Category Archives: Boat Sheds

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – JAN MAREE

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CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – JAN MAREE

Recently WW was contacted by Hamish Moore regarding the classic launch – JAN MAREE, that in Hamish’s words is in the family stable and has resided on Lake Taupo for many a year. The family are short on her history and Hamish was wondering if any of the WW followers might know more about her.
The WW post on the Vindex RENA brought some more thoughts to Hamish’s mind and having recently had JAN MAREE surveyed for insurance and the gears have been turning to find out more about her. 

What we think we know about JAN MAREE – she was in the Bay Of Islands owned and used by one family line and ownership changed to another family line, Taupo based.  Her specs are 33’9” x 10’9” x 3’3″
What everyone would like to know is :-

• Confirm design (Vindex?)- • Who built her and where • Tales of her life on BOI 
She lives in a shed on Lake Taupo  and is enjoyed by family members for fishing, recreational and sightseeing. 

JAN MAREE was recently hauled out and trucked to Auckland and underwent some TLC.  • New Heart transplant, now a 320 Cummins • Hull Maintenance and replacement of all skin fittings.  • Remove and plug all redundant fittings.  • New Dash and systems upgrades, to complement the new Engine package.  • New Paint and varnish.  The above work was completed by :-
• The Boatbuilders, HMB, • Ray Bryant Marine • Halfmoon Bay Electrical.  • Gloss Boat, Tāmaki Park 

VENTURE – New Owner & Trip To The Beauty Parlour 

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VENTURE – New Owner & Trip To The Beauty Parlour 

Earlier in the month Jeff Norris reached out to introduce himself as the new owner of the launch – VENTURE, built by Morrie Palmer c.1964.

Her specs are 36’ x 12’11” x 3’7” and powered by a 90hp Lees Ford diesel engine.

Back in March we had a peek down below – link here – lots of photos. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/03/14/venture-a-peek-down-below/

When I took my launch back to ‘bare wood’ a few years ago I was paranoid about getting too close to the kauri and scorching the surface, seems Jeff didn’t share my view 🙂 The finished repaint looks ace – we done.

CRAZY TIMES AT A WOODEN BOAT YARD 

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CRAZY TIMES AT A WOODEN BOAT YARD 

The count down to the xmas / ny break always sees a few last minute opps / can I / any chance of – phone calls to our boat yards.

I popped down to the Slipway Milford for the annual donut-fest and it was wall to wall woodys.

One of our finest had an emergency haulout for a ‘LEAKING’ water pipe that had also destroyed a rib/s – all fixed and two replacement ribs, done in 24hours. Boat name will remain anonymous. But a good reminder to check in all those hard to reach areas 😉

One of my bucket list boats the Arch Logan 1921 NGAIO was hauling for the addition of a set of davits to house the new (restored) dinghy. More photos when completed.

ALOHA, 1926 Charles Robinson, out for some deferred maintenance and TLC .

EILEEN PATRICA , 1933 A Couldrey, was getting the final touches with a JPPJ paint job and winter maintenance.

Woody Bill Rimmer (POCO LENTO) sent in the photo below, I’d like to think the bird is resting, but I’m sure a few grumpy old CYA members hope its about to take a poop 🙂

CLASSIC WOODY WORKBOAT MARISSA – GETS A NEW LIFE

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CLASSIC WOODY WORKBOAT MARISSA – GETS A NEW LIFE

When my phone rings and the ID says John Wright I always answer – why? Aside from the fact he is a great guy. John has a great eye for our classic craft and if he tells me to get my A into gear and do a yard / dockside visit, I know it will be a goody.

This time the woody was the semi-ex 24’ workboat MARISSA, a 100+ years old and owned by the Monaghan family for a very large chunk of that time.

Home port is Great Barrier Island and after her re-launch at Te Atatu Boating Club she will be heading back to the barrier.

Some of her history – at one change when she was a cray boat she went ashore at GB and was abandoned on the beach. I may get this wrong, someone correct me if I do – either Don Armitage or the Monaghan family saved the wreck and concerted here to something along the lines of what we see today.

Photos below of her post the wreck / rebuild. These days she is powered by a 4 cyl. Isuzu diesel engine.

INPUT ex KERIN QWEN – Don Milne rebuilt her and crayfished from Wairahi. Then to Whangapara as support vessel for the lodge, then to Monahan’s I believe. That’s from about 1980 on. I would like to know more of her earlier history. I believe she was converted from a launch configuration.

CLASSIC YACHT OSLO

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CLASSIC YACHT OSLO

WW has been contacted by Ulf Uchida who advised that recently friends of his had bought a little wooden keeler named OSLO.  Ulf commented that he had looked at her 12 years ago when she was on the hard on a property Long Beach on Dunedin’s northern coastline. 

