CLASSIC 52’ WOODEN LAUNCH – TRINIDAD – A Peek Down Below + A Call For Expressions Of Interest – SOLD
Regular WW readers will recall the owner of TRINIDAD, David Cooke, died in late 2024. David and Barbara were the custodians of this magnificent motor yacht for over 25 years and the decision has been made to find the next custodian.
There are only 5 classic craft in New Zealand that I would rate as A1 standard and TRINIDAD is pretty close to the top of the list. None of the other 4 are likely to come on the market in the foreseeable future – these craft only change hands in the 25>50 year time frame e.g once in a generation.
TRINIDAD has benefited from a succession of caring owners that have all maintained her in consistently exceptional condition.
The quality of materials, construction and craftsman ship is evident throughoutand attests to the fact that she has been well loved and cared for by her owners, past and present. Reflected by the fact that she always gathers admiring looks and comments when underway or at anchor.
She presents in suburb condition and retains her original aura, character and pedigree. At the same time careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures the very latest in comfort afloat. TRINIDAD just ticks all the boxes: • 50’+ • Triple skin kauri planked • Built by John Salthouse, design influences from Colin Wild • Gardner engine • Off shore / NZ circumnavigation history • Fitted out for extended cruising • Diesel cabin heating • Rigged for motor sailing
And the price – $400,000 – So woodys is a vessel like TRINIDAD on your bucket list – and if the answer is yes or even maybe – now is the time to act. If it’s not you, please forward todays story to friends and colleges that need TRINIDAD in their life.
AN INSIGHT INTO NZ’S UNIQUE MARINE ENGINES – Part Two
Todays WW story follows on from last weeks story – link below to Part One Part Two is a little different in that while the story has been pulled together by Ken Ricketts, todays story has benefitted from a lot of editing and polishing from Patricia & Ken Ricketts daughter Corinne Pettersen. As always we have endeavoured to be as factual as possible but there will always by matters others will either know more about or be able to correct errors – so woodys do not hold back in commenting.
WILLYS JEEP WWII 4 CYL UNMARINISED FLATHEAD PETROL ENGINE
WILLYS JEEP 4 CYL PETROL ENGINE PREMARINISED
FAYE WITH HER MARINISED 4CYL WILLYS JEEP PETROL ENGINE c1951
It’s interesting to note how World War II surplus engines found new life in various applications beyond military use, particularly in an unknown number small craft and trailer craft in New Zealand. The experiences of individuals like Fred Steele and Des Donovan exemplify this trend, as they repurposed one of these engines to power their own launch – FAYE,, showcasing the innovative spirit of post-war boat builders. Their simultaneous construction highlights a fascinating moment in maritime history, where practicality and personalisation combined in the crafting of vessels that were shaped by both necessity and craftsmanship.
Fred S. successfully installed a Willys Jeep home-converted WWII 4-cylinder flathead engine, which provided reliable performance for several years before being replaced by a 6-cylinder diesel engine. This setup allowed her to achieve a cruising speed of approximately 7.5 knots, and during this time, my family enjoyed many weekend cruises with them, creating lasting memories on the water.
HERCULES DIESEL ENGINES
HERCULES 6 CYL. DIESEL ENGINE TO BE HOME MARINISED, c100HP, SIMILAR TO THAT IN FAYE
HERCULES UNMARINISED 275HP DIESEL ENGINE, SIMILAR TO THAT INSTALLED IN THE RAKANOA MARINISED, IN 1947-48.
RAKANOA WITH HER 275HP HERCULES DIESEL IN NORTH HARBOUR PONUI ISLAND 1948.
Hercules was indeed a significant manufacturer of marine engines, supplying foundational engine units to various companies like Kermath, Chrysler, and others for customization to their specific requirements. While Hercules engines themselves were produced in smaller quantities and considered comparatively small-scale, the widespread use of their core engine designs across multiple brands highlighted the company’s crucial role in the marine engine industry during its era.
FAYE is an interesting vessel with its history of engine replacement, especially from a Willys Jeep petrol engine to a home-marinised C100P 6-cylinder Hercules diesel. This transition not only reflects an upgrade in power and efficiency but also shows the adaptability of boats to modern diesel technology.
RAKANOA, a stunning 56-foot vessel built between 1946-7, originally featured a 165HP GM Detroit engine but was upgraded to a 250HP Hercules diesel after a year in the water, likely due to the engineering expertise of her first owner, Stan Parker & shortcomings he found with the GM Detroit engine. Despite the initial enhancements, there was a persistent starting issues with the Hercules, particularly when hot, leading son Ross to replace it with a Gardner 6L3 diesel in 1981, which remains with the boat to this day.
