Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

Leeway

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LEEWAY 

Back in late 2020 I had an email from the owner of Leeway, Dick Knegt , and I asked former details / photos on the boat, but never heard anything back. Fast forward to last week and being ‘ so over lock-down’ I was chasing up some unanswered emails and I gave Dick a nudge – bingo back came the above gallery of photos.

What we know is that Leeway is a Donavan built bridge-decker. Built Dick thinks in 1958 in Auckland. She stayed there a while then went to Tauranga where she had a duckbill added to her and became a charter vessel for a number of years. Then went to the Malborough Sounds and then to Nelson. Dick and Vicki Knegt purchased her there and she now resides in Motueka. 

Can anyone enlighten us more on her past

Peggy Bawn

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PEGGY BAWN – 1894 G.L. Watson Cutter

Today thanks to the UK site ‘My Classic Boat and Bob Aylott we get to have a peek at one of the best classic yachts ever – Peggy Dawn, her owner Hal Sisk shows us around his beautiful 1894 G.L. Watson 36ft Cutter. Filmed in Cowes and The Solent on a day with not a lot of wind.

Hal Sisk also gives us a great insight into the genius of designer G.L.Watson.

If the above video has wet your whistle for more on the water time – check out below these links form the WoodenBoat Forum 

Link below to very cool vicarious cruising experience http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?279187-Cruise-of-the-Ketch-Julia
If you have more time – read the back story about the boat and the fit out – get tips and photos http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?279187-Cruise-of-the-Ketch-Julia

Anyone know Adam Leyden? If so, ask him to contact us at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

The Restoration of Rogue

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The Restoration of Rogue

Scrolling thru the USA WoodenBoat Forum yesterday my woody antenna popped up when I saw a new thread on the New Zealand yacht Rogue – the 1892 gaff rigged 32’ cutter built by Chas Bailey Jnr. , it was in fact his first design.

The restoration of Rogue has been a happening thing since late 2007 and a lot of the time under the radar, not helped by her residing in Wellington.In the 2015 > 2018 period there were some unexpected ’speed bumps’ that derailed the project, and her owner relocated north to Auckland. So in early 2021 after a 120 year absence Rogue followed her owner and returned to Auckland and slipped into Wayne Olsen’s shed at the Horizon Boatyard. There the restoration has moved along at a good clip, and CV-19 aside, we can expect a splash date in early November.

I would be surprised if there was a better documented history on a classic vessel in New Zealand, and the restoration project is jaw dropping – an amazing commitment to one of New Zealand’s magnificent maritime artefacts.
Below are links to the most recent project monthly updates , but given that most of us are in lock-down, I would encourage you to click on this link https://rogue1892.com/rogues-restoration/ and scroll (its a long way) to the bottom and follow the project from day one.

Enjoy 🙂


FEBRUARY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/02/

MARCH 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/03/

APRIL 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/04/

MAY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/05/

JUNE 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/06/

JULY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/07/

AUGUST 2021  https://rogue1892.com/2021/08/

Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 2021

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Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 2021

The Thames Traditional Boat Festival is one of the woody events on my bucket list and today thanks to Olaf Wiig we get to vicariously check out last weekends event. 

Olaf commented that as long as it is made of wood or riveted steel it is welcome at the festival. No 1950 cut off here 🙂

Olaf’s highlight was – Islanda, see spec sheet on her below.
Enjoy the varnish 🙂

Flareline – A Perfect Lock-Down Project

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FLARELINE – A Perfect Lock-Down Project

We have had examples of ’small’ boat builder John Bullivant’s work on WW before, I use the term small because to tag John a model maker would be very inappropriate – the man is very talented.

Today’s boat – Flareline was built by John over a 12 month period, based on his memories and photos of a full size sister ship that he owned a number of years ago. She measures 31’ LOA and is powered by a jet propulsion unit, check out the electronics.

Part of her set up sees her emitting engine smoke and water from the stern drive + she is wired for sound – engine starting & running noise. There is full interior lighting, working nav lights and even illuminated instrument dials on the dash. 

Check out the link below to view a pre launching video of her being towed by an SUV https://youtu.be/hs6-DmBKRHM
(photos, video and details ex John Bullivant and Ken Ricketts)

Thetis – A Peek Down Below

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THETIS – A Peek Down Below

Thanks to a heads up from Glenn Martin and a tme listing we get to have a peek down below on the 1955, Lanes built, 45’  bridge-decker – Thetis.

