Category Archives: Boat Sheds

Lady Ellen Restoration Update – March 2019

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Lady Ellen Restoration Update – March 2019

Owner Bruce Mitchinson sent in the photos above & report below:

“About half way through the interior fit out so far.
Galley joinery is complete and has been shifted back to the workshop ready for paint.
Built in electrical and navigators consoles, and the new helm station in the queue for paint too.
Down below the new cabin soles and cabin partitions are all in, apart from the partition for the head, which is made, but out of the way while the space is being made into a wet room.
Hull lining and bunk slats all prefinished, ready for fitting.
Plumbing, thru-hull fittings and holding tank all set out, in the next week or two we will have a session with the hole saws to fit all these.
New exhaust pipe fitting will go in at the same time.
We have the engine in bits and all the parts have been stripped back and primed. 
Final coat of paint goes on this week so it can be reassembled and tested before it goes back in.
Electrical and fresh water plumbing coming up soon”
To see/ read more on this restoration project – enter Lady Ellen in the WW search box.
Photos below to show you how far Bruce has come with the LE project – very impressive.

Florence Rose – Launch Day

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My beautiful picture

My beautiful picture
My beautiful picture
My beautiful picture
FLORENCE ROSE – Launch Day
 
As part of a recent email exchange with Mark Powell, Mark sent me the above photos from the launching of Florence Rose launching at the Chas Bailey and Sons yard.
In a previous WW post Gil Littler confirmed that Florence Rose was designed by Billy Rogers and built at Bailey’s in the 1960’s while he was serving his apprenticeship there. Gil was given the job of lofting her out and making up the frames before Kenny Hitchens (and other tradesmen) became involved in her construction. The hull was built on the mezzanine floor before being brought down to the slipway level by a large forklift to be finished off. 
 
Gil believes she was built for Harry Rose, which we now know is correct, in the photo below we have Mark Powell’s mother, Joan Powell, with Mark in short pants and the gent on the helm is Harry Rose.
 
I took the 2nd photo below of Flo Ro in October 2013 in Station Bay, Motutapu Island. 
My beautiful picture
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Could This Be Zephyr

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Could This Be Zephyr

Woody Nathan Herbert spotted the launch above on trademe – the photo show her name as Belinda Lee and the list says she was built in 1940, is 36’ in length.
Current zoom zoom is via a 1952 Ford 120hp diesel. The photos look a little scary but there are the bones of a good woody here if you had the time and budget to attach the above the waterline issues.
Current home is Christchurch, so that may limit her appeal to woodys north of Cook Straight, but the price at <$5k is right, if the Ford is healthy 😉
(b/w photo c.1948 ex K Ricketts)
So Woodys – was Belinda Lee, Zephyr in an other life?
18-02-2020 Update ex Andrea Collings
Andrea has located a couple of photos, see below.  Reproduction is not the best but we roll with that.. The one on the skid, is from when Andrea’s grandfather first brought her.  Andrea commented it has her grandmother, uncle (and she thinks her aunt). Andrea  believes she was having her motor removed.  Her grandfather (Mac Kelly) thought she was to thirsty and put a smaller engine in. 
The 2nd photo is of her has Mac standing and one of his sons sunbathing on her roof.
Andrea is not sure of dates for these photos but believes it would have to be in the 1950’s.
Zephyr remained in their family until about 1985 when she was sold to a man from Auckland who Andrea was told was the gent who took her bridge off. After that Andrea didnt know what happened to Zephyr until she received an email WW and then read Logan’s post.
Andrea has promised to continue to track down any more information and photos, so it can be added to her story.
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30-04-2020 The Continuing Story Of Zephyr

I have been recently contacted by Kevin Lyall who via his mother, Hope Lyall, has contributed more details and photos from the vessels past. Kevins grandfather was a previous owner names – Mac Kelly and mentioned also in Andrea Colling’s input above.
I’ll let Kevin & Hope tell their story.

“The completion of Zephyr was delayed until after WWII, as the government was going to commandeer her as a patrol boat. She was originally powered by a single 165Hp ChrisCraft marine petrol engine, taken from a twin engine WWII landing craft. Not sure if the HP is correct, had a look and could have been a K series or Hercules series engine?

