Category Archives: Boat Sheds

CLASSIC BAY OF ISLNDS FERRY – BAY BELLE GETS A NEW LIFE

Posted on by
2
2024

CLASSIC BAY OF ISLNDS FERRY – BAY BELLE GETS A NEW LIFE

If you’re  on fb I’m sure you would have seen the amazing project Kate Farrant has taken on board – refitting the old (1971>2011) Russell > Pahia ferry into a floating pizzeria. Kate and helpers has spent the past year restoring the 57’, built in 1960 by Deemings Bros – BAY BELLE and recently relaunched her. Link below to a Jan 2024 story from when she was 4sale, lots of photos https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/01/28/bay-belle-party-boat/

At this stage the plan is to base the pizzeria at Rakino Island this summer. And before you comment that there is already one ashore in Woody Bay, the superb pizzeria run by Alf Newton sadly closed permanently at the end of summer 2025. As I have mentioned on WW they were the best pizzas in Auckland.  So its exciting news to learn of Kate’s enterprise – but, big shoes to fill to equal Alf’s creations 🙂

WW has been contacted by a friend of Kate’s Josh Chapman who is in the process of documenting (video) Kate and BAY BELLE’s story and is keen to learn more about the boat’s history. Josh has made a short video to give us a sneak peek at the project.

So woody if you have any information on BAY BELLE, or know of anyone who was involved in building her back in the early 1960s?  leads to former crew, builders, or families connected to her history Josh would like to hear from you – joshchaps78@gmail.com

When Kate’s finished the fit out and up and running we will let you know. I can see a Classic Woodys Cruise to Rakino to celebrate the launch of summer 😉

And below is a reminder of how good Alf Newton’s woody Bay Pizzeria was – make sure you play the video – enjoy https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/01/08/surprise-and-delight-on-rakino-island/

rsvp – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MOOSE – RESTORATION UPDATE #2

Posted on by
Reply

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MOOSE – RESTORATION UPDATE #2

Last Wednesday we did an story on the TCL work boatbuilder Alan Craig had done on the classic wooden launch – ALPHEUS. During the chat with Alan I nudged him for an update on the 28’, 1938, Collings & Bell built – MOOSE restoration, and today woodys we get to share what’s been happening in the Craig Marine shed.

Links below to the previous stories, including the extraction of MOOSE from her lake front boat shed.

WW May 8th https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/08/classic-launch-moose-a-sneak-peek/

WW May 26th https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/26/classic-launch-moose-on-the-move/ As seen in the gallery of photos Moose is well under way. Plenty of rib and rot repairs done and as Alan commented ‘undoing the sins from years of repairs’. 

With the likelihood of a new Yanmar engine, the old unit has come out. The plan is to try and use the existing V drive. 

As MOOSE will end up out on a Jetty most of the time, the cabin roof will be getting a protective layer of f/glass. Alan remarked that while it seems a shame to cover the nice tongue & groove roof, they want MOOSE to live on many more years yet.

Now that she is in a cradle the boatyard team can attack the underside and are starting work on an interior layout. 

DAVEY JONES NEW BOOK QUIZ WINNER – JAMES HUTCHINSON. Congratulations to James, for all those that missed out – copies available at daveyjonesofwakatahuri@gmail.com

FATHERS DAY SORTED FOR ANYONE WITH SALT IN THEIR VEINS

Posted on by
1

FATHERS DAY SORTED FOR ANYONE WITH SALT IN THEIR VEINS

Rarely these days do I pick up a book and can not put it down – well it happened recently. I received an advance copy of Davey Jones just published book – ‘Davey Jones of Wakatahuri’ and its both a cracker read and an amazing account of his boating life and his interaction with the Wakatahuri region. Now I’m sure some of you will be asking yourself ‘ where is that?’ – well its in the outer Pelorus Sound at the top of the South Island, the Marlborough District (refer chart below). The area has been many things to many people – a fish factory, a boatyard, a ship breaking base and a community hub.

Davey Jones arrived at Wakatahuri as a young fisherman in 1956 and still lives there today , on and off when he’s not lapping NZ in his boat.

It’s an additive read that with the help of over 200 photographs will have you hooked. 

And as a bonus – included is a reprint of an equally wonderful read -’Sounds Wrecking Co.’ by Martin Burthold.

