Category Archives: 44′>50′

Lady Ellen Restoration – October Update

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LADY ELLEN RESTORATION – OCTOBER UPDATE

With a December launch date, Lady Ellen’s owner Bruce Mitchinson is on the downhill run – putting all the expensive bits on and hooking everything up.
Bruce’s words below tell us the status / list of things to do + the two videos show us the workmanship that is being ‘applied’ to the Lady.
Looking stunning 🙂
 

“Started painting the interior last Thursday.

Bunks have been removed to provide room to spray and some of the trim is out and being finished off site.
Moving from the forecastle backwards through to the cockpit, then we will tackle the decks.
Windows all patterned and should be in production tomorrow.

Bronze castings in the system and should be ready in a couple of weeks time.

Old mast is in the process of being remodelled to take hidden conduits for lights and gps antenna, and beefed up a bit to the right scale.
Galley and cockpit timber decking still to do after painting.
Electrics and plumbing gear all sorted but final fix still to go”
 
VIDEO – PART ONE
 
VIDEO – PART TWO

2019 Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 100+ Classic Wooden Boats

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2019 Thames Traditional Boat Festival

Woody Ian Gavin was travelling with family in July and included the Thames Traditional Boat Festival (Henley-on-Thames) in the itinerary.
Its an event on my bucket list, so I was a little envious when Ian handed me a USB stick with 100+ photos of the event. Special thanks to Ian for sharing.
Included in the Festival was a special Dunkirk Little Ships section. As you would expect it was a very civilised affair with the boats moored up to the river bank and they took turns at parading up and down the river.
The large rowing barge is an ex/retired Royal barge that has been recently restored.
Included on the day were a selection of old motorbikes and cars, including a few amphibious one.
Enjoy the gallery 🙂

 

Komutu + What To Do On The Long Weekend

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KOMUTU

Woody Ian McDonald has been on a wee road trip up north. Ian sent in the above photos of Komutu hauled out at Whangarei. All we know is she was built in 1950 by Curnow & Wilson in Motueka.

Komutu is 44’ in length , single skin and powered by a GM 6/71 diesel engine.

Can anyone tell us what she has been up to in the last 69 years ?

Input from Brian Kidson – Komutu was designed by Cliff Nalder for himself and built by Curnow and Wilton of Port Nelson. Cliff was the Nalder of the Nalder and Biddle, marine engineers with Curnow and Wilton, next door on the same 200ton sidways slip way. Komutu was launched in the December 1952 at 42ft x 12ft x 3ft 6inches. Komutu hull was seam batten carvel planked white pine from Golden Bay over rata frames with hollow sections frd running aft to a straight flat transom. Her original engine was a 165hp 6/71 GM said to have come out of a Sherman tank. Cliff used her between Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds where he had a bach, until he sold her about 1967 to a Keith Robson. Has had five or six of owners since then.

Further Input from Brian Kidson – Brian sent in the photos below (ex Bill Nalder & Phil Robson) The shows her under construction, then post launching and lastly c.1960’s.

Input from Mark McLaughlin – The new cabin was built by Blenheim boatbuilder Arthur Watson in the late 1980’s. Arthur showed us over her when he had nearly finished the cabin while she was on the hard in Havelock for the refit.

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Komutu(Phil Robson) 1

 

BUSY WEEKEND ON & OFF THE WATER THIS LONG WEEKEND

  1. Friday – sees the start of the annual Coastal Classic Yacht Race to Russell in the Bay of Islands. The start is always a great spectacle, best viewing spot being up North Head, Devonport. Follow the race on-line, details here  https://www.coastalclassic.co.nz/watch

2. Saturday > Monday  – the Tino Rawa Trust are again hosting the classic yacht and launch exhibition at Te Wero Island down at Auckland’s Viaduct. This year the event celebrates the contribution immigrant boat builders had on Auckland’s maritime history. Particular focus will be on the Logan and Bailey boat building dynasties. Event open each day 10am > 4pm – Entry is free. Read more on the event here https://tinorawatrust.co.nz/events

3. Its Labour Day long weekend – time to load the boat up and get out there 🙂

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Woody Classics Weekend – Stillwater Picnic – 26 Classic Wooden Boat Photos 

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Woody Classics Weekend – Stillwater Picnic – 26 Classic Wooden Boat Photos 

All week, the weather gods have been saying that Sunday was going to be the best day for boating – well folks that it was 🙂
Barbara Cooke summed it up perfectly in an email  – “Great day today team! Great to see people enjoying the good weather, relaxing and lolling about on picnic rugs, some with pooches. Interesting bikies! Nice boats too! “
 
Today’s story is just really a photo gallery of the day – the boats and bikes, the venue and the people + a few woodys I spotted along the way. 
A hell of a lot of work goes into organising these events – and I would like to acknowledge the team that bring it all together, without their help and input there would be no Woody Classics Weekend events. Barbara & David Cooke, Sue & Mark Edmonds, Nathan Herbert, Jason Prew and lastly yours truely.
 
Lots of chat about the next event in November – just working thru the logistics, more details ASAP.
 
The day was made extra special by the inclusion of a display of classic motorcycles ( see below) and their owners were big admirers of our classic woodys.
 
