Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

GRACIE – 33’ WOODEN LAUNCH + CLASSIC LAUNCH SILENS SINKS

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GRACIE – 33’ WOODEN LAUNCH + CLASSIC LAUNCH SILENS SINKS

In 1741 David Hume termed the phase –  ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ – well it certainly applies to todays wooden vessel. In her tme story (thanks Ian McDonald) her owner says “Gracie is a beautifully proportioned classic wooden launch” , they also say she was designed by Jim Young – the claim to her beauty and designer have been challenged in the tme comments section and would have to agree. To my eyes has a high degree of yacht looks to her.

All the above aside she is constructed from kauri carvel planking, has a beam of 10’9’ and draws 4’3”, built c.1970’s. Her forward motion is from a Nissan 2.7L diesel engine giving her a top speed of 8 knots.


SAD NEWS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SILENS SINKS

Several reports have come in about the 1912 Harvey & Lang built, 38′ classic wooden launch SILENS sinking on Thursday/Friday while moored in Algies Bay, Mahurangi Peninsula. The unconfirmed story is that she had left her berth in Westhaven and was traveling to the Bay of Islands. Based on the weather forecast / conditions on Thursday the decision was made to stop in Algies Bay on a mooring.As a result of at this stage unknown water ingress, and possible bilge pump issues, she sank. Her mast is visibly at low tide so hopefully salvageable. Keen to learn more. In my early days on the classic woody scene SILENS was one of the in-crowd and I have happy memories from times aboard. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/16/silens-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

CLASSIC WOODEN 1930’s SPEEDBOAT – WINTER PROJECT

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CLASSIC WOODEN 1930’s SPEEDBOAT – WINTER PROJECT

Todays vintage woody recently popped up on tme with a $1 reserve (thanks Ian McDonald).

 Now hush my mouth but the chrome fittings would be worth buying her for. But there’s the bones of a nice lake boat there – 20’ in length, made from mahogany , stored under cover its whole life.  Designer / builder unknown.

OFF CENTER HARBOR WEBSITE

Regular WW readers will be familiar with the USA based website – Off Center Harbour, but if you aren’t already a member I would encourage you to subscribe.

A day wouldn’t go by when I do not log in to view one off the 600+ video’s from the back library – for advice, inspiration of just entertainment.

At the link below you will find a short video on what the site is all about . https://www.offcenterharbor.com/what-is-off-center-harbor-regular-join/

Below is a random collection of screen grabs showing some of the content.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ETHEL – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ETHEL – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

The 34’ 1962 classic wooden launch – LADY ETHEL has previously appeared on WW, link below. In that 2014 story and in her tme listing last year it was stated that she was built by Brin Wilson, this is incorrect. Back in 2015 Chris McMullen advised that LADY ETHEL was in fact built by Morrie Palmer of Devonport, he did the hull and Mr Neil Wilson  (owner) finished her off. 

WW April 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/17/lady-ethel/ (thanks Ian McDonald)

These days she is powered by a 1988, 72hp Sole (marinised Mercedes) diesel engine giving a comfortable cruising speed of 7.5 knots.

She did sell – at the time based in Motueka. Can we get an update on where LADY ETHEL is now.

CLASSIC 1950’S WOODEN LAUNCH – TAMAROA 

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CLASSIC 1950’S WOODEN LAUNCH – TAMAROA 

We last saw TAMAROA on WW back in 2022 , link below  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/04/12/tamaroa-in-the-bay-of-islands/

Early in the year she made an appearance on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and this enabled us to get afresh look at some of the enhancements.

Briefly overview of what we know – 46’, Collings & Bell launched in 1954, powered by twin 120hp Nissan diesel engines. She had a new kauri hull fitted about 15 years ago up to the water line.

Interested to learn if she sold and if so where she resides now.

SUMMER WAS A TAD AVERAGE BUT AUTUMN GETS A BIG ✔️

Had a lazy weekend at Rakino Island, condition perfect – as expect Woody Bay was packed and zero woodys, but West Bay was the better anchorage.

