Category Archives: Boat Sheds

Shemara + Laughing Lady in the spotlight

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SHEMARA

The photo above shows the ketch Shemara being launched in Wellington 0n the 9th August 1958, it looks a very miserable day – the wee girl I’m sure would rather be elsewhere. Photo ex Lew Redwood > fb.

Do we know what became of Shemara?

Input below from Gavin Pascoe

I own Sherama. She’s moored at Clyde Quay Wellington. 23′ LOA but feels more like 26 or 28′. She was Roydon Thomas’s first design. Built by Frank Ballinger. That’s him with his two sons Peter and Trevor, who are both still active boating in Wellington. She’s an awesome boat, Australian hardwood to the waterline, Alaskan cedar above. There’s footage of her being hauled up to Grafton Road prior to her launching (plus other cool footage) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hSB9RWMMlw&t=29s. Many, many stories go with both the boat and Roydon Thomas. Stories of Roydon Thomas’ exploits are legion. Some clean ones may be read here: https://thomasfamilyhistorynz.wordpress.com/

Shemara was never ketch rigged. People would call her a sloop as she carries one main and one jib at a time. However her mast is stepped quite well aft in comparison with most sloops, and therefore strictly speaking is more accurately described as a cutter. Though I’m no expert in the finer points of these matters: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155263975080674&set=pcb.10155263977035674&type=3&theater and https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155191194915674&set=pcb.10155191195575674&type=3&theater

And speaking of miserable days – the November 1963 photo below of the Oriental Bay boat harbour in Wellington, is proof of why they build such sturdy vessels so down there 🙂

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Not often a classic woody graces the cover of a NZ boating mag

When you are out & about, pick up a copy of the May issue of Boating NZ, they feature Laughing Lady, post launching at the Mahurangi Regatta. Great story & photos. You can see / read about her restoration > launching at the link below (lots of links to stories). There is also a feature on my boat builder friend, Geoff Bagnall, another great reason to grab a copy 😉

LAUGHING LADY – 1949 33’ USA LUDERS – COMMUTER / SPORT MOTOR BOAT REFURBISHED IN NEW ZEALAND

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Manu Tai

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MANU TAI

The photo above of Manu TAI on this slip at Balaena Bay, Wellington is dated 1920’s & comes to us via Lew Redwood’s facebook page.

Interested to uncover more on this vessel.

Harold Kidd Input – MANUTAI was a 28 footer built by W A Smith and J A Westward for themselves in Dcember 1914. She had a 4 cylinder Kermath. Later owned by F Kiernan.

 

The Tyne Street Boatshed

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The Tyne Street Boat Shed – Oamaru

On recent jaunt down south Fiona Driver & Rod Marler discovered The Tyne St Boiat Shed in Oamaru, the shed is the home of the the Friendly Bay Boat Society. Their tagline is “For the use & appreciation of Classic & Traditional Boats & Boating in Oamaru” – nice!

The photos above show a wonderful collection of classic woodys in various degrees of condition. What a wonderful facility to have, I would love to see Auckland’s  Vos Shed be like this.

The photos below show a 43’ Millar & Tunnage built vessel that is powered by a Kelvin diesel currently being restored by the owner, looks a big project but she is in a great location for the work.

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Photos Of 1904 Logan Yacht – Ariki Back In The Water

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PHOTOS OF 1904 LOGAN YACHT – ARIKI BACK IN THE WATER

After an 8-month refit at Okahu Bay, Auckland, the 1904 Logan Bros. classic yacht Ariki was dropped back into the water yesterday at Westhaven.

Still needs the stick & rigging but she looks a treat.

You can see / read more on the refit here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/14/ariki-restoration/

(photos ex one of my waterfront spies 🙂  )

 

 

 

Royal Falcon Restoration

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ROYAL FALCON RESTORATION 

Some news on the 38’ Cox & Filmer 1934 built bridge decker – Royal Falcon from her owners Steve & Colette Pople.

Having languished on the Waipuna River for the last 10 years and now 20 – 25 years behind in maintenance its owners have moved her into a shed at Waipuna.

They have a long road ahead of them, as they plan to almost completely rebuild from the deck up plus some hull work. I’m very pleased to say they have already removed the flying bridge, due to rot, and intend to return the exterior to its 1940 shape as per the WW photo at Mansion House Bay Kawau Island (see below).