The decision to replace the original engine with a Hercules engine stemmed from the excessive noise produced by the Rootes blower and the GM Detroit engine, which was particularly problematic due to the loud high-pitched geartrain noise and the inherent loud exhaust of the 2-stroke GM engines, known for their sensitivity to exhaust back pressure unless equipped with specialized mufflers.
GLENIFFER PETROL & DIESEL MARINE ENGINES
GENIFFER 1940s 8 CYL. INLINE, MARINE DIESEL ENGINE IDENTICAL TO THOSE IN NGAROMA
GLENIFFER MARINE 6CYL 1920S 40BHP, (ABOUT 120HP) PETROL ENGINE, SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE LAUNCH – GLENIFFER
GLENIFFER THE LAUNCH, WITH HER GLENIFFER ENGINE, TAKEN WHEN SHE WAS ALMOST NEW, IN 1932
NGAROMA WITH HER 2 X 8 CYL IN LINE GLENIFFER DIESELS, TAKEN, ACTING AS MOTHER SHIP, IN A FIJI YACHT RACE IN THE 1950s
There is a rare type of engine that has a limited presence in New Zealand, with only a known petrol and diesel example known to me.. The mention of potentially more examples from the 1920s and 1930s suggests these engines might have been utilized in vintage boats that are either no longer in operation or have been lost to time. Such rarity adds to their historical significance and appeal among collectors and enthusiasts.
The GLENIFFER, a 40 ft bridge decker constructed by Bailey in 1929, has most recently served as a liveaboard in New Zealand’s South Island, showcasing its enduring appeal and adaptability over the decades.
In the early to mid-1930s Ralph Ricketts was tasked with maintaining a boat for Trevor Davis. The boat had a critical issue where the sea water intake could airlock in rough seas, necessitating someone to lie on the floor under the bridge deck to turn a grease cup on the water pump to resume water flow, a challenging job made more difficult by poor conditions.
The ex-WWII Fairmile boat NGAROMA, formerly owned by Jim Lawler, underwent significant modifications after he acquired her from the Navy. Initially equipped with two Hall Scott Defender 630hp petrol engines, Lawler immediately replaced one with a Gleniffer 160hp diesel engine and later replaced the remaining Hall Scott engine with another Gleniffer diesel engine, both designed to be a matched pair with opposite hand configurations for optimal performance.
BUICK 8 CYLINDER INLINE PETROL ENGINES
AOMA WITH HER HOME MARINISED BUICK 8 CYL. INLINE PETROL ENGINE AS ORIGINAL WHEN BUILT BY ALAN WILLIAMS
AOMA ON HER MOORINGS AT GT BARRIER ISLAND RECENTLY
AOMA, a 36-foot vessel built by Alan Williams around 1950 in Milford Creek, Auckland, was either commissioned by or later acquired by Len Pepper, a prominent builder from Takapuna. Initially equipped with a home-marinised 8-cylinder in line Buick petrol engine, AOMA reflects the craftsmanship and maritime heritage of its time, showcasing the evolution of boatbuilding in New Zealand.
Observations about the engine’s appearance and the “Buick Detroit Marine” label suggest it could indeed be a locally modified version rather than an official marine model from General Motors. The lack of verifiable references to a marine variant strengthens your hypothesis about it being a custom marinization. Such practices were not uncommon, especially in regions where specific adaptations for marine use were necessary, and the label may have been a marketing choice to lend credibility or appeal to customers.
AOMA’s design is a classic example of form versus function, where the elegant lines that defined her aesthetic have been altered for improved practicality. While enhancing the headroom may provide comfort for passengers, the modification to her coamings appears to have detracted from her original beauty. Such changes often spark debate among enthusiasts and owners about the balance between maintaining a vessel’s traditional design and adapting it for modern usability.
MASON MARINE 42 FOOT MASON CLIPPERS & CHRYSLER V8 MARINE DIESEL ENGINES WITH STERN DRIVES.
Tony Mason crafted a series of impressive boats like the ALIBI, characterised by their striking design and powerful performance, especially with the dual 6-cylinder diesel engines that presumably enhance their speed and efficiency on the water. These boats show cased both his craftsmanship and a commitment to quality, making them stand out in any marine setting. I am trying to find another of these boats, that one day was tied up to Mansion House Bay Wharf, in the early 1970s, when the boat was almost new. She was amazing as ALIBI still is today, but the thing that intrigued me most was her 2 Chrysler V8 diesels, painted red, as with Iveco or Redwing, with her stern drives painted cream. The engines looked the same as Chrysler V8 petrol engines, except they had injectors not spark plugs, they were the only two of these engines I have ever seen.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SEAFARER – A Peek Down Below + 4sale SOLD
Todays woody is very familiar to me having hauled out alongside her at Devonport Yacht Club on several occasions. Several times I contemplated asking to be not postponed alongside her – why? Well her owner is one of those people that can do just about anything on a boat and to a standard thats 10/10. I would be embarrassed with my efforts but her owner was very generous with his advice.
