Category Archives: Boat Sheds

Ronaki – Collings & Bell

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RONAKI – Collings & Bell

In my communications with Sue Rivington re Sundays story on the launch – Leone, we uncovered that her grandfather also owned the launch – Ronaki. There are several vessels with that name on WW, but this one last appeared on WW back in August 2015, the two photos below ex the team at Whangateau Traditional Boat Yard are from then when Ronaki was jn storage in Ruakaka, Northland.  At the time we learnt that she was built as a fast harbour launch by Collings & Bell for the Auckland Harbour Board in January 1913, a 38 footer powered by a big 55-75 hp H.C. Doman marine engine with a max of 14 knots.

The last photo above is of her, ex Ron Watton, during her sea trial. After many years of service with AHB she was sold to G Hyauiason  (Sue Rivington’s grandfather) who had her bridgedeckerised.

The RNZN took her over in 1942 for control service (at the boom, HDK thinks) but sold her in 1944 to J.A. Collins. Harold’s uncle – Lou Wilson, MD of Morris Black & Matheson bought her soon after that. The AHB bought her back subsequently and fitted a Leyland.

The photos above come to us ex Sue’s family album/s, Sue commented that the background in several of the photos is at Sandspit. They used to own the farm there above the Motor Camp and out down the point to Brick Bay and around to Kanuka Road. Sue’s father sold the farm to developers in 2015 – now a subdivision. There maybe more than one launch in todays photo gallery – I would appreciate your views on the below and anything else that you see-
1. Are the launches #746 and #1661 the same launch

2. Is #748 the ‘bridgedeckerised’ launch Harold refers to above

3. Is the dark hulled launch another launch or part of the evolution of Ronaki

Back in 2017 WW got two comments added to the 2015 story. A Graham Watt advised that he owned Ronaki from 1969 > 1971, when he purchased her she was moored off Little Bucklands Beach. Graham immediatly undertook repairs to the boat at Westhaven as she was very ‘run-down’. Back then a Perkins P6 powered hr. The second comment was from a gent named Grant advising that Ronaki was on the hard at Mangapai, Whangarei, Northland and work was underway to refit her. We haven’t heard anything since then so very keen to learn the status of Ronaki.

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert – Three boats shown: First one possibly Miss Aussie then progress photos of the single-sheer Ronaki being rebuilt into raised foredeck bridge-decker. Third and dark painted boat is the Iorana in original guise.

Leone – Where Is She

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LEONE – Where Is She

WW was contacted yesterday by Sue Rivington who advised that she has been going through the family photos and albums and she came across the gems above. 

The boat is – Leone that belonged to Sue’s Grandfather George Hyauiason many years ago – unfortunately Sue is not sure when. But she would love 

any information on her or details on what became of Leone.

Sue also commented that her Grandfather also owned the ‘Ronaki’ – I have asked for some more intel so we can ID which particular Ronaki it was – there is a promise of photos so fingers crossed.  

The Ponsonby Cruising Club + Collings & Bell yard / wharf / railway photo is a doozy – so many boats, so few names.

So woodys can we help Sue out in her quest for intel on Leone.

LOOKING FOR

One of the woody gang is on the hunt for 2 switches as per the photo below – (L) photo is a good one (R) photo has the knob broken off – anyone got two/one laying around?

Woody On Tour – Rhode Island, USA

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Thania
Thania

Woody On Tour – Rhode Island, USA

Woody Angus Rogers has just return from a whri-wind trip to the USA, at the top of his to do list was a visit to the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island.

Link her to see and read more about the place  https://herreshoff.org

I exhibit that caught / captured Angus’s eye the most was the 1905 launch – Thania, designed / built by Nathanael G Herreshoff. Over view 59’8” in length, beam of 10’7” and draws 2’8’.

More details in the photos above, as always click on a photo to enlarge. ENJOY 🙂

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

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JOCELYN
RAINBOW

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

Earlier in the week I found myself at HMB marina with some time to kill so went for a wander.

