Category Archives: Boat Sheds

NIGHTINGALE + waitematawoodys hits 5,000,000 Views

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NIGHTINGALE + waitematawoodys hits 5,000,000 Views
The 55’ trawler cruiser started life in 1925, in Invercargill as a sailing ship, Later owned by the Leask family (Stewart Island) who strengthened and converted her to a trawler ‘ fright ship in the area for many years. In 1987 she was taken to Nelson and converted to a pleasure cruiser. In recent years (last 10) she has seen timber replacements and modernising too systems.
Her trademe listing (thanks Ian MacDonald) describes her as a floating bach and that is a good description of the life she has had in the Marlborough Sounds. Sleeping for 8 people and all the home comforts aboard (42” TV) would make for enjoyable Sounds cruising.
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Her beam is 11’5” and she draws 5’5”. Power is via a Detroit 671, that has her cruising at 7 knots.
Any one able to tell us the designer / builder?
Waitematawoodys Gets 5 Million Views
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At some stage last night or early this morning the waitematawoodys.com site clock clicked over the 5 million views mark – I got the biggest buzz when it hit 5,000 and then 1,000,000 – these days its a freight train – just keeps on rolling 24/7.
Why do I do it? – the #1 reason is to motivate people to use their wooden boats more and to enjoy the classic wooden boating lifestyle.
Some of you have been around since day one and stayed the distance, some are what I call ‘flirters’ you come and go and that’s all good.
The back library is very impressive – over 1/2 the daily views these days are people using the site as a reference tool eg searching for details on a particular boat. Sometimes the odd story  might be a bit lame but it gets into the WW system and over time can grow e.g. someone searches the boats name and next thing we have a new (better) story on the same boat and it kick starts the old story.
It is always try to be to be entertaining and informative. I also try very hard to be factual but if we get it wrong – tell us and if you are in fact right, we will correct it.
I never started out to create an encyclopaedia of classic wooden boats – the idea was to create some good chat around what’s happening in the classic wooden boating community.
I also never intended for the stories to be daily, but the appetite was there and I soon discovered there was no shortage of content out there.
Sometimes, not often, after some moron has sent me a nasty email, I question why I do it, but then I have some chat (on-line) with cool people that make it worthwhile e.g there are a lot of blokes that have spent their life in and around wooden boats and these days reading WW is a highpoint in their day. I like that 🙂
I encourage you to use the comments section.
To those of you working on woody projects – send us updates / photos, we love projects. Send to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Thank you for your support ‘flying the WW flag’ via wearing the WW t-shirts – they pop up all over the world.
Best Regards
alan houghton – waitematawoodys founder
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Somethings Not Right Here + Woodys On Tour

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Somethings Not Right Here + Woodys On Tour
 
I was sent the above photo by Bruce Yarnton, it had both Bruce and I confused for way too long…………
Interesting mix of vessels – anyone able to tell us what was happening?
 
Woodys On Tour
The WW t-shirts crop up all over the world – in the first photo below we see Allan & Pamela Hooper on board the 1922 schooner – Ladona, they spent a week sailing on her from Rockland in Penobscot Bay, USA.  The other photos see Allan out and about in Maine.

Sailing on Ladona Rockland

Woody yachty Steve Horsley has been in South Africa shooting Lions (only joking) it was a family wedding and Steve was flying the WW flag in Simonds Town where the Naval base is situated. Rumour has it he bought the Captain Pugwash boat (the Black Pig) to replace Ngatira 🙂
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Thames River Rats

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Thames River Rats

Last month I did a quick trip to Thames and called into the ‘marina’. The tide was out in the estuary so you get to see the marina looking it finest.
Lots of old girls there, resting up, contemplating life.
If you’re down that way The Wharf bar and Thames Wholesale Fisheries shop are ace. Same owners, so they deliver your newspaper wrapped dinner to the bar – we like that.  Worth a visit just for a cold one & the snapper & chips.

Off to check out another river today – the Wairau River, Clevedon – David Cooke and myself are doing a recky for the upcoming Woody Classics Weekend BBQ cruise (Nov 16>17th). Via car 🙂

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RSVP   waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Komutu + What To Do On The Long Weekend

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KOMUTU

Woody Ian McDonald has been on a wee road trip up north. Ian sent in the above photos of Komutu hauled out at Whangarei. All we know is she was built in 1950 by Curnow & Wilson in Motueka.

