Category Archives: Boat Sheds

HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

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HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

I have very few regrets in life and only one when it comes to classic wooden boats. What is it ? – not buying the 36’ Arch Logan launch NGAIO when I had the opportunity. BUT – hand on heart, NGAIO went to a better owner, Jan Barraclough.                                    

Over recent years Jan has undertaken what we call a rolling restoration – and the centenarian has never looked better. BUT – there’s my better and Jans better, so currently NGAIO is undergoing a major refit to return her helm / cockpit area closer to as-built allowing for some creature (height) comforts.

Artisan  classic boatbuilder Paul Tingey started on the project this week and no time was wasted in removing her existing ’structure’. Given the presentation of the existing structure, photos below, most of us would have been very happy as is, but not Jan and we admire her for commissioning the work and look forward to the re-launch.

Check in for updates.

20-10-2025 UPDATE – work continues, today we see the reinstatement of a tram-top window to match her earlier style. Also we see the ‘brains’ trust pondering and a photo from her early days.

REVIVING A CLASSIC – INSIDE LEADER BOATBUILDERS AS FANTASIA PREPARES TO LAUNCH

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REVIVING A CLASSIC – INSIDE LEADER BOATBUILDERS AS FANTASIA PREPARES TO LAUNCH

Back in November 2023 I was mooching around Leader Boatbuilders on the Panmure River and Dave Patterson showed me around the 36’ 1968 (possibly 1963), Harry Biddle built (to a Crestcraft design)  launch FANTASIA . Link to the 2023 story here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/16/fantasia/

Today thanks to Mark McLaughlin’s visit to the shed last week and his guided tour from Ken we get to see what’s been happening to FANTASIA in the last 3 years. If I recall she came into the shed for a paint job, and now look at her – close to relaunching after an extensive refit 🙂 We love companion selling e.g. “Would You Like Frys With That?”

Mark commented that the new hull colour gets his tick of approval and I agree. We need more colour afloat – the bias for white-on-white must make Coastguards work a challenge .

Photos below from the past and prior to entering the shed + 2023 work in progress.

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – I understand that these were Customcraft. Crestacraft were fibreglass trailer boats

LOOKING FOR INTEL ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH GRAHAM JOHN > WLLIAM STEER > HIPPOCAMPUS

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As Launched – 36′
Possibly 2022
Possibly post 2022 and named Hippocampus

LOOKING FOR INTEL ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH GRAHAM JOHN > WLLIAM STEER > HIPPOCAMPUS

Back in Nov 2022 we ran a story on the the launch – WILLIAM STEER, via the WW comments section and numerous fb  pages we have learnt that she was built by Don Clarke in the late 1950’s in Motueka and launched in c.1961. As launched she was 36’ in lengthened powered by a Ford 6 cyl. diesel engine. Shortly afterwards she was acquired by the Drummond family in Golden Bay, who changed her name to GRAHAM JOHN. The Drummonds extended her (6’) and repowered her. She ‘worked’ as a scallop boat. 

Unsure of the dates but ownership changed to the McFedries family, father Don and son Brett had we in the Tasman Bay / Marlbourgh Sounds region.

In 2022 we learnt that the boat was owned by Hagar Parvin (purchased off Don McFedries)who had renamed her HIPPOCAMPUS and was  undertaking refit.

Colin Starines (nephew of Don C) once commented that he has no record of the boating being named WILLIAM STEER, would be nice to clarify that.

Can anyone update WW on where the launch is now  – Napier?

INPUT ex MIKE O’DWYER – Hippocampus is now owned by Mark Parvin, who, with the help of his father Peter, resheathed the hull in ply/glass. The rest of the boat was brought up to a weather-tight condition as well. The boat is currently moored on the piles by the Napier Sailing Club.

And FYI the ex- Greymouth Pilot boat William Steer was moored here in Napier a while back. The owner at the time was converting to live aboard. Up North somewhere last I heard.

WATERFRONT HAPPENINGS 

News this week that the Auckland wooden boat festival is returning in 2026 to the viaduct. Dates are March 13 >15th. More details at the event web site  https://www.aucklandwoodenboatfestival.co.nz/

Organisers are looking for suitable classic wooden craft for inclusion, application process / form on the website.

