Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Off The Water Gallery – Part 2

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AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Off The Water Gallery – 70+ Classic Woody Photos

Today we focus on the spectacular collection of smaller woody craft that were displayed in and around the viaduct events centre – to a large % of the shows audience that had some salt in their veins this was a trip down memory lane.

Just so much care and attention has been furnished on these wooden craft. Sadly I suspect that a lot are now in the ‘display’ category. And as we all know with wooden boats you have got to use them or else they deteriorate quickly and then the cost to bring back is just too steep.

The minders / owners of the craft on display were overrun with people wanting to rely their own experiences and memories of the boats. Hopefully the show has ignited some interest in finding the craft that they enjoyed in a past life. The was certainly no shortage of owners looking for new blood to take over their artefact.

Enjoy the gallery and remember you can enlarge the photos if you click on them and the link to the other half of the festival – the classic woodys berthed dockside is below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/03/04/77770/

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Probably The Best Classic Cruising Story Ever

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Probably The Best Classic Cruising Story Ever

Over the last 2+ years I have religiously followed a YouTube series put out by Madison Boatworks. Sounds very corporate but its the total opposite – a youngish couple named Jonathan & Whitney who refurbished a 1960 37’5” (on deck) ‘Ingrid’ ketch designed by William Atkin named Julia. After 4 years of working on the boat they left Seattle, Washington, USA and pointed the bow towards Mexico. After this the big call was made and they were off to the Pacific. There are 21 videos in the series that have clocked up over six million views and each one is gold. 

The cinematography and narrative is just outstanding. Jonathan is a wonderful storyteller and one follower commented that his voice is semi tranquillising – it is, the man should do sleep videos 🙂

I have featured their latest – ‘Exploring the islands of Fiji, Vanua Levu and Taveuni’ below. And also a link to the master YouTube collection

LINK TO MASTER LIBARAY COLLECTION https://www.youtube.com/c/MadisonBoatworks

RSVP > waitematawoodys@gmail.com

HEAO – A Peek Down Below

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HEAO – A Sailors Motorboat

Regular WW readers will be aware of my thoughts on the Logan 33 replica launches and how they were decades ahead of the market place. These days there always seems to be a good market for a classic craft that allows an owner to still retain a connection with some canvas and string but enjoy all the benefits of a modern motor boat including the low maintenance benefits of GRP construction.

The L33 Heao, hull # 17 was built in 2002 in Whangrei by Eric Knight, one of approx. 40 that he built.

L33’s are very slippery craft – their 39hp Lombardini engine can achieve a comfort cruising speed of 8.5 knots. Add in the addition of a steadying sail, auto pilot,  bow thruster, bilge keels and cabin heater and you have a very comfortable family cruising launch.

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SPARTACUS – Why You Can’t Stop The TLC

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SPARTACUS – Why You Can’t Stop The TLC

Back in August 2019 Baden Pascoe drew our attention to a 32’ launch named Spartacus that was parked up in a paddock in Waipapa, Northland (top two photos).

Fast forward 4+ years and she’s is on tme and looking VERY neglected and offered up for sale, a suspect a ‘on-behalf-of’ sale. There is talk she may have started life as a NZ Navy cutter.

Question of the day, did she sell or will someone in Kerikeri not need to buy firewood this winter?

RSVP > waitematawoodys@gmail.com

MANA-NUI STEP ABOARD – 4sale

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MANA-NUI STEP ABOARD – 4sale

The double end motorsailer Mana-Nui has made several cameo appearances on WW but today we get to see and learn a lot more about this classic vessel.

Mana-Nui was built by Harvey & Lang in 1913 and is kauri carvel construction and approx. 39’ in length with a 10’6” beam and 5’ draft. Power is courtesy of an underfloor Ford 120hp diesel engine that sees her cruising at 7 knots while sipping 4L per hour.

In recent times her owner has spared no expense on bringing Mana-Nui up to a very high standard of presentation – the recent addition of the custom davits an example. Amongst todays NZ classic fleet Mana-Nui is one of the few that retains her original aura, character and pedigree, while at the same time, a careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures a high level of comfort and safety.
Stepping aboard one of the first things that hits you is the great accomodation space and her light and airy saloon with large windows, these features make her a very comfortable classic cruising vessel both on-route, at anchor or in the marina.