Seafarer is for sale on tme and at $25k, is a bargain, if I was in the market I’d buy it without a survey, she’s that good.
Some background – SEAFARER has impeccable genes – was designed by John Brook and built by Walter Deeming of Deeming Bros. boat builders in Opua, Northland, using local kauri for its carvel construction. 27’6” in length she was launched as a motor sailor in 1963. Her owner has had her since 2012 and over the next several winters major restoration and overhaul was undertaken. This included the stripping of all internal and external paintwork and re-caulking the hull where needed. She was completely rewired with 2 new AGM house batteries and a new start battery. A new Beta 43 engine, new shaft, thrust bearing and prop were installed. A new toilet, holding tank and small refrigeration unit were put in.
SEAFARER has been used every summer to cruise the Hauraki Gulf and been on the hard every winter for ongoing projects to be undertaken.
If you’re in the market for smaller classic wooden launch- act quick, she will be gone very quickly. SOLD – IN A RECORD TIME- BUT I EXPECTED THAT ✔️
Yesterday WW was contacted by David Evans regarding the launch LOLENE. The launch was owned by David’s parents – Val & Joan Evans, who purchased LOLENE c.1975 and spent approx. 20 years cruising from the Far North to the Mercury Islands, with their many friends and David’s younger sister. David commented that this mother was devastated when in 1994 the family sold her, as Val wanted a yacht. During their ownership LOLENE was berthed at Half Moon Bay marina.
Back in April 2014 LOLENE made a brief appearance on WW, link below. At the time we learnt from Harold Kidd that Billy Rogers built LOLENE for himself around 1963. Certainly she was first registered in his name with APYMBA at his then Wiilliamson Ave., Grey Lynn address. Billy had owned the 28ft keel yacht LOLOMA as a young man and was deeply fond of her. As a result some of his boats and children had the letters LO and LOMA in their names eg LADY LOMA in 1949. Close sister ships were IOWANA (I1966) built for Dr. Kreichbaum and still in the hands of the Shorty Sefton/Pollard family and LADY FLORENCE (1966) built for Hedley Kendall. Subsequent owners of LOLENE have included K.D. Orell, Takapuna (1973), John Cossar 1989-95), Gary Hogg (1995) and Ken and Rhonda Blakie (2001). WW April 2014https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/08/lolene/
In the last photo we see David’s mother and father with their great friends who they cruised with a lot. From left. Betty Russell, Joan Evans, Harry Russell and then Val. (Valintine) Evans.
Todays WW story is a little (or maybe a lot) out of the normal WW story style i.e. we are focussing on marine propulsion > engines not craft.
The story has been pulled together by Ken Ricketts, who comments while he has endeavoured to be as factual as possible there will always by matters others will either know more about or be able to correct errors – so woodys do not hold back in commenting.
There are many sections to the story and the intention is to publish one part a week.
WW are very conscious that most readers have limited interest in engines, h.p., gearbox ratios, prop sizes etc – BUT a very high % of the WW site visitation is research based, so the thinking is this data needs to be recorded for future recall. HOWEVER if the viewing numbers show low interest, an option is to just load the data up in one go.
So woodys over to you have a review / look and lets see the interest factor.
As per any Ken Ricketts item it will be riddled with typos and mistakes, but as stated the primary intention is to get the data in a location for future access. Over time we will ‘fine tune’ it.
NAPIER LION PETROL W12 (3 BANKS OF 4 CYLINDERS) PETROL AIRCRAFT ENGINES – CONVERTED TO MARINE USE BY POWER MARINE UK
A NAPIER LION MARINSED 500HP W12 PETROL AICRAFT ENGINE BY POWER MARINE UK, as used in RNZAF PATROL VESSEL W1, DURING WWII
ENGINE ROOM AS ORIGINAL IN W1 DURING WWII with 3 x PETROL NAPIER LION 500 HP AIRCRAFT PETROL ENGINES, AS ORIGINAL. — NOTE THE 3 GEAR LEVERS & ENGINEERS CHAIR
ABOVE 2 IMAGES ARE OF THE CENTRE ENGINE VEE DRIVE GEARBOX/REDUCTION GEAR FITTED AS ORIGINAL, TO THE FORWARD-FACING CENTRE NAPIER LION W12 ENGINE, IN W1
THE 3 ORIGINAL PROPELLERS DRIVEN BY THE 3 NAPIER LION 500HP MARINISED PETROL AIRCRAFT ENGINES, AS FITTED TO W1.
REPLACING A W12 NAPIER LION MARINISED 500HP AIRCRAFT ENGINE IN W1 DURING WW II.