So woodys drop a hint to the family re what you want for Fathers Day (Sept 7th) or just order one for yourself – $60+ p&p – all enquiries to daveyjonesofwakatahuri@gmail.com

AND I HAVE A COPY TO GIVE AWAY – just answer correctly the name of the vessel Davey Jones has most recently been lapping NZ on. Enter ONLY via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com all correct entries go in the draw. Closes 6pm 17-08-2023.

AND THERE ALWAYS HAS TO BE A BOAT PHOTO – this is from Davey’s book and shows the work boat MARLBOROUGH PN47, in Picton Harbour c.1929, built by E R Lane. In the background are VALMARIE, at left, and Ernie Lane’s boat shed, the Picton Rowing Club sheds at right. The vessel under repair at Lane’s yard is a lighter from Port Robinson (Gore Bay)

FAMOUS UK SAILOR TOURS NEW ENGLAND – USA

Posted on by
Reply

FAMOUS UK SAILOR TOURS NEW ENGLAND – USA

One of the many classic boating channels I follow is the very popular small dinghy cruising guru Roger Barnes, star of his own highly popular YouTube channel (link below). Roger recently visited the USA, primarily to promote small dinghy cruising at the recent wooden boat show at the Mystic Seaport Museum.

In the 20 minute video Roger gets to sail on numerous cruising dinghies, visits boatyards and mooches around many port towns . The journey started in Maryland, Washington DC.  and finished in Maine. 

Sit back and enjoy a tour of the wooden boating scene in North America, and woodys it’s not all about dinghies 🙂

LINK TO ROGER BARNES YOUTUBE CHANNEL  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtzWwFEMaEVXejzRKgPjPNA

SURPRISE – EX WOODY WHALE CHASER NEEDS RESCUING 

Posted on by
2

SURPRISE – EX WOODY WHALE CHASER NEEDS RESCUING 

WW has recently been contacted by Jeff Giddens concerning the Picton built 36′ ex whale chaser – SURPRISE. 

Jeff owns a boat shed at Mana, Paremata, in Wellington and a fellow resident owns the whale chaser. Jeff commented that the craft has been out of the water for some years and is now for sale. These craft hold a special place in NZ’s Maritime history and any example needs to be saved. See old Sea Spray magazine artice on the history of these craft.
Jeff mentioned that she probably needs some work in the hull, and the project is best suited a retired boatbuilder or the like. There is an engine sitting in place, could possibly be a TS3 Commer, condition unknown.

Any woodys interested in taking on the project can contact Jeff at j.giddens@xtra.co.nz

SUNDAYS CLASSIC WOODY BOAT QUIZ- WINNER/S

This got a little complicated – the plaque on the front – see below, incorrectly ID’ed one of the boats. But this was my base and one woody – Noel Baker, entered with the answer that matched the plaque. Then Ken Ricketts entered with a massive (as he does) entry where he supplied intel that differed from the plaque. Consulted Nathan Herbert re the boat names and the boat names matched KR entry.

So decided that in fairness to both – I’d split the prize – NB gets the OCH cap and KR the WW T-shirt. In regard the split it was based on the physical size of these two gents 🙂

I have added an edited version of KR’s entry to the WW story for those interested. Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/08/10/a-classic-wooden-boat-quiz-win-an-off-center-harbor-cap/

WATERFRONT CLASSIC BOAT DOCKS – FLASHBACK

Posted on by
1

WATERFRONT CLASSIC BOAT DOCKS –  FLASHBACK

Todays woody photos popped up on the Westmere Community fb page (P Stanbrooke) and come to us via Lew Redwood.

The craft are ‘hauled out’ on the foreshore below Marine Parade and dated c.1914.

Sadly the days of being able to store your boat there are long gone, these days its all private jetties and razor wire.

In the late 1960’s this area was one of my boyhood playgrounds, but even then the boats had gone. Probably moved to Westhaven swing moorings.

CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY JANE REMAINS UNSOLD AFTER SINKING INCIDENT

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY JANE REMAINS UNSOLD AFTER SINKING INCIDENT

The classic wooden 34’ launch – LADY JANE appeared recently on fb, it was a being auctioned by Turners Trucks, and hadn’t reached the reserve price when the auction closed. Thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up.