Enjoy and as always, click on photos to enlarge – alan houghton

Highlander

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HIGHLANDER

I have been having ongoing chat with Bay of Islands woody and photographer Dean Wright, he is about to undertake a build / installation of a new wheelhouse for his almost 100 year old (99) 33’ Bob Brown built ex gaff rigged cutter – Arethusa, these days presented in work-boat / launch style.  The wheelhouse will be made from Iroko and the big question is yellow or red Uroxsys (Allwood) primer.
Dean sent me a sample of the timber and I have done a 1/2 and 1/2 varnishing job – the result? Not much between it, slight golden tinge to the yellow section. I think the natural colour of the Iroko is just so strong that the primer tint makes little difference.
I have attached at the bottom of the story a photo comparison of the existing wheel house and the plan for the new one – very smart.
Anyone back to todays story – Dean email me mid-week and said “check out what’s parked in our bay tonight” and sent the above photos of the 49’ Highlander. Designed by Roger Carey but not built by Careys. Wheelhouse designed by Don and Peter McManaway.
Dean mentioned Highlander was featured (page 127) in the 1988 book ‘By Boats We Live”, written by Joan Clark. The book records the history of the boats built by Roger Carey. I have reproduced the page below, have a read – its very good
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Arethusa – New Wheelhouse

Aria + WIN a copy of the Des Townson book

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ARIA

Todays vessel is the 47.5’ ex-work boat Aria, built in 1938 by Miller & Tunnage to tow barges of native timber, retired from duty in 1963, then used as a fishing trawler and pleasure use until 1981.She then received a total refit including all new topsides for extended blue-water Pacific cruising, the refit included a rebuilt 1963 Gardner 6LXB, (now 150hp).

Reviewing her trademe listing (thanks Ian McDonald), Aria is very well fitted out for cruising or live aboard. Won’t win a beauty competition but a very salty looking woody.

WIN A COPY OF THE JUST RELEASED BOOK –  ‘DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY’
A ground breaking book that chronicles the life and design work of one of New Zealand’s most successful boating legends. Over 400 photographs.
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HOW TO ENTER 
Answer, correctly, the question below and you will go into the draw for a copy of the brilliant 334 page book. Entry is via email only -send your answer to the link below waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: How many words are used in the book?
Hint – you will find the answer here  https://destownson.co.nz
Entry closes at 8pm on 09-10-2019. Winner advised on WW.
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

 

Lady Gay On Sydney Harbour

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New Australian Home For Lady Gay

It appears the dockside rumours are true, the photos below confirms that the 1935 Colin Wild built launch Lady Gay is now residing on Sydney Harbour, Australia. I hope someone has paid the bond………………

Update 08-10-2019 – I have been told Lady Gay posted a substantial bond for her return to NZL. She is on a 3-year leave from NZL to cruise the Australian East Coast.

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Photo below of Lady Gay at Palm Beach, Waiheke Island (Jan, 2019), ex John Simpson

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The Refurbishment Of Tamariki

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The Refurbishment Of Tamariki
Todays story is a video essay on the refurbishment of Tamariki, the 45’ Gary Wheeler designed ’spirit of tradition’  ketch owned by Peter Mortimer, father of CYA Chairman James Mortimer.
The video was filmed and edited by the very talented Roger Mills, a friend of Peter’s
Post the refurbishment Peter has been cruising the Pacific and attended the 2019 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart – in fact the only Kiwi boat in attendance. Roger joined Peter for the homeward leg – Hobart > Picton.
Enjoy – it is a great insight into the 7 month project – wonderful work, well done everyone that rubbed up against Tamariki during this labour of love.
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

Sorceress SOS – Washed Ashore

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Sorceress SOS

Was sent the photos above today from Keith Ottaway of Sorceress ‘ashore / washed up’ under the Pohutukawa’s at Little Shoal Bay on the western side of Northcote Point. Keith understands she went ashore at low tide on Thursday and has been pushed up under the trees by the rising tide wave action. The tide today was too high for Keith to ascertain if there is any terminal damage.
Sorceress has appeared on WW before, link below, she is a fine ship – someone needs to save her before its too late 😦

UPDATE from Keith –She is flooded by damage to the after  keel bolts – after wooden keel section has pulled away from keelson – with broken bolts. Water was draining still at low tide so its only a small leak at this stage. The hull looks OK at the moment  – but that keelson damage may be the issue. Hope its not a chainsaw salvage. There is a lot of Kauri in there.

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30-09-2019 UPDATE  Photo below from John Hilt of the the yacht aground and being pushed ashore by wind & tide.
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

A-Class Racing on the Waitemata

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A-Class Racing on the Waitemata

Today’s feature photo is from a photo essay that Mike McGehan sent in. If my eyes and memory are correct Left > Right

A15 Prize, A17 Ngatoa, A14 Ngataringa, A18 Tawera, A27 Arohia

Anyone able to put an approx. date on the photo?

Mondays WW story will be a goody – 30+ photos from the camera of Kere Kemp who has just returned from the 2019 Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. Great photos from a gent with a good key for woody talent 🙂 A tease below

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RSVP – you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz