Category Archives: Boat Sheds

LADY FAYE – CAN WE SAVE THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH 

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LADY FAYE – CAN WE SAVE THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH 

WW has been contacted by interests of the Waipuna Boating Club asking for help in regard to the 32’ classic wooden launch – LADY FAYE

LADY FAYE  is a Donovan design and built by 20th Century Boats, Takapuna in 1948. The company was owned by Andy Donovan and Fred Steel (the boats 1st owner)

The launch last made an appearance on WW back in April 2013 – photo below from that story. Since then she has several owners, all with the best intentions of restoring her. These days home has been a pile mooring off the WBC and she is looking very neglected, these things happen so its time to move forward and either find a new home for her or a new owner. The club appreciate her provenance and would like to see her go to a deserving home.  WW understands she is powered by a 4cyl. Ford D-series diesel but requires work to her systems and probably re-caulking. The interior is partially bare.

WW understands the top photo (on pile mooring) is recent.The hauled out photos above are c.Jan 2021. Any woodys looking for a project or know someone that is – initially contact Mark via email waipunaboatingclub@gmail.com  Make life easy of him and put Lady Faye in the subject line 🙂

CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #4

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Mock up of potential new paint

CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #4

Today co-owner Patrick Crawshaw walks us thru the latest work, different layout today, might make it easier to follow. 

The last couple of weeks have been focussed on getting the sanding finished for first coat and the wood work finished.  The forward hatch, which had been blocked up was re-instated. Tthe forward cabin, where the mast once was had been opened up to make way for a hatch. Two of the ribs had been cut into and this was compromising the strength. So, ribs were replace and the hatch filled in so that the mast can go back to its original location. 

The main cabin hatch (shown below) which is above the helm had to be moved inward to allow for the railings to match the other side – from front to back. At some stage, it had been cut too close to the port  side and so the railings had to start back behind the hatch which looked awful.  This is about the lines – again. 

The windows have been a complex and long process. Firstly, we had to find the old curved line which ran along the side connecting the forward cabin to the aft curve. 

We had to completely fill the existing windows in so that we could draw that line. Once that was drawn, we could then find out where the windows (from the photograph above) once were.  The filled in ply was then taken out and cut to the new window lines. Then they had to be rebated for the glass to then be glued in. Next week is the glass templates and once the glass is in, we will have to cut the trims to go around the windows… The windows have been the most complex part of the job with so many elements and stages to the process. It’s so important we get this right, as they are crucial to the lines of the boat, and we can only work off this photo and a few other tell tale signs.   

Rod holders…such fun getting the angle right so they are flush on to the transom.

CLASSIC YACHT CELOX – A FITTING TRIBUTE

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CLASSIC YACHT CELOX – A FITTING TRIBUTE

We discussed in last Sundays WW story the sad demise of the  26’ mullet boat – CELOX and her tragic past life.

The story prompted Nelson based maritime antarctic artist – Sean Harwood to send in the magnificent above photo of CELOX. Sean exhibited the painting in a 2021/22 exhibition he had at the Jonathan Grant Gallery in Auckland.The copy below accompanied the painting:

Mullet boat ‘Celox’ racing in the Hauraki Gulf 1914

Here we have the 26’ Mullet boat ‘Celox’ thundering down the Hauraki Gulf running under spinnaker before a south westerly in 1914. A steamer is heading down the channel towards North Head and into Auckland harbour. The painting actually has the viewer looking from another vessel as can be scene by the bow wave at bottom left. The painting illustrates the enormous spread of canvas these stout vessels carried. The other two Mullet boats behind ‘Celox’ are also racing.

‘Celox’ was built by Logan Brothers in 1908. Noted for her speed, over time she accumulated a very impressive racing history.

Mullet boats began life sometime in the 1880s as fishing smacks with retractable keels and shallow draft so they could easily sidle deep into the estuaries of the Waitemata Harbour to ply their trade. The lack of refrigeration back then made them fast – the quickest boat would have the freshest catch for the fish markets at the bottom of Queen St. As recreational sailing became more popular at the beginning of the 20th century, prize money and gambling took off, too, attracting more mullet boats to the weekend regattas and fuelling refinements in design. Fierce rivalries developed, often spilling off the boats and into the yacht clubs afterwards.

Sean also shared two more painting – the 2nd one above of the yacht VIKING rounding North Head, Auckland. The small launch is the Logan built DOREEN, which had the marine photographer – Henry Winkelmann on board taking photos.  The bottom painting is of the Baileys Boatbuilding yard in Freemans Bay.

More Sean’s work can be viewed here Seangarwood.co.nz

Link To Sundays story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/07/14/classic-wooden-yacht-celox-h8-a-look-back-in-time/

17-07-2024 – INPUT ex NIXON FRYER – I was reading your brilliant stories on the old Mullet Boat Celox. I though I better share this paint of Celox I inherited (below). My family (Craig family) had a part ownership in Celox however I don’t know when this was.
The painting is definitely Celox as it is marked on the back of the Canvas as “Celox”.