RF’s engine, a Commer TS3 has already had extensive work done it but is being further worked on by TS3 specialist Mark Erskine and will be good for another 20 years.

WW will follow this project & keep to updated.

You can read more on her here, make sure you read the comments section – lots there    https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/22/royal-falcon/

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15-07-2018 Update ex Steve Pople – photos below

The stern tube has been rebored to remove the 20 mm whip in the shaft, apparently from when the cockpit extension went on.

She has had 47 broken ribs replaced with new spotted gum steamed in ribs, and we have nearly finished replacing 1800 copper nails and roves !!

Engine beds have been replaced, and a new anchor locker and bulkheads are about to me made.

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And a couple of photos ex the NZ Herald , as she was launched – very smart looking launch.

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Yard Visit Update – 27-06-2019

I dropped into the Leader Boat Yard today to see how RF was coming along – boatbuilder Dave and owner Steve, gave me a ‘guided’ tour. The boat has been completely gutted and her cabin top removed. Lots of new ribs and almost 100% re-rivated, then the hull has been splined and glassed. New decking and beltings are complete and you will see from the photos below the new bulkheads – don’t panic about the height, once the engine is reinstalled these will be trimmed to size. The yard / boat shed is situated on the Panmure River waterfront.

We will be following this project – its estimated to be approx. 2 years before splash date.

If she looks longer than in so of the b/w photos above, thats because 6′ was added to her stern – many years ago.

Royal Falcon is a very lucky boat – not just in having Steve Pople as an owner – she was once owned (briefly) by ‘Tom The Torch’, so that was a lucky escape 😉

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Update 24-07-2019 – reconditioned engine (& box) ready & waiting

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Update 21-09-2020 Photos below ex owner Steve Pople , as found in the vessel’s log + one from the Andy Donovan collection

Manaia – Launch Day + Volvo Race Start

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MANAIA – Launch Day

The above photos of Manaia were sent to me by Paul Drake – I’ll let Paul tell the story behind them.

“The first four I took on launching day. I was 15 and in the midst of School Certificate. No exam that day, so off I went on my bike from home in Balmoral, camera in my bag. 

In the second pic, Capt. Warwick Dunsford can be seen in charge on the foredeck (white boiler suit and black beret). 

In the third pic, Percy Vos himself is clearly recognizable just by the fore foot. 

The last two photos I have had since the 1960’s & most likely come from the camera of TW Collins. Great photos, especially the one from the port quarter, and show MANAIA at work.

MANAIA is certainly very original, but note that the stem now has an unattractive (to me) hook near the top. Much better straight in my view.  Also note unusual chine aft. Double ender but hard chine aft. That’s why she can do 15 knots if required!

MANAIA was about the last of the large wooden pilot vessels built for New Zealand ports. About the same time as AKARANA and 10 years after TIAKINA (Wellington – and also a Collings design). TIAKINA of course built in England and steamed out via Suez Canal.”

You can see photos of Manaia today, looking very smart & read extensive details on her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/01/26/manaia/

 

Volvo Round-the-World Yacht Race -Auckland Start

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Photos Below In The Order They Passed North Head

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And a couple of Woodys amongst the sea of plastic boats

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Peter Boardman – Lady Margaret

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Angus Rogers – Mahanui

Riwaka Wharf

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Riwaka Wharf 

The collection of photos above was sent in by my friend John Burland taken at the Riwaka Wharf, located between Motueka & Kaiteriteri. John commented that Aurora II has been in the channel at Mapua & Royal Saxton (one of my all time favorites) is often at Kaiteriteri Wharf.

Will be interesting to know what is hiding under the boat cover. The (to quote JB) ‘Disney World > Boats of the Future’ boat is c1950 & would have to be an ex life boat ? maybe off the sunken (1986) Russian cruise liner – Mikhail Lermontov.

Input from Brian M – Boat under cover is the “Rhonda Marie”. Wee clunker next to Royal Saxon is “West Bay. Life raft is “Jelly Bean”.
“Kairaki” with blue tarp over cockpit. “Mariner” with 2 masts. Pilot looking boat is the “Ponui”.                                                                                                                                                                     

Input from Ken Ricketts – the last photo (bridgedecker with cover across front windows) is Varlene (previously Lady Sunshine) a Supreme Craft build. Also pictured Ken thinks is Al Marie (or La Marie) in the small strip of photos, 3rd for left.   

