Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON RESTORATION UPDATE #2

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON RESTORATION UPDATE #2

WW has been following the restoration of AVALON the 24’ 1954 Sam Ford built classic wooden launch since late 2021.

Owner Tobias Forsyth has been juggling the project in between family life and a profession that sees him ‘off-shore’ for extended periods of time. I have linked the previous AVALON WW stories below – lots of historical photos.

Late 2021. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/29/resurrection-of-avalon/

May 2025. https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/12/classic-wooden-launch-avalon-restoration-update/

Today Tobias has shared with us a gallery of work undertaken in the last 6 months. The size of the project is lofty but when its a one owner family craft you tend to disregard budgets and hours work.

Tobias commented that  he had “made some good progress with interior build, cockpit, side deck glassing, loads of sanding and painting. Also finally finished the forward windscreen mahogany after deliberating on exactly how it should look for a while so I can order the new glass soon. I refurbished the original helm whittled by my grandfather in Manuka from the family farm in Beachaven, finished before he had even commissioned Avalon, I just had to replace the mahogany trim pieces that were made of a veneer and the diamantés”. 

The next phase is a new cabin top and some basic systems installed then final top coats of paint and varnish then she’s good to go. The plan is she will be kept on a trailer making AVALON a very user friendly woody.

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

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Robert Brooke (L) – Paul Tingy (R)

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

Recently WW has been following a major re-fit/build on the 1921 Logan designed and built classic wooden launch – NGAIO. Link below to the progress updates.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/08/heritage-refit-for-1921-logan-launch-ngaio/

I visited Milford during the week to view the work underway on the launch – MONTEREY (yesterday’s story – scroll done) so took the opportunity to check out NGAIO.      On previous visits there has been mainly deconstruction, template and repair work – yesterday we got to view first-hand the skills of boatbuilder Paul Tingey. So rather than ‘bury the photos on the end of the existing story, I made the call they deserved their own story. (I will also add them to the existing on-going story)

While at the yard I caught up with 3 generations of the Brooke family working on the family launch – LINDA. Robert came over to inspect the work on NGAIO and even though in the photo above it looks like Paul Tingey is having a chat with the headmaster – Robert had high praise for Paul’s work.✔️

LINDA

30-11-2025 Been a tad slack on the update photos – three sets (visits) below. Re-launch is close.

CLASSIC LIDGARD LAUNCH MONTEREY GETS A BIRTHDAY

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2013

CLASSIC LIDGARD LAUNCH MONTEREY GETS A BIRTHDAY

The 1946 Lidgard built 32’ classic wooden launch MONTEREY has been a regular member of my boating inner circle over the last 20 years of classic boating. 

MONTEREY changed hands last year and over winter has been getting a refresh down below. Relax the above photos may appear a tad ‘refrigerator’ in colour but most of the timber trim and furnishing have been removed so the next photos we share she will look smarter.

Monterey is currently hauled out at the Slipway Milford for a Jason Prew Paint Job (JPPJ) and removing the decades of built up antifoam from her bottom. While out some of the systems and thru-hulls will be upgraded.

Very happy to see MONTEREY getting the TLC she deserves and hopefully more photos soon.

Two of my favourite MONTERY photos from the past below ❤️ (The stern signage was ex me having a quiet day in the studio)

UPDATE – Final coats of the Jase Prew Pint Job

CLASSIC 21’ LAKE SPEED BOAT 

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CLASSIC 21’ LAKE SPEED BOAT 

Todays woody is a tad left field for WW, would be interesting to see what see looked like on launch day. For a longish time its been a lake boat and thats probably the best home for her. 

Lots of ‘upgrades’ but still a looker and would fly with that 140hp Yamaha hanging off the stern. Must have been a beast when she had the twin 350hp V8’s ✔️

Built in 1957 by Jack Cropp she is 21’4” in length. A few areas that need some TLC but reflected in the price – $9k. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up.

And woodys, as I have said many times – trailerable classics are the future of our movement.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – PONTIAC (REREMOANA)

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CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – PONTIAC (REREMOANA)

Back in July 2018 we ran a story on the 1910 classic wooden launch – PONTIAC, at the time we generated an enormous amount of intel on the vessel – link belowJul 2018 – https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/07/09/pontiac/

Now thanks to Ian McDonald’s eagle eye spotting a tme listing we get a greater look at PONTIAC.
What we have learnt is PONTIAC was built by McPhersons, Frederick St, Dunedin, for a publican in Pt Chalmers. She was originally named REREMOANA. Built of single skin carvel kauri, 33′ long and with a 8’3″ beam.The current engine is a BMC Commander 4 cylinder diesel that gets her along at8 knots. 

Amazing only 2 owners in that last 90 year – one 30 years and the other 60 years.

