Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

Phantom 4Sale

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PHANTOM 4Sale

The 1925, 16’ day launch “Phantom” has a carvel planked kauri hull, and cabin. An electric start Yanmar YSB 8hp marine diesel engine with reduction gearbox, driving a small (10×7) 3 blade prop through original 1955 “Stuart Turner” stern gear. All this sees her get along at a comfortable 5 knots. I have photographed her numerous times at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, she is a very pretty craft & with a little TLC she will be back to her best (the photos are 12mths old & she needs a paint). Currently located in the Tokoroa / Putaruru area.

The added bonus of being on a trailer makes the Phantom a very usable classic woody. 4 sale on trademe.

Does anyone know more about where & what the Phantom has been up to for the last 93 years??

Input from Mick Jones 

“I purchased “Phantom” from the late John Goudie of Otautu Bay in 2007. He found “Phantom” wrecked in Tukituki Bay before the Second World War, and it considered an “old hull” at that time. The purchase included a “Stuart Turner” 4HP engine and sterngear which dates it back to the mid 50s when the engine was originally purchased. I suspect the cuddy cabin and engine were fitted then Phantom” was the family settlers launch operating out of Colville Bay in the Coromandel for many years. She was taken out of the water before 1985, and stored in a series of sheds as a bare hull. I had her trucked to Tokoroa, sat her upside down on three 60l oil drums, and proceeded to recaulk and pay the seams, fit a second hand diesel, strip back the kauri cabin and finish bright- as it should. The transom hung rudder was replaced with modern thru hull steering gear and tranverse seating fitted. Phantom has been negotiating the waikato hydro lakes over the past 7 seasons , and an annual trip to Rotoiti for the Classic Boat Parade.”

Coquette 4 Sale

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COQUETTE 4SALE

The 1912 Logan designed & built launch has featured on WW before & has been for sale on trademe for a while. I have featured her again today because to quote the owner “he has run out of mojo” – and the woody is now on trademe with a starting bid of $1.00. Thats ONE DOLLAR. Someone will get a great boat with an amazing heritage for not a lot of money. She sports a 2009 45hp engine & is very well laid out.

To those that don’t know – the very popular fiberglass Logan 33 replicas were based on Coquette.  Agreta chance to own a real Logan.

You can see / read more here.   https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Coquette&submit=Search

Home is Maungaturoto, Northland – so if you are heading up North for Easter – check her out

UPDATE – THE TRADEME LISTING HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A PRICE OF $40K – STILL A BARGIN

SS Kotare

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SS KOTARE

Today’s photos of the steam boat Kotare come to us from John Wicks. I’ll let John tell the story.

“On my way back from our “walkies”, approaching the launching ramp (Hobsonville-nee-Westpark Marina), the dog’s ears pricked up, then I heard some hissing and farting. As the ramp came into view, I could see steam and smoke rising, and Lo! and behold – the little steam launch Kotare which been launched from her trailer.

By the time I got down onto the pontoon, she was full steam ahead and straining at her mooring ropes, smoke and steam everywhere. Glorious!

Her crew was fairly busy fiddling with valves, levers and suchlike, but I did learn that she was preparing for a steam meet at Greenhithe this Saturday, and a few other details;

  • She’s a woody, quite new, strip planked and glassed.
  • Her owner/skipper (that’s him inboard working on “stuff”) built the whole thing, boat, engine et al.
  • The engine is a 2-cylinder double-expansion one, plus she has an auxiliary electric motor tucked away aft.
  • Just now they’re using diesel to heat the boiler, but they’re turning vegetarian in the near future.

The other bloke in the grey shirt is part of the outfit, though I’m not sure just what part. The couple on the pontoon, I’m in the dark shirt and white cap, her in the orange T-shirt, just turned up purely by chance – in the neighborhood, came down to have a look at the marina. They’re from the West Coast and – would you believe – they have a small steamer on Lake Brunner! Spooky, possums!

Having been warned many years ago that steam is almost instantly addictive, I walked away before harm came to me, and took the broadside shot from behind the safety of a metal fence.”

Russell Ward Input – Famous wooden boat exponent Pete Culler said “Stay away from steam, it’s very addictive -one sniff and you’re hooked.” He was an oars and sail man though and he’s right.
The Auckland Steam Engine Society is meeting at Rame Road reserve Greenhithe Saturday 24 March 2018. High tide 1.30 or so. Fill yer lungs and feast yer ears and eyes.