The story goes that she is somehow connected with Jack Crooks of Invercargill, the same one who sailed TUARANGI around the world a long time ago now.
Ulf’s friends are enthusiastic beginner sailors and do not know a lot about the yacht but are keen to find out more. They are facing a major repair job but are keen to put in the time and effort required.
The photos above show her hauled out at the OYC recently.

So woodys can we provide anymore backland on OSLO 

16-12-2024 INPUT ex KEN GOA _ I worked on Oslo in the late ’80’s in Auckland as a boatbuilding apprentice. Oslo had broken free of it’s mooring, and holed the starboard side of her hull and topsides. Double diagonal planking and ribs repaired by John Rea Boatbuilders on Archers Rd Glenfield. I have a few hard copy photos of the damage repairs.

A HEADS UP TO THE PETROL HEADS

If you aren’t relaxing at Kawau Island on Sunday / Monday of anniversary weekend – and like to open the throttle up on your woody launch / workboat – the anniversary day regatta drag race (ok, there is handicapping) might be your gig on Monday 27th – dockside chat tells me registering on line is a serious challenge, so if you are considering entering – drop Jason Prew an email and he will talk you thru things. jason@slipway.co.nz

SEAPUP – CLASSIC WOODY MOORED AT WAIHEKE ISAND

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SEAPUP – CLASSIC WOODY MOORED AT WAIHEKE ISAND

Last week WW was contacted by Lindsay McMorran regarding a new arrival he spotted moored in Rocky Bay, Waiheke Island.

Lindsay commented that she was ’new’ to his eyes and wondered if we could uncover more about her.

A TREASURE CHEST OF BOAT BITS

Last week WW was contacted by Alan Craig from Craig Marine in regard to a stash of woody gold i.e. bonze boating fitting that retire Lake Rotoiti boatbuilder – Tony Mitchell had ‘collected’ over the years. There is an impressive collection of port holes – 5 x 8″ and 4 x 10″, actually one is slightly bigger at nearly 9″. All opening ones. Plus other bits and bob’s there too. Checkout the cool collection of boat wheels.

Contact Alan at craigmarine@outlook.co.nz – no antique bargain hunters – serious classic woody boat owners only. Proceeds to Tony.

SANDSPIT LAUNCH MOVES INTO THE SHED

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SANDSPIT LAUNCH MOVES INTO THE SHED

Last month we featured a smart looking woody launched that was under a ’tent’ near Greg Lees Boat Yard. At the time we learnt from Greg that in another life he was named POLLY and spent time around Kawau Island.

We can report that the launch has moved into the yards slipway / boathouse and work is underway to complete the rebuild.

Link to previous story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/18/mystery-classic-wooden-launch-at-greg-lees-boatbuilders/

MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY + Xmas Presents Sorted

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MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY

WW has been contacted by Martin Orme regarding a small launch that interests him as a restoration project. Martin came across it under a tree in Wainuiomata, Wellington. 

Martin commented that he thinks he can just make out the name MARETOSA on the stern, or something close to that ,  and not sure if that name is the original. So woodys can anyone help Martin out with intel on the vessel.


PERFECT XMAS SANTA SACK ADDITION – Classic Woody Calendar


Once again the team at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association have produced a stunning 2025 calendar – probably the best ever, but I’m biased as I snapped a lot of the photos :-)A bargain at $15 – order here https://form.jotform.com/233366600330850

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – MINAMOOKLA

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CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – MINAMOOKLA

Todays woody photos come to us from the camera of Alan Sexton and show the launch – MINAMOOKLA hauled out at the Sandspit Yacht Club yard.

Alan commented that he believes MINAMOOKLA  is one of Dave Jackson’s builds and that woodys is all we know

More details would be nice, so if you are familiar with the boat, let WW know.

CRUISING UP THE UPPER HARBOUR TODAY FOR THE WOODYS RIVERHEAD PUB LUNCH CRUISE. TRIP REPORT NEXT WEEK

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – FLORENCE – Getting Some TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – FLORENCE – Getting Some TLC

The classic wooden launch – FLORENCE has made several cameo appearance on WW, mainly via Dean Wrights camera as he has been cruising the Bay of Island.

Back 2013 we had a peek down below and then in2014 we had a wonderful insight into her past – links to this two stories below

Oct 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/29/florence-3/

April 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/09/florence-1910-hn-burgess-motor-launch/

Last week while in Opua for the re-launch of ALMA G II, I spotted FLORENCE hauled out. 

Florence was designed and built in 1910 by H N Burgess, Parnell Auckland – as was yesterdays woody ALBERTA – that man had a very good eye for designing good looking craft.

The question of the day – what’s happening on the bow with this two small section cut out, both port and starboard sides.