Three woodys in different stages of getting some winter TLC.

JOCELYN – The 49’ Brin Wilson built launch, possibly to a Hacker Craft design, appears to be getting a varnish refresh. She is one of those craft that are just so much bigger out of the water. Read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

UNKNOWN – has a Lanes / Picton look to her – I’m sure someone sharper than me can tell us her name. Impressive back to bare wood restoration underway.

RAINBOW – the 1898 Arch Logan built gaffer has just had a birthday – lots shinny paint and varnish on display + the masts was revarnished , that is a titanic undertaking – well done. I was on-hand as the team from Boat Haulage were dropping the stick back in. An impressive of collection of origami on display 🙂

What Became Of Sonar Mia

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What Became Of Sonar Mia

Earlier this week we featured a 16’ Carl Augustin designed run-about named Mare-Ee-An, today we have another craft by the same designer. A little bigger this time at 40’ and built in 1968. 

Sonar Mia popped up back in February in Gisborne on a Turners Auction site after a grounding (their words) and was for sale as-is-where-is. The opening bid was $100. From the photos there was a lot of work needed, but someone may have got a bargain. The engine is a Ford Lees Marine 180hp diesel.

Do we know if she was saved or went to the land fill.

FYI – back in March 2019 a descendent of a previous owner was trying to track the boat down. I forwarded the 2023 Turners link but never heard back from them – that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/03/23/edna/

Old photos below, possibly c.1970’s

The Boats of Major Bailey

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FLORAE > FLORAY > LEILANI
FLOLAINE > AWATEA – @ Te Atatu BC 2014
FLOLAINE > AWATEA – @ Thames 2016
CHRISTINE – 1970’S

The Boats of Major Bailey

Major (christian name, not a rank) Bailey built four launches that we are aware of – thanks to Ken Ricketts and Graeme Varcoe today we get to see them together, excluding the last built, those name is not recorded. 
The First built was – Florae / Floray (seems to have had an identity crisis over time) , later named Leilani and currently high and draw in a Thanes paddock.

Second was  – Flolaine, now named Awatea

Third was – Christine

Fourth – unknown – anyone able to help with details. Amusing (in hindsight) launch day story below ex KR.
The Launching And Near Sinking Of #4 Boat

KR commented that Major Bailey had some radical views on boat systems and fit out. With the fourth boat he developed a steering system which was or looked like half a petrol or oil drum encircling each propeller and turning right left which was supposed to direct the prop wash and steer the boat but when you turned the wheel absolutely nothing happened, as much of the prop thrust water just went out the back and the prop thrust was simply lost completely.

#4 had two 6 cyl. second hand Fords, very poorly home converted, and badly installed in the stern with detached vee drives, along other bits & pieces. All the underwater gear seemed to leak through the hull and added to almost sinking post launching, refer below.

KR commented that on launch day she almost sunk immediately on launching and would not steer. The yard would not lift her out again due to a dispute, so they steered her as best they could with the engines as quickly as they could downstream to Eastern Marina Services (Terry Burling). There they beached her on the ramp, to effect urgent matters to make her seaworthy and steerable. 

The boat had all sorts of unique bits about her all of which mostly designed by Major Bailey and mostly just did not work.

KR also commented that #3, Christine was very ugly, with the hull, all rough and showing all the planks & seams, and the flare was horrible with a slanting forward deck line at the bow. He was putting more & more radical & impractical ideas in the succession of his boats as they went on.

So woodys it appears and KR agrees that Leilani was the pick of the bunch 🙂 I wonder what became of the fourth build ………….

Woodys Abroad

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WOODYs ABROAD

One of our most passionate and talented woodys – Olaf Wiig is currently based in the UK but still owns back in NZ the stunning 48’ 1953 Lidgard built launch – Ngaro (photo below) which the family cruises on in the NZ summer (when we have one).