If you like gin – try PAPA SALT – Coastal Gin, seriously good and the sea glass bottle ilooks the part on a classic wooden boat 😉 

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN CLINKER – BEATTIEFUL

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CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN CLINKER – BEATTIEFUL

When I first sighted todays 16’, 1961 built clinker run-about I was a little startled and my first thoughts were had she started life as a project boat at a boatbuilding school were every skill / feature was explored. But as they say – beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and if you pay the bills you can do what ever you want 😉  

And she was awarded the top prize at the 2018 NZ Antique and Classic boat show at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes. So she appeals to them southern folks 🙂

What we know about BEATTIEFUL is she was designed and built in 1961 by Jim Beattie, a kiwi boat builder based in Blenheim, and then in the mid 2000’s she was restored in Blenheim by Wayne Foley of Blenheim. Power is via a 60hp Yamaha outboard.I understand the boat changed hands at the 2026 Nelson Lakes boat show, so nice that she remain ‘local’ and presumably lake based.

(thanks Ian McDonald for the story heads up)

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TEMPEST

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2014
2022
2023
2025

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TEMPEST

The 30’ classic wooden launch TEMPEST recently made an appearance of tme, bidding reached $395 and the listing was withdrawn. Hopefully the seller realised its real value and has found a genuine buyer. Would be keen to learn what became of her.

In the meantime some background – built in 1964/5 by McGeady and powered by a Ford 100hp 6 cyl. diesel engine.

She has appeared several time on WW starting back in 2014, looking very salty, then in 2022 looking very sad and again in 2023. WW 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/26/9340/

WW 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/15/tempest/

WW 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/20/tempest-a-peek-down-below/

Her recent history is that her owner spent hundreds of hours restoring her and then during Cyclone Gabrielle she was struck and sunk on her mooring by a much larger floating foot path (concrete boat). Her owner also experienced  a medical incident and the rebuild is beyond his physical resources and he has made the hard call to find a new custodian.

TEMPEST is #3 of 4 boats that Norm Fairlie had built for him by Mc Geady in the 1950s >1970s period.

She was purpose built in kauri and mahogany for him c.1964/5 by McGeady in his Summer Street, Ponsonby premises , specifically to fish for Tuna in the World Game Fishing Competition held in NZ in March of that year, which he won in her.

TEMPEST’s hull had been started by McGeady to be a boat he had intended for himself but he was persuaded by Fairlie to sell her to him & finish her to Norm’s requirements i

Fairlie owned her simultaneously with his other larger McGeady boat the 38 foot CHALLENGER which McGeady built for him in c.1962. He fished for Tuna in the contest off TEMPEST, & Billfish off CHALLENGER & came second in the overall contest

Fairlie later sold her to his then business partner Mr Bert Grimshaw-Jones, who lived on the banks of the Tamaki River, where he kept her at the bottom of his garden, for a number of years,

DOCKSIDE WITH THE WOODYS – Auckland’s Wooden Boat Festival 2026

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DOCKSIDE WITH THE WOODYS – Auckland’s Wooden Boat Festival 2026

(CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

Yesterday’s WW post focused on the undercover displays and the surrounding shore-side activity (scroll down if you missed it). Today’s instalment is a gallery from two days spent wandering the floating docks. Why two days?

The simple answer — there were just too many woody folk to catch up with for a quick chat. Every few metres another familiar face appeared, and before you knew it ten minutes had disappeared talking boats, projects and plans.

On the weather front the forecasters got it spot-on. Sunday turned out to be the pick of the two-and-a-half day festival, with warm sunshine and a welcome cooling breeze.

Between dockside wanderings I managed to sneak into a couple of the speaking seminars. One featured designer supremo John Welsford, the other Paul Stephanus, director of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart. Both presentations were knowledgeable, insightful and — most importantly — highly entertaining.

