Then in December 2023 we had a note from Mark with some photos of a rather smart helm chat he was building and advice that the project was still underway but any boating in the summer of 2023/24 was not a happening thing.
Back in June 2025 after chatting with Mark he sent in todays photos with the promise of some ‘almost finished’ ones, so I held off. Sadly the promised photos never arrived so after a year I post the above and fingers crossed this bumps Mark into an update 🙂
MYSTERY TIM WINDSOR DESIGNED CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH
Recently the prolific fb poster Lew Redwood has been sniffing around the Maritime Museum photo archives and has discovered ( I use that term because so much of the museums treasures are ‘hidden away’ ) a treasure trove to old b/w boating images from the 1940’s.
Today thanks to Lew we get to see a 26’ classic wooden launch that was designed by Tim Windsor and built at the Shipbuilders yard in Auckland.
The photo is dated 1948 and the photographer is most likely Tim Windsor.
Can we put a name to this classic wooden launch and learn what became of her.
I regularly rave on about the virtues of the USA based video blog – OFF CENTER HARBOR, it is subscription based but if you need an example of value for money check out this video on the building of the plank-on-frame wooden launch – MAGGIE-ANN.
Todays video is a snapshot of the projects, accumulating with launch day. OCH ran a 44 part series on master boat builder Peter Buxton’s A>Z build.
This video is just one of over 500 in the library that subscribers have access to. OCH is the worlds leading reference tool for advice, direction and enlightenment for everything wooden boating.
Back in January 2023 Shamus Fairhead sent in some photos from a visit to the Nelson Marina, included were the two colour photos of the launch KANONA, as above.
At the time Mark McLaughlin commented that KANONA was built in Havelock by Sonny Johnson in the early 1960’s and was used until the early 1970’s by the Johnson family for the mail run there. She was then used as a commercial passenger boat out of Havelock under different owners (Eric Huddleston was one, there may have been more) until the mid 1990’s when she was sold to Nelson.
The flying bridge and cockpit dodger roof and covers are additions since her time in Nelson. I travelled on her once on the way home from a high school camp in the Sounds and she is quite fast.
Today thanks to a post by Glenn Howard via Lew Redwood we get to see KANONA on her launch day. Mark’s comment re the launch being quite fast is backed up this photo, her hull has a lot of similarities to the old whale chasers – refer photo below.
Todays woody photo recently popped up on TIMESPANNER – with the following caption – “Interior view of a boatbuilder’s workshop from ground to ceiling, possibly the Bailey & Lowe yard at Sulphur Beach, Northcote, including six men working on two different yachts, with wooden scaffolds, sawhorses and ladders.” c.1920’s >1930’s. Not sure if the photographer is a James D Richardson or whether he posited the photo on the site.
The photo originally came from the Auckland Libraries heritage collection.
Any of the woody community able to shed more light on the photo. I could be wrong (normally are) but the craft in the background has in my eyes more of a launch look to her.
The ID the gents on the game launch – PIRATE, quiz last week was Bay of Islands woody Dean Wright (MV ARETHUSA).Deans entry was – “Maybe one of the early Bay of Islands International Billfish Tournaments – Jim Whitelaw on the helm, George Woller playing the fish. Those style of shirt you used to see teams in the Hawaian International Billfish Tournament out of Kona wearing them. George Woller had the charter boat Leilani that Jim Whitelaw used to skipper, so if it is him, this must have been pre that time.
Today we have an an update from Tobias Forsyth on his rebuild of the 24’ Sam Ford built (1954) classic wooden launch – AVALON. Tobias words below
“Avalon now has a brand new cabin top sitting on her, all the cabinetry is finished, glass templates are with the glazier and only the final coat of awlwood to go now after many many coats applied everywhere, I have gone through many litres of the liquid gold. I found some beautiful big pieces of the real deal old mahogany veneer from an old cabinet maker on trade me, so I have skinned all the doors to make it look a bit more pleasing to the eye.”
Tobias has promised another update in early July when he is back in country.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAINDANCE – Saved, Restored and Ready For The Next 100 Years
One of the better kept secrets in the classic boating community is that approx. 6 weeks ago the classic wooden launch RAINDACE while entering the Wairua Creek (Milford Marina) had a mishap, best described as a stroke of bad luck, or as a race car enthusiast friend commented “just like black ice on the road”.
Having passed the two marked navigation hazards and entering the actual creek , a rogue wave picked RAINDANCE up and deposited her on the rock bank under the cliffs (northern side).
When the wave died – the stern came down with a wallop and later discovered – damaged most things bolted / fastened on. Primary issue was the rubber shoe was bent up and stopping the prop turning + rudder and shaft weren’t functioning. End result no power and no steering.
The two things that stopped her sinking was (1) the rocks are boulders, so round versus sharp (2) The quick response of the lads at The Slipway Milford and the marina maintenance crew who arrived within 10 minutes to tow her off.
I’m only interested in the end result, the past is the past , but she was out for 6 weeks and all the talents / services of The Slipway Milford were utilised – advice, boatbuilding, engineering & painting + Moon Engines rebuilt the gearbox. A few sad photos below.
Also ook the opportunity to refresh a lot of other ares, still working on the interior. Thanks to a supportive insurance company – IAG – RAINDANCE lives on to celebrate her 100th birthday in 18 months.
Been a stressful 6 weeks, apologise for any slow replies to WW, to be honest there were days I lacked the motivation to write about someone elses boat, so we got there 🙂
LOVING YOUR CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT TO DEATH – Electro-chemical Destruction / Underwater Rot
The most referenced topic on waitematawoodys is the numerous articles by Chris McMullen on the topic of electro – chemical destruction / underwater rot.
In addition to the on-line searches, I would get 2>3 emails a week. I point them in the right direction, but knowing most people are lazy and don’t read long copy – I normally finish by saying “its simple do not bond and throw away your zincs”. Sadly I would estimate 50% do not follow the advice. Next time I see a photo of their woody hauled out they say “I just have a small one on the prop shaft and rudder”. I normally delete their ph number from my contacts list. A wee tip – if you own an iPhone you can set the phone to only ring if the caller is in your contacts list. What happens is the call automatically goes to answer ph without ringing.
Back in early 2025 the 1967 Owen Woolley built 32’ classic wooden launch AWARIKI underwent a re-fit at the Slipway Milford yard, the work included the removal of her small flybridge ✔️ – Links to the work below + a 2025 photo of her at The Slipway Milford, waiting on the tide.
Alan Sexton was mooching around the Sandspit Yacht Club yard recently and spotted AWARIKI in the tent getting some TLC, including a bottom shave and new antifouling. During the work the team doing the work uncoveredsome soft wood issues around the shaft log which have been repaired, the boat builder commented to Alan that it was similar to the problems found on TAREE. Maybe a common Woolley issue.
Nice to see that the new owners of AWARIKI arecontinuingthe TLC thatprevious owner Kerry Lilley did during his tenure.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MATAROA RETURNS HOME& GETS SOME TLC
In late 2023 the Wooden Boat Bureau brokered the sale of the 1928 Joe Slattery, 36′ classic wooden launch – MATAROA. Named KENYA when launched. At the time she was berthed in Wellinton and her new owner relocated (by road transporter ) the vessel to Auckland.
Fast forward to 2025 she was transported by road to the South Auckland (inland) yard of Burnand marine for a birthday.
Thanks to John Dawson’s eagle eye on fb we get to have a gander at the work and her re-launch in November 2025.
Its always a win win when we get a good looking woody coming home to the Waitemata ✔️
A selection of previous MATAROA WW stories here, lots of photos and history
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