EVENT UPDATE

Regrettably the steam event Saturday 24 March has been cancelled because of the adverse weather. We’ve never had a steamer melt in the rain and our fearless leader Alan will agree that damp days are often the best!

One of the best boating days ever 🙂 Alan

Input from Daniel Hicks – 

The boat was built by Paul Eaton, and is based on a Simpson Strickland launch of around 1900. Selway Fisher in the UK drew the plans, and it is listed in their catalogue as the 23′ Golden Bay design. Paul started by building the engine, a John York designed compound (3 + 5.25 * 3.75) from a castings kit from Elliott Bay Steam Launch Co in the US. Paul then built the hull and had a boiler designed (based on a steam car boiler) and the pressure vessel professionally made. The whole lot has come together over 17 years!

Kotare has a number of interesting features, as mentioned she is both a steam and electric vessel, being able to be propelled by either form of power, or propelled by steam with the electric motor charging the batteries. Another unusual innovation is the fact she is fitted with a Rice type propeller nozzle!

Yes Kotare is complicated, but Paul wanted to try lots of things out, and have lots of back up systems in place. The machinery may appear to take up a lot of the boat, but it always does in a steamboat, and Kotare is better than some, she just appears worse because of the location of the electric drive system directly behind the steam engine.

Wednesday was launch day, and I was there as I’d offered to help and provided the tow vehicle, my only claims to fame on this one. She floated very close to her marks, she steamed well and goes fairly well, despite a number of snagging issues being apparent. A pretty successful first day out, and superb effort from someone who hasn’t built a boat or a steam engine before!

Update 27-03-2018 photo ex Alan Good

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Mermaid

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MERMAID

Mermaid started life as a mullet boat (H14), built in 1914. At some stage she was converted to a launch & used for commercial fishing for many years.

She measures 28’ & is made of kauri carvel planked. Zoom zoom is via 1985 Ford Dover 80hp diesel.

With a little bit of work she would make a nice classic woody – winters coming up – a good project.

Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe listing heads up.

Any of the woodys able to tell us more about her past, including the days under sail?

Harold Kidd Input – MERMAID was built by Alan Crossley for his father Capt. G P Crossley of Bayswater in 1914, a 28 footer, basically for cruising. She was ballasted with rocks. Her 1914-22 sail number was 120, her 1922 sail number was H14 (28 footers were lumped into the H Class for 26 footers); her registration as a fishing boat in the 1980s was AK1441. The only racing she did was the odd local race with Bayswater Boating Club during its brief existence. Crossley sold her to W. Oxley of Mercury Bay in 1936 where she had one side stove in when fishing. Later owners included Ron Bowman and Max Brown in the 1960s.

Woody Jet Boat

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Woody Jet Boat

Including the words ‘jet boat’ in the story headline could be slightly off putting to some, but today’s boat just ticks so many boxes it was an automatic Monday story.

The hull design is inspired by a picture on the workshop manual for the Hamilton Jet Rainbow unit, and is typical of the period of the unit (1956).
The jet unit has been completely rebuilt, including all new gaskets and bearings, and a freshly rebuilt impellor.
The engine is a 1956 Ford 100E Prefect (which the Rainbow unit was designed for). It has been professionally re-conditioned, was re-sleeved, and has new pistons, valves, bearings, oil pump, gaskets etc. All major parts that were re-used (block, head and crank) were crack tested before being re-machined. I.e. No expensive was spared.
The engine is cooled by a modern savage heat exchanger and runs a modern sand filter.
The 12’ hull has an aluminum planning surface (to aid longevity) but is otherwise constructed mainly of recycled kahikatea, rimu, Southland beech and kauri. The sides are Fijian kauri marine ply.
The Art Deco style trailer is a work of art, it was custom built by Ted Sagar of Rivercraft Marine exclusively for this boat.

She was launched in 2007. Her owner has another project planned, shed space is required, so now is the chance for someone else to own this little beauty.

You can view / read more on the original build at the Jet Boating NZ website – link below
http://www.jbnz.co.nz/yabbse/index.php?topic=10897.0

And I want the truck – always had a soft spot for the Willys Wagons.