NOW BELOW, W1 AS A FULLY AIR CONDITIONED LUXURY PLEASURE CRAFT, AS AT 2025
W1 – WITH HER BEATUTIFUL GENTLE FLAT WAKE AT 22 KNOTs c2020
W1 – HER ENGINE STORY.
All RNZAF craft, have a permanent identification number, allocated to them upon entering RNZAF service, & whilst only the number is ever actually sign-written on the boat, in all paperwork, & in the spoken & written word, they are all prefixed with a letter, & in the case of this craft it is a “W,” thus the craft referred to herein, was IDed as “W1” when it arrived in NZ & was therefore known as “W1”, which has now been given this title, as the boats official name, along with the special marine RT call sign of ZMWI.
She was originally imported new from UK by the RNZAF c.1940, & after her RNZAF service ended in c.1951, her designation & name of W1, was changed to CARROMA in the 1950s, by the Alright family, of Panmure, who did the first & second pleasure craft conversions to her, to become a pleasure craft, & now it has been reverted back to W1 by Francis Uren, the present owner who has created a 3rd new super luxury set of coamings & fully airconditioned fitout.
She had 3 of these 500hp W12 cyl engines which were in 3 banks of 4 cylinders, as per the above image, as original , with the 2 outer engines facing aft, with conventional mechanical gearboxes, & the centre engine facing forward, driving a vee drive/reduction gear unit, so all 3 propellers, where in a perfect line across, at the stern, (refer above image), as original, when ordered by the RNZAF in early WWII.
During her WWII service, she had to have a fulltime engineer, sitting in a padded chair, with soundproof earmuffs, in the engineroom, when the engines were running, & when she was at sea, controlling the gearbox reverse leavers on instructions from the bridge, & supervising the engines.
The original engines were replaced initially, in the early 1950s by twin 6/71 GM Detroit diesels, by the Alrights, & later by one 600HP 8V/92-TI Detroit by current owner Francis Uren. post 2010 which she still has today.
HUDSON HOME MARINISED 6 CYL PETROL CAR ENGINE.
HUDSON 6 CYL PETROL CAR ENGINE as used in the yacht SUNDOWNER.(image unavailable)
Only one yacht/motor sailer called SUNDOWNER had this 1930s vintage engine, which in the later 1940s, had an issue with one cylinder & piston, so in the typical NZ No. 8 wire fashion, the owner of the day, simply removed the offending piston, & made it into a 5 Cyl Hudson home marinised marine engine. —It ran well enough, it but sounded funny in the exhaust.
STUDEBAKER 1930s HOME MARINISED FLAT HEAD 6CYL TRUCK ENGINE
This was a very quiet, smooth running, reliable, low revving engine, originally fitted to the ROYAL FALCON, in the 1930s, & was replaced in the later 1940s, with a factory built marine petrol engine, & the Studebaker was sold to Bill Waters, who installed it as original, in the 34ft GAY DAWN, in the early 1950s, as she was being built by him & his son Brian.
Ralph Ricketts, bought GAY DAWN in 1956, with that engine, & replaced it in 1958, with twin diesels, – (refer later engine listing.) RR sold it.
ROYAL FALCON IN HER STUDEBAKER ERA
GAY DAWN ON LAUNCHING DAY SEPT 1953 WITH HER STUDEBAKER PETROL ENGINE
CROSSLEY MARINE DIESEL ENGINES
A TYPICAL SMALLISH CROSSLEY ENGINE, PERHAPS SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE LADY CROSSLEY
LADY CROSSLEY POST 2020
There is the only example known to me, of these engines, in NZ pleasure craft, & that was in her namesake boat, the beautiful LADY CROSSLEY, built for Seager Bros. Ltd Auckland, who were the agents at that time, as a demo boat for these engines.
However, they were 2 cycle direct reversing, — (as are all or most direct reversing engines), — which meant that one had to stop the engine, & restart it, running the opposite direction to go in reverse, which of course had to be done in the engine room, on directions from the helmsman, up in the bridgedeck. this was highly unsatisfactory, & quite dangerous in this type of use, & after only a very short time, they were replaced by twin Gardner 6LW diesels which she had for many years & may still have.
FAIRBANKS MORSE MARINE DIESEL ENGINES
FAIRBANKS MORSE 4 CYL 1930s DIESEL PERHAPS SIMILAR TO THAT IN LADY MARGARET
LADY MARGARET BY DICK LANG. WITH FAIRBANKS MORSE DIESEL ENGINES – THEY HAD SIDE EXHAUSTS- SEE STEAM – WWII- LATER ENGINES IN LADY MARGARET DID NOT HAVE THESE, – THEY WENT OUT THE COCKPIT CABIN TOP IN SHORT STACKS
FAIRBANKS MORSE DIRECT REVRSING 2 STROKE DIESEL ENGNES, AS USED IN AUCK. PASSENGER & VEHICULAR FERRIES PRE 1958 –
AUCKLAND HARBOUR PASSENGER FERRY, WITH FAIRBANKS MORSE DIESEL ENGINE c1950s
THE LADY MARGARET ENGINE STORY
Whilst these are mostly used in very large versions in ocean going ships, & large craft, they did or do make smaller engines & there was at least one example of these in Auckland, I am aware of, & there may be others, & that is in the 1939 Dick Lang built, LADY MARGARET, for Ted Clark, who installed 2 of them, when she was built, which were ultimately replaced by 2 x 6 cyl Fodens, in the mid/later 1950s. (no image available of Fairbanks engine)
AUCKLAND HARBOUR PASSENGER & VEHICULAR FERRIES
These engines were also used for many years, in Auckland Harbour vehicular & passenger ferries, in a very slow revving, 4 cylinder direct reversing, — (must be stopped & restarted, to run the other way for reverse), — 2 cycle version, with 2 engines, with one engine facing a propeller at each end of the boat, up until the Harbour Bridge opened in 1958, except for one or 2 passenger ferries, that had one single 8 cyl version, & I think a few passenger versions may have been kept in use, for a year or 2 after 1958.
NORDBERG PETROL MARINE ENGINES
NORDBERG 100+hp petrol engine, similar to those fitted as replacements for original engines, to LADY DIANA & MAKURA
LADY DIANA. AS SHE LOOKED. WITH HER NORDBERG PETROL ENGINE. – EX B WORTHINGTON.
MAKURA IN HER EALRY DAYS – THE NORDBERG ERA
NZ agents for these, were Seabrook Fowlds Ltd Auckland, in the 1950s, & the M.D. Phil Seabrook, had one fitted to his LADY DIANA, replacing her original Austin Skipper 100, in the later 1950s, for which his company also held the agency, at that time.
A second engine was fitted to his brother-in-law, Cranston Leighton’s MAKURA, after he sold her to brother in law Phil Seabrook, in the later 1950s.
Both of these engines have long since been replaced with diesels, & they are the only 2 examples that I am aware of, ever in pleasure craft, but of course, there may be well others, & look forward to any input from other boaties or engineers to confirm this, but these engines never became really popular & a big seller.
RUSSELL NEWBERRY DIESEL ENGINES.
MOVARIE WTH HER 2 RUSSELL NEWBERY 40HP MARINE DIESEL ENGINES. c. LATER 1940s.
These are made by the RN Diesel Engine Company Ltd., which was founded in UK in 1909, & is still manufacturing engines today in UK, & there is only one example in NZ, that is the 1938 built MOVARIE.
These were 2 x slow revving 4 cyl., 4 cycle engines & were 40 H.P. Russell Newberys, as original, which were eventually replaced by 2 x Ford Diesels in 1960.
BMW MARINE DIESEL ENGINES & STERN LEGS.
BMW 6CYL MARINE DIESEL ENGINES WITH STERN DRIVES
While made in fairly substantial numbers by BMW, only 1 pleasure craft in NZ had them, which was a standard designed Formula 4000 Vindex & it had 3 of them with stern drives.
LEYLAND PRE MARINISED 6CYL DIESEL TRAIN ENGINE SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE SHENANDOAH
TWIN LEYLAND CUB 6CYL HOME MARINISED 95HP DIESEL ENGINES BEING INSTALLED IN THE GAY DAWN 1958-59
ISLE OF ARAN with LEYLAND COMET 6 CYL DIESEL
BLITZEN WITH HER 2 X LEYLAND BEAVER DIESEL ENGINES
GAY DAWN WITH HER 2 NEWLY INSTAALLED LEYLAND CUB DIESELS AT THE B.O.I. 1960
LEYLAND 4 CYL DIESEL ENGINE – ONE OF 2 AS FITTED TO THE LANAI
LANAI WITH HER 2 X 4 CYL LEYLAND DIESELS
JULIANA READY TO LEAVE HOME FOR THE WATER, WITH HER JUST FITTED LEYLAND CUB DIESEL 1947
RAIONA POST LEYLND COMET ERA.
SHENANDOAH WITH HER LEYLAND TRAIN ENGINE
There are a very few Leyland engines that were ever fitted to pleasure craft, & are all 6 cyl., except for the LANAI. which has or had, 2 x 4 cyl. Leylands.
Other craft included the RAIONA, with a Leyland Comet, fitted by the Alf Secombe, in place of a previous petrol engine. Also, there was the Guthrie’s Leyland Comet, the original engine, in the ISLE OF ARRAN.
The SHENANDOAH also had a Leyland 6cyl. home marinised train engine which was fitted around the 1990s.
Ralph Ricketts fitted 2 x Leyland Cub Diesels to the GAY DAWN in 1958-59 in place of its previous single Studebaker truck engine, later removed & replaced by a single Ford Diesel, by a later owner.
The only other pleasure craft was a Leyland Cub installed in the 30 foot SAGA, by owner/builder, Kings College master, Mr Val Maxwell.
The beautiful big bridgedecker BLITZEN, is/was also powered by 2 x Leyland Beaver, locally marinised diesels.
Ralph Ricketts fitted 1 Leyland Cub to the JULIANA in 1947, which he removed in 1956 & replaced with a 4 cyl Buda Diesel, he bought from John Warren who had removed it from his ARCTURUS, that had been built for him by McGeady a few years earlier, & he replaced the Buda with a 6 cyl diesel. This was replaced in the JULIANA, with a 6 cyl Ford Diesel, by the owners of the day, the Algie Brothers, of Algies Bay, Mahurangi, about 20 years later.
RR fitted the Buda to the JULIANA in place of the Leyland because he had another brand-new complete engine, & he fitted the 2 of them in the GAY DAWN in 1958-59
Two Leylands were fitted to the iconic passenger ferry BAROONA, replacing her previous single engine, around the later 1950s/60s.
THORNYCROFT MARINE PETROL ENGINES.
THORNYCROFT 4 CYL TEE HEAD PETROL ENGINE, identical to that which was marinised & installed in the JULIANA, while she was being built in 1930 by Sam Ford.
THORNYFROFT 6 CYL PETROL MARINE ENGINES WITH ONE SIDE VALVE & 1 OVERHEAD VALVE (no images available)
MANOWAI in her THORNYCROFT ERA
RAUTANGI with her THORNYCROFT 6 CYL petrol engine.
JULIANA on her relaunching day in 1946 after her THORNYCROFT TEE HEAD 4 CYL PETROL ENGINE, SEE ABOVE had just been totally rebuilt by owner Ralph Ricketts.
Thornycroft engines had always been produced in substantial numbers in UK, however only a tiny number, in pleasure craft in NZ.
The tram topper MANOWAI had one, in the Claude Atherton era of the 1930s & up to the later 40s, which had 1x overhead valve & 1side valve, as many Thornycrofts, did for many years. He replaced that engine with a twin cyl. Ruston Diesel for use, after that time, as a longline fishing boat. The second & third Thornycroft’s were in the RAUTANGI, & both fitted by or for, Les Sterriker, of Sterriker Engineering, in Kyber Pass Newmarket, one after the other, the last being larger with more HP., than the first one, it was eventually replaced by a Ford Diesel by a later owner.
There is or was also, around the 1970s/80s era, a UK custom purpose-built rescue craft here, painted orange & blue, fitted with 2 x Thornycrofts, which was moored at Matiatia at one time.
RQLPH RECKITTS purchased the JULIANA in 1946, & she had a 1920s vintage Thornycroft Tee head 4 cyl petrol truck engine home marinised, running on salt water, which was her original engine, when she was built by Sam Ford, In 1930, which was absolutely identical, to that shown in the image attached, which was not in very good health, when RR bought her, so he immediately totally rebuilt it in 1946 himself, not knowing at that time, he would be removing it in 1947, to fit a Leyland Cub diesel in its place, he had later acquired, & he fitted an additional distributor ignition system, as part of the rebuild, of the Thornycroft, as well as retaining the existing magneto, giving her dual ignition.
MEADOWS 4 CYL PETROL ENGINE AS FITTED TO THE LEAH by Dick Daniels in 1946
MEADOWS 6 CYL PETROL ENGINE as fitted to TEAL & RNZAF flyingboat harbour patrol craft in the1940
LEAH with the newly installed MEADOWS 4 CYL, with her newly home marinised MEADOWS 4 CYL PETROL ENGINE –
MEADOWS 2 x 6 CYL PETROL ENGINES fitted to TEAL flyingboat harbour patrol craft c1950s
Only 1 of these engines used in pleasure craft, it was a 4cyl version painted bottle green, as they all seemed to be, (as were all the Thornycrofts as well), in the 30ft bridgedecker LEAH, for Dick Daniels in the mid1940s.
TEAL had 2 of them in some harbour patrol craft for flying boat patrols fitted with twin 6 cyl versions of the engines) the RNZAF.also used them in a number of their patrol craft, in the 1940s to around 1960.
AEC DIESEL ENGINES
AEC 6CYL DIESEL ENGINE, home marinised, as fitted to the INEAWA
INEAWA WITH HER AEC 6 CYL home marinised, DIESEL ENGINE
Only a handful of these beautiful smooth quiet running UK built diesel engines, in pleasure craft in NZ, which are now no longer made. The AEC company was bought by Leyland many years ago, & production eventually ceased. They can be compared very favourably to an 8L3 Gardner, with their sound, & smooth quiet running.