WHATS HAPPENING UP THE TAMAKI RIVER / PANMURE BOATING NEIGHBOURHOOD

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LONG GONE
GONE

WHATS HAPPENING UP THE TAMAKI RIVER / PANMURE BOATING NEIGHBOURHOOD

Recently woody John Bullivant had been smooching around the Panmure boating area – seems that the boating community have been have been overlooked by town planners or the likes that work in small windowless city offices and never actually see what their work actually ends up doing – I’ll let John tell the story – 

“I recently came down from the Hibiscus Coast to buy some paint, and thought I’d have a look at the new Panmure bridge additions. Took a few more pics of NAU MAI, – looking very sad now. IMATRA is still afloat as well. A few interesting boats further up but out of camera range. Hoping to do a dinghy tour from Half Moon Bay this year to see what’s new and identify a few mystery boats.   The old Panmure marina has gone with the new busway and cycle path over the area, and the slip is now cut off by a cycle path and the busway at the top of the road. Could have made a good boat ramp, but you know councils, – not a clue ! Not sure what the future plan is, as things are still under construction, with only the up stream access road open now. Another haul-out area gone, only the Panmure Yacht Club and Half Moon Bay left now for the whole of the Tamaki River.” (edited)

Can any of the river rats tells us more on the goings on to what was once a vibrant marine hub.

MOANA SOS

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MOANA – SOS

Yesterdays winner of the quiz to name the launch – TEINA , John Dawson returned the favour and sent me the above photos of the launch – MOANA.

John commented that it was on tme late last month with a $1 reserve. According to the listing she was built in 1930, is 33’ in length and powered by a Ford 40hp engine. Located in Rawene, Northland.

As we can see she is looking very sad and probably beyond restoring.

Keen to hear what became of her and any known history.


CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TEINA

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Off Ponui Island – 1952
Westhaven – c.1950/59
Bayswater – 1922

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TEINA

Yesterday we ran a ‘mystery’ photo of TEINA at Kawau Island, the winner of the name the boat quiz was – John Dawson.

As promised today we get a photo bomb of images of TEINA, all from her original owners – the McLeod family via the Heritage collection at the Auckland Library. Thanks to Nathan Herbert for the heads up re the photos.

TEINA was designed by Glad Bailey and built by Ted & Ray (maybe Roy) McLeod at Bayswater, Auckland and launched in Feb1922.

She was kauri planked and when launched powered by a 90hp Detroit 351diesel engine.

For a woody classic launch that was photographed as often as TEINA was its amazing that she has only popped up on WW once before. She was one of the boats photographed by John Bullivant on a tour of the Tamaki River back in Feb 2019. Photo below.

Would be nice to learn more about the period between 1960 and now + an update on her present location and condition.

Tamaki River – Feb 2019

NEW CLASSIC YACHT OFFERED 4SALE – $13k

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NEW CLASSIC YACHT OFFERED 4SALE – $13k

Todays woody isn’t really a project because all the hard work had been done, a buyer just need to decide on the finishing touches and they would be sailing this spring.The yacht was designed by Denis Brown and according to the plans is tagged a ’10.6m Ocean Cruiser Cutter’ and is a sister ship to – TAMARA that has been on WW, link here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/04/tamara-sailing-sunday/ (photo also below of TAMARA)
FYI – TAMARA was built by Denis in the Bay of Islands and launched in 1990. He then sailed her to the States and returned a couple of years later.Her cruising pedigree is undeniable and there is a very interesting article in Wooden Boat November/December 1994 regarding Tamara’s trip, “The Evolution of an Ocean Cruiser”. Denis now lives just outside Hikurangi and is still sharp as a tack aged 90 years, what a life of experiences he has lived.

Todays yacht was built in a barn just outside Kaikohe over a period of 40 years by engineer Bruce Edge. Built from treated 28mm kahikatea, strip planked, concave-convex epoxy edge glued. Her deck is laminated timber. Unfortunately Bruce Edge passed away without seeing his yacht touch the ocean.
She is beautifully finished and there really is only cosmetic work, external paint, some internal paint, as well as a mast and rigging needed to complete her.Included is; 

  • main mast extrusion for the gaff rig
  • a steel keel and three ton of available lead for pouring before the keel is bolted to the Keelson
  • a Yanmar motor (condition unknown)
  • four brand new sails made by Willis sails –
  • lots of miscellaneous hardware 
  • two Murray winches for the inner headsail already fitted to the boat
  • a set of plans which Denis has kindly supplied. 

Her current owner (an experienced boat builder) acquired the yacht just over a year ago with the intention of completing her but life circumstances changed and how she is for sale.Her owner had two experienced boat builders check her over and they both commented she is very well built 

The location of the boat is just outside KeriKeri and has good access for transportation.
In terms of price, the owner is only seeking to recover costs to date and mentioned that $13,000 will see her change ownership. That woodys is a very fair price, so do not bother looking if you think a low ball offer will get the boat.
Initial enquires to Hamish at  vcstcere83@gmail.com

Sistership – TAMARA

CLASSIC BIG GAME LAUNCHES HAULED OUT

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CLASSIC BIG GAME LAUNCHES HAULED OUT

Todays photo popped up yesterday on a Bill McQuinn fb feed and shows the Orams yard in Whangarei. The photo is dated 1967.