Komutu is 44’ in length , single skin and powered by a GM 6/71 diesel engine.

Can anyone tell us what she has been up to in the last 69 years ?

Input from Brian Kidson – Komutu was designed by Cliff Nalder for himself and built by Curnow and Wilton of Port Nelson. Cliff was the Nalder of the Nalder and Biddle, marine engineers with Curnow and Wilton, next door on the same 200ton sidways slip way. Komutu was launched in the December 1952 at 42ft x 12ft x 3ft 6inches. Komutu hull was seam batten carvel planked white pine from Golden Bay over rata frames with hollow sections frd running aft to a straight flat transom. Her original engine was a 165hp 6/71 GM said to have come out of a Sherman tank. Cliff used her between Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds where he had a bach, until he sold her about 1967 to a Keith Robson. Has had five or six of owners since then.

Further Input from Brian Kidson – Brian sent in the photos below (ex Bill Nalder & Phil Robson) The shows her under construction, then post launching and lastly c.1960’s.

Input from Mark McLaughlin – The new cabin was built by Blenheim boatbuilder Arthur Watson in the late 1980’s. Arthur showed us over her when he had nearly finished the cabin while she was on the hard in Havelock for the refit.

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Komutu(Phil Robson) 1

 

BUSY WEEKEND ON & OFF THE WATER THIS LONG WEEKEND

  1. Friday – sees the start of the annual Coastal Classic Yacht Race to Russell in the Bay of Islands. The start is always a great spectacle, best viewing spot being up North Head, Devonport. Follow the race on-line, details here  https://www.coastalclassic.co.nz/watch

2. Saturday > Monday  – the Tino Rawa Trust are again hosting the classic yacht and launch exhibition at Te Wero Island down at Auckland’s Viaduct. This year the event celebrates the contribution immigrant boat builders had on Auckland’s maritime history. Particular focus will be on the Logan and Bailey boat building dynasties. Event open each day 10am > 4pm – Entry is free. Read more on the event here https://tinorawatrust.co.nz/events

3. Its Labour Day long weekend – time to load the boat up and get out there 🙂

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CENTAURUS – A PEEK DOWN BELOW – Before she is sold

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CENTAURUS – A PEEK DOWN BELOW – Before she is sold
Recently we featured on WW the magnificent motorboat Turongo and she will be bought by someone looking for the pinnacle of classic wooden boating, one of only 5 vessels of her size and grace – but at  56’ she is a ship and not everyone wants a woody that big. So today we featured  what I believe is the best sub 45’ classic motorboat available for purchase – the 1968 Bailey & Sons built CENTAURUS.
There are lots of boats supposedly ‘on the market’ but none in the condition of Centaurus or with a realistic, motivated vendor. Centaurus is a genuine turn-key vessel, just add food and water and you will be boating this summer.
Centaurus is what I call a lucky boat – her first owner had her for 45 years and since then there has only been 3 custodians, each passing her on in better condition than when purchased. I have been on most classics and with out a doubt Centaurus has the largest main cabin – seating for 12. She spent a long period in the South Island so has been ‘off-the scene’ in Auckland until returned home to the Waitemata a few years ago.
PLUS – in todays tight marina market – Centaurus has the bonus of a 14m Westhaven marina.
I would encourage anyone looking for a iconic classic motorboat to contact waitematawoodys immediately, Centaurus will be snapped up before the start of the summer season. Expressions of interest, initially to  waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Snapshot
• 42’ x 13’3” x 4’
• 1.25” heart kauri carvel planked
• Cummins 215hp V6
• 6 berths
• 800L Fuel / 800L water
• Webesco cabin heater
• Uroxsys varnished
WW Links

Valerie

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VALERIE – A Work In Progress
Valerie was built in 1931, in Milford. 31’ kauri planked with an oregon cabin top. As you will observe from the photos she really is a project boat crying out for someone to take her on and completer the restoration / rebuild. She comes with a 1990 Ford 60hp diesel.
Currently hauled out on Aucklands North Shore – any Woodys looking for  project?
Her trademe listing is light on details- does anyone know more about Valarie?
UPDATE 22-10-2019 ex Nathan Herbert – Valerie was built by W.Kendall and H.G. Lodge at Milford, c.1938. Photo below
Valarie 1938
15-04-2021 ex Brian Fulton ex NZ Herald
Woody Classics Weekend – Stillwater Picnic- This Sunday – Weather Looks Spot On – See you There 

