Todays report comes to us from the camera of Bay of Islands photographer – Dean Wright. Dean snapped this gallery of craft over the xmas period in and around the bay.
Some familiar faces here and a few newbies – Dean commented that “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes a Maritimo with a XOS six person island pool float. Every wooden boat should have one or two… Yee gods what next” – photo below Enjoy the stunning photos – As always – click on photos to enlarge😉
What you buy when you can’t quite afford a beachfront bach at Omaha
The video below showing LADY ADELAIDE leaving Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island gives you a look at some of the weather closer to Auckland. Sent in by Andrew Sunde.
Todays 42’ classic launch – DOLPHIN V made a. brief appearance earlier this year (Feb – link below)) where we learnt that she was designed and built in 963 by Swanson in Queen Charlotte Sounds, South Island. She is carvel kauri construction and powered by a Detroit 6v53. Feb2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/02/28/dolphin-v/
Now thanks to Bruce Ryrie – we get to have a look below decks. Enjoy.
31-12-2024 INPUT & PHOTOS ex LEW HENDERSON – Our extended family owned the Dolphin V from about 1965 to 1973 having bought it from the original owner. She was kept in Paramatta and completed many fantastic trips to the Sound with our families – often sleeping 11 for weeks at a time. I believe she was built at Swansons yard in Picton across near where the Echo finished her days. At that time she had a Ford 100 engine. When sold she was reengined to work with a barge out of Paramatta to Mana Island. She was put into survey at that time.
She was similar in design and layout to many of the Swanson boats but one of the biggest they constructed. Originally fitted with a tall mast stepped on the forward cabin. Latter a raked mast was mounted on the main cabin.
When we first had her she was moored in Browns Bay in Paramatta but at nearly 6 ft draft this area became unsuitable. Also lowering a large mast every time to get under the bridge was a challenge. She was then moored in front of the Mana Cruising club before the marina was built. We also had a mooring in Double cove near Picton for the summer months. (photo captions) • Early – about 1966 • Then at the end of our time 1973 – I was only15 and driving her in this photo while Dad was on a rock taking the photo. • A family shot • On the slip at Mana – looks about 1968
Saturday was a great day for the classic wooden boating community – 13 classic craft (twelve launches and one yacht) made the journey up the river to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch.
In addition to the 13 woodys we were joined by 5 skippers and partners who made the trip by car.
As seems to always be the case – the weather and sea conditions was perfect for the trip and everyone had a great time.
Nice to welcome several newbies to the flock – these gathering are ideal for meeting fellow classic boating enthusiasts – the anchoring, coming ashore to the wharf and dining make it a shared experience and helps break the ice with ’strangers’. These days people seem loath to row up to another woody in a bay and say hi, some anything that grows the classic woody community is to be encouraged.
Saturdays cruise was the last event on the Classic Woody Calendar for the year, we will be back to you in the new year with details on more events. As always click on photos to enlarge – photos thanks to Margo Hudson & yours truely.
NEWSFLASH – as I have told anyone and everyone, the Mahurangi Regatta in late January is not to be missed. PLUS – details soon on an exciting new activity for the Sunday – the heads up – old school yachting and launch race/cruise to Kawau Island and a party at Kawau Boating Club on Sunday night. Perfect for those wanting to enjoy Mahurangi / Kawau longer eg not heading back to Auckland on Sunday morning.
A sad reminder that we were missing one of our family awaited us on the tables at the tavern – RIP David Cooke 😦
KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA REVIEW – 70+ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS
WoW what a long weekend – our first long weekend as we slide out of winter into summer. The on-the-water boating season kicked off this year with a new event on the calendar – the ‘Labour Weekend Spring Splash Regatta’ at Kawau Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. Going forward the hosts – Kawau Boating Club and race organisers – Ponsonby Cruising Club intend to ran the regatta every year. The weather gods were against us at times – but the weekend was a winner with everyone that attended.
Firstly I’d like to thank all the skippers, family and crew that took the leap of faith and pointed their craft north in conditions on both Friday and Saturday morning that can best described as character building for the skippers and testing for the craft.
I went north at mid day on Friday and all I saw in terms of other craft afloat was a procession of yachts returning to Auckland after pulling out of the Coastal Classic race to Russell. Big ups to the yachts that pushed on and completed the race, I’m sure most skippers will have trouble rounding up crew for next years race 🙂
Fridays race to Kawau was light on numbers due to the weather but the fleet pushed on and most made it to KBC to swap stories. Mike Mahoney commented that his majestic 1935 Logan built classic – TAWERA spent more time going thru the waves than on top of them.