My Big Woody Adventure – Trinidad

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My Big Woody Adventure 

Several months ago David Cooke tapped me on the shoulder & asked if I would like to join Barbara & himself aboard their 1965 Salthouse built classic motor-yacht, Trinidad, on the first leg of their circumnavigation of New Zealand – Bay of Islands (East Coast of the North Island) > down the West Coast to Picton (top of the South Island). The short answer was hell yes.

Fast forward to Saturday January 20th 2018 & the Cooke’s, myself & Jamie Hudson (owner of near sister ship – Lady Crossley) are having our last land based dinner at the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club. Very appropriate that it was fish & chips. An early night was called & we woke at 5.30am Sunday morning to prepare for departure – photos & trip details below – read on & enjoy the journey – I did 🙂

A slightly different format today – magazine style i.e. photos & copy to support them, have also captioned some. When you are doing 3 hours on 3 hours off watches, food plays a big part of the day – so there are a few food shots. When Barbara deemed I needed to be punished for some misdemeanor she would not tell my what was for dinner & keep me guessing all day. To a serious foodie, that was cruel.

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Dinner at Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club

Final prep – night b4 departure
David explaining to me what a sail looked like
We are off – leaving Whangaroa
Milford Island in the mist
Leaving Whangaroa Harbour

We left Whangaroa early on Sunday (21/01) – approx. 515 nautical miles ahead of us. Conditions were a little damp & a combination of sea mist & low cloud meant we saw little of the Northland coast. In fact North Cape / Cape Regina was only an outline.

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We crossed the top of the North Island mid afternoon. Gave the Pandora Bank a very wide berth & pointed Trinny in a straight line to the South Island. The rain and drizzle continue into the first night but after that it was a dry run. We had a 10>15 knot breeze from NE most of the way & a 2>3m swell. The combination of a steadying sail & a wee headsail worked a treat, not for speed but simply to help steady the rolling motion. When both are set the wheel can be left and Trinny will hold her course.

They say an army marches on its stomach – well the Trinny crew certainly had no complaints with the gallery – we dined well 🙂

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Stunning sunset

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Stunning dawn, off Taranaki

The clock on the GPS says 3:58am & we were just off New Plymouth, the gas well / rig lights being the first thing we had seen other than H2O. Mount Egmont poking thru the clouds / mist. This was the view most days – same > same but very wow.

Lots of dolphins (& the odd shark)

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The crew – Barbara, David, Jamie & myself below

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Closing in on Stephens island at the northern end of the Marlborough sounds, the weather gods smiled on us for the trip across Cook Straight & with the GPS reading 9.6 knots it was a happy crew. It had been a dry trip, so we were hanging out for a cold beer once we had dropped anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound.

We arrived in Resolution Bay at approx. 6pm, a total travel time of close to 60 hrs. And immediately rafted up with friends of Barbara & David’s –  Rob and Mandy Carpenter who own the Warwick designed launch Pandanoosa. When the engine was killed it was so peaceful, but saying that the faultless beat of the 6LX Gardner was quite hypnotic.

I lost the bet on how long the trip would take (only by 45mins) & was forced to wear a bar napkin, take orders and serve drinks while displaying my best manners……….

We had a great night & a superb meal of Blue Cod aboard Pandanoosa.

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Captain Cooke – peeling the potatoes for dinner

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Bay Of Many Coves Resort

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The Crew, brunch & bubbles

We awoke after a great sleep – we had been doing watches of 3 hours on / 3 hours, to the magnificent beauty of The Sounds. It’s just so big & so stunning. The next 2 days were spent mooching around the bays & coves sucking up the scenery(Pickersgill Island, Blumine Island, Endevour Inlet, Anapawa Island). Brunch at the Bay of Many Coves resort was a special treat, as were drinks at Furneaux Lodge.

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This is my pick of the waterfront properties we saw. I will do another WW story soon on the boat sheds – some stunners.

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Cabin boy Jamie doing his morning chores

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A little sad when we had to berth Trinny at the Waikawa Bay marina & clean / pack up. End of the line for Jamie & myself but just the start for the Cooke’s – you can follow their cruise on the Trinidad Travels facebook page – link below

https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cooke.9028/posts/160438894747674

The return journey – I had always wanted to do the Wellington > Auckland scenic train trip, so suggested to Jamie that we took the overnight ferry from Picton > Wellington & caught the train home. A great plan, just had to kill 5 hours in the middle of the night in Wellington. I think Jamie thought Mermaids was a seafood restaurant………..

Train was very cool, a few issues with brakes overheating that extended the travel time – but I would do the trip again.

