Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

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SURE BEATS AN OLD BUS / MOTORHOME – AN APARTMENT THAT FLOATS

Yesterday we had a classic launch that looked like a block of flats, today we have an apartment that is a boat.

Todays craft is appropriately named – THE BARGE, she made a cameo appearince on WW back in January 2024, but at the time we learnt zero about the craft.

Today thanks to Alan Sexton and a Bay of Islands cruise he did in February 2024 , where he spotted THE BARGE in Whangaroa Harbour , we get to learn and see more about this rather cool house boat. Alan S tells the story below – 

“We encountered The Barge in Whangaroa in February 2024 during our Northland Cruise. Of course our first thoughts on seeing her were one of “amazement”, but of course curiosity got the better of us and on the way back from a kayaking trip had a chat with the owners (can’t remember their names). They were very friendly and welcomed us on board for a tour.

The Barge was built during the Covid times in a shed near Uretiti in about 18 mths. The owner is / was a house builder so that of course heavily influenced design/build.                                           Hull is a catamaran, philosophy was literally to be a “home afloat”, in particular the lady’s insistence on a full size kitchen.                                                                                                                 

Construction is construction ply, tanalised pine, aluminium window joinery and house paint. I don’t think she was glassed over. Most of the marine fitout came from Trademe, Facebook market place and other used equipment emporiums.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Shaft drive engines were Nissan SD22 diesels, the fuel tanks were 2x 44 drums in each hull, water tanks were 3 cubes in each hull. The upper level was built separately from hull / lower level for transport limitations. The owner said the boat builders at Marsden Cove were just about apoplectic when she arrived on transporters for assembly and launching.                                                                                                                                                                                           Cruises at about 5 kts under power and owner said although he of course watches the weather she handles ok in a bit of a sea. Certainly not an example of beauty but functional to the max.”

SOUTHERN SEAS – A Peek Down Below    

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SOUTHERN SEAS – A Peek Down Below    

The 34’ classic wooden launch SOUTHERN SEAS was launched c.1966, most likely built to a Shipbuilders ‘kit boat’ design. Her hull is triple planked kauri (f/glassed over).

She last appeared on WW back in April 2014 – link here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/04/6728/ at the time we only saw her hauled out at Gulf Harbour Marina.

Back in Sept 2025 she came on the market, and thanks to Ian McDonald we get to have a peak down below. The photos are a good example of a seller not maximising the vessels features eg most photos are very cluttered with items that should be removed, but its their boat, their money.

Back in 2014 she was powered by a Lees Ford 6cyl. engine, but was re-powered in 2018 with a Ford D Series (2nd hand).

Do we know what became of SOUTHERN SEAS. 

CLASSIC LAUNCH – FREYA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – FREYA – A Peek Down Below

Launch FREYA was built in 1963 is sits on the fence between a classic and spirit of tradition.

It has been commented that she is a ‘Banshee’ design (but shortened to 30’) from the yard of Alan Williams in Milford, Auckland.

30’ in length and powered by a 60hp Ford Parsons engine ( I suspect the word Parsons refers to the gearbox). Home is Nelson, South Island.

CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – TENACITY

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CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT – TENACITY

Back in 2024 the 44’ classic wooden workboat TENACITY was for sale in Nelson as a commercial fishing boat , but the suggestion was she had the bones to make a good recreational cruiser.

At the time we learnt she was a Jack Guard design, built in 1988 from kauri and was powered by a 150hp Gardner 6L3B engine.

Todays woody question is did she sell, and if so did she remain in commercial work or get converted to recreational use.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #5

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #5

Today we have an an update from Tobias Forsyth on his rebuild of the 24’ Sam Ford built (1954) classic wooden launch – AVALON. Tobias words below

“Avalon now has a brand new cabin top sitting on her, all the cabinetry is finished, glass templates are with the glazier and only the final coat of awlwood to go now after many many coats applied everywhere, I have gone through many litres of the liquid gold.  I found some beautiful big pieces of the real deal old mahogany veneer from an old cabinet maker on trade me, so I have skinned all the doors to make it look a bit more pleasing to the eye.”

Tobias has promised another update in early July when he is back in country.

