://legasea.co.nz

Enjoy the photos, it was a great day and everyone left with a smile on their face.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAUMANGI 

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LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAUMANGI 
WW was contacted during the week by Peter Langley in regard to the classic wooden launch – TAUMANGI, once owned by his father.

Some history -TAUMANGI is a 36’ carvel planked bridge-decker. Originally in Auckland in the 1950- 1960’s then went to Tauranga and re-decked / modernised by boat builder Bill Visser. Peter’s father owned her from around 1960-1972 then the boat came back to Auckland and was moored up the Panmure basin for years.

Peter saw her for sale around 2013 through Busfield marine but he has not seen her since. Peter commented that she had a lot of varnish woodwork originally when his dad owned her but when last seen the cabins tops were painted light blue .

 Can anyone help with what became of TAUMANGI, Peter’s thoughts were she is probably moored up a river somewhere. 
REMEMBER – GREAT FAMILY DAY OUT TOMORROW AT THE OBC OPEN DAY

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT

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MATRIA
KIWA
MANAPOURI
KIWA
NGAIO + MANAPOURI + TUHUA
KALUA
WAIKARO
MA CHERIE
KIWA + MA CHERIE
TUHUA
KIWA + KALUA
MARISTELLA
WAIKARO+ MY GIRL
RAINDANCE
MANAPOURI

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT
Fridays Classic woodys cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch was a grand day afloat, 13 classic wooden craft made the journey up the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour to the historic tavern. It was extra special with several first-timers making the trip.
We were blessed with the weather and also having just one of the tourist ferries making the trip on the day, which allowed us to berth a lot of the boat on the jetty.

Special mention to the 7 classic launch skippers and partners that came by water taxi (MY GIRL) – Cam Malcolm (Connie V), Rodger Moore (ex Te Hauraki), Jason Davies (Lucinda), and those via car – Ian Gavin (Florance Dawn), Matt Cooper (Korawai) and John Chambers (Ngarunui), Murray Deeble ( Waikiore) combined with the 13 boats on the water we had crews from 20 classic craft present on the day. Very happy with that turn out.

True to form, the tavern and its staff extended their usual warm hospitality.
Enjoy the photo gallery

WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

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WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

These days it seems that when it comes to classic wooden boat locations, the ‘new black’ is the Bay of Islands. 

So I’m very happy to report that two woodys have found new owners / homes at Waiheke Island, Auckland.

Recently we helped find a new owner for the 28’ John Brooke designed, Walter Deeming built launch –  SEAFARER  and she is now moored at the island. Photos above of the delivery voyage, the bacon and egg pie is a masterpiece, made by the new owner’s father. More photos of the launch here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/09/classic-wooden-launch-seafarer-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

Also the 38’ RAIRA (photo above) built in 1918 by McLeod Bros. Devonport, has a new owner and will be remaining at the island. More photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/29/raira-a-peek-down-below-4sale/