Orere

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ORERE

Todays vessel, Orere is pictured here on 16th October 1923. Harold Kidd has commented that she was built by the Auckland Harbour Board in 1921.
For a work-boat she is rather pretty.
Can anyone tell us the designer and what became of her.
Harold Kidd Input – She was designed by Bill Clare, like TE HAURAKI. She was still on AHB strength until 1940 at least.
‘Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy’ book winner
Yesterdays quiz / draw for a copy of the 334 page just released book was won by John Hunter, Taupo . John correctly told us that there were 116,000 words in the book. The answer was discoverable on the Des Townson website. FYI it was the most entries WW has ever received for an on-line competition. Many thanks to everyone for entering, fingers crossed I’ll do another one prior to Xmas.
Well done John and for the everyone else, copies are available to buy at the link    https://destownson.co.nz . It is a limited print run so I would suggest you grab a copy, before it sells out. Perfect Xmas present for yourself 🙂
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

WENNA (Rangitira)

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WENNA (Rangitira)
 
The 32’ c.1920’s launch Wenna has appeared several times on WW, links to those stories below – lots of details and photos.
Back in 2014 Harold Kidd shared with us that Jack Taylor had given him the good oil on Wenna. Jack used to work alongside Alf Bell of Collings & Bell and Alf told him some facts about Wenna. Also an amusing tale as to how she got her name 🙂
She was launched as Wenna and at some stage renamed Rangitira and then changed back by Pam Cundy at the Whangateau boat yard when they restored her back in 2014. Subsequently ownership changed to Brent (sorry do not know the surname) who undertook an extensive refurbishment – as we view her above. 
 
1. She was built by Collings & Bell.
2. They took their time over construction so Eric O’Neill, who lived in Ring Terrace a few yards away, kept nagging them, ” When are you going to get my boat finished”, and the name ‘Wenna’ stuck.
3. Eric was known around the waterfront as ‘Peggy’ O’Neill after the song. He was a cheerful bloke and everyone liked him.
4. He knew nothing about boating at the start. He brought Wenna back from Barrier through the bad February 1936 hurricane and complained to Alex Collings that she leaked. 40 boats were lost in Auckland in that blow. 
5. However, he got to be good enough to skipper PAIKEA on occasion during her NAPS service.

https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/17/8768/

 

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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

The Refurbishment Of Tamariki

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The Refurbishment Of Tamariki
Todays story is a video essay on the refurbishment of Tamariki, the 45’ Gary Wheeler designed ’spirit of tradition’  ketch owned by Peter Mortimer, father of CYA Chairman James Mortimer.
The video was filmed and edited by the very talented Roger Mills, a friend of Peter’s
Post the refurbishment Peter has been cruising the Pacific and attended the 2019 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart – in fact the only Kiwi boat in attendance. Roger joined Peter for the homeward leg – Hobart > Picton.
Enjoy – it is a great insight into the 7 month project – wonderful work, well done everyone that rubbed up against Tamariki during this labour of love.
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

1930’s Mystery Launch and Location

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1930’s Mystery Launch and Location

When this photo appeared on fb, no one was able to ID the vessel or confirm the location. Location suggestions were Judges Bay Parnell and Takapuna Beach.
Can we do any better?
Reminder – if you like plastic boats the Boat Show is on till Sunday down at Auckland’s Viaduct – new venue as Team NZ are squatting at the Events Centre. Lots of ’stuff’ for your woody on display / sale.
Harold Kidd Input – It’s certainly a puzzle Although the hull is very similar to Seagars’ REHUTAI (but I think a tad smaller) she still retained her funnel after she was dieselised and her wheelhouse was taller. Also, why would the Seagars pull her out at Judges Bay when they had a secure spot in the Devonport Yacht Club’s yard just along the road from their nice house in Jubilee Avenue?
Who Owns Safari ? photo below. Contact me on  waitematawoodys@gmail.com I may have something from the boats past that might interest you 😉
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