Mum said the original engine was under the floor, but the new engine had an engine cover built which took up space in the cockpit. She was re-powered with a Lee’s marine diesel (Ford)

She sank at her mooring in Awaawaroa Bay late 1970’s or early 1980’s, due to an engine intake valve being left open. She may have sat floating at the mooring for several years after that  as I remember her being beached at Pipitewai Bay and sacks of mussels being removed from the hull,This may have been around the time she was sold on.

We used to visit the family farm at Awaawaroa Bay, board Zephyr at Maraetai Wharf and sit on the bow with our groceries for the trip over the Tamaki Strait, we did this a few times for school holidays and Christmas. Must have been pre 1981.

My mother and family did a lot of trips on Zephyr all around the Hauraki Gulf and out to Great Barrier Island in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Many stories of fishing and visiting islands and meeting up with other boaties.”

Zephyr DEC1965

Dec’ 1965

Zephyr 1970's

1970’s

31-08-2020 Update ex Logan Bergs

Logan sent in the locker panel below from the launch Zephyr, during the weekend he by chance flipped the lid over and found a list of her previous names on the back of a panel Whilst doing a bit of work on the weekend on Zephyr or Belinda lee as she was called when I acquired her I found a list of her previous names on the back of a panel. When Logan bought the boat it was called Belinda Lee but he has reverted to the original name (Zephyr). Barry was unaware that there had been 2 other names – ‘Lady J’ and ‘True Love’.So woodys – does the addition of these names jog and memories?

Building Fritha – Sailing Sunday

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Fritha 4

Building Fritha –  Sailing Sunday

Following on from the stunning WW post on the McMullen & Wing built 74’ brigantine – Fritha, Chris McMullen has shared with us a gallery of photos from the build.
In Chris’s words – it shows a bunch of mainly young guys building a proper sailing ship. Chris commented how lucky they all were to have had that opportunity. The photos should be credited to M&W ex apprentice Grant Thomas who was the leading hand on Fritha.
 
The Fritha was built traditionally but certainly not by eye. You may notice the cabin trunks were well underway before the hull was planked. This was possible because M&W had a very experienced team. The workmanship got better every boat they built but the estimate of time was exceeded. (Chris stressed how lucky they were to have an understanding owner who appreciated what he got). Further, it became almost impossible to get good wood. Chris’s business partner Eric Wing was by then running their haul out yard at Westhaven.
Sadly “Fritha” was the last real boat M&W built. M&W was sold and became a ship yard rather than a boatyard.
While most people associate M&W as metal boat builders, Chris said that they did that, as we had to. There is nothing wrong with a wooden boat providing it is built properly of good timber. There was no wood left so it was metal or frozen snot. They chose to build metal boats but employed mainly woodworkers.
Chris would like to pass on thanks to the late owner of “Fritha” Mr JR Butland and the loyal team he had that built some beautiful yachts. 
 
View the previous WW story on Fritha here – lots of photos  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/02/24/fritha/

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1920’s Woody Restoration Project

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1920’s Woody Restoration Project
This 28’ kauri woody resides in Napier and in the sellers words is “partly restored”. At the moment she is minus a motor, transmission and running gear but they are available to purchase, being a Cummins 95hp B4 and Newage RPM Coventry transmission.
I do not normal mention the price on trademe (thanks Ian McDonald) but this one is $2,000 – subject to an inspection, she has the bones of a cool lake boat.
In her present state it would be easily to inspect the condition of her, note: the exterior has been glassed.
Can anyone help ID the launch?
Make Sure You Check WW Tomorrow – stunning photos from the launching of Mike Mahoney’s new addition to the fleet. Tease photo below
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A Woody Tour Of Helensville / Upper Kaipara

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Florance M

La Vega
La Vega
La Vega
Morning Star
Unknown 1
Unknown 2
Nevada (4th out)
Nevada (center)
Nevada
Nevada
Nevada
Nevada
Unknown 3
Unknown 4
Unknown 5
Waimiko
Witch Way (3rd out)
Witch Way / Unknown 6/Scud
Witch Way
Wooden Mullet Boat ?

A Woody Tour Of Helensville / Upper Kaipara  

Following on from last Mondays stunning story on the boats resting in the Tamaki River (link below if you missed it), woody John Bullivant has been out & about again – this time his focus has been the Helensville & Kaipara Cruising Club. I have ID / tagged the photos where known, just scroll over to view the name). Again I’ll let John tell the story 🙂

“I did another boat hunting tour to Helensville on 6 Feb and found a few more wooden working boats and others parked on the mud at the fishing wharf and Kaipara Cruising Club . They are a friendly bunch at the club and allowed me to go onto the private jetties to take some photos, even unlocking a gate for me which was much appreciated. The couple I spoke to have a converted ex fishing boat (Waimiko I think ) with a 185HP Nissan and all the gear, which they say makes a perfect solid pleasure boat. 

