Category Archives: Boat Sheds

CLASSIC 1929 WOODEN LAUNCH VECA – 4sale

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CLASSIC 1929 WOODEN LAUNCH VECA – 4sale

Todays classic woody launch is VECA, built and launched in November 1929 in Evans Bay , Wellington . Her owner Peter Glue commented that she was built in Kilburnie by his wife’s grand father and his brother (Weine & Peter Harvey) and is named after their wives Vera and Caroline . Arthur Sang , a boat builder on the Hutt River , supervised and helped the brothers .

vECA was sold during WW2 when fuel was hard to get and was bought back into the family in the early 1960’s where she has remained until today .

She has been a much loved family member and has undergone many improvements ensuring that her classic lines have been retained .                                     She is 36′ x 10′ with a draft of 4′. Hull is 1.5” kauri which has ben refastened and recaulked a number of years ago . Top sides were plyed and glassed over so she as sound today as when she was launched 97 years ago .

Forward motion is via a 27 hp Volvo and she consumes less than 3 litres per hour at 6.5 -7 knots cruising speed . She has a foremast and mizzen mast (which is not mounted ) with a steadying sail in her ample stern storage compartment .

After nearly 100 years of ownership the call has been made to find her next custodian. VECA is very well appointed and presents in stunning condition, ready for the next 100 years of family fun .

Sitting at Waikawa on a 11m marina berth which can be transfered to new owner.

You will have ‘heard’ me talk about it being a buyers market – well here is an example – asking price $45k

An idea, buyer her, rent the marina berth for 3>4 months and have a summer holiday cruising around the top of the South Island. Then bring her north (motor > wellington > road haulage > Auckland / Northland)

Interested parties to contact owner at p.j.glue@xtra.co.nz

Photos below from her early days. (Note photos above are a mix of past and present)

100 YEARS AGO –  CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT AT DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB

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100 YEARS AGO –  CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT AT DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB

Todays classic woody photo popped up on ’Timespanner’ fb , we see the Devonport Yacht Club, Auckland and a mix of yachts and launches hauled out on King Edward Parade yard in front of the clubrooms. The photo originated from Auckland Libraries heritage collection and has been tagged 1930 > 1940.

At first I thought we had seen the image on WW before but a search slowed no match.The motor vehicles should help with the appox. date.

Keen to put names to some of the motor boats. Have enlarged that section below.

INPUT EX RUSSELL WARD – The big workboat with the oveized funnel and wheelhouse morphed into the ketch Waihau under the guidance of Raph Sewell and long-suffering wife Allison in the ’50s. I have a pic of her in 1972 below). She was taken for work at one of the Speedy family’s places in Stanley Point, Last heard of 10 years back rotting away on a farm at Puhoi.

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KORORA

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CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 28’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KORORA

Yesterday WW was contacted by Chris Read regarding a 28’ double-ender named KORORA that Chris bought approx. 20 years ago.

The sellers name was Mike (surname forgotten ). He was a vintage car enthusiast and had done a rebuild on the boat with his brother.

The story goes that Mike’s wife was not so keen on boating so KORORA was promptly put up for sale 😦

Chris commented that when he bought KORORA he was told she was built by Joseph Fell in 1905. The accuracy of that intel has since been questioned, as the only boat Joe Fell built that fits her size was built in 1917.When purchased she was moored at Waipapa Landing, Kerikeri, Northland and powered by a 50hp Perkins.

As visible from the photos KORORA is at the tail end of an extensive refit, with the plan to get her in the water for Christmas. Chris has re-powered her with  a  new 25hp Beta engine.

Chrisr is keen to learn more about KORORA, and a possible clue  to her past is when the hull was taken back to bare timber the final topcoat colour was a bottle green.Post launching home will most likely be Milford Creek marina – we like that, another woody for the Auckland waitematawoodys group.

Photos below when the gun whale had been removed as it was too far gone.

UPDATE – Photo before she went into the shed “ to address a couple of loose planks “.

HAVE YOU RSVP’ed

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TASMAN HAULS FOR SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TASMAN HAULS FOR SOME TLC

During the week the 38’ Colin Wild built (1929) classic wooden launch TASMAN was hauled out at the Slipway Milford yard for some TLC.

Her owner is on a committed path of rolling restoration and every time I view her she just presents so glorious.

The challenge will be if the yard can convince the skipper to under take a JPPJ (Jason Prew Paint Job) 🙂

The video below show cases the merits of a railway (slipway) haul out – just so smooth and gentle one these old girls.

CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER RUNABOUT

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CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER RUNABOUT

In recent times more and more of these restored Seacraft classic clinker runabouts have been topping up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald).

This one is 16’ in length and  was built in 1955. The engine is a Ford 100E, petrol and is allocated 1955 so possibly the original engine.

Her hull has been Dynal on the outside and Endure on the interior so should be dry boat.

Trailer appears modern and at $8750 ono its an affordable entry into the classic wooden boating community.

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC LAUNCH WAIKARO GETS A HEART TRANSPLANT

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CLASSIC LAUNCH WAIKARO GETS A HEART TRANSPLANT

Spotted the 33’ Roy Parris designed and built (1978) classic launch – WAIKARO at the Slipway Milford earlier in the week , poked my head / camera into the cabin and got a surprise – it looked a little like a tip 🙂 Normally she is immaculately presented (last photo), closer inspection revealed a large hole midships and the absence of her Ford 2715 diesel engine.

Turns out she is getting a heart transplant – out with the Ford and in with a new Yanmar. Will be interesting to see the performance comparison – the Ford was 6cly. 120hp and gave her a top speed of 14 knots, The Yanmar is 4cyl. 110hp and turbo. Yanmar is higher reving and probably 1/2 the weight. Her semi displacement hull helps with the speed.

