Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

Thetis – Shed Visit

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THETIS – Shed Visit

The 45’ classic launch – Thetis, built / launched in 1955 by Lanes is currently tucked up in a shed in Opua getting serious TCL.

One of the better looking big classic, she always looks fast even when at anchor.

Read / view more on her at this WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/06/20/mv-thetis-4sale/

Pre haul out / TLC

29-03-2024 UPDATE – Thetis has a new owner and already she has returned (via road) to Auckland and there are plans afoot to restore her to her former glory. We will keep you updated. Check out the photo below on the hard, she looks just so smart and fast just sitting on there on the stands 🙂

The Classic Yachting World Has Gone Doolally

Reading the latest issue of ClassicBoat magazine, I see they are reporting that glassfibre classics will soon be seen on the Mediterranean classic yacht racing circuit.

The CIM (Comite International de la Mediterranee du Yachting Classique) have made the call to accept glassfibre classics on the racecourse. Refer below extract from CB for more details.

Given the size of the yacht fleets turning up for NZ Classic Yacht Association races these days, they will be following suit and probably let 8Y8’s into the fold 🙂

RSVP – boat name and approx crew # to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Levanter > Vinaka Update

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Levanter > Vinaka Update

The 1962, 37’ bridge decker – Vinaka first appeared on WW in Sept 2020 and the story was added to by new content from Mark McLaughlin in Nov 2021. Link below to that story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/09/29/mystery-launch-29-09-2020/

First forward to last week and Mark contacted me to say the boat had just turned up on trademe in Motueka looking a tad tired, but recoverable. Mark commented that she seems to have had a few names along the way – in the tme listing they say she was previously known as – The Hattersly. The Master-Craft builders plaque is clearly visible in one of the photos.

Forward motion is via a Ford D series 120hp engine.Probably best described a

s a project but in the right hands she could be returned to her former self 🙂

KOTARE  Re-launched

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KOTARE  Re-launched
Todays woody is the 28’ launch – Kotare, built and launched in 1961 by Frank Wilkins to a 1960 design of A N (Bill) Couldrey. Kotare first appeared on WW back in 2014. Over time we uncovered an amazing amount of history on the vessel. The 2022 WW story when wooden boat builder Alan Craig gave us a shed tour on restoration / rebuilding of Kotare has all the references, photos and links to her past – link to the 2022 story below https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/10/kotare-restoration-boat-shed-tour/

Last week Alan Craig advised they had just relaunched Kotare at Lake Rotoiti. Her owner had just finished the interior refit in his shed inTe Puke since Alan and the team at Craig Marine finished painting Kotare last year.  Alan commented that she looked pretty sharp. The work had been done in a pretty confined space and they hadn’t really been able to stand back and look at it till now. A new 35hp Beta diesel has been put in to replace the BMC.

As we have come to expect of anything that slides out of the Craig Marine shed Kotare is a stunner.

Restless – 4sale

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RESTLESS 4sale

Todays woody is the 40’ yacht – Restless built by the Tercel Bros in 1920 to a Alden/Tercel design. Now to save you having to do the maths, that makes her an impressive 104 years old. Constructed of kauri, her beam is 11’3” and she draws 6’ (lead keel).

During her life Restless has seen a lot of the South Pacific and back home is a regular contestant in the Bay of Islands Tall Ships Race.

Any boat to survive a decade needs to have been in the hands of caring wooden boat lovers – Restless has been lucky, her owner of 55 years Tim Beattie is one such gentleman and Restless is always presents in beautiful condition.

Her sail wardrobe, mast and rigging reflect her ocean cruising life. Her second means of forward propulsion is a 58hp Fordson diesel (1965), overhauled in 1990 – that gives her a comfortable 6 knots.

If you haven’t already guessed it – yes Restless is for sale. Classic wooden craft of her pedigree and condition rarely come on the market. There are several options for her next owner in terms of her interior – the one I would favour would be retaining the period layout and just treat her to a refresh e.g. upgrade the hardware – stove, head etc.and refresh the upholstery. Or you could just sail away and enjoy her as Tim and family have.