The big Miller & Tunnage canoe stern La Vega ? also is Nissan powered but U/S at the moment and may be for sale ( hull looks in good nick and built like the proverbial BSH) and would make a great pleasure convert and sea boat. There are a number of interesting boats there including the nice looking bridge decker further up. Couldn’t get a good pic but looks like she’s having some work done? Also found Florence M (now with M painted over) on the hard there, back to the side she started on ? 

One thing that was of particular nostalgic interest (sort of ) was the little plastic ‘Scuppers tug’ (think that’s what the called them) tucked in the corner. If I’m not mistaken, this little boat resided at Half Moon Bay Marina way back in the early 80s when new, and I have an idea it was their little marina work boat, (I’m pretty sure it’s not from the other Half Moon Bay but would be a weird coincidence if it was). I even contemplated buying one when they came out (under $12,000 from memory) Stange place to find it.

The interesting little boat on the drums and the old planked Mullet boat? are on the Northern end of Helensville over the rail lines. All in all a great day out and finished of with great local fish and chips (found out the shop owner lived not far from me at Whangaparaoa before moving to Helensville,)  NZ is small,- once stayed overnight in the Hunterville motel, and the people who had recently bought it had lived not far from me in Bucklands beach, we Kiwis certainly move around along with our boats.”

A Woody Tour of the Tamaki River – 70 photos

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AURORA
Unknown 1
JOHN DORY
AHB
BALENA (EX SEATTLE)
HOSFUS
IMATRA
HAUL BY HARTLEY – CABIN BY PICASSO
IMATRA
JOHN DORY
AWATERE
AC DSEA
HAPPY HOUR
FREE BOAT
AUDACITY (EX HAWAII)
FOR SALE
LADY AVA (MISS AVA)
WHO THOUGHT POP SIDES WERE NEW
W1 HOME SLIPWAY
LAZY BONES
W1’S TROLLY
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Unknown 3
Unknown 4
MYSTERY YACHT
SLAVENKA
MITOKA III
LADY JANE
W1’S TROLLY
Unknown 5
LADY DAVINA
WIP 3
W1’S RAILWAY
FREE BOAT
OMOANA
W1’S RAILWAY
Unknown 6
TAIRERE
TEINA
Unknown 7
Unknown 8
ROMANY II
Unknown 9
LA ROSA
TARKA AND PURURI
PHYLLIS
Unknown 10
MAHETA
WIP 1
TUHUA (MSA100727) & ESTRELA
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NOR EAST (FRONT L)
RAIRA
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OMOAMA
WILDE LIFE
STYMERON
W1’S RAMP FROM GABADOR PL
W1’S RAMP
PHYLLIS
NOR EAST & UNKNOWN
LADY MARGARET
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Unknown 14
WIP 2
SIERRA
Unknown 15
TAIRERE
MSA100727 PORT WHAKATANE STERN
Unknown 16

A Woody Tour of the Tamaki River – 70 photos

Todays story so needed to be done, and woodys, John Bullivant is a legend for grabbing his camera and heading out on our behalf. I’ll let John tell his story 🙂

“Thought it was about time I got a few photos on the Tamaki River boats before they disappear, (and they are going fast by the look of some). There are only a fraction of the numbers of wooden boats that were moored there in the 1960s and 1970s and as I previously mentioned, living on the waterfront at Bucklands Beach for around 25yrs I had seen most of them go by (was like Queen St on Friday nights most summer weekends) I did 2 trips down from Orewa and took pics from Panmure Boat Club and up to and under the new Panmure Bridge, end of Gabadore Pl (off Carbine Rd), the old Panmure Marina, (going with many houses from Panmure to Pakuranga Town centre, to make way for new highway widening), along the Tamaki River walkway for about 4km (Rotary Walk,- starts at the old Panmure Marina and goes all the way to Gills Rd in Howick, for those who like walking), Half Moon Bay and Bucklands Beach.