Saturday’s around the island race was cancelled due to high winds, but the KBC turnover was the winner. A great night ,with a DJ on hand.
Sunday we had the Waitematawoodys classic parade and 15 woodys (one yacht) did a lap of BON ACCORD Harbour – a brilliant turnout for the opening year. Those participating were recorded with stunning weather.
Post the parade, the yacht race got away, check out the video below of TAWERA coming in hot to the finish line – perfect timing by skipper Mike and crew, Only problem it was to decide 3 and 4 place 🙂
Sunday nights prize giving was a hoot and most people left with a prize and a smile.
Other activities over the weekend were a children’s lolly scramble and the KBC AGM on Sunday morning. Brilliant turnout at the AGM and very positive vibes.
The weekend report wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the recently refurbished KBC clubroom / bar / bistro – the presentation of the interior is a perfect fit for a boating club of the KBC’s standing.
And the food and staff…………… 10/10 – the food photos tell their own story.
The winner of the major prize for parade participants – SPONSORED BY THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – was Jill Hetherington and her 1939 C. Bailey built launch – TUNA. Jill’s prize is a haulout and 3 days hardstand at the classic friendly railway slip.
I have to sign off now, I’m falling asleep at the keyboard.
Enjoy the photo gallery & videos, several people clicking the camera (phone) over the weekend, so thanks for everyones contribution.
CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – PATINA (Le Reina)A Peek Down Below
The 39’ wooden launch PATINA, built in 1913 by Ernie Lane in Picton has made several appearances on WW but we have never had a decent gander down below. Today thanks to Ian McDonald and tme we do .
I have included a link below that will give you a summary of all the previous WW stories.
Built from double skin kauri, when launch she was named LE REINE.
The forward motion is via a Yammer 54hp Diesel engine.
CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos
The weekends weather in Auckland certainly wasn’t conducive to boating so on early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and headed to Whangarei for the 2024 Maritime Festival at the Town Basin.
Year two and a quick overview, – more tie-dyed tee shirt vendors and food trucks, a lot more general public – less launches, more large cruising yachts. Steam boat rides were the most popular offering – long queues of kids that probably walked away with a life time memory – well done to all the steam boat skippers and crew.
Nice to see a couple of woodys from the Waitemata make the trip north – RAWHITI and JOHN DORY.
As always when she makes an appearance anywhere Dick and Colleen Fisher’s ex pilot boat – AKARANA was the start of the show.
THE AUCKLAND WOODYS HAD AN INTERESTING TRIP HOME ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON 🙂
Back in Jan 2023 (linked below) we shared some photos of the 40’ Keith Atkinson designed / built wooden launch – SHANGO anchored in Little Oneroa, Waiheke Island. Today thanks to Ian McDonald and tme we get to have a gander below decks. Construction is stripped plank kauri. Built c.1970’s.
SHANGO is powered by a Ford 200hp 2728T diesel engine that gives her a 9 knot cruising speed. At some stage in her ownership life someone must have done some serious cruising her her – she has 1000L fuel capacity.
In the 2017 story thanks to a previous owner – Nigel Drake, we received a wonderful insight into the vessels past.
Today thanks to a Ian McDonal and tme we get to have gander below decks.
Some intel – designed and built in 1962 by Brin Wilson, 39’ in length, built from kauri, carvel construction. Forward motion is by the ever popular Ford 120hp, 6 cyl, diesel engine.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENIFFER – A Peek Down Below
Todays woody is the 39’ classic wooden Bridgedecker – GLENIFFER. A recent addition to tme (thanks Ian McDonald) – as always seems to be the case a few factual discrepancies, so in the interests of getting right on WW , we will go with what Harold Kidd advised in a previous WW story (linked below – great b/w photo there) that she was built by Chas Bailey & Sons and launched in October 1930.
GLENIFFER also made a cameo WW appearance in April 2017 (linked below)
The 1938 launch – MOVARIE II has in recent years made as many appearances on tme as it has on WW. We know that the bridge decker was built by W&G Lowe, is 40’ in length, with a 11’ beam and draws 5’. Powered by twin Ford 80hp diesel engines. The launch started life as a game fishing.
Once owned by Russell Ward so must have been a goody back them. These days there are a few issues, reflected in the current tme listing having $5k start price.
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