Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

Tawera 1935 Logan A18

Posted on by
1

Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 1.15.43 PM

Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 1.19.36 PM

Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 1.19.54 PM

Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 1.17.45 PM

TAWERA 1935 LOGAN – A18

Tawera was launched on 30th December, 1935. Tawera was designed by Arch Logan and built by Colin Wild of Stanley Bay, Devonport. Her first race was the Auckland Anniversary Regatta in January 1936.

She was Arch Logans last big cutter, measuring almost 50 feet on deck and the culmination of a number of racing keelers built at that time. As the largest of the more modern keelers from Arch Logans drawing board she represented the very best in design development and to this day still epitomises all of the racing winning and wholesome sea keeping abilities of Arch Logans designs.

Tawera is immaculate and has been extensively restored and is now considered one of the finest examples of the a keeler of the pre-WWII era. Her owner is one of the Classic Yacht Associations most loyal members & has loved her as a Logan should be & spared nothing on her maintenance & restoration. She is for sale & is I believe amazing value for money.

Her recent restoration was to the highest specification which includes the building of a new spruce mast to the original specs, new Volvo Penta engine, and redevelopment of the saloon, galley, heads and fore cabin. A new wooden spinnaker pole and wooden turning blocks on deck as well as an all new sail wardrobe consisting of Mainsail, #1, #2 genoas, asymmetric and conventional spinnakers.
Anyone interested in acquiring one of, if not, the best Logan a float could contact me on waitematawoodys@gmail.com & I’ll pass details on to the owner 🙂

Moananui

Posted on by
2

Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 12.41.20 PM

Screen Shot 2017-04-14 at 12.42.16 PM

MOANANUI

Moananui was launched in 1950, is 28′, carvel built from kauri & powered by a 1970 60hp Ford (Ebro) diesel. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe heads up 🙂

Anyone able to supply more details on her?

Home Wanted – Seacraft Run-about

Posted on by
3

P1210205

P1210202

Home Needed – Seacraft Run-about

While out & about Mori Flapan came across the interesting small clinker runabout above, in a café at Rawene in Northland.

It is 12.4′ long and has a steering wheel marked ‘Seacraft Ltd, Auckland’. The history of the Sea Craft Ltd company can be found at http://www.mmsc.co.nz/history Makes for some interesting reading, particularly Yeoman Lionel Sands’ story, and the introduction of fibreglass.

The boat originally was an inboard, but the engine has been removed and transom cut to mount an outboard. However, a rudder with the boat looks like it might have been original.

The café owner told Mori that she is looking to dispose of the boat in the near future. She has had plenty of offers from locals to take the boat and use it as a garden ornament filled with soil and plants, but she hopes that the boat might have a better fate.

If there is anyone interested in the boat, contact Mori at mflapan@gmail.com & he will pass details on to the cafe.

Leonardo

Posted on by
5

Screen Shot 2017-04-10 at 6.12.02 AM

Screen Shot 2017-04-10 at 6.11.28 AM

Screen Shot 2017-04-10 at 6.12.27 AM

LEONARDO
Leonardo started life in 1960 as a fishing trawler, last of Island Bay Italian fishing fleet. She has fished Cook Straight, Nelson, D’urville island and Marlborough Sounds. Has been moored in Purau for the last 20 years. Measuring 21′, carvel planked kauri and powered by a 20hp Ford diesel, Leonardo is a very pretty little ship that has had major work done on her & now is looking for an enthusiastic new owner.

Situated currently in Christchurch, at 21′ you could easily truck her anywhere in NZ. (Asking price is $6k)

Do we know any more about her? the work boat group must be able to chip in.

Nor’West

Posted on by
6

Nor'west Lochmara Bay 31 12 2007

Nor'west with [Te] Atatu (1919), Lochmara Lodge mooring 1 Jan 2008.

NOR’WEST

Nor’West is one of 2 identical boats built by Lane’s at Panmure circa 1948-50, Nor’West & Sou’East, given the year of their design, they had a very futuristic, low, sleek, appearance.
Both were used extensively for game fishing for many years. You can read more here in the comments section https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/27/nor-west/
I was sent the above photos dated 2007/2008 by Frank Stoks who crewed on her back them.
The photos below are from Brian Worthington.