Reading the listing the seller states that the boat and engine ‘had taken on water’ so I assume she is now a member of the submariners club.

For the record the engine in her is a Ford 80hp diesel.

Hard finding a buyer to take on such a craft, even harder when the seller lists it as fibreglass Roy Ford boat……

Lots of chat re designer/builder in the comments section of this July 2020 WW story link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/07/01/lady-jane-3/

And in case you were wondering the highest bid was $5,145, makes you wonder what the reserve was.

UPDATE – NOW SOLD

CLASSIC BOATERS GATHER FOR A SUNNY DAY OF SWAPS AND STORIES

Posted on by
3

CLASSIC BOATERS GATHER FOR A SUNNY DAY OF SWAPS AND STORIES

Saturday delivered a cracker of a day in Auckland – crisp early on, but soon warming into blue skies and sunshine. Ideal conditions for a classic wooden boat gathering, even if this time we stayed firmly on dry land.

The occasion was the (almost annual) Woody Boat Boot Sale held at The Slipway, Milford – and frankly, you’d struggle to find a better venue. A special thanks to Cam Malcolm and Jason Prew for hosting us and for hauling out a few beautiful craft for close-up inspection. It added a real bonus for those who came for more than just shopping.

We had over 18 vendors on site, offering up a treasure trove of marine goods – everything from tiny cleats and chain plates to sails, bronze winches, stoves, and more. From what we saw, plenty of deals were done and everyone left with something – if not in hand, at least with a smile on their face.

It was also great to see so many familiar faces from the classic boating community. Events like this are about more than gear swapping – they’re about connection, community, and strengthening the bonds that keep the wooden boat movement alive and thriving. (photos yours truely & Geoff Fiebig)

Next Up: Mark Your Calendar – September 20th > 21st

Our next gathering is set for September 20th, and this time we’re heading back on the water – cruising up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club for an overnight dockside shindig. Expect a BBQ, live music, and the usual top-notch company. It’s always a highlight – more details to come soon, but lock the date in now.

PAM – OPUA CLASSIC YACHT – What Do We Know About Her

Posted on by
2

PAM – OPUA CLASSIC YACHT – What Do We Know About Her

Trolling thru the WW files on Friday and found the above photos of a classic yacht named PAM that had ‘fallen between the cracks’.

The photo was sent to me back in November 2024 by Dean Wright with the commented ‘ spotted today on the hard at Opua’

And that woodys is all we know about PAM, other than she is quite a stunner.

Anyone able to shed some light on PAM.

04-08-2025 INPUT EX DEAN WRIGHT

From the owner, John Oates of Russell: Stuart Knockabout, imported from the US. Fibreglass version of L. Francis Herreshoff’s 1932 Design. 28′ x 6’11”

https://www.stuartknockaboutllc.com

MYSTERY POND YACHT

WW has been contacted by Matt Blaikie concerning a classic pond yacht named – TANIWHA. Matt is selling for a friend and he commented that it was purchased approx. 30 years ago from an antiques dealer in Wellington, and other than that he knows zero about the model. (1.8m tall and 1.5m approx long)

Any of the woodys interested in pond yachts able to tell us anything from the photos (apologise for the quality)

HIDDEN FOR YEARS – HELP NEEDED IDENTIFYING THIS WOODEN CLASSIC 

Posted on by
2

HIDDEN FOR YEARS – HELP NEEDED IDENTIFYING THIS WOODEN CLASSIC 

Recently WW was sent the above photo from Gabrielle Marris, who was looking for help identifying the craft. Gabrielle’s father had recently passed away and as part of the ’sorting out belongings’ there was a rather large belonging e.g. the boat, stored in a shed. Gabrielle commented that it had been there a long time and her dad had once worked on it with her grandfather.

I shared to photo with a few WW readers and all were in agreement that in another life she would have been a sail boat , this view is supported by the presence of chain plates on her hull. 

Anyone with sharp eyes and a good memory able to tell use the design of the vessel.

For Those That Read WW In the Early Hours, Todays The Woodys Boat Boot Sale at the Milford Slipway yard.

UPDATE – 18 SELLERS ONSITE

Scroll down to Fridays WW story to see a location map.

DATE: SATURDAY 02 AUGUST TIME: 10am > 12pm VENUE: 5 Omana Road, Milford