The 44’ launch TOKATEA started life back in 1959 as a Government fishing patrol and lighthouse tender, built by WG Lowe. TOKATEA was ‘retired’ in 1987 and converted to pleasure use.
While still retaining her workboat roots the interior fit out is rather smart, certainly providing a home away from home afloat.
Forward motion is from a 100hp Gardner 6LW engine.
PERFECT WEATHER, PERFECT WEEKEND FOR WOODEN BOATING
Today’s story is a potpourri from the weekend. A good forecast had a lot of woodys slipping the dock lines and heading out. Some were at Kawau for the sailing activity there and a lot dropped anchor at Rakino Island. Because I’m sure I was spotted – I’ll own up to my worst anchoring exhibition in Woody Bay, just couldn’t get it to dig in. Made worse by the number of craft. Gave up and retreated to West Bay- less boats and a better % of woodys at anchor. BUT – I made a novice mistake – anchored close to a large plastic US import with a petrol genset. I quote the owner “everyone tells me it sounds like a Massey Ferguson tractor “ – IT DID 😦 Experienced a stunning Rakino sunset on Saturday night.
VISITING USA WOODY
Over the last 2 weeks we have had one of the USA’s nicest wooden boating ambassadors – Bob Yaro visiting NZ Aside from being a great guy, Bob has some serious tags to his name – Chairman of the Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, Rhode Island.
We had big plans to host Bob and friends aboard Angus Rogers – CENTAURUS for the Mahurangi Regatta but the weather gods dealt to that plan – so Bob’s been lunched on CENTAURUS in Auckland and had a day cruise on Margo and Jamie Hudson’s – LADY CROSSLEY up in the Bay of Island. The woody web is world wide 🙂
CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT RACING ON THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR – Auckland Anniversary Regatta
After the disappointment of a cancelled Mahurangi Regatta weekend I was chafing at the bit to get out on the water.
Being Auckland Anniversary Day yesterday , I secured a spot aboard Jason Prew’s classic launch MY GIRL – WW readers will be aware that MY GIRL holds the title of fastest classic wooden launch on the Waitemata.
So at 11am we were on the start line for the classic launch inner harbour race – start off RNZYS > down to Orakei Bouy > across to Devonport area > back up the harbour to the finish line (aka the start line). Conditions were best described as ok, certainly better than the previous 4 days, overcast, the occasional shower and westerly >20 knots.
This year we were lacking a few of real quick woodys so Mr Prew had the race in hand after 10 seconds. Some close racing with the ‘recently’ re-powered woodies – NGAIO and LUCINDA. Do not have the handicap results but line honours went to MY GIRL / NGAIO / LUCINDA. All serviced at The Slipway Milford yard so a nice trifecta.
Earlier in the morning the tug/workboats put on their normal spectacular performance – see below.
The parade of sail was bolstered by several classic woodys that did not race – parade photos second group above.
Enjoy the photo gallery, light on the winning boat, always is when the bloke with the camera is aboard the favourite 😉
As always – photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
RACE RESULTS – MY GIRL collects line and handicap honours
Following on from the weekends story on the Russell Boating Club’s classic wooden launch parade (link below), today thanks to BOI photographer – Dean Wright we get to enjoy some stunning photos from the race.
Over the 2025/26 xmas / new year period a couple of woodys have been sending in photos of classic craft that they have seen out and about. Angus Rogers onboard the motor launch CENTAURUS has been mooching around the Coromandel / Bottom End of Waiheke Island and Murray Deeble on his Townson yacht MORGANA in the Bay of Islands.
The evil weather we had around the 27th >31st keep a lot of boats in the marina and those out were not moving around much . Angus recorded winds of 68 knots in Te Kouma at anchor.
Quite a few washed ashore and sales of SaltAway will be high this month with a lot of dinghies / outboards flipped over in the high winds.
Yesterday (Friday 9th) saw a group of woody classic boat owners participate in a parade of classic craft as part of the Russell Boating Club – Tall Ships Regatta weekend.
Great turn out with an even mix of launches, ex game boats and ex work boats, looked like perfect conditions and a great time by all.
Part of the event was a log rally which my spies tell me was a tad too long and my lips are sealed but maybe a few skippers may have been using the smart phones for more tha just phone calls……..
Photos thanks to Hilton Ward onboard SPINDRIFT. (as always click on photos to enlarge)
Today (Saturday) will be a biggie on the water with the running of the 50th Tall Ships Sailing Regatta.
WINNERS ARE GRINNERS – The winner of the log rally was the Owen Woolley built launch – KORAWAI, owned by Tania and Matt Cooper. Photo below of Matt (R) and cabin boy Grant Gibbs. I suspect they won it fair and square – I know both well and both are luddites when it comes to technology 🙂
ACHERON was built in 1968 by Owen Woolley and is apex. 44’ in length, has a beam of 12’7” and draws 3’6”.
Forward motion is via twin Commer 135hp engines. Owen W was a big fan of these engine, no doubt based around the sideways configuration which allowed for ender floor installation.
Probably best described as fitting the modern classic mould, she’s a tad too busy up top for my eyes.
Sadly her owner wasn’t there to see the event, but she will be reading WW today while sipping an Aperol Spritz on the other side of the world 🙂
09-01-2026 UPDATE – It’s the little details that make all the difference. NGAIO’s wheel was just a tad too big, the boys at the Slipway Milford, dived into the treasure chest of old / good boating bits and refurbished a ‘new’ wheel – perfect ✓
It was a very busy morning at the Milford slipway – a total of 4 launches were re launched after getting some pre-xmas cruising TLC
The magnificent 48’ 1965 Lane Motor Boat Co. built – AROHANUI
The L33 (Logan replica) – SEMELE
And even a Pelin sneaks onto WW today – well it is xmas 😉
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NGARUNUI – A PEEK DOWN BELOW + NOW FOR SALE
Today’s featured classic wooden launch is the impressive 48’ NGARUNUI, designed and built by Jim Young and launched in 1959. With a generous 12’ beam and 6’6” headroom, she’s a big, comfortable girl – in fact, she sleeps nine.
Constructed in kauri, 1 1/4” carvel-planked, NGARUNUI carries all the hallmarks of a serious long-distance cruiser.
Power comes from a 200hp Doosan L136T, and she’s backed up by a Yanmar 20hp auxiliary driving its own shaft and prop. Combine that with what I’d call a new ‘sail-assist’ rig, and you’ve got one of the best “get me home” configurations you’ll find on a classic wooden launch.
Yes, she is for sale, and her spec sheet is both extensive and impressive. Most WW readers don’t need every last detail here, but rest assured – it’s all there: autohelm, radar, bow thruster, 1200L fuel, 800L water, and a long list of quality gear. Full details reserved for genuinely interested parties.
So, two options today:
Buy NGARUNUI now and be cruising the gulf this Christmas / New Year.
Walk away, knowing she’ll sit quietly in the back of your mind – with the very real risk that someone else snaps her up first.
The owner’s price expectation is market-realistic, and NGARUNUI represents exceptional value for a vessel of this calibre.
CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – LINDA – THE FULL CIRCLE
Back in 1959 the 1927 Colin Wild built 47’ launch LINDA relocated from her home waters , the Waitemata Harbour, to Whangarei, Northland. Her new owner was Reg Fisher.
In the April 1961 edition of Sea Spray magazine there was an article (as above) on the boats history and recent modifications and updates.
In later years she returned to Auckland and in the last 2 years has relocated North again to Kerikeri, – the full circle.
The Sea Spray article comes to us via Ken Ricketts.
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