Input from owner Daryl Brighouse – edited by AH
“I own Nor’West, when I bought her in Picton she was a little sad with very tired Ford diesels (two of the 1,000 units imported by Lees Marine ex Germany – and apparently the very first of the overhead cam diesels – now with no parts available world wide so magnificent anchor projects) I have recently replaced the engines with Nissans and at the same time replaced the vee drives that were well past use by date with decent American units. The rest of the vessel is absolutely solid and as good as the day she was built. Based in Havelock now she is still a very pretty and well founded much treasured vessel.  
The external fibreglassing on the cabin and some parts of the internal fine paint job had unfortunately covered up patches of dry rot / black water disintegration … in the extended coamings – looks as if, while the original coaming materials were kauri and in perfect condition, oregon or similar had been used to do the extension and end grain water ingress did the damage on the very course grain timber.  The silastic put into the hull instead of putty no doubt looked good when first completed however turned into a disaster after a season with all planks and joins showing badly and the silastic peeling out while under way.  With putty replacing the silastic and professionally painted she is starting to look as she should.  However I am really pleased to say that the heavy work is now done and only the cosmetic touch ups on the coamings and interior are left for me to play with this season / winter – which I do get a great deal of pleasure out of pottering around with, she is a fabulous vessel, handles magnificently and very comfortable. I remembered her as a child sailing in the Bay of Islands watching her thunder past with her nose in the air and stern well tucked down.
Any details from past owners would be well received.

NOR WEST (I) BY G LANE - 1951 EARLY DAYS

Gay Rambler

Posted on by
5

Screen Shot 2017-04-04 at 8.16.45 PM

Screen Shot 2017-04-04 at 8.17.33 PM

GAY RAMBLER

Reading the latest issue of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Associations newsletter, I came across the above photos of the c.1960’s 15ft Hartley run-about ‘Gay Rambler’, owned by Gavin Finch. Gavin purchased her in 1972 from her builder, Allan Hall of Ngongataha. Gay Rambler is powered by a 50hp  Johnston that Gavin purchased new in 1974. Trolling power comes from a 2010 Yamaha 3hp.
After 44 years of ownership, 82 year old,  Gavin would like to sell the boat & see her enjoyed by another family.
To discuss & view – contact Gavin on (07) 888 8182.

How To Build A Half Model
The link below is to another of Ian Smith’s short videos, this one is on how to make a half model. Thanks to Robin Elliott for sharing the link 🙂

Awarua – A Peek Down Below

Posted on by
15

AWARUA - 22.3.17 - 1

AWARUA AT PINE HARBOUR 2017

.
AWARUA  – A PEEP DOWN BELOW

Awarua the 1947, Roy Lidgard built, 37′ launch, has appeared on ww before (link below) but now as a result of Ken Ricketts recent visit to Pine Harbour Marina & catching up with Awarua’s owner – Ross Mason, we now get to see below decks.

Awarua

When Ross bought her 20 years ago from a live aboard owner in Picton & had her trucked to Auckland from Mana in Wellington, she was in a very run down state inside. Ross has over the years done a rolling refit, with the removal of old paint, which was hugely a labour intensive job, & fitted new squabs (made by himself) + made & fitted the wall cabinets. Fitted the flying bridge, lined the inner sides of the hull with varnished kauri battens, again all his own handy work.
Her present engine is as purchased & is an early series NZ marinised 6 cyl. Ford diesel, which Ross thinks may have been marinised by Chatfield Engineering in the South Island. Ken thinks it is probably the engine which replaced the Waukesha Hesselman diesel (second engine she had in her early life) as it is such an old version of the Ford engine.
Also include below is an inspection report done on her, in December 1972 by previous owner Ted Cooper, eldest son, the late John Cooper, who became a master boat builder & surveyor, & like his father before him, was a perfectionist in all he did. He owned the Lady Crossley in his later years, before he sadly passed away, at a much too young an age. He was the ultimate person to do this survey, as he had helped his dad significantly for his age, in her construction, & knew every part of her so well, as one can see in the report. As a result of this report, we know she belonged to a Mr. R Lilburne of 100 North St Morrinsville from Dec. 1972, for a period & she was moored at Bayswater when he bought her.

AWARUA -22.3.17 - 22

Lady Karen

Posted on by
10

Screen Shot 2017-02-21 at 8.20.31 AM

Screen Shot 2017-02-21 at 8.20.46 AM

Screen Shot 2017-02-21 at 8.20.18 AM

LADY KAREN
Lady Karen was built in 1957 by Oliver & Gilpin & measures approx 41′. Power comes from 2 x Ford diesels of 80hp each giving her a cruise speed of 8kts.
Based in the Marlborogh Sounds & in MOSS survey her fit out & condition is very well presented for sale & could provide her purchaser with the ultimate boating / working lifestyle.

Do we know anything more about Lady Karen’s past?

