Category Archives: A Peek Down Below

Antares

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'Antares'- Garden Cove 1955 (Sold Sept. 1962)

Garden Cove, Waiheke Island 1955

'Antares' 1956

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ANTARES
Last week I was in discussions with John Parker regarding several wooden boats from his past, in the chat he mentioned he had an old photo album that included several photos of his grandfathers (Cyril Parker) 34’ launch Antares, 1950’s built by Supreme Craft.
The photos above were taken in the 1950’s and show John’s parents (Wallace and Jacqueline) during their ‘courting’ days. John’s grandparents were Cyril and Kath Parker.
John commented that Cyril had given up his famous white peaked cap to Wallace while he had the helm, he must have approved of the young couple as in another photo we see Jacqueline on the helm.
Below are two WW links that have great photo galleries of Antares  from the 1980’s and 2005.
The photo below is of Cyril when he was honorary radio operator for Auckland Sea Scouts.
Cyril Parker Sea Scouts 1963

TURONGO

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TURONGO

Turongo has had a very low profile on the classic boating scene, as she spends most summers in the Bay of Islands.
Turongo is the biggest of the 5 Colin Wild inspired, John Salthouse built motor-yachts. The term ‘launch’ just doesn’t fit a vessel of her elegance and bearing, she is the Bentley of the wooden boating world.
Her vital specs are – built 1966, one year after Trinidad, 56’ in length with a 14’6” beam, she draws 5′ but unlike Trinidad and the earlier launched Lady Crossley, she was the recipient of at the time, some radical design which sees her only drawing 18”at the stern, this along with her twin CAT 3208 diesels results in Turongo being able to do up to 18 knots under power.
Turongo is a very lucky boat, she has been in the same family for the last 25+ years and been very well maintained thru-out this period. She was originally built for JR Butcher and after launching sat on a mooring for a period of time waiting for her two 200hp Cummins V8’s to arrive from the States both of which had been extracted from a tractor unit. They were installed and fitted out by John Butcher and his son Tony,  both gents were in the engineering business. Even back then with the smaller motors, she had an impressive turn of speed..
In recent times she has received the Uroxsys ‘varnish’ finish.
Well woodys, the headline kind of gave the game away – Turongo is for sale and it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own one of the best classic motor-yachts in NZ. Her owner has made the decision to hand the keys to the next custodian – so who will it be?
Whoever it is had better act quickly, her owner is very realistic in terms of price and after making the difficult decision to let her go, wants a sale. Take my word for it, Turongo will not be on the market for long. SOLD
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Maree Anne

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MAREE ANNE 
Anne Maree was built in 1950, kauri planked, 26’ in length and powered by a 3 cylinder Lister18hp Lister diesel engine.
Home port is Dargaville, Northland.
Thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up on this woody.
That folks is all me know – anyone able to expand on her provenience ?

Des Townson  – A Sailing Legacy – Perfect Fathers Day Present – Ordering Details Below

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Des Townson  – A Sailing Legacy

Back in July Brian Peet contacted me about his latest book publishing project, Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy. Brian asked if I would like to attend the launch night, a smallish gathering in the dinghy locker at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron – of course I said yes and a few days later an advance copy of the book arrived via courier. Well that buggered my plans for that day 🙂
I later asked Brian if I could sneak a couple more onto the invite list, which happened. Then Brian lets me know that things have snow balled and the launch was now in the main ballroom at the RNZYS, things had stepped up a few notches.
Fast forward to last night and the who’s who of yachting is crammed into the Squadron. My guess would be 400+ people. Speakers were the Squadron Commodore Ian Cook, Des’s younger brother – Bill Townson and Brian Peet. Ian built six Zephyrs under Des Townson’s supervision, won the National Champs in 1980. Bill Townson is a skilled boatbuilder, yacht designer and amphibian aircraft designer/builder.
I sneaked in early any took a few photos and videos of some of the exhibits, which included a Starling, Zephyr, Mistral and a 1956 replica of Des Townson’s first commercial design Nimble. What most caught my eye, was the Townson 2.4m dinghy on display that had just been built by Allan Hooper at the NZ Traditional Boatbuilding School. Its for his own use, but if you ask me it should be should be on display somewhere. Talking to Allan I understand the school will have ‘build your own’ kits and how to classes – perfect opportunity to own a Townson.
I later filmed Brian’s talk / presentation, see below – it is a wonderful insight into how the book came about and challenges Brian had over the 10 years it took to complete it.
 