Highlights:

  1. The crew – Barbara, David & Jamie – perfect mix & just outright 100% nice people
  2. Trinidad – anytime aboard her is a treat, she is such stunning old lady, who has lapped NZ before, crossed the Tasman to Sydney & cruised the Pacific Islands.
  3. The food
  4. The sunsets & dawns off the West Coast of the North Island
  5. Queen Charlotte Sound & Picton town, very cool place to own a woody – I’ll be back.

For the overseas viewers I have included below a few photos of Trinidad, a rather magnificent ship – looking as always very regal. You can see / read more about her here

https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/19/trinidad-52-salthouse-motor-yacht/

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Love the bread maker

Titirangi

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TITIRANGI

Titirangi was built at Titirangi Bay in the Marlborough Sounds in 1925.  Double planked kauri hull that measures 29+ feet & is powered by a 60hp Nissan SD22 diesel.

She is moored at Back Beach, Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

What do we know about Titirangi – who built her?

Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe heads up.

15-01-2021 Update – Titirangi has undergone a refit and according to the Otago Daily Times was recently relaunch. Video link below. The jury is out on the aft editions…….

https://players.brightcove.net/4915776650001/rJepAGlOg_default/index.html?videoId=6221768544001

Lady Ellen Restoration – Report 1

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Lady Ellen’ Restoration – Report 1

I have just received an update from Bruce Mitchinson that details the amazing work being undertaken on Lady Ellen – My comment to Bruce was the she was a very lucky lady – not many launches get this amount to TLC – I’ll let Bruce tell you about the work. Photos below:

“Bilge cleanup done and engine beds re-built to remove rotten sections. New laminated floor at the back to help spread the load of the engine and gearbox, where there was very little support previously. Damaged frame ends removed and new laminated sections spliced in, to run continuous across the keelson. Foredeck re-fastened and fibreglassed to make watertight and to take out the springiness. Bulkhead linings all stripped and new plywood lining has been pre-primed and undercoated ready for installation next week. Rod steering system has been modified, using all the existing components, so that all the workings now sit below the floor, and the wheel lowered to suit the new steering position. New fuel tank beds are being fitted to support the new tanks. Only another 250 copper nails and rooves to replace and we can start painting the inside of the hull.”

You can see & read details on the past work here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/07/14/lady-ellen-restoration/

13-06-2018 Update from Bruce Mitchinson – Report 2

One year pretty much full time and we have now started on the bits you look at.

Cabin sole framing and floorboards all fitted, and the makings of the new cockpit seating and aft storage. Up to the engine bay, working forward, painting the inside of the hull.

Second coat of epoxy wood primer on over the weekend, should be all white in two weeks’ time, and ready for the engine. Everything that makes it go has been reconditioned or replaced including new shaft bearings, new propeller shaft, and new rudder bearings. Even the windlass has had a complete overhaul, along with the starter motor and the alternators.

Two weeks ago we finished off the last of the hull fastenings and fibreglass so we are all locked up for winter and ready for fairing.

Set up the helm again so we can practice driving when we knock off for a beer at the end of the day.

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Kaiwaka

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KAIWAKA

Yesterday there was some confusion around vessels with name/s – Kaiwaka / Kaiwhaka, thanks to Harold Kidd this has been resolved & today’s story is on the seine boat named Kaiwaka.

Kaiwaka was launched with a 36hp 3 cylinder National diesel and went to Fiji for towing in 1942 as W54. Her length is 45’ & she is most likely the boat that Colin Silby did the recent restoration work on (featured above in Andy Winters photos).

Andy Winter (The Engine Room) has advised that she is owned by Vianney Jones & is powered by a magnificent 8 cyl Gardner – photos below.

What more can we uncover on her?

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23-02-2018. Pre-restoration photos ex Colin Silby. I have to say that this was one major project well done Colin & also the owner Vinney Jones for having the vision & deep pockets 🙂

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Tamoure

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TAMOURE

While mooching around Queen Charlotte Sound, we dropped into the Bay of Many Coves Resort for brunch & a glass of bubbles (see below). The BOMC resort is a rather special spot in a stunning location.

While there the launch Tamoure tied up at the jetty – a brief chat uncovered that she was originally built by Jim Young for his personal use. I’m not normally a big fan of his boats, a tad too modern for me, but this one had a lot going for her.

Do we know anything more about her?

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