Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

CLASSIC  WOODEN BOAT – KOMUTU – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC  WOODEN BOAT – KOMUTU – A Peek Down Below

Back in October 2019 woody IanMcDonald sent in some photos of the wooden launch – KOMUTU on the hard in Whagarei.We learnt that she was built by Curnow & Wilton in Motueka in 1950>52 (launched Dec 1952) to a Cliff Nalder design. Spec were 42’ x 12’ x 3’6”.                      

Lots more intel in the WW link below.
WW Oct 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/10/23/komutu-whats-on-for-the-long-weekend/

Fast forward to early 2025 and thanks to a tme appearance we get to have a gander down below. Forward motion these days is via 230hp Detroit 671 engine. 

UPDATE ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

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UPDATE ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

On Wednesday we asked for more information on the classic wooden launch – COLUMBIA and the WW readers delivered, link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/06/25/looking-for-information-on-classic-launch-columbia/ . 

Then on Thursday night Sandra Gibson sent in the gallery of photos above and advised that “Columbia has been restored by Stanford Boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. And she is now powered by a V8 Cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable.”aunt 

Reviewing the book cover below, her exterior hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS GETS SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS GETS SOME TLC

Earlier in the week one of the WW spotters, Alan Sexton, dropped WW a note to say that the 44′ Oliver & Gilpin 1964 built classic wooden launch NAUTILUS was hauled out at Sandspit Marina for some TLC. Always good to see the big old girls being looked after. My lips are sealed but NAUTILUS is another classic woody owned by one of NZ’s yachting ‘royalty’.

The first grouping of photos is as of this week, the b/w photo is probably as launched, and the last lot are from approx. 4 years ago + a peek down below (again 4>5 yrs ago). Forward motion is via twin120hp Isuzu diesel engines.

We understand home these days is the Whangateau area.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH PANIA – Priced To Sell 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH PANIA – Priced To Sell 

The rock bottom pricing continues – the classic wooden launch PANIA is on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and at last glance the highest bid was $110 and the reserve had been met.

PANIA has appeared on WW several times – lots of details and photos at this March 2021 WW story link  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/03/29/pania-a-peek-down-below-post-sale/

Quick overview – built by L Coulthard in 1959, 28>30’ in length, powered by a 80hp Ford D250 And guess what – she lives at Waiheke Island 🙂

(the top two photos are from 2021)

CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH -STELLA ROSE

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CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH – STELLA ROSE

Todays 34’ woody was built in 1967 by boat builder R E Swanson, constructed via the clinker method using kauri planks. The interior is macrocarpa.

Forward motion is from a 70hp Ford diesel engine.

Woody Ian McDonald commented that she had a similar ‘look’ to Baden Pascoe’s – JOHN DORY, I’m sure Baden will disagree 😉

Can we learn more about this Akaroa, South Island woody.

22-06-2025 INPUT EX LIAM DALY
There were at least two other ‘almost identical’ clinker built launches built by  Bob Swanson. One was named “TELSTAR” And the other named “MANANA” which was often mispronounce!  “Mañana” named after a popular song of the day, translated from Spanish means, “tomorrow” or “morning”.Back in the day, Manana was at one time owned by Bay of Many Coves identity Errol Christian. Errol installed a huge turbo charged 100 h.p. diesel engine in Manana which he used as a water taxi throughout Queen Charlotte Sounds.     

KEN RICKETTS Input – it’s named STELLA ROSE

WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

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WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

These days it seems that when it comes to classic wooden boat locations, the ‘new black’ is the Bay of Islands. 

So I’m very happy to report that two woodys have found new owners / homes at Waiheke Island, Auckland.

Recently we helped find a new owner for the 28’ John Brooke designed, Walter Deeming built launch –  SEAFARER  and she is now moored at the island. Photos above of the delivery voyage, the bacon and egg pie is a masterpiece, made by the new owner’s father. More photos of the launch here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/09/classic-wooden-launch-seafarer-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

Also the 38’ RAIRA (photo above) built in 1918 by McLeod Bros. Devonport, has a new owner and will be remaining at the island. More photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/29/raira-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NOR WEST – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NOR WEST – A Peek Down Below

Back into 2016 the 33’ Lanes Motor Boat Co. built in 1951 launch – NOR WEST appeared on WW, at the time her new owner, Peter Crane, was looking for information on her past. Well WW delivered . Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/02/20/nor-west-2/

Fast forward to earlier this yea and NOR WEST was back on the market, hopefully now sold.

As seen in the photos above over the last 9 years there has been plenty of TLC handed out and she is a very fine look classic wooden boat.

Quick over view – built from kauri, 9’ bean and draws 3’. Powered by a 100hp 6 cyl. Ford diesel that sees her cruise at 7.5 knots

RSVP TODAY FOR WOODYS CLASSIC RIVERHEAD TAVERN LUNCH CRUISE

email boat name & approx crew #’s to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC BAILEY & LOWE LAUNCH NEEDS A NEW HOME

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CLASSIC BAILEY & LOWE LAUNCH NEEDS A NEW HOME

Todays story is two things a look at the 1909 wooden launch SUNBEAM  and call from her owner Susan Insley asking for someone to step up and take over the custodianship of SUNBEAM.

Firstly some background – THE 32′ SUNBEAM was built in 1909 by Bailey & Lowe and constructed from kauri carvel planking.  Susan’s great grandfather, Harry Insley, was the police officer on Waiheke Island between 1908 and 1928, and used his launch SUNBEAM for work purposes making her the first Police craft in Auckland.. In the b/w press clipping dated 14th Nov 1992 we see SUNBEM lining up with the craft that later replaced her as Auckland Maritime Police vessels.

These days SUNBEAM is moored in the Marlborough Sounds and in good working order, but sadly in recent times just not getting the use she deserves / needs. So Susan has made the tough call to find a new owner and has commented to WW that if someone with the right amount of salt in their veins was to step up, the vessel could be a gift. If that person is you or you know someone – initially contact Susan at sueins@xtra.co.nz

Screenshot

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – SPINDRIFT

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CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – SPINDRIFT

Today’s featured vessel is the rather salty-looking SPINDRIFT – a 27’ classic double-ended motorsailer that recently surfaced on tme (cheers Ian McDonald for the heads-up).

Unfortunately, the listing doesn’t give much away. We’re told she’s built to a design known as a “Scottish Fifer” and has a kauri hull, so it’s likely she was built here in New Zealand. Power comes from an 18hp Saab engine.

And that’s about it.

The seller does mention there’s a “full history from when built, with photos” – which would be a great addition to the listing. Always curious how some people seem to make it harder to sell a boat…

If anyone out there knows more about SPINDRIFT, drop us a line in the WW comments section. She’s currently located in Tauranga.

CLASSIC SAM FORD LAUNCH – OSCAR – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC SAM FORD LAUNCH – OSCAR – A Peek Down Below

Todays post revisits the 34′ classic launch OSCAR, built by Sam Ford in 1970 and still powered by her original 165hp Perkins diesel engine, which delivers a top speed of 12 knots.

While OSCAR has been featured on waitematawoodys before—most notably in April 2024 (link below) —this update shares some new photos from below deck, thanks to a tme listing tip-off from Ian McDonald. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/04/10/oscar-born-again/