As I have said before – its a great read, buy it, you won’t be sorry – as Brian said last night – it is a “sailing book, about a sailor, written by a sailor”.
 
Enjoy the video, then buy the book – either via the website https://destownson.co.nz  or if you prefer to do a bank transfer, email Brian with your name and postal address and he will reply with bank account details – its that easy info@destownson.co.nz
 
Oops nearly forgot –  Details on how to win a copy of the book on WW, later in the week.

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Emerald

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EMERALD – 1970’s
 
Recently I was contacted by Peter Grant in regard to the launch Emerald which he owned in the late 1970’s. Emerald was owned by a Kawau Island resident and Peter swapped an MGB roadster for her. I’ll let Peter tell us the story.
 
“Emerald was twin engined with small Yanmars of either 8 or 12 HP, I can’t remember exactly, but do recall they were both hand start and noisy with in built diesel tanks on top, much enjoyment was had with her and even ventured right up to the Matakana wharf, quite a feat those days as it was almost all choked up though the old concrete wharf was fine.
Some time after that I has the misfortune to tie her up at Milford Creek and was unable to retrieve her as I was away on board and could not get back on time due to the tide.
When I did get her back to Auckland I had her out on the hard outside the old Westend rowing club where we proceeded to give her new decks and cabin top, but this work was discontinued half way through, as I went back to working away and she was stored on my parents section in Henderson courtesy of Bob Wylie.
After two or three years my parents, now sick and tired of the launch in their backyard back yard wanted to sell the section and up came a deal with Mr Davern, who provided them with a solution, he bought the section for one of his houses, and in turn would transport the boat away, (my father later told me he was sick and tired of people wanting to buy her) that was the last time I heard of her until an advertisement popped up on Trade Me recently.
She is much altered and now powered by a single cylinder engine and is reputed to now be built in the fifties or so.
Can anyone shed some light on her provenance, I have sent in some very old scans of negatives of the time and how she looked at the time in the old Westhaven Marina and alongside the old cleaning piles, now long gone af course, mores the pity.”
 
I have to say I’m impressed with Peters taste in cars – the Mercedes pillar-less coupe would have been a great investment if he had kept her for 44 years 🙂
Keen to learn more about Emerald’s days before and after Peters ownership.
 
EMERALD – 2019
Below are a selection of photos from the current trademe listing for Emerald, as Peter stated above, its certainly a ‘different’ look / style.
The listing states she is 32’, with a kauri hull (now glassed). Power is via a marinised Ford Trader Diesel engine that gets her along at 7>8 knots.
 
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SUNDAYS MYSTERY LAUNCH QUIZ – NO WINNER SO THERE. A HINT – THE LAUNCH IS NO LONGER WITH US …………. SUNK.

2025

Lady Jane

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LADY JANE

Lady Jane is described in her listing as a 12’5” Squirt model and while is was built in 1975, she ticks all the classic boxes.

Tucked away under a cover is a 25hp Johnson that is more than enough to make her 12’ hull fly along.

Being easily trailerable Lady Jane would make a great family fun boat for the beach or lake. Christmas is only 14 weeks away 🙂
A neibour of mine has a teak ladder 2.5m long 580mm wide (photos below) that is surplus to their needs. They are keen to sell it to someone who needs it as part of a restoration or whatever. It was in their house when they bought it so could be ex Navy, maybe it was an old engine room ladder. Anyone interested call David 021 793 439

Golandrina

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GOLANDRINA

The 35’9” Golandrina was built in 1964 by Alan Orams as his own pleasure boat. She has a 8’ 7” beam and draws 3’3”.
Power is via 2006 Iveco 90hp diesel that’s gives her displacement hull an easy cruising speed of 7 knots.
Her trademe (thanks Ian McDonald) listing says in the 2016/17 period she had a 4000 man hour refurbishment.
Home is the Bay of Islands Marina in Opua, Northland.
I know she has spent most of her life in the North, but do we know any more about her?