From left to right the game boats are (1) ’something’ GLEN (Lance Reid has suggested MONA’s GLEN , Lew Redwood says MONS GLEN and Nathan Herbert commented that could be MONA’S ISLE (2) BLUE FIN (3) RUTH.

• Keen to confirm the correct name of launch #1 . From the chat on the fb page it would appear that boat #1 is Monas Isle / Rakanui Read more below –https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/17/rakanui-mona-isle-ii/

• BLUE FIN has featured on WW before https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/27/blue-fin-2/

• Very interested to learn more about RUTH.

CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #3

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #3

Again co-owner Patrick Crawshaw walks us thru the latest work

“First thing, I would like to say a massive thank you to Ron Trotter who after last week’s post got in contact with waitematawoodys to say he had the original cowl vents. He posted them up to the Bay of Islands and I had them on Tuesday.  This website is incredible for putting the right people together and after spending literally hours and hours searching the world online for these things, I was very happy that I have the original ones back. One closer inspection when they arrived, I could see they were made back in the day by hand, hence the reason I could not find them and even more of a deal that we had the original ones to go back on LADY CAROLE.  They will get panel beaten and tidied up and then have to go to be re-chromed.

This week has been a little more challenging, not in what LADY CAROLE has thrown us, but more in what mother nature has. 

We are working through the Winter and have a limited time frame at the yard. The slipway closes during the Summer season because of the cruise ship passengers, which tender to the wharf there.  So, we ordered a large – very large – piece of plastic, the type of which is used for tunnel houses, to cover the boat and then we waited on a certain freight company who shall remain nameless,  and we waited…. 

On Monday the weather delivered very low lying persistent fog, which hung around for most of the day. The boat was so wet, no sanding could take place, then on Tuesday and eight days later the plastic arrived. We tented the boat just in the nick of time and the heaven’s opened –  it hasn’t stopped raining since then. Then the power went out…., but luckily we could press on…

Now she is tented, we can remove things like steel/glass hatches (wooden ones need to go back) and the windows, which was done yesterday. 

The windows were a tricky one as I am trying to keep as many of the original elements of the boat as possible and did not want to remove them, but we discovered over the years that they had been replaced as they broke, or as they were changed. The boat had a complete mix of different tints and types of glass and most were leaking, so they all had to come out. I decided after much deliberation to go for clear glass. The objective of this restoration is to try and get LADY CAROLE back to her launching look, and she would have had clear when launched, so that’s what we are going for, but in safety glass of course. 

Sam, the Wynn Fraser rep has been helping with the colour scheme, which was posted previously.  The inspiration behind the colour scheme is the reddy brown she had in the 70’s on the side section, with the added addition of a deep blue hull with white pinstripes to break up the blue and make her lines pop even more.  It’s crucial that the blue works well with the reddy brown and that the white is not a bright white, more subdued almost like a mellow antique white.  The finish will be low sheen, not gloss as I think that belongs to the modern boats with their perfectly finished hulls.  The low sheen will give her more forgiveness.  The whole boat is getting a flexible two pot system for strength and durability.  Sam supplied the paint cards and test pots shown below to make sure they work on the boat and in the outdoor light.  The test pots were glossy, so the finished look will be more subdued than the photograph. 

The ceiling in the forward cabin had to come down to sort a hatch that had been put in the wrong place.  When the boat was reconfigured a past owner put a hatch in the centre of the forward cabin (to let light in I think) and then covered over the forward hatch. They then moved the mast to the top instead of the centre of the forward hardtop. So, in order to correct this back, we had to remove the ceiling as one of the ribs had been cut to allow for the hatch and this was compromising the integrity of the roof. The new ceiling will have insulation and show the ribs to give a little more height. 

Meanwhile a lot of sanding has been taking place and we are almost there – well, first sand anyway.”

CLASSIC LAUNCH THETIS – BACK HOME

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CLASSIC LAUNCH THETIS – BACK HOME

Back in March we reported that THETIS had been sold and was now back in Auckland via Exclusive Transport and Boat Haulage. She was taken straight to the Tamaki Haulout Yard.

Early in the month owner Norman Ramsay advised that he scraped and repainted the bottom and had her put back in the water within a couple of weeks. She then motored down the Tamaki River to a berth in central Auckland. In the last photo above the launch in front of THETIS is Norman’s other launch – a Formula 4000 named ISLAND TIME.
A t the time of purchase / sea trial they was an issue with one of the Graymarine diesel engines, so Norman commented that engine work is ongoing in the berth at the moment and they are working through options from rebuild to replacement with Duetz engines. Post this the next step will be the interior.

Very happy to see THETIS back on the Waitemata and looking forward to reporting on the rolling restoration.

LOTS TO READ & SEE AT THE TWO PREVIOUS WW STORIES LINKED BELOW
https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/02/thetis-a-peek-down-below/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/13/thetis-ii-the-lane-motor-boat-co/