Is There Money To Be Made In The Classic Wooden Boat Industry
Short answer yes – if you are good, own a railway slipway and fair in your costs.
The Slipway Milford smoko room wall of honour is a good indication of the woodys that have been for a ride on the Slipway railway 🙂
Would make a good quiz – ID’ing the boats but too busy / lazy doing nothing in a bay at the moment.
SPRAT – Workshop Update
The 28’ David Bedham designed spirit of tradition launch that we featured on WW back in November 2023, link below it nearing completion at the Slipway yard in Milford.
Will be a very smart and fast addition to the Waitemata Harbour, were her intended use is as a fast island commuter.
Looking forward to the sea trial report after the addition of a very smooth and quiet Yamaha 4-stroke o/board. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/18/sprat-spirit-of-tradition-orakei-hardstand-good-news/
KAWAU BOATING CLUB – OPEN FOR BUSINESS
If the weather gods have been nice to me I’ll be in residence at KBC tonight- checked out the photos above of the recent (winter of 2023) refurbishment – the club / bar is looking its best ever. Big shout out to everyone involved.
BUT – these things come at a cost – so if you are cruising about Kawau _
1. Call in for a fizzy drink and /or meal – all welcome
2. Consider joining the club while you are there – we need your support.
Happy New Year Woodys 🙂
UPDATE – Dinner was very good. Scallops & Salad and the kiwi classic- fish & chips
A COOL WOODY BUSINESS CARD
Any boatbuilder that had a tool chest like the above you would have to feel confident having them working on your boat 🙂 I spotted the crest recently at Leader Boat Builders in Panmure. I’m sure a reader will comment on who the owner is.
Three Of Our Best Classic Wooden Launches
Post the Slipway Milford’s year end bbq the yard kicked into gear as three of our finest classic launches arrived / left the creek – Gay Dawn (ex MCC Slip) after a Jason Prew Paint Job, Tasman after some TLC – or as Russell Ward says – in for a shave and some war paint. Then Rehia also for a shave and a very fast head replacement . Not often we see three lookers in one spot.
Talking of spots, check out the photo below – someone really needed a pair of disposable overalls 🙂
Way too much eating yesterday, but we never learn.Santa did find me, but i now need a bigger boat.
Classic Boats – Kerikeri – Workshop Visit – PUFFIN
Bay of Islands woody – Dean Wright recently dropped into the shed of Classic Boats in Kerikeri (website link below), one of the projects underway is a complete replanting of the 100 year + classic above, named Puffin. Master boat builderHerbert Crumb-Gartner was just about to turn the hull over- wonderful craftsmanship on display. Dean has promised to call back and update us on the project.
Check out some of the past and present work that Classic Boats have been connected with https://www.classicboats.co.nz
INPUT From Herbert Krumm-Gartner – I am restoring ‘Puffin’ for her current owner of over 30 years. I first laid eyes on her in a shed in Russell about 3 years ago. Her owner phoned me up asking if I would be interested in restoring her to her former glory.
She is now 102 years old and was built as a fishing boat south of Sydney by some carpenters.
The current owner has all the history of her, he even knows, I think the great grand sons of her builders. When I had a look at her I realized that restoring her planking would not be satisfactory at all, as most of her laps had cracks where the copper rivets were, plus lots of the ribs were broken.
I suggested to the owner to completely re-plank and re-rib her. Instead of having 11 planks a side I decided to go to 13, which reduced the overall size of the individual planks considerably. I have retained the deck that the current owner built in the 1990’s. She will be re-powered with a 14hp Nanni diesel engine. Most of her interior, like seats, floor boards, etc, will be re-furbished and re-installed.
At present she is right way up, back in the shed and we are steaming in new Tanekaha ribs. Puffin is just under 18ft long.
WAIONE
Todays 28’ woody just popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald), the listing states that she was built by Lanes in Picton c.1918 and spent her early life around the Marlborough Sounds and French Pass and then more recently at Mapua. For the last 50+ years has been stored in an apple shed in Mapua, where she still is today.
Has been in one family ownership for almost 50 years.
Was originally powered by a Standard Gas Egine Co. diesel and is offered for sale with an addition Petter diesel.
Big leap of faith given the only photos are obviously at least 30 years old. Would be nice to learn more about Waione. I suspect that WW has a cub reporter very close to the apple shed so hopefully more to follow 😉
UPDATE 16-01-2024 More photos and details here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/01/16/waione-shed-visit/
MILFORD CREEK FLASH BACK
Wouldn’t it be great if we still had businesses like the above around today. One stop shops.
I was up and down the creek today myself – giving the 95 year old a bottom tickle up – 2023 was such a crap season Raindance didn’t get the normal amount of use. So from entering and exiting the creak the watch said 38 minutes – service with a smile, well almost …… things a tad busy at The Slipway Milford with only 96>hrs till closing the door.
Photos below November 2023
PIRIMANU – Ready To Splash
We have been following the refit / restoration of the 28’ Salthouse built, A Couldrey designed, 1968 launch – Pirimanui – links below to the last few years stories on WW.
This week the Blair Boats yard advised that the day had come and she would be re-splashing later this week.
Stunning workmanship and hats off to her ’newish’ owner for the level of commitment to the project.
Fingers crossed we get to see some photos of Pirimanu post launching.May 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/16/pirimanu-a-peek-down-below/
Jan 2023 Refresh https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/31/pirimanu-gets-a-makeover/
July 2023 >>> Work In Process. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/07/28/pirimanu-gets-a-birthday/
Update – Pirimanu back in the water, all windows replaced with new teak beading, all new varnish inside and out (14 coats of alwood gloss) inside cabin repainted, new electronics solar and bilge pumps, new gear box and refurbished engine. (Photos and words ex Blair Boats fb.
02-01-2025 UPDATE ex NIXON FLYER (a previous owner) now in her new Bay of Islands home
CHRISTMAS BOOTY TO BE WON
Time for some xmas goodwill – a little quiz with a cool prize. As always entry is ONLY VIA EMAIL, you can only enter once, all correct entries go into the draw. Quiz ends on Friday December 15th at 6pm. Winner announced on WW. (photos shown above random selection only)
THE QUIZ QUESTION: Which boat builder / designer has had the most boat / name mentions on the WW site – email your entry to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
THE PRIZE: A copy of the Best Selling Book – ’Shipwright, Boatbuilder, Yachtsman’ by Gilbert J. Littler + A WW sweatshirt (L/S, size XL only) + A WW Burgee
The book is available to buy at Boatbooks in Westhaven or online https://boatbooks.co.nz/nzbooks.asp
And WW merchandise for sale here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/
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