Category Archives: Designers & Builders

PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below + Riverhead Cruise

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PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2020 we ran a short story on the 33’ launch Pursuit – at the time we uncovered she was deigned by Max Carter. Link to that story belowWW Feb 2020  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/02/18/pursuit/

In late 2023 Pursuit popped up on tme , thank you Ian McDonald, and thanks to that we get to have a gander below.

Pursuit was built c.1964 from double diagonal kauri , then in the 1990’s she was glassed.

Her forward motion is via a Lees Ford 100hp diesel engine that gives a comfortable cruising speed of 7 knots.

Hopefully she found a new owner and fingers and toes crossed that the ‘block of flats’ on top has a appointment booked at the barbers 🙂

REMEMBER – YARD SALE AT TE ATAU BOATING CLUB SATURDAY

NGATIRA REFIT UPDATE

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NGATIRA REFIT UPDATE

Back in June 2016 Steve Horsley was on the verge of selling his 1904 Charles Bailey Jnr built 49’ B-Class gaffer – Ngatira, link below to that story. Thankfully he didn’t and not long after he hauled her home onto the front lawn for a few wee jobs. June 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/06/14/20032/

As so often happens the To Do list kept growing and next thing Steve’s into a total refit. Long term WW readers will remember Steve previously rebuilt Ngatira almost single handed. He is a seriously talent man and puts a lot of ’tradesman’ to shame.

I caught up with Steve over the weekend at the Mahurangi Regatta, Steve is a past commodore of the Mahurangi Cruising Club and produces their stunning year book.

I asked Steve how the few wee jobs were coming along and he shared the above photos. Ngatira is now closed in and the varnish (Uroxsys) is getting applied. 

Steves gifted with a very considerate wife – Jo, not many would up up with a 1904 collection of kauri planks to remain at the front door for several years 🙂

I was brave and asked for an ETA back in the water – all I could get was soon Houghty, soon 🙂

23-09-2024 UDATE – Its been a long winter but owner Steve reports that its all down hill now and he will be splashing this summer – fingers crossed.

ELUSIVE – A Peek Down Below + 4sale

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ELUSIVE – A Peek Down Below + 4sale

I talk often on WW about some classic woodys being lucky in terms of their owners over the years – the 1963 Claude Smith 30′, E-Class yacht – Elusive (E75) is one such craft, enjoying 33 years of continuous ownership.

Elusive was designed and built by Allen Smith at his boatyard on Riverside Drive in Whangarei , Northland as his own yacht She was a very successful yacht in her first season winning many races, in fact probably every race entered.

• OYC 100 and 150 mile races   • The White Island race    • Balokovic Cup    • 4th in The Noumea race

Her builder once told  her owner, Alan Turner, that she was built with the “surplus” timber in their yard and is mostly full length kauri and has three bilge stringers instead of the usual one. As a result she is very strong and has had 2 pot paint to the topsides for the last 25 years and was repainted circa 5 years ago. 

Her keel was dropped and bolts checked at the same time. The stern tube was replaced with fiber-glass c.10 years ago and a new Blue Water seal is about to be fitted

When required forward motion is via a Ford 15hp diesel engine. She sports an extensive wardrobe of North Sails in good condition – main, No1, No2, Storm jib and spinnaker plus a cockpit tent and sunshade (cockpit is 6′ long). Toilet is near new and holding tank fitted. Electric windlass and chain.

Talking with Alan he commented that with her mainly paint finish she is very economical to maintain.

Elusive is for sale and when I asked Alan what her strong points were he said –   very easy to sail and strong as and doesn’t have any vices. She did the Noumea race in the 1960’s and is great at sea. She is a great little ship for a mature couple wanting an easy ship to manage and maintain. Her marina berth at Half Moon Bay will be available to rent and with a first right of refusal when up for sale.

Alan is happy to answer any questions, in the first instance contact via email. xpdxrd@gmail.com

WAIONE – Shed Visit

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WAIONE – Shed Visit

Back in late December 2023 we reported on the 28’, Lanes (Picton) built woody – Waione that had been in storage in a shed in Mapu, Nelson for 50+ years – link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/21/waione-2/

At the time John Burland had promised to track her down, which he did with his friend Patrick. The above photos come to us from that days outing. 

Patrick also included his observations from the visit: 

“Well I went to inspect the Waione a few days ago and she’s securely parked in a shed and you know it’s been well covered, out of the water for a long period I think 30 years and the paint basically has all been stripped off so it’s a bare hull. Construction is kauri and seems to be double skinned, the inner skin is diagonal and the outer planking is end to end or a longitude carvel arrangement, she has a long keel and  a counter stern,  quite a small volume boat. I think built by Lanes in Picton, so she would’ve been designed for the Marlborough Sounds before there was much access via road so would’ve been designed to to operate pretty economically with a small 5 to 10 hp engine, some sail arrangement plus large oars or sweeps as they called them in those days to propel the boat and manoeuvre it should the engine fail or docking or whatever. Some of the first engines didn’t even have a reverse gear so you were up against it a bit for manoeuvrability, but it would’ve been a very easily driven boat being quite narrow and very fuel economic and quite fast for the time. That sort of a classic early 20th century design with tram cab arrangement in the higher part of the cabin and then a curved front to the the cabin not a lot of room inside it but a very sweet little boat and seems to be in reasonably sound condition. And I would say a relatively easy restoration as far as restorations go, a little bit of dry rot on the cabin top and things around some of the work around the hatch at the companion way probably a little bit not keeping with the times made of not solid timber, but overall it’s amazingly original and so I think it would be a very worthwhile and enjoyable project for anyone who who was keen to take something of that nature on. The caulking that would all need to be redone, it’ll all need to be re-caulked and primed and painted and possibly refastened, no doubt and just a good going over really, but there didn’t appear to be any worm in the keel or or anything. The propeller shaft, propeller and rudder are all in place. The oval portholes and the fore cabin were still serviceable and able to be to be restored to their former glory I would say and it’ll be a lovely little craft once it was operating again and quite practical and useful for you in sheltered waters so I would recommend anyone that was interested in that sort of boat and had the desire to keep a little bit of our maritime history going would be well worth a look at.”