By now I’m sure you will have guessed that Mana-Nui is offered for sale and unlike so many craft offered for sale, she is sail away ready. 
If you or someone you know is scouting for a 9/10 classic that is perfect for either day cruising or weeks away at a time – contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more information.
Note – photos below dated c.1956>1961. Location is Hokianga 

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PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below + Riverhead Cruise

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PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2020 we ran a short story on the 33’ launch Pursuit – at the time we uncovered she was deigned by Max Carter. Link to that story belowWW Feb 2020  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/02/18/pursuit/

In late 2023 Pursuit popped up on tme , thank you Ian McDonald, and thanks to that we get to have a gander below.

Pursuit was built c.1964 from double diagonal kauri , then in the 1990’s she was glassed.

Her forward motion is via a Lees Ford 100hp diesel engine that gives a comfortable cruising speed of 7 knots.

Hopefully she found a new owner and fingers and toes crossed that the ‘block of flats’ on top has a appointment booked at the barbers 🙂

REMEMBER – YARD SALE AT TE ATAU BOATING CLUB SATURDAY

Affordable Classic Boating – 1/4 The Cost

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Affordable Classic Boating – 1/4 The Cost

Today I want to touch base on an newish trend in the classic boating world – fractional ownership. Sure there are lots of two owner eg 2 buddies  or 2 linked family partnerships, but with the raising cost of marina berths more and more boats are having multiple owners. And thats a good thing, maintenance and berth-age costs are affordable, new owners are entering the classic community at a younger age  and best of all – the boats are being used more.

One such partnership centres around the 36′ 1953 Billy Rogers built classic sedan launch – Margaret-Anne. There is a link below to a 2017 WW story on the launch. Some boats are lucky in their owners – Margaret Anne has had two very passionate classic friendly owners who have restored her to a better than new condition  – then moved on to bigger craft.

Margaret Anne is now in the hands of 4 parters and one of the ’shares’ is now available to purchase, the buy in includes access to a Westhaven marina.

So woodys if you and your family are looking to get afloat in a stunning classic wooden boat – contact Sonia Garica for more details songarcia@yahoo.com

WW April 2017 storyhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/23/30737/

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FAITH – A Peek Down Below

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FAITH – A Peek Down Below

The 1968 30’ Phil Lang designed and built launch – Faith has made several appearances on WW – links below – lots of details & photos from her past

https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/01/faith/https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/06/faith-flash-back-friday/

Faith is a well travelled old girl, originally built by Phil as his own boat for commercial fishing out of Whangaparoa, Auckland. She later went to Northland then to Dunedin, South Island (Port Chamlers & Carey Bay). Then up to the Marlborough Sounds. These days she resides in Picton.

Forward propulsion is via a 38hp Nanni diesel engine that gives her a cruise speed of 6.5 knots.

Thanks to Ian McDonal for the tme alert. 

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

OPANUI – A Peek Down Below + Woody Lunch Cruise Details

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OPANUI – A Peek Down Below + Woody Lunch Cruise Details

Todays woody sedan launch – Opanui, was designed and built in 1964 by Phil Lang for Robert Chamberlain of Chamberlain Island (now Ponui } , Built to tow barges up to 70′ long around the Hauraki gulf she is an incredibly strong boat, made from 1 1/4 inch strip planked kauri.She is approx 38′ long with a 10’6″ beam & 3’6” draft. Her original 6 cylinder 130 HP Perkins diesel 6354 still powers her and cruises at a comfortable 6>7 knots.
Thanks to Ian McDonald spotting a tme listing we get to have good look at Opanui. From the listing she appears to be well maintained and well fitted out for cruising.Current home is the Bay of Islands.

CLASSIC WOODY LAUNCH CRUISE & CATCH UP AT RIVERHEAD HOTEL
After the brilliant (but long over due) summer we have had so far this season it will be great to get together to a catch up and swap cruising tales. So its time for a lunch cruise to the Riverhead Tavern – Saturday 16th March. Details below –

RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with boat name and approx. crew numbers.
DATE: Saturday 16th March TIME: Meeting at Lucas Creek area at 11am. Arriving hotel at 11.30am TIDE:  HW @ 1pm – 3.3m  Looking forward to catching up 🙂

ANN MARIE – A Peek Down Below

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ANN MARIE – A Peek Down Below

The 33’ 1912 Bailey & Lowe launch recently popped up on tme so today thanks to Ian McDonald we get to have a gander down below.

Her story is that she was possibly built as a port service vessel for use in the South Island. Her current owner has had her for 24 years, and in that time crossed from Wellington (North Island) to the Sounds (South Island) numerous times.

Forward motion is via a 65hp Bedford 220 diesel (keel cooled) that gets her along nicely at 7 knots.

Anyone able to shed some light on her past.