Lots more to read about her past at the WW link belowhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/13/thetis-ii-the-lane-motor-boat-co/

Classic Wooden Boats on the Broads

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THE PROJECT

Classic Wooden Boats on the Broads

Mooching around the wooden boat on-line world I recently came a across a small group of woodys in the UK that host a fb group titled ‘Classic Wooden Boats on the Broads’. Its a private group so you have to request membership.They are very active posters and have great content.

A recent story by member Nick Rainbird feature the boat yard – Abbey Boat Builders and restored (rebuilt) 1932 Broads cabin cruiser – Queen of Light. She was designed and built by Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham, Norfolk, in answer to, back then, the growing demand for luxury inland waterway hire craft. 

The team at Abbey Boat Builders is led by traditional boatbuilder Abbey Moyneux (photo below) – read more about Abbey here  http://abbeyboatbuilder.co.uk
Wonderfully to see these craft being given a second life and even better that Queen of Light will be going into charter on the Broads.

And surprize surprize no CYA Tui’s billboard today – hopefully some good news tomorrow and maybe an email later today 😉

Shalom – A Peek Down Below B4 She Is Sold

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photo ex Dean Wright
photo ex Dean Wright

Shalom – A Peek Down Below B4 She Is Sold

If you blinked and looked again you would think that Shalom the 48’ Atkinson designed and 1973 built classic sport cruiser was a Ray Hunt designed craft. Hunt was one of world’s leading marine designers – from motor boats to Americas Cup yachts. So we can safely assume Atkinson was a good reader of USA boating magazines 🙂

Shalom has been very lucky in terms of owners, built by T K Atkinson as his own personal boat, her next owner kept her for approx. 30 years and these days she is owned by a renowned NZ boat building family.

Yes she is for sale – and as you can see above – superbly presented and professionally maintained. In recent years her owner has refitted Shalom for extended family cruising, she comfortably sleeps five. The work includes – new deck (2016), master cabin refit (2017), new saloon and galley (2018), new paint job (2019), new rudder tubes + drip-less seals (2021), new steering cylinder (2021), new batteries (2021). As presented the vessel is ready for immediate enjoyment. And the X factor – twin Yanmar 370hp engines – giving a top speed of 25 knots and cruising speed of 17 knots. With a beam of 14’6″ she has an abundance of living space across five zones – cabins, saloon, cockpit, fore deck and flying bridge. Construction is kauri double skin and finished (glassed) to require minimal ongoing upkeep. 
To view – call David Cooke – 027 478 1877 – For a spec sheet email – david@ibg.co.nz

READ MORE https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-hold-off-paying-your-classic-yacht-association-subscription/

Sea Craft Clinker Woody

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Sea Craft Clinker Woody

Back in late 2020 woody Barrie Abel contacted me to update me on a new addition to his fleet, Barrie owns the classic launch – Matira, photo below. Barrie had just purchased a 1965, 16’ Sea Craft clinker run-about named Touchwood. We first saw her in the flesh when Barrie piloted us up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club.

Fast forward to 2 weekends ago and Barrie was back on piloting duties, this time the clinker had received some TLC and was looking very smart – refer photos above.The Sea Craft woodys are very much in demand these days as they offer a very affordable classic wooden boating experience, with the advantage of being able to taken home and care for it.

READ MORE https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-hold-off-paying-your-classic-yacht-association-subscription/

Simply Irresistible

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IRRESISTIBLE
Today’s woody is only part woody, the main build material is steel and she was designed and built by Serious Yachts in the Netherlands. The Dutch have a long history of steel construction, probably as a result of lack of suitable trees.

 I discovered this stunning craft on Tad Roberts fb post and then checked out the builders website that showcases several other craft upwards of 75’ in length. Link here https://seriousyachts.nl/en

Irresistible is a ‘Gently 36’ Hardtop’ and with a beam of 12’ she is incredibly roomy. Powered by a single Vetus diesel DT44 114hp, she slots into the displacement category with a cruising speed of 9 knots.

Tad Roberts has a wonderful eye for a salty boat, so to get his tick of approval – means a lot. I would have to agree, and I suspect if Colin Pawson wins Lotto he will be placing an order 😉

Interestingly the NZ Classic Yacht Association, I’m sure would accept her as steel is ok with them and it certainly fits the ‘spirit of tradition’ mold BUT no way would it be allowed anywhere near the new Heritage Basin, then again I suspect neither would the stunning 1948 Colin Wild built Lady Crossley ………. or the Percy Vos built Te Arahi ………… or the 1923 Chas Bailey Jnr built Prize …….. or the 1938 Arch Logan designed Aramoana ……… or the 1934 Arch Logan designed Little Jim……..

READ MORE https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-hold-off-paying-your-classic-yacht-association-subscription/