Input From Paul Drake

Great to see PONUI in such good condition (photos 6 and 7). Named for Ponui Island, she is a 1907 Logan and was advertised For Sale in the Feb 3, 1912 New Zealand Yachtsman for 700 pounds. She became Napier’s pilot boat until 1950 when she appeared at Lake Taupo and worked commercially until the mid 1960’s. She then went to the top of the South Island (by sea from Napier) before going to the Kaipara Harbour where she continued to work commercially. She appeared on Trade Me in more recent years and was spotted departing Onehunga heading back to the South Island as deck cargo on a coastal ship. She is mentioned in the book ‘U-boat in New Zealand Waters’ – the story of U 862’s war patrol off Gisborne and Napier in 1945. PONUI was observed through the U boat’s periscope leading the coaster PUKEKO out of Napier harbour. (Some hours later, a torpedo was fired at PUKEKO but missed). 

One of my favourite boats. Photos below:

First pic – PONUI when she was the Napier pilot boat. 

Second and third pic – at Taupo, where she was a busy commercial boat. The third pic shows her on the beach at Waihaha in the Western Bays. 

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Woody Jet Boat

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Woody Jet Boat

Including the words ‘jet boat’ in the story headline could be slightly off putting to some, but today’s boat just ticks so many boxes it was an automatic Monday story.

The hull design is inspired by a picture on the workshop manual for the Hamilton Jet Rainbow unit, and is typical of the period of the unit (1956).
The jet unit has been completely rebuilt, including all new gaskets and bearings, and a freshly rebuilt impellor.
The engine is a 1956 Ford 100E Prefect (which the Rainbow unit was designed for). It has been professionally re-conditioned, was re-sleeved, and has new pistons, valves, bearings, oil pump, gaskets etc. All major parts that were re-used (block, head and crank) were crack tested before being re-machined. I.e. No expensive was spared.
The engine is cooled by a modern savage heat exchanger and runs a modern sand filter.
The 12’ hull has an aluminum planning surface (to aid longevity) but is otherwise constructed mainly of recycled kahikatea, rimu, Southland beech and kauri. The sides are Fijian kauri marine ply.
The Art Deco style trailer is a work of art, it was custom built by Ted Sagar of Rivercraft Marine exclusively for this boat.

She was launched in 2007. Her owner has another project planned, shed space is required, so now is the chance for someone else to own this little beauty.

You can view / read more on the original build at the Jet Boating NZ website – link below
http://www.jbnz.co.nz/yabbse/index.php?topic=10897.0

And I want the truck – always had a soft spot for the Willys Wagons.

My Big Woody Adventure – Trinidad

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My Big Woody Adventure 

Several months ago David Cooke tapped me on the shoulder & asked if I would like to join Barbara & himself aboard their 1965 Salthouse built classic motor-yacht, Trinidad, on the first leg of their circumnavigation of New Zealand – Bay of Islands (East Coast of the North Island) > down the West Coast to Picton (top of the South Island). The short answer was hell yes.

Fast forward to Saturday January 20th 2018 & the Cooke’s, myself & Jamie Hudson (owner of near sister ship – Lady Crossley) are having our last land based dinner at the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club. Very appropriate that it was fish & chips. An early night was called & we woke at 5.30am Sunday morning to prepare for departure – photos & trip details below – read on & enjoy the journey – I did 🙂

A slightly different format today – magazine style i.e. photos & copy to support them, have also captioned some. When you are doing 3 hours on 3 hours off watches, food plays a big part of the day – so there are a few food shots. When Barbara deemed I needed to be punished for some misdemeanor she would not tell my what was for dinner & keep me guessing all day. To a serious foodie, that was cruel.

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Dinner at Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club

Final prep – night b4 departure
David explaining to me what a sail looked like
We are off – leaving Whangaroa
Milford Island in the mist
Leaving Whangaroa Harbour

We left Whangaroa early on Sunday (21/01) – approx. 515 nautical miles ahead of us. Conditions were a little damp & a combination of sea mist & low cloud meant we saw little of the Northland coast. In fact North Cape / Cape Regina was only an outline.