To view updates 1>4 click on this link https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=CLASSIC+WOODEN+LAUNCH+-+AVALON+-+RESTORATION+UPDATE&submit=Search

LOVING YOUR CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT TO DEATH – Electro-chemical Destruction / Underwater Rot

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LOVING YOUR CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT TO DEATH – Electro-chemical Destruction / Underwater Rot

The most referenced topic on waitematawoodys is the numerous articles by Chris McMullen on the topic of electro – chemical destruction / underwater rot.

In addition to the on-line searches, I would get 2>3 emails a week. I point them in the right direction, but knowing most people are lazy and don’t read long copy – I normally finish by saying “its simple do not bond and throw away your zincs”. Sadly I would estimate 50% do not follow the advice. Next time I see a photo of their woody hauled out they say “I just have a small one on the prop shaft and rudder”. I normally delete their ph number from my contacts list. A wee tip – if you own an iPhone you can set the phone to only ring if the caller is in your contacts list. What happens is the call automatically goes to answer ph without ringing.

LINK BELOW TO A 2023 WW STORY ON THE TOPIC + LINKS TO ALL THE OTHER CHRIS MCMULLEN STORIES. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/18/loving-your-boat-to-death-electro-chemical-destruction-underwater-rot/

Many years ago my boat RAINDANCE was bonded and zinced , removed over 10 years ago BUT as the photos below show – the damage was already done.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ASEREHT -A PeekDown Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ASEREHT -A PeekDown Below

The classic wooden launch – ASEREHT has only made one brief appearance WW, back in 2020 when I spotted her mooching around Rakino Island.

Back in January of this year she was for sale and thanks to her listing we get to see and learn more about her.

Built in 1989 by Geoff Bagnall she is 34’ and powered by 135hp D Series Ford that gives ASEREHT a comfortable cruising speed of 9.5knots.

As with anything that came out of Geoff Bagnall’s Milford shed she very well built and appointed with all the systems needed for safe , comfortable cruising.

(photo ex Toby Hyman)

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – KAREN JOY

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CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – KAREN JOY

Todays 26’ wooden launch – KAREN JOY has recently popped up on tme. We know very little about her other than that KAREN JOY is powered by an older keel cooled Lister engine.

Home port is Dunedin so probably able to handle some sporty conditions.

Any of the southern WW woodys able to tell us more about KAREN JOY.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – KORARI II – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – KORARI II – A Peek Down Below

Back in 2017 the 1964 built, 36’ Mason Clipper – KORARI II made an appearance on WW but we never got a gander below. Now thanks to Ian McDonal’s eagle eyes on tme we get to see her impressive interior.

KORARI II is powered by twin 135hp Perkins HT6364M diesel engines.

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR-SAILER –  KAIKOURA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR-SAILER –  KAIKOURA – A Peek Down Below

The 36’ classic wooden motor-sailer – KAIKOURA was for sale earlier this year, and it must have sold because I had numerous people enquiring about her – she ticked a lot of boxes and her size was an added bonus i.e. not too big.

KAIKOURA was built in Wellington in 1959, builder unknown, for a Mr. Palmer, it has been commented that she was a ‘Scottish Drifter’ design. She was used as a pleasure craft by the Palmer, then Blundell families through the 1960s. In the early 1970s Kaikoura was commercially used by ‘Mana Island Transport Services’ then from 1972 till 1974 as the Wellington Police launch. Kaikoura’s fourth owner from 1974 to 1999 was Mr George Jannis. George added masts and sails initially and a new engine, new keel bolts and fuel tanks in 1988. Kaikoura made many trips to the Sounds over these 25 years, then finding a home there with a new owner till 2008. From 2008 to 2017 Kaikoura, now based in Dunedin, was frequently used as a harbour and peninsula pleasure launch and occasionally entering, and winning club sail races (in her class of one).  Ten days after taking ownership of “Kaikoura” in late 2017 her owners did the first of several trips to the bottom of Stewart Island, they also made a winter trip to Wellington, the Sounds and D’Urville Island.

Forward motion is via a Cummins B Series 6BT5.9 As you would expect for a Southern lass she is very well appointed.

Given my attraction to the work-boat look, in another life she could have been mine 🙂

SAD NEWS ON THE EX WWII NAVY 72’ SHIP – KUPARU News reports have her abandoned off Ninety Mile Beach on the West Coast of the North Island over the weekend. Crew all safe and rescued by helicopter. 2018 WW story on the vessel here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/10/04/hmnzs-kuparu-hdml/