Category Archives: 44′>50′

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PUB CRUISE TRIP REPORT 40+ Photos

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NGARO

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PUB CRUISE TRIP REPORT 40+ Photos

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 😦

A 48’ CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT – BUT WHERE WOULD I KEEP IT

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A 48’ CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT – BUT WHERE WOULD I KEEP IT

The 48’ Lidgard built (1948) motor launch RANUI is quite a ship, her interior layout is reflective of an apartment, it is just so spacious and being varnished, oozes traditional character.

Boats of RANUI’s size are normally a challenge to find a home for eg a marina at a reasonable cost. Well woodys RANUI’s owners wants a sale and are prepared to include the 14m Bayswater marina berth in the $210k asking price.View more of RANUI here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/07/08/ranui-a-peek-down-below/

Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RAIONA – DOCKSIDE 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RAIONA – DOCKSIDE 

Back in July 2022 we had a superb insight into the 48’ 1919 Joe Slattery built launch – RAIONA as she exited the Colin Brown / Josh Hawke yard – links below. Her interior is so impressive.

I spied RAIONA recently dockside at Sandspit Marina and very happy to report she is being so well cared for. How goods that clinker dinghy, her 48′ make it look just right.

RELAUNCH https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/09/raiona-relaunch/

DOWN BELOW https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/11/raiona-a-peek-down-below/

24-08-2025 UPDATE ex Kiwi Classics – hauled out for annual maintenance at Sandspit Boat Yard

HAVE YOU RSVP’ed FOR THE WOODY RIVERHEAD TAVERN LUNCH CRUISE – RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

MAYBE NOT A CLASSIC – MAYBE A RESTOMOD – You Tell Us

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MAYBE NOT A CLASSIC – MAYBE A RESTOMOD –  You Tell Us

Some woodys just slip into the classic category via the term ’spirit of tradition’, todays 46’ woody slips out of the either category – in the auto world it might be called a restomod.

What we know (thanks to Ian McDonald) is that she started life in 1974, built by F. Edes to a Brin Wilson design. The hull is carvel 32mm solid kauri planked, splined and epoxy glassed, decks have been re-clad with plywood and epoxy glassed also. When back in the water forward propulsion will be via twin 120hp Ford 2715E diesel engines.
Anyone know what her name was / is.

A POLL – VOTE BELOW – STILL A CLASSIC or NO LONGER A CLASSIC

CLASSIC EX GAME BOAT – SAPPHIRE – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC EX GAME BOAT – SAPPHIRE – A Peek Down Below

Back in August thanks to Dean Wright uncovering a launch day photo (see below) of the 48’ Oliver & Gilpin built ex game boat – SAPPHIRE, we got an insightcintohow she looked back in 1972 and we also uncovered a recent out-of-water photo.

How thanks to Ian McDonalds hawk eyes searching tme we get to have a gander below. Enjoy.

(L) Sapphire, (R) Lady Lynn


KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA REVIEW – 70+ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS

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KBC Spring Splash Launch Parade Start
PRIZE GIVING
AGM
Sunday Race Pre-Start
Sunday Race Start
TAWERA Finish Line

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.

SeaLegs A Popular Mode Of Transport On The Island

SINABADA – A CLASSIC HALVORSEN EX GAME BOAT

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SINABADA – A CLASSIC HALVORSEN EX GAME BOAT

Todays photo recently popped up on one of the many classic boating threads that I follow, and the 44’ SINABADA is just too stunning to not share.

She was originally built in Sydney, Australia as a sports fly game boat and used extensively for big game fishing, note the out rigger poles.

Built by the famous Sydney wooden boat building family – Halvorsen, she was later modified by extending the flybridge roof after more Shae in summer (major consideration in Aust).

At 44’ SINABADA must be one of the largest Halvorsen’s built, the family cut their teeth on building smaller (28>32’) launches. A lot of which were hire boats on the Sydney Harbour.

Back in Nov 2023 we run a WW story on the history of the Halvorsen dynasty – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/04/the-halvorsen-story/

READY TO UNWIND THIS SUMMER – CLASSIC MOTORBOAT – VANESSA TICKS ALL THE BOXES 

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READY TO UNWIND THIS SUMMER – CLASSIC MOTORBOAT – VANESSA TICKS ALL THE BOXES 

Get first glance you would think that the 49’ motorboat -VANESSA , falls into the converted ex-workboat group. But not this girl, she is a purpose built spirit of tradition woody. Designed and built in 2005 by Devonport boat builder – Rob Roberts as a custom passage maker. Her hull has two layers of 15mm ply over 150×150 mahogany ribs, and laminated kauri stringers, then glassed .

 Powered by a Caterpillar 3160, 210hp diesel engine that was reconditioned in 2005, the Cat will see her comfortably cruising at 8+ knots and she slips 8L an hour, very impressive for a 20 ton wooden craft. Combine that with 3,200L of fuel tankage + 1,600L water, she really lives up to the passage maker tag. 

In the interests for low maintenance , long haul cruising – her systems are very ‘old school’ i.e. no turbo, no ‘blackbox’ engine electronics etc. But no money has been spared on her navigation and house systems.

VANESSA has just returned to the water after her annual maintenance work (photos below) and is now for sale and presents in hop on > sail away condition. 

A wonderful craft that visually has all the feel good vibes of a classic boat but with the low maintenance benefits of a 2005 build date utilising the best materials and construction methods.

Interested parties to initial contact the Wooden Boat Bureau at waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details 

09-11-2024 UPDATE – Video below of VANESSA docking at Sandspit Yacht Club today

VANESSA 09-11-2024

IF I WON LOTTO – WHAT CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WOULD I OWN

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Deal Island 50

IF I WON LOTTO – WHAT CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WOULD I OWN

Well woodys the first thing I would do is jump on a plane and fly to Melbourne , Australia and go and see Tim Phillips at The WoodenBoat Shop in Sorrento. I met Tim in Feb 2023 aboard his 100 year old ’cruising smack’ – STORM BAY at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, Tasmania. Tim, family and cruising buddies had sailed over for the festival. Fresh crew attire was supplied via the waitematawoodys merch bag. (Photo below of Tim aboard STORM BAY)

At the time I just thought Tim was a genuine good bugger but unbeknown to me Tim is the powerhouse behind Australis’s leading wooden boat yard – The WoodenBoat Shop. And that woodys is who I would trust to build me my dream boat. Visit the website here to view / read more about them www.woodenboatshop.com.au

The TWBS team have just launched their latest creation – WINTER COVE, the Deal Island 50, on display this weekend at the Melbourne International Boat Show at Docklands Marina.

As well as building and restoring wooden boats, the WBS have their own custom range of bronze chandlery.

In the photo gallery above, most of the photos are of the WINTER COVE the Deal Island 50, but I have included a few workshop and other TWBS craft images to help set the scene.

CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos

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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 🙂

RAWHITI
JOHN DORY