Links below to WW coverage of the 2024 event https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/03/04/77770/

https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/03/05/auckland-wooden-boat-festival-off-the-water-gallery/

A 1908 CLASSIC WOODEN LAKE BOAT – LOGAN LINEAGE ? + 2026 WOODEN BOATING EVENT CALENDAR

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A 1908 CLASSIC WOODEN LAKE BOAT – LOGAN LINEAGE ? + 2026 WOODEN BOATING EVENT CALENDAR

Todays classic wooden launch is named – RICHMOND ROSE, and has recently made an appearance on tme (thanks Ian McDonald).

The story goes that she was built in 1908 by Logan, is 26’ in length and powered by a ‘well’ mounted Yamaha 9.9hp 4stroke outboard.

Sadly her kauri planks have been glassed over. Home is Lake Rotoiti

I suspect a name change at some stage as in/around the 1908 period most Logan launches were ‘canoe stern / double enders’.

A search of Harold Kidd and Robin Elliott’s book The Logans’ drew a blank.

So woodys can we learn more about this classic wooden launch and confirm her design / builder and year.

PUT THESE WOODYS DATES IN YOUR 2026 DIARY

RESTORATION OF THE SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – NANCY LEE

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RESTORATION OF THE SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – NANCY LEE

Another woody story from my new hunting ground, the ‘Memories of Abel Tasman National Park’ fb page.

Todays classic wooden launch is named NANCY LEE and the photos come to us from a Sept 2020 fb post by Darryl Wilson, via John Burland.

At the time of the post the NANCY LEE was under going a restoration at the hands of Marc Wilson and Craig Hyland,the location of the work was Port Motueka Marine Services. Looks like a big labour commitment taking her back to bare wood.

Then in 2021 Margaret posted an update, as seen in the 4th photo above, but commented that there was a wee way to go before she is back in the Riwaka Estuary.

Can we learn what happened after 2021, did she get finished and if so where is NANCY LEE now.

AND PROMISE – NO MORE Abel Tasman stories for a while 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH JUDITH AIMEE HAULED FOR SOME TLC 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH JUDITH AIMEE HAULED FOR SOME TLC 

Back in April 2024 42’ classic wooden launch – JUDITH AMIEE made a cameo appearance on WW and the story generated a lot of chat re her past and photos from c.1960 , linked below – .https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/07/04/judith-aimee-classic-wooden-launch/

jUDITH AIMEE was built at the Percy Vos shed in 1966 to drawings from Ken McCormick. 

Today thanks ro Alan Sexton we get a up close and out of water look at her while recently hauled out at Robertson Boats in Warkworth.

GETTING SHIPSHAPE FOR THE WOODYS CLEVEDON CRUISE THS WEEKEND

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GETTING SHIPSHAPE FOR THE WOODYS CLEVEDON CRUISE THS WEEKEND
Guests aboard the 55’ spirit of tradition classic woody motorsailer – ALLERGY , often marvel at the seemingly bottomless supply of rum, well woodys a recent visit to the Slipway Milford revealed the secret –  Captain Dave has the boating equivalent of a wine cellar.

Joking aside its not too late to join in this weekends Classic Woody Cruise to the CLEVEDON CRUISING CLUB for an overnight dockside BBQ – RSVP NOW to  waitematawoodys@gmail.com for details.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD READ / GIFT


If you’re like me and find most fishing websites and magazine articles a little to fisher bloke talking to fisher bloke, Al Brown’s new book HOOKED is a great guide and reference tool + some easy recipes.  To quote the back cover  ‘Learn how to tie knots, bait hooks, cast lures, and fillet and cook your catch’. No glossy photos , its all illustrations and line drawings – primary audience is children and adults like me. At $35 its a bargain and if you are an expert – its the perfect gift for a grandchild or someone new to the sport. FYI – my local bookshop sold out in 24 hrs.

RSVP – boat name to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

RESCUED YET AGAIN – THE CLASSIC LAUNCH NANA

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RESCUED YET AGAIN – THE CLASSIC LAUNCH NANA

I decided to lead off todays photos with a great looking photo of the classic wooden launch – NANA , why? While most of the many WW stories on NANA show her either damaged and close to being broken up or during a restoration. They say cats have 9 lives, well NANA most have been a cat in another life because I do not think there is vessel on WW that has had as much misfortune as NANA has. Use the WW search panel to view her eventful past.

But today is a good story day – first some info on NANA – was designed by C. Bailey Jnr. &  built by C. Bailey & Sons for Mr F Alison of Matiatia, Waiheke Island in1934 & launched in late November / December. She is 35′ with a 8′ beam & a 3′ draft. She was very quick in her early days e.g. 17 knots.