Because Auckland’s greater boating community is spread across a wide geography — marinas, rivers and estuaries scattered from the inner harbour to the outer reaches — the public rarely gets to see our classic wooden boat fleet gathered together in one place. That’s what makes an event like this so special. Seeing so many woodys together is a reminder of just how strong and diverse the fleet really is.

Of course none of it happens without the owners. They put an enormous amount of time — and more than a few dollars — into getting their boats “show ready”. Beyond the camaraderie shared with fellow woody owners, the real reward comes from the reactions of the public. Owners might shrug off the compliments, but the praise, smiles and pats on the back certainly help offset the many hours spent sanding, polishing and crawling around the bilge.

Now, I know it’s not a beauty contest… but if I had to pick a few personal favourites from the docks they would be:

SAIL — RANUI
The 1936 ex-workboat designed by Korinius Larsen. Looking at her today, the standard of presentation is closer to a superyacht than a working boat.

MOTOR — REHIA
The 1938 Colin Wild designed and built motor launch. Over the last five years she’s been undergoing a rolling restoration, and every time I see her she looks better than the last.

TRAILER BOAT — LADY MAREE
A circa-1950 Cresta Craft classic runabout — pure period charm on a trailer.

TRAILER YACHT – I missed the detailers, has the look of a John Welsford design – can someone supply details ✔️ thanks. ‘Mystery’ solved – its a Welsford Navigator ✔️

As mentioned yesterday, events of this size don’t just happen. They require the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, organisers, exhibitors and supporters.

So a big salute to everyone involved in bringing the 2026 Auckland Wooden Boat Festival together. It was an impressive celebration of our classic wooden boating movement.

AUCKLAND’S 2026 WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Show Tour Part #1

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AUCKLAND’S 2026 WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Show Tour Part #1

Currently underway down on Auckland’s waterfront is the 2026 Auckland wooden boat festival. The event kicked off late Friday afternoon and runs through until 5pm Sunday.

I dropped down on Friday hoping to grab a few photos before the predicted weather turned sour. Thankfully we were treated to a few welcome bursts of sunshine, which made for some great viewing and photography. As it turns out, today (Sunday) is shaping up as the best day to get along and soak it all in.

Today’s woody story focuses on the undercover displays and surrounding shore-side areas. Tomorrow we’ll bring you Part #2 — a full dockside walk-through featuring the boats afloat.

The festival is a visually stunning showcase, with around 80+ classic wooden craft on display along the docks. In an era where most marinas are locked away from the public 24/7, events like this provide a rare opportunity to get up close to these beautiful wooden boats and chat with the passionate owners and crews who keep them alive.

Pulling together an event of this scale doesn’t happen by accident. It takes hundreds of volunteers, organisers, exhibitors and supporters working behind the scenes to make it all happen.

Hats off to everyone involved — it’s a fantastic celebration of our wooden boating heritage.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MATIRA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MATIRA – A Peek Down Below

The 45’ 1956 Collings & Bell built launch MATIRA has made several appearances on WW but we have never had a good gander down below.

Some info: Designed by Alex J Collings, she has a 11’ beam and draws 3’6”. Built from kauri, single skin, carvel planked. In recent years MATIRA was re-powered with twin Yanmar 110hp engines.    

MATIRA is one of those classic woodys that looks perfect from all angles and looks fast even when at anchor.

21-04-2026 UPDATE – video of MATIRA shadowing the PCC Vintage & Veterans Regatta fleet ex Roger Mills.

2026 NEW ZEALAND ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SHOW

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2026 NEW ZEALAND ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SHOW

In the first weekend of March we have one on NZ’s coolest wooden boating events – the NZ Antique & Classic Boatshow, hosted in Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park.

Todays coverage of the event is a perfect example of how the WW community works – I get an email from a friend (John Burland) living in Germany informing me a friend of his (Cam Rodgers) is attending the show this year and would I like some photos – short answer – YES.

So thanks to Cam today we get to have a gander at the show. Looks like the weather gods were smiling.

Remember – click to enlarge photos and enjoy the gallery 🙂