Initial expressions of interest to  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Waratah Needs A New Home

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WARATAH NEEDS A NEW HOME

Back in Oct 2014 the launch – Waratah popped up on WW, at the time she was 4sale on trademe and the WW story generate a lot of chat in the comments section – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/06/waratah/

We learnt that she was 28’9” in length, built in c.1924 by Alf Bell and was named All Bell when launched. Amusing story around the name in the 2014 story.

Back in 2014 Waratah was needing some serious interior fit out and TLC but afloat, photos below.

Fast forward to 2023 and she has become a restoration that started but came to an abrupt halt. Waratah is currently stored near Kerikeri, Northland and her owner Kevin O’Donnell would like to move her on, at no cost, to someone that will take on the project. The time frame is ‘quick smart’ as Waratah is resting in the exact spot as to where a house is going.

Interested parties can contact Kevin at kevinodonnell496@gmail.com

RSVP FOR RIVERHEAD PUB LAUNCH CRUISE – SUNDAY 26TH MARCH

Boat name and approx crew numbers – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Mystery Launch + Woodys Stillwater Picnic New Date

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Jack Brooke Mystery Launch

Todays woody is only a mystery because the seller didn’t disclose the vessels name 😦

What we know is she is 36’ in length, with a 10’ beam. Built in kauri utilising carvel construction and launched in 1962.

Powered by twin Ford 65hp Diesel engines, cruises comfortably at 8>9 knots.

Anyone able to tell us more about the boat – name, builder, history etc 🙂

WOODYS STILLWATER / WATERFRONT PICNIC – NEW DATE – APRIL 15TH

Alibi – A Peek Below

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ALIBI – A Peek Below

In early Jan 2023 we featured the 42’ Mason Clipper – Alibi, entering the Sandspit shed of Greg Lees Boat builder. That story generated a great inside into her past, link below to that story.

https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/02/mason-clipper-alibi/

Today thanks to the ‘Mason Clippers’ group and Lew Redwood’s fb we get to see her interior. The photos show her almost unchanged in 42 years with the original upholstery still in great condition. 

Looking forward to seeing what Alibi well look like after the Greg Lees team have rubbed their magic over her. (Nudge nudge Greg)

Woodys Stillwater Picnic + Next Event Announcement 

Sadly Saturdays waterfront picnic was postponed based on weather forecasts and sea state. The right decision on Friday night and probably the wrong one at mid-day Saturday. There will be announcement later in the week re a new date. But moving on – the next Woodys event is a long overdue lunch cruise to the historical Riverhead Tavern.

See below flyer – but quick overview – Sunday 26th March – meeting at 10.am off Lucas Creek / Herald Island.

RSVP with vessel name and approx. number aboard to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Rata – A Peek Down Below

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RATA – A Peek Down Below

The launch Rata is 35’ in length, has a 9’ beam and draws 3’.

Rata was built in 1926 from Kauri, carvel method by Dick Lang in St Mary’s Bay.  Powered by a 85hp Ford Lees Marine diesel, giving her a 7 knots cruising speed.

And that is all we know, lots of craft named Rata on WW but this ones a newbie. Was hauled out on the hard at Waiheke Island for an extended period. Thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up.

Cleone – A Peek Down Below

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CLEONE – A Peek Down Below

The Jim Young built, Couldrey design launch – Cleone, has appeared on WW before – link below, lots of details and photos. Now thanks to Ian McDonald and tme we get to have a peek down below.

Quick over view- built c.1950, triple skin kauri, 30’ in length, 10’ x 5” beam. Powered by a Ford 72hp diesel. Previous WW Story https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/06/11/cleone-2/

Mystery 40’ Bridge Decker

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Mystery 40’ Bridge Decker

Todays 40’ woody if you believe her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) was built / launched in 1928 by Miller and Tulloch.

Forward motion is from a 120hp Ford diesel. Home port is Tauranga. And that woodys is all we know about her.

I did have a note I had written with the name – Aoroa on it, but I can’t remember if that is the vessels name or not.

Anyone able to ID the boat and tell us more?

INPUT ex WILLIAM BROWN – Check out an earlier WW posting https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/03/12/aoroa-a-peek-down-below/

Someone please buy her and restore her to her former glory!