There is at least one large bridgedecker similar to the BLITZEN that has 2 of them & also at least 1 other single engine, smaller boat.
FAY & BOWEN PETROL ENGINES
FAY & BOWEN 6 CYL 1920s PETROL ENGINE as fitted to the MARGARET S
MAGARET S with her FAY & BOWEN 6 CYL MARINE ENGINE
There has only ever been one boat with one of these engines, & that is the MARGARET “S,” which had one from 1923, until after 1967, now almost certainly replaced by a diesel, as most boats are, these days.
LOEW VICTOR (KNIGHT’S PATENTS), 4 CYCLE PETROL ENGINES
LOEW VICTOR 4CYL PETROL 1913 MARINE ENGINE
LOEW VICTOR 4CYL PETROL 1913 MARINE ENGINE in the boat of the same name in c1913s
A 32ft launch was built by Bailey in 1913, with a 25H.P. engine of the same name, showing a good turn of speed in the images, however she appears to be one of just a small number of craft with these engines.
BUDA PETROL & DIESEL MARINE ENGINES.
BUDA 1940s 6 CYL MARINE DIESEL ENGINE, SIMILAR TO THOSE IN AMAKURA IN THE 1940S, & THE MAHARATIA WHEN BUILT c1949
ARCTURUS – HER ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS A 4 CYL BUDA DIESEL (no image)
JULIANA PASSING THROUGH PARNELL ON HER WAY TO THE WATER WTH HER NEWLY FITTED 4 CYL BUDA DIESEL EX ARCTURAS
REHIA WTH HER c100HP BUDA FLAT HEAD 6 CYL. PETROL ENGINE, WHICH HAD DUAL IGNITION, WITH 12 SPARK PLUGS, FED FROM A SINGLE 12 POSITION DITSRIBUTOR CAP, & A BENDIX REVERSE CONTROL SYSTEM, & THROTTLE, WTH 2 LITTLE 6 INCH LEVERS, IN A DUAL SMALL CONTROL UNIT. – VERY RARE IN THOSE DAYS.THIS WAS HER ORIGINAL ENGINE FROM NEW, WHICH SHE HAD FOR A GREAT MANY YEARS, & OWNER, BILL RYAN, IS STANDING IN THE DOORWA.
MAHARATIA IN EARLY YEARS, WITH HER TWIN BUDA 6 CYL DIESELS.
Only a comparatively small number of these in NZ, because the company was bought by Allis Chalmers in 1953, & manufacturing finished that year.
There were however 5 in total, fitted with 2 to the AMAKURA, during WWII, by the navy, which were removed & replaced by 2 x Graymarine petrol engines, by the owner of the day, a Mr Widderspoon in1947-48, as they were belching huge amounts of black smoke out both sides, as she had side exhausts by then. She was moored at that time, at Hobson Bay, just by the Judges Bay bridge, under the other side. There was also the ARCTURUS, that had a 4cyl Buda Diesel installed during construction.
The MAHARATIA also had 2 x 6 cyl Buda diesels as original, when built by Roy Lidgard, & at his Kawau Island property in 1947 & towed to his Auckland shed to have her engines fitted Auckland shed, which were a number of years later replaced by 2 x 6LW Gardner Diesels.
The 32 ft ARCTURUS was fitted with a 4 cyl Buda Diesel new, by boatbuilder Mac McGeady, (Supreme Craft Ltd) for John Warren, of Mission Bay, with installation by Tracy Nelson, which John W., later sold to Ralph Ricketts, & which was then installed in the JULIANA, for many years. Ultimately removed by the Algie Brothers of Algies Bay, Mahurangi, & replaced with a 6cyl Ford Diesel around the 1990s.
DAIMLER BENZ V12 DIESEL ENGINES
DAIMLER BENZ 1350HP DIESEL ENGINE REMOVED FROM THE HYDROFOIL MANU-WAI FOR OVERHAUL
HYDROFOIL MANU – WAI, WITH HER V12 DAIMLER BENZ 1350HP DIESEL ENGINE
Only ever been one craft in NZ that had one of these engines. They ran at comparatively low revs (under 1500 RPM) & had to have hot engine oil pumped through the engine for 20 minutes before starting when cold.
This craft was the Auckland based passenger ferry MANU-WAI, which provided the first high speed passenger services to Matiatia Bay at Waiheke Island, & also to Pakatoa Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. The engine was based on a marinised aircraft engine of around 1400HP., with engine revs governed to around 900rpm
VM DIESEL MARINE ENGINES
TWIN VM DIESEL ENGINES
LADY KIWI (EROS) WITH HER TWIN VM DIESEL ENGINES
These engines are still made by VM Motori Ltd in Italy which started life as a standalone company, in 1947, however it has had a checkered career, of various part owners, & has ended up today fully owned by Stellantis or Fiat.