I also went down to the 1960s site of the private ex RNZAF W1  haul-out ramp below the old Alright property (well covered in bush now and a near vertical climb down a 30ft bank), – lost a bit of blood but well worth it for me, as I last stood on that spot 50yrs ago when we sneaked on board W1 to have a look around while she was up there. Original ramp and haul-out dolly is still there (see pics) although time has taken its toll. I’m amazed, looking at the crude set-up today, how Mr Alright got a 64ft boat weighing many tons, sitting on rubber tyred dollies (which ran in grooved concrete) lined up and hauled out with a winch and by the looks of it, the large tree in line with the ramp, not to mention getting it back out again (I’m assuming he must have winched it back out somehow). Massive effort not only to build the ramp on mud, (all by hand, no concrete pumping trucks) but to be able to use it.

Hope these photos are of interest to people who may be able to identify some of the mystery boats (especially the light blue launch with the chrome ventilators and light, (looks ex RNZAF ?). The yacht hidden near the big boatshed is around 45ft looks very old and has been there for many years, as has poor old Imatra, a once grand yacht which is in a very sad state and in urgent need of care (must have been there 30 yrs odd now). I have included a few other launches and yachts to show the sad state of many good looking (and once expensive) boats on the river crying out for attention, but I guess many people have other priorities and sadly their dreams are just floating slowly into oblivion. It’s pretty hard to get rid of a rusty rotten hulk, so there they will stay till it’s “business time” (flight of the Conchords) for the 20 ton digger.

I may have some of the boats names wrong as I was using a telephoto lens for most of the pics and with enhancing colour, contrast etc was as near as I could get. I’m sure someone will correct any if wrong.”

NOTE: With the photos that John has named, I have tagged the photos with those names. Scroll over the photos to view the names 😉
I could have used the individual images on WW over an extended period, but they need to be together in one spot. Enjoy 🙂

Eileen Patricia Restoration Update

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1933

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2014

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2019

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EILEEN PATRICIA RESTORATION UPDATE

Last Sunday we went for a drive out west, well more nor-west, to Helensville. The destination being Marco Scuderi’s classic boat yard to view the almost complete 1933 Arnold Couldrey designed and built motor launch Eileen Patricia.
EP first appeared on WW back in November 2014 as Linden  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/11/9603/  and then she was desperately crying out for a new owner. With the help of Nathan Herbert we identified that she was previously named Eileen Patricia and in her as launched style was a very pretty woody. I encouraged any Woodys looking for a project to step-up.
Peter Mence did just that and quickly purchased her and trucked her off to Marco’s shed. Fast forward 4+years and a launch date is looking imminent. As you would expect from Marco, Peter and Jenny the standard of work is just faultless – some would say OTT but not me – EP is perfect in every way.
So today we have a sneak peek at her as she nears completion. I didn’t take a lot of photos as we will save that for the launching.
Also got to catch up with the other projects Marco has underway – an almost total rebuild of a Riva Super Aquarama (the varnish work on her is amazing) + a new build of a Rozinate day sailer (photos below) and the next cab off the rank – the 1906 Logan 38′ A-Class Keeler – Victory A8.

HELP WANTED – Does anyone have one of the below in their shed?

Woody Baden Pascoe is looking for one to fit a 16′ dinghy.

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Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 2019 Photo Gallery

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Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 2019 Photo Gallery

For the first time in yonks I missed this years Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, but thanks to the Jason Prew and Rod Prosser we get to see a cool collection of photos from the day ( 9th February 2019) . As always it is a huge day with a diverse collection of craft fronting up for the parade and most event picnic. It would have to be one of the most fun woody events on the calendar.
As always – click photos to enlarge – Enjoy 🙂
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Auckland Is So Close To Having a World Class Working Traditional Boatyard – But Also So Close To Stuffing It Up

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Auckland Is So Close To Having a World Class Working Traditional Boatyard – But We Are Also So Close To Stuffing It Up
The hottest topic around the waterfront & has been for way too long is – what’s happening with the Percy Vos yard. Everyone has a different story & reckons their version is fact.
All I can tell you is that we are dangerously close to mucking it up. It is almost a joke, the issue has been around for over 15+ years, I have reproduced below a submission that was produced back in Feb 2005……… thats exactly 14 years ago. It shows what the yard could look like & examples of successful working wooden boat yards.
So woodys the question today is – whats wrong with Auckland Council and its many public facing departments? They do some wonderful work across the city & at times move fast e.g. they decided what the America’s Cup bases will look like & approved them in a few years – so why is this project dragging on?
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