Being keen fishermen her owners like to fish where the big ones are eg Great Barrier Island , so reliability would have also been key factor in the decision to re-power.

Looking forward to feed back on the performance of the new Yanmar.

You can see / read more on WAIKARO here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/08/11/waikaro-exceptional-classic-wooden-boat/

UPDATE – Engine installation and new fuel tanks

Also nice to see at the Slipway Milford the progress being made on LEXIA the 26’ 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr built yacht. See early update on the work here https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/09/27/122-yr-old-classic-woody-gets-a-well-deserved-makeover/

CLASSIC QUEENSTOWN HYDROFOIL TOURIST BOAT

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CLASSIC QUEENSTOWN HYDROFOIL TOURIST BOAT

Over the last week I have been following the update on the ‘Famous Meteor 3 Queenstown NZ’ fb page that has been documenting the start of a refit on the iconic Queenstown classic tourist boat – METEOR III.

METEOR III was once one of the star attractions on Lake Wakatipu. Fingers crossed that post the refit she will take her place as one of Queenstown’s leading water based tourist attractions along side the TS Earnslaw . Yes – its not wood and not made in NZ but its a kiwi classic.

I’ll hand over to the crew overseeing the work for an overview of the vessel

SOME BACKGROUND

In 2021 the Society purchased the Meteor III, a 10m fast hydrofoil assisted tourist viewing vessel constructed of aluminum (rivetted) on steel frames.

Vessel History

The Meteor III was constructed by Porthleven Shipyard in Porthleven, Cornwall, UK in approximately 1964. The vessels design was by Supramar AG of Lucerne, Switzerland. Once completed, it was shipped to New Zealand for its original owner Frank Howarth of Lake Wakatipu. The vessel was put into passenger survey. It is well known that Meteor III attracted plenty of business both because of its space age looks and its high speeds.

The vessel was then held by various people, retired and fell to dereliction. It was then purchased by an owner who undertook and completed a full restoration of the vessel so once again she appears intact, bright and sparkling with a quality paint job, fresh carpeting and refurbished seating.

Design & Layout

The Meteor III is designed as a fast hydrofoil monohull constructed of aluminium. The engine compartment is at the bow and the drive shaft extends almost the full length of the vessel. There are hydrofoils both forward, below the engine, and aft. The passenger cabin is somewhat reminiscent of an aircraft with 15 seats that take up most of the interior with just a small area aft for storage of safety equipment and providing an emergency exit. There are plenty of viewing windows for the passengers with extra windows built into the cabin ceiling to allow passengers a full view of the scenery.  Cabin head height varies from 5ft 10′ to 6ft 2’.

The Engine

The Meteor III is powered by a Chrysler 440 petrol engine rated at 300HP V8 coupled to Chrysler gearbox.  This engine is not original to the boat. Fuel tank capacity is 200L. Cruising speed is around 31mph and top speed is 45mph. To get vessel up on the plane it needs to achieve approximately 4,000RPM following which it can drop back to 3,100 RPM. There are two hydrofoils on the vessel, one forward and one aft. The forward foil is adjustable using a hydraulic pump and the aft foil follows suit automatically. The drive shaft is stainless steel and the prop measures 420 x 560.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MENAI RELAUNCHED

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MENAI RELAUNCHED

Over the last 2months WW has been following  the 38’ 1937 Sam Ford built classic wooden launch – MENAI as she has been continuing her rolling restoration.

Very likely one of the longest projects since she changed hands in 2021. Her latest owner has continued righting the deferred maintenance and when she slid down the railway slipway at The Slipway Milford yesterday, MENAI was looking very smart. Probably her best in the last ten years.

Lots of discussion re whether the bow and side rails are reinstalled – owner and myself say yes, Milford crew say no.Time will tell. Photos below of her with and without rails fitted.

Lets put it to the vote below 👍 = no rails – 👎 = refit rails

ABANDONED MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH – IDOLON

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ABANDONED MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH  – IDOLON

Todays wooden launch photo comes to us from John Dawson , who spotted it on the NZ Cars, Boats, Motor bikes ….. fb page.John commented that Mitchell Hutchings had commented he took the photo but could not recall the date or location, but suspected maybe the Coromandel . 

I also have a suspicion that it may have made an appearance on WW before, but the lack of intel hinders a WW search.

Anyone able to shed some light on the photo .

INPUT ex GREG PHILPOTT – The boat is IDOLON. Built by Francis Arlidge in Russell for Brian Baker. She was about 38ft and powered by a Chrysler 6 petrol. Photo was taken in Russell.

UPDATE – Appeared on WW on March 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/03/07/idolon-where-is-she/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #6

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #6

Today we have an an update from Tobias Forsyth on his rebuild of the 24’ Sam Ford built (1954) classic wooden launch – AVALON. Getting very close to hitting the water. Have to admire the workmanship , very talented man is Tobias.

I’ll hand over to Tobias to walk us thru the work – Update 6, great progress and we have a launch date for late November.

“Photos are fairly self explanatory, new cabin top has been clashed with kauri and then corners glassed, an internal laminex epoxied and vacuum bagged down to have a nice easy maintainance deck head. Cabin top then fully painted and installed. Final coats of varnish done plus non skid on decks before glass install. Made some good progress of wiring and systems with a quick test run of the engine to make sure all is working as it should. 

Test fit the new squabs and carpets along with a few other cosmetic touches. All going to plan the launch date should be ok. Just the final coat on the hull and then driveline install and finish off the engine bay and systems left to go now.”