In June 2023 WW was ran an SOS story looking for a new custodian and John Woodcock stepped up to the plate and took ownership of NANA and commenced the restoration. Aside from the electrical work John has / is undertaking the work himself , with help from a few friends. The plan is to have her back in the water by Christmas.I’m sure a few woodys will be asking the question – why has this launch been ’saved’ from the back-hoe so many times, well the answers simple – 1. She’s a Bailey and that makes her special 2. She’s a drop dead looker.

So woodys enjoy the peek into John’s work and be grateful that there are still folks like John prepared to do the hard yards and save some of our fine classics.

Over the weekend I received the photos below of a Lidgard yacht named NAOMA that was cut up at the Milford Cruising Club Auckland yard last week – story goes the owner just ran out of $$, time and motivation. Made a cameo appearance on WW back in April 2025.https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/13/what-happened-to-the-classic-wooden-yacht-naoma/

IN SEARCH OF THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KALAMERA

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IN SEARCH OF THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KALAMERA

Todays woody story comes to us from Denis O’Callahan via the November 1958 edition of Sea Spray magazine.One of the craft featured was the 34’ motor launch KALAMERA, built c.1958 by Alan (Snow) Water in Takapuna, Auckland. She was built for a gent named Jack Bennent of Paeroa. Her intended home port/s was listed as Coromandel /Whangamata, where she was to be used primarily for sport fishing.

Built of single skin (full length) 1″ kauri carvel planks, her specs were 34 x 10’6” x 3’6”.

When launched a 40hp Ford diesel powered her and given her size, gave a respectable 9 knots.

The question today woodys is what became of her post launching – did she get to Coromandel, and where has she been since. Maybe a name change. Keen to learn more.

AHEADS UP ON THE POPULARITY OF WAITEMATAWOODYS.COM

Just received the latest report on the visitation / viewing numbers for the month of August. 

VISITORS – UP 13%

VIEWS – UP 84% – The highest month ever, a WW record.

Great growth with Australian readers – has been climbing for the last 3 months – 385%+ growth and maintaining the new readers. Still can’t crack the UK market 😦  get better numbers out of Italy ✓

Thanks for logging in each day. And as always please send in any woody related content.

BAY OF ISLANDS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – WAIREKA

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PRE HAIRCUT

BAY OF ISLANDS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – WAIREKA

Last week WW ran a story on a Chris Robertson designed launch named – ROAM, the story prompted Desiree and David Stuart to contact WW with more intel on what Desiree described as the Chris Robertson ‘Fast Cruiser”. 

We will do a separate story tomorrow on the launch KAREMOANA (sister ship to WAIREKA) that appeared  in the June 1968 issue of Seaspray magazine.

Today is all about the Stuart’s launch – WAIREKA. The Stuart family are Kerikeri boatbuilders (D&D Boatbuilding – Waipapa) and WAIREKA is there personal craft.

I’ll let Desiree tell the story – 

“We have been told that WAIREKA is the last of 5 of five of Chris Robertson vessels built, launched in 1974. Four were built in quick succession, by both Chris and Brin Wilson, however, we have no evidence of a launch date, just that she is clearly built by Chris. (There are some aesthetic aspects that are clearly his and routinely appear on his other builds.)

WAIREKA’s history as we know it – Owned by ourselves, and previously in partnership with our late uncle, Duncan “Cookie” Stuart, prior to that Jack and Carol Rogers, prior to that Bob and Beryl Harkin  – the trail then runs cold.

We know that WAIREKA was built when Chris Robertson was based next to Salthouse – on Target Rd? She was launched with her flying bridge which was most def. from a Mark 1 Corsair. (Now in the bin).

She’s had a lot of love lavished on her (my bank account says way too much) since coming into our ownership, but what can you do, she’s part of the family 🙂

WAIREKA is currently out of the water for engine (2725 Otosan Ford) and drive-train (Velvet Drive) work – she should be heading back into the water in the Bay of Islands, later this month.”

WAIREKA has made a couple of cameo appearances on WW, first back in January  2014 at Patio Bay, Waiheke Island and then in January 2025 in the Bay of Islands in a cruising report from Dean Wright.

JAN 2014 WAIHEKE IS.
JAN 2025 – B.O.I.
RSVP – boat name to waitematawoodys@gmail.com