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We crossed the top of the North Island mid afternoon. Gave the Pandora Bank a very wide berth & pointed Trinny in a straight line to the South Island. The rain and drizzle continue into the first night but after that it was a dry run. We had a 10>15 knot breeze from NE most of the way & a 2>3m swell. The combination of a steadying sail & a wee headsail worked a treat, not for speed but simply to help steady the rolling motion. When both are set the wheel can be left and Trinny will hold her course.

They say an army marches on its stomach – well the Trinny crew certainly had no complaints with the gallery – we dined well 🙂

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Stunning sunset

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Stunning dawn, off Taranaki

The clock on the GPS says 3:58am & we were just off New Plymouth, the gas well / rig lights being the first thing we had seen other than H2O. Mount Egmont poking thru the clouds / mist. This was the view most days – same > same but very wow.

Lots of dolphins (& the odd shark)

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The crew – Barbara, David, Jamie & myself below

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Closing in on Stephens island at the northern end of the Marlborough sounds, the weather gods smiled on us for the trip across Cook Straight & with the GPS reading 9.6 knots it was a happy crew. It had been a dry trip, so we were hanging out for a cold beer once we had dropped anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound.

We arrived in Resolution Bay at approx. 6pm, a total travel time of close to 60 hrs. And immediately rafted up with friends of Barbara & David’s –  Rob and Mandy Carpenter who own the Warwick designed launch Pandanoosa. When the engine was killed it was so peaceful, but saying that the faultless beat of the 6LX Gardner was quite hypnotic.

I lost the bet on how long the trip would take (only by 45mins) & was forced to wear a bar napkin, take orders and serve drinks while displaying my best manners……….

We had a great night & a superb meal of Blue Cod aboard Pandanoosa.

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Captain Cooke – peeling the potatoes for dinner

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Bay Of Many Coves Resort

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The Crew, brunch & bubbles

We awoke after a great sleep – we had been doing watches of 3 hours on / 3 hours, to the magnificent beauty of The Sounds. It’s just so big & so stunning. The next 2 days were spent mooching around the bays & coves sucking up the scenery(Pickersgill Island, Blumine Island, Endevour Inlet, Anapawa Island). Brunch at the Bay of Many Coves resort was a special treat, as were drinks at Furneaux Lodge.

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This is my pick of the waterfront properties we saw. I will do another WW story soon on the boat sheds – some stunners.

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Cabin boy Jamie doing his morning chores

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A little sad when we had to berth Trinny at the Waikawa Bay marina & clean / pack up. End of the line for Jamie & myself but just the start for the Cooke’s – you can follow their cruise on the Trinidad Travels facebook page – link below

https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cooke.9028/posts/160438894747674

The return journey – I had always wanted to do the Wellington > Auckland scenic train trip, so suggested to Jamie that we took the overnight ferry from Picton > Wellington & caught the train home. A great plan, just had to kill 5 hours in the middle of the night in Wellington. I think Jamie thought Mermaids was a seafood restaurant………..

Train was very cool, a few issues with brakes overheating that extended the travel time – but I would do the trip again.

Highlights:

  1. The crew – Barbara, David & Jamie – perfect mix & just outright 100% nice people
  2. Trinidad – anytime aboard her is a treat, she is such stunning old lady, who has lapped NZ before, crossed the Tasman to Sydney & cruised the Pacific Islands.
  3. The food
  4. The sunsets & dawns off the West Coast of the North Island
  5. Queen Charlotte Sound & Picton town, very cool place to own a woody – I’ll be back.

For the overseas viewers I have included below a few photos of Trinidad, a rather magnificent ship – looking as always very regal. You can see / read more about her here

https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/19/trinidad-52-salthouse-motor-yacht/

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Love the bread maker

Titirangi

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TITIRANGI

Titirangi was built at Titirangi Bay in the Marlborough Sounds in 1925.  Double planked kauri hull that measures 29+ feet & is powered by a 60hp Nissan SD22 diesel.

She is moored at Back Beach, Port Chalmers, Dunedin.

What do we know about Titirangi – who built her?

Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe heads up.

15-01-2021 Update – Titirangi has undergone a refit and according to the Otago Daily Times was recently relaunch. Video link below. The jury is out on the aft editions…….

https://players.brightcove.net/4915776650001/rJepAGlOg_default/index.html?videoId=6221768544001