After returning this time to the UK Olaf quickly found a woody project to keep his hand in.

The photos above are of Olaf’s 1930’s Andrews slipper launch named – Vega. This is a style of launch which is unique to the upper Thames.  The first of its type was a boat called “merc” it is part of the national Maritime museum’s collection https://nmmc.co.uk/object/boats/slipper-launch-merk-from-1912/

Olaf commented that the boat had been out of the water for some time so the main job was to address the dried out bottom planks and re caulk her seams. The more enjoyable bit was to re-varnish her. Some 14 odd coats of traditional yacht varnish and some 24ct gold leaf she was ready for the water. Just in time for the Thames traditional boat festival, and that will be tomorrows story 😉

Ngaro

Lady Gazelle Rebuilt & Launched

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LADY GAZELLE REBUILT & LAUNCHED 

Back in March we sadly reported that the Jim Young designed launch – Lady Gazelle (formerly Gazelle) had been struck by another vessel and came free from her Coromandel Harbour mooring. Lady Gazelle ended up on the rocks and sustained enough damage for the insurance company to write the vessel off. Link below to that story.

We were heartened to learn that a new owner had stepped up and bought the boat and had started to repair her. 

Today we can report that she was relaunched this week at Clevedon and looks as new. Well done to all those involved in her rebuild.

MARCH 2023 WW Story https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/02/lady-gazelle-on-the-rocks/

AQUARIUS – Back In Time

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Russell – 1961

AQUARIUS – Back In Time

The above photo shows the 38’ big game launch – Aquarius. Along side the wharf at Russell the Bay of Islands. The photo is dated 1961 and comes to us via Lew Redwoods fb.

Aquarius was built / launched in 1955 by Supreme Craft. She first appeared on WW back in 2018 as a SOS story and over the next 3 years we followed her resume and restoration – links to those stories below + 2018 photos of her leaving Waiheke Island and relaunched in 2021.

Dec 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/12/15/aquarius-is-back/

June 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/06/10/aquarius-restoration-update/

April 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/16/aquarius-saved/

Sept 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/09/01/aquarius-sos/

Te Atatu BC – 2021

06-05-2024 photos below at T.B.C. late April

Freelance – Launch Day Oops

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Freelance – Launch Day Oops

Woody Kerry Lilley sent in the tale below concerning the launching of the 1964 Owen Woolley built launch – Freelance. At the time Kerry was an apprentice to Owen Woolley (1964 -1970) and now owns the 32′ Woolley launch – Awariki, which he helped build and launch in 1967. I’ll let Kerry tell the story.

“I started my boatbuilding apprenticeship in mid 1964, Freelance was in the final stage of her interior fit out for Mr Ken Williams from memory he was head of the Ak branch of the Master Builders Assn., the launching of Freelance was on the cover a special edition of the Seaspray Magazine sliding down the slipway.  

When Mr Williams took Freelance away from Owen Woolley’s shed intending to steam her to her pile up the Clevedon River, in going through between Browns Is and Musick Point he hit the ( I understand it’s a block of concrete used to hold anti submarine net during the 2nd world war) no damage to the hull or keel but the propeller was bent and tore the stern bearing out of the keel and stalled the engine.

So 3 hours after steaming away from our shed over the Tamaki River, old Bert Subrisky on the tug – Romo pushes Freelance back for repair new prop shaft, stern bearing, copper stern tube and Kauri repair to the keel.”  

I wonder if the concrete block is still there or some kind sole used so dynamite on it. (Photo above taken at the 2020 Mahurangi Regatta)

More photos of Freelance here https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/03/freelance/

60 years later we still have launch day oops – my lips are sealed ;-), its not Freelance.

INPUT ex Nigel Drake (current custodian) – “Despite that early mishap Freelance is going strong and will celebrate 60 years next year. She has just completed 2 weeks of TLC in the shed in Tauranga.”