28-03-2017 Some information on ‘Lady Karen’ ex Gordon Low
I am the current owner and have had Lady K for around 20 years. I purchased the boat from a Nelson boat builder and his wife, Dale & Jenny Pomeroy. They had owned the vessel for around 9 years after purchasing her from a Wairapa farmer, Hugh Beatham. He was the second owner.
She was built in Kauri & Mahogany near Tauranga and launched in 1957. I believe that she was the first of the larger launches built by Oliver & Gilpin primarily for game fishing out of Tauranga.
When we purchased Lady K, the idea was to develop a small boutique style charter business in Queen Charlotte Sound. We placed her in survey and have built up a successful business taking small groups of tourists on a stunning Sounds experience. She continues to be maintained to a high standard and received her new MOSS survey in December 2016.
I reluctantly placed Lady K on the market in February and hope that any prospective new owner will get as much pleasure out of her that I have.
I had the great fortune some years ago of being visited by one of the original builders, John Oliver. He had prepared for me a photographic history from Kauri tree to launching. This valuable piece of history takes pride of place in the wheelhouse and offers an insight into the effort that goes into building a classic timber launch.

MELODY – A CLASSIC PROJECT

Posted on by
13

Screen Shot 2017-03-24 at 4.09.23 PM

MELODY – A CLASSIC PROJECT

Melody was built by the legendary John Lidgard in the 1950’s on Kawau Island & used as a Govt service vessel. She measures 11.5m & is powered by a 100hp Ford.

Despite the hull being in excellent condition, the 1930’s plywood that was used on her superstructure, de-laminated due to bonding failure.  Approx. 20>30 years ago she was completely stripped (decks and superstructure) to a her heart kauri bare hull and stored in a dry shed under cover. Recently the property where she was stored was sold to developers and contractors needed to clear the site. On inspection, despite being covered in litter, the hull proved to be perfectly sound and true. No doubt due to efficient storage preserving the quality of materials and excellence of design and construction.
Following negotiations, the vessel was offered, generously, to the Kerikeri Steam Trust and duly accepted by the Trustees.

The Trust shifted her to the TSS Minerva’s restoration site in the centre of Kerikeri, the hull was stripped, steam-cleaned and covered. Machinery and fitments were removed, ready for detailed inspection and refurbishment.
It is anticipated that all proceeds from the sale of Melody will go to the continued restoration of the engineering requirements for TSS The Minerva.

So woodys – anyone looking for a project or a quick start on a build should consider her.

03-05-2020 Update ex Nathan Herbert – Nathan sent in the press clipping below that show Melody, it that  popped up on the Kerikeri fb page. The date  of ’The Kerikeri Chronicle’ – Vol 8, No.2 is 30 May, 1981

IMG-7003

Joy Belle + Maka2

Posted on by
6

Screen Shot 2017-03-23 at 9.22.49 PM

Screen Shot 2017-03-23 at 9.22.12 PM

Joy Belle – 16 ft Clinker Open Launch

Joy Belle was built in 1954 by G C Hayter at Picton & was first used in Queen Charlotte Sounds as a commuter vessel, at some point it was sold as a fishing boat out of Akaroa, then returned to Nelson and held in storage until 2014 when the restoration project commenced & completed in 2017.

Her planking is American cedar, the rebuild timbers include macrocarpa and elm. The restoration included being re-ribbed, stem post rebuilt, new transom installed, new framing and deck laid.

Zoom zoom comes from a  20hp Farymann twin cylinder diesel, that gives her a cruising speed of 6 knots.

Joy Belle is for sale on trademe with an asking price of $9500 ono – making her in my eyes a steal 😉

Grace Isn’t Grace – She is Maka2

received_10207909213990605

Back on March 10th we talked on ww about a small launch that had sunk off Devonport, initially it was thought she may have been named Grace but subsequent intel from Paul Beachman & Nathan Nathan has confirmed that the launch is actually Maka2. Nathan sent in a photo of Maka2 taken several years ago looking very neglected & down in the bow. In the recent weekend storm it all got too much for her & she sank on her mooring.

Fast forward two weeks & I can report that walking the dog last night I came across a recovery job underway off the Windsor Reserve Beach in Devonport. Seems a Genesis was beached last night & re-floated tonight at high water. The good news factor was that already on the barge was Maka2 looking in pretty good shape given she spent two weeks sitting on the bottom. Lets hope someone breaths some life/love/$$ on her 🙂

IMG_0717

IMG_0725

IMG_0727

Photo below ex Jason Prew of the Genesis showing the bite mark………..

IMG_3425

04-05-2017 An update on AKA2 ex Adrian Pawson
This fine craft was delivered to the Henderson dump shop over the weekend. According to the dump shop manager, she had sunk on her mooring during the weather bomb the other week. She was subsequently raised by the harbour master and deposited at the dump.  Someone had bought her and she looks to be on her way to a new home. (That is good news 🙂 Alan H)

ps if the new owner is looking for the other cabin door & a few of the floorboards, try the Devonport Yacht Club, I saw it alongside the slipway, obviously washed ashore 😉 AH

Maka2 b

Maka2 c

Maka2 a