Don’t normally link to tme listings but this one deserves to be saved + a $1 starting bid  https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/listing/4475286531

Is There Money To Be Made In The Classic Wooden Boat Industry

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Is There Money To Be Made In The Classic Wooden Boat Industry

Short answer yes – if you are good, own a railway slipway and fair in your costs.

The Slipway Milford smoko room wall of honour is a good indication of the woodys that have been for a ride on the Slipway railway 🙂

Would make a good quiz – ID’ing the boats but too busy / lazy doing nothing in a bay at the moment.

SPRAT – Workshop Update

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SPRAT – Workshop Update

The 28’ David Bedham designed spirit of tradition launch that we featured on WW back in November 2023, link below  it nearing completion at the Slipway yard in Milford.

Will be a very smart and fast addition to the Waitemata Harbour, were her intended use is as a fast island commuter.

Looking forward to the sea trial report after the addition of a very smooth and quiet Yamaha 4-stroke o/board.                https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/18/sprat-spirit-of-tradition-orakei-hardstand-good-news/

A COOL WOODY BUSINESS CARD

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A COOL WOODY BUSINESS CARD

Any boatbuilder that had a tool chest like the above you would have to feel confident having them working on your boat 🙂 I spotted the crest recently at Leader Boat Builders in Panmure. I’m sure a reader will comment on who the owner is.

Classic Boats – Kerikeri – Workshop Visit – PUFFIN

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Classic Boats – Kerikeri – Workshop Visit – PUFFIN

Bay of Islands woody – Dean Wright recently dropped into the shed of Classic Boats in Kerikeri (website link below), one of the projects underway is a complete replanting of the 100 year + classic above, named Puffin.                              Master boat builderHerbert Crumb-Gartner was just about to turn the hull over- wonderful craftsmanship on display.                              Dean has promised to call back and update us on the project.

Check out some of the past and present work that Classic Boats have been connected with https://www.classicboats.co.nz

INPUT From Herbert Krumm-Gartner – I am restoring ‘Puffin’ for her current owner of over 30 years. I first laid eyes on her in a shed in Russell about 3 years ago. Her owner phoned me up asking if I would be interested in restoring her to her former glory.

She is now 102 years old and was built as a fishing boat south of Sydney by some carpenters.

The current owner has all the history of her, he even knows, I think the great grand sons of her builders. When I had a look at her I realized that restoring her planking would not be satisfactory at all, as most of her laps had cracks where the copper rivets were, plus lots of the ribs were broken.

I suggested to the owner to completely re-plank and re-rib her. Instead of having 11 planks a side I decided to go to 13, which reduced the overall size of the individual planks considerably. I have retained the deck that the current owner built in the 1990’s. She will be re-powered with a 14hp Nanni diesel engine. Most of her interior, like seats, floor boards, etc, will be re-furbished and re-installed.

At present she is right way up, back in the shed and we are steaming in new Tanekaha ribs. Puffin is just under 18ft long.

Time For Some Xmas Goodwill – Epic Prize To Be Won

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CHRISTMAS BOOTY TO BE WON

Time for some xmas goodwill – a little quiz with a cool prize. As always entry is ONLY VIA EMAIL, you can only enter once, all correct entries go into the draw. Quiz ends on Friday December 15th at 6pm. Winner announced on WW. (photos shown above random selection only)

THE QUIZ QUESTION:  Which boat builder / designer has had the most boat / name mentions on the WW site – email your entry to      waitematawoodys@gmail.com

THE PRIZE:  A copy of the Best Selling Book – ’Shipwright, Boatbuilder, Yachtsman’ by Gilbert J. Littler + A WW sweatshirt (L/S, size XL only) + A WW Burgee

The book is available to buy at Boatbooks in Westhaven or online  https://boatbooks.co.nz/nzbooks.asp

And WW merchandise for sale here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

ALMA G II – Restoration Update #2

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ALMA G II – Restoration Update #2

Last week B.O.I. woody Dean Wright popped into the CMC Design boat shed in Opua and snapped a few photos of the restoration of the 1927 Collings & Bell built launch – Alma G II. The last update was in May, link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/01/restoration-of-alma-g-ii-begins/

The old girl is getting a serious refit, some diagonal planking being added to hold the old girl together 🙂 anything that gives her another 100 years of life is better than slowly decomposing on a swing mooring up some estuary .

Her Lees Ford has been reconditioned – check out this video of the test bed run.

https://fb.watch/oKseSMfJ5O/

Photos below of Alma G II is her early days earning her keep as one of the most popular big game boats in the Bay of Islands.