Taieri Lass

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TAIERI LASS
Taieri Lass’s name came from her first role as a 1947 Miller & Tunnage 40’ work boat – built to carry freight up the Tier River.
She is powered by a Ford 4 cylinder diesel engine.
Currently moored in Purau Bay, Lyttelton Harbour, her owner for the last 15 years. During her owners period, the wheelhouse was extended to accomodate a kitchenette, fridge and bench setting.
Her trade listing is a little light on details but from the photos she appears to have good bones and crying out for  someone to complete the conversation to leisure use.
Remember to check in Monday for a photo essay from todays Woody Classics Weekend cruise to the Riverhead Hotel.
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Rosemary M

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Rosemary M – 4 Sale

Rosemary M is a 1915 Lanes built launch, constructed of carval planked kauri hull and top sides. Powered by a 1986 Yanmar, 80 horse power, 4-cylinder, diesel inboard engine, that gets her along at a top speed of 14 knots.
She was appeared numerous times on WW and has just come on the market after being overhauled / repaired by the Pollard Brothers after a wee marina oops, where a piece of floating plastic mistook his throttles for his gearshift and clipped the side of Rosemary M with his duckboard.
Like most Pollard boats 🙂 she is structurally and mechanically very good, just needs a steady hand with a paint brush to get her ready for summer.
Rosemary M would make a great entry level woody for someone wanting to join the wooden boat movement + the Yanmar is a bonus i.e. 14 knots !!
MAYBE WE MIGHT SEE HER MAKING AN APPEARANCE AT TOMORROWS WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND – RIVERHEAD TAVERN CRUISE ????????
Links below to view her previous story on WW + recent video of her underway

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Aurora

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AURORA

Aurora was built in Johnsons Boat Shed Nelson in approx. 1935, measures 20’ in length and clinker built. For several years Aurora was used to tender explosives from the magazine on the Boulder Bank to the construction crew building Rocks Road. Subsequently she was then used a pleasure boat for fishing and family excursions.

The history from then on is unknown until her owner discovered Aurora in a barn in rural Nelson in February 2011. Aurora was purchased and transported to Redwood Valley where the restoration began. Aurora remained upside down for quite a few years whilst numerous planks were repaired using mainly recycled Kauri, a new keel was laminated out of Macrocarpa, the transom rebuilt and many of the copper fastenings replaced. The hull was then faired/sanded and repainted. Eventually Aurora was turned upright and the interior work began. Many hours were spent scrapping away years of old paint before several coats of primer and top coat paint were applied. The floor frames were shaped and fitted, a new Bronze shaft log and engine mounts fitted. A new rudder and duck board floors were constructed. Whilst the deck appeared to be in reasonable condition it was decided to remove the entire decking back to the frames. Three layers of 4mm Plywood were laminated together as the base and 6mm Kauri strips steamed [where needed]and glued onto the base. An overhauled c.1950, Stewart Turner P55M 8hp petrol motor was fitted.

When Aurora was purchased the trailer was simply a beach launching trailer, i.e. no suspension.The trailer was extensively modified and galv. coated to suit the refurbished Aurora, was the 2019 winner of the Jens Hansen Cup at the Antique and Classic Boat show, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson. I was there and can vouch for the standard of workmanship that has gone into her, simply stunning. Home is Nelson in the South Island and she is currently for sale on trademe (thanks Ian McDonald).

Aurora would be the perfect day boat for this Sundays Woody Classics Weekend cruise to the Riverhead Tavern 🙂
 
Sundays Woody Classics Weekend – Riverhead Tavern Cruise
Later today I’m emailing details to the people that have rsvp’ed for Sunday’s cruise, if you forgot to reply or are just one of those people that like to turn up on the day – no problem click on the email link below & I’ll send you the plan for the day. Remember if your boatless, come by car, its only 30mins from downtown Auckland.
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
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