CLASSIC 42’ LAUNCH MARGARET ANNE – 4SALE

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CLASSIC 42’ LAUNCH MARGARET ANNE – 4SALE

Todays classic wooden launch – MARGARET ANNE has been a hidden gem on the WW site – lots of reference to her in other stories but we have  not had a chance to do a deep dive.MARGARET ANNE started life in 1960 with the best possible pedigree – designed and built in Tauranga by the renowned boatbuilders – Oliver & Culpin (launch day photo below)As with so many of the O&G craft she started life as a big game fishing launch and plied her trade in the Bay of Plenty and later the Bay of Islands. In my experience the best looking craft caught the most and biggest fish, so MARGARET ANNE has an impressive log book recording her catches. 

She fully retains her original aura, character and pedigree. At the same time, a careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures the very latest in comfort and safety.

Because MARGARET ANNE is finished without exterior brightwork (varnish), maintenance is both affordable and a breeze.

Some specs – 42’ when launched (now approx. 45’) she has a 12’6” beam and is constructed via carvel planking, and is powered by a Ford 135hp diesel engine.Sleeps 8 (2x double berth cabins) + exterior shower / head.

MARGARET ANNE is an elegant classic with pedigree and class, and yes she is for sale – after nearly 20 years of ownership her owner has asked the Wooden Boat Bureau to find her next custodian. 

So, if you’re looking for an exceptionally well built and maintained classic launch with plenty of life left in her, MARGARET ANNE is it.  Given the current market, her owner is very realistic with the  price expectation.  Genuine buyers only to initially contact myself at the email below for more details and to arrange a viewing.  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

NOTE TO KEYBOARD LOOKERS –  stick with trademe for your vicarious boats for sale entertainment
MARGARET ANNE is presented ready for cruising this summer

MARION / MARIAN – EX WOODEN WORKBOAT CONVERSION

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2020
2025

MARION / MARIAN – EX WOODEN WORKBOAT CONVERSION

Back in December 2020 we ran a story on the ex workboat – MARIAN, at the time it was for sale and sadly all we learnt was that MARIAN was built by Alf Saunders, is 50’ in length and powered by a 6LX 110hp Gardner. We had no interior photos but were told that the conversion from workboat to pleasure craft had begun.Link to that story here Dec 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/16/marian-ex-work-boat-conversion-project/

Now fast forward to last night and when I was searching the WW files I opened one and found another file included. It was labelled MARIAN. How this does happen occansionly , something gets saved to the wrong place – Ill blame a lack of sleep 🙂

So woodys I’m very embarrassed to admit that back in January (2025) IWW was contacted by Charmaine and Dallas Hands, who advised they had recently purchased MARIAN and were looking for more information on her.
They commented that she has had a partial conversion to pleasure boat but is in need of extensive work after being abandoned. They also mentioned they had information that her correct name is MARION not MARIAN, since finding an old photo onboard, see below.

So woodys can we help with more intel on the vessel.

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – TAIMARINO – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – TAIMARINO – A Peek Down Below

Last Wednesday we ran story on TAIMARINO – Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/29/can-we-learn-more-about-the-classic-wooden-boat-taimarino/

As a result of Wednesdays story Dean Wright pointed me in the direction of the photos you see today. Same name, now slightly different e.g its been sliced in two – now TAI MARINO.

What we have learnt is that she is 40’ in length, built c.1968 by Kingfisher Boats in Tauranga, originally for game fishing.Kauri carvel planked hull.

Currently powered by a 120hp Ford (Lees) engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.

CLASSIC 1950’s WOODEN SPEEDBOAT 

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CLASSIC 1950’s WOODEN SPEEDBOAT 

Todays woody is looking for a new home and I suspect someone with deep pockets. The c.1950’s speedboat is 16’6” in length and built with triple kauri plank and mahogany plank deck. From the photos the hull appears to be in good condition, probably due to being in storage for the last 30 years.

Currently powered by a Ford flathead V8 engine (not running). Its stated that ‘in her day’ she was capable of towing skiers at 40mph.

So woodys – anyone looking for a project – has Lake Rotoiti written all over her 🙂
(Thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)

CLASSIC WOODEN BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MARLINE GETS A REFRESH

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CLASSIC WOODEN BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MARLINE GETS A REFRESH

Today’s woody story features the beautifully built MARLINE — a 1949/50 ex-game boat crafted by Leon Warne, and remarkably, still in the same family after three generations.

Now owned by Leon’s son, Ken Warne, the custodianship torch has been passed to Ken’s son Kennedy Warne, who’s been spending countless hours alongside the skilled team at CMC Design Boatbuilders in Opua, giving MARLINE some well-earned TLC.

MARLINE arrived at the CMC Design workshop in late April 2025. As Sian Steward from CMC Design explains, Leon’s master craftsmanship remains front of mind in every decision as they carefully upgrade and refresh her. While she was in impressive condition on arrival, she’ll leave looking that little bit sharper — the perfect birthday present as she celebrates 75 years afloat.

Relaunch is set for December 2025 — just in time for a well-deserved Bay of Islands summer.