The only boat with these engines, is the first 40 ft Vindex to be built, designed by Jim Young, & built by Orams, of 2 skins of Kauri, in Whangarei, in 1972.
She is the EROS, built for Auckland bed manufacturer Alf Broadhead, sold when he died, & is now renamed LADY KIWI, & her original engines were replaced probably around 15 years ago now, by the above 330 HP versions of the VMs.
STEARNS MARINE PETROL ENGINES WITH ONE SIMILAR TO ONE OF THOSE ABOVE, FITTEDTO THE COLIN WILD BUILT LADY MARGARET, AS ORIGINAL
STEARNS PETROL MARINE ENGINES c1926
LADY MARGAARET (BUILT BY C. WILD) WITH HER STEARNS 165 HP PETROL MARINE ENGNE c1929
F B Stearns was born into a wealthy family, & by his teen years, had developed a passion for cars & engines, so his father “indulged” him, with the creation of F B Stearns & Company, being established, in the late 1800s, & by 1907 the it was producing its first production run of vehicles, with a side valve engine he had built.
In 1911 he developed an association with the Willys (Overland) organisation, which had already developed a beautifully quiet smooth running “Sleave valve,” engine & his company from then on produced all sleave valve engines & their cars were from then on, known as “Stearns Knight.”
They also manufactured marine engines. Steans retired from the company actively in 1919, & it was sold to Willys (Willys Overland), in 1925, & the company was wound up in 1929, so Stearns marine engines were only ever produced for a very few years.
Auckland businessman H. O. Wiles acquired the NZ agency for Stearns marine engines, sometime around the 1920s & fitted a 165HP Stearns engine to the beautiful 42 ft LADY MARGARET, that Coiln Wild built for him in 1927.
She was very fast for her day & he entered her in various competitive events successfully.
She is one of our all time great classics of NZ, & these days, sports an artificially aspirated 6 Cyl Ford diesel.
NOTE – MORE INFORMATION TO VIEW EX READERS IN THE REPLIES SECTION – click below
Alongside AWARIKI is the 42’ 1969 Bailey & Sons built launch – CENTAURUS, out for a JPPJ (Jason Prew paint job) that has turned into a back to bare wood effort. The starboard side has one coat on and already looks the bees knees. Owner Angus Rogers is onsite attacking the brightwork, so this old lady will be very regal when she relaunches.
Well done to both owners for investing in the upkeep of two of our finest classic wooden craft.
Bumped into a fried who is an antiques dealer and he showed me a recent find – the wording on the front of the gold medal / badge reads – Memorial Hewson Cup 1925, back – 14’ One Design Championship of Waitemata For Youths Under 21 – ‘Queen March’ – W. Rogers’. I bet W. Rogers had no idea the value of their medal in 2025.
INPUT ex ROBIN ELLIOTT – Queen March, sailed by Billy Rogers on that day, was owned by Eliot Davis, brother of Sir Ernest Davis, and named after Eliot Davis’ champion racehorse. The race was won on a resail because it was later revealed that the skipper of Joan, winner of the first race, was 2 days over the 21 years limit. Three medals were presented to each of the crew Billy Rogers, Doug Rogers and D. MacKay
CLASSIC WOODEN PERCY VOS WORKBOAT – WAIMANA (AK77)
Back in August 2023 the 51’ ex Seine trawler – WAIMANA popped up on tme and we did a story, then in Feb she was back on line again. This time with more photos including some from her past.
A quick overview – built at the Percy Los yard in Auckland in 1943 for Sanford Fisheries. Spec’s – 51’ x 14’ x 6’3” powered by a Gardner 6L3B 150hp, giving her a top speed of 10 knots at 900rpm.
Todays woody is the 40’ blue water cruising yacht WHIRLWIND, designed by Holman & Pye and built c.1972 by Ted Ottway. Triple skin kauri.
WW was contacted by Deb George on behalf of her father who is looking to find a new custodian for the yacht. Deb’s dad has owned WHIRLWIND for 30 years and sadly the yacht is just too much for him at this stage of life.
Lots of positives about this craft including new engine. She appeared on the cover of the July 1985 issue of ‘Cruising Helmsman’.
Anyone looking for a very well priced 40’ yacht that provides two options – sail away and enjoy her as is or invest in some upgraded electronics and point her offshore’For details contact Deb George >. debbgrg@gmail.com
Todays woody – LANAI was built in 1949 by Lanes. Carvel kauri construction.
She has made several appearances on WW, links below. Its nice to see that her current owner has given her a hair cut and the fly bridge has gone.
There is lots of chat and intel in the past posts but a quick overview below.
32’ x 10’6” x 2’9”, powered by twin Thornycroft 54hp engines, that sees her cruise at a comfortable 7.5 knots, max 10 knots. WW July 2014https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/04/lanai/
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