TE RATA
More photos from the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection, this time it is the launch – Te Rata built by W.G Lowe & Son’s, Auckland.
In the launch day photo we see Bob Adams, Tom Blackie and Jean Dickenson. An axe is being used to break a bottle across the bow.
A very smart looking launch, so as always – what became of her?
PEGGY BAWN – 1894 G.L. Watson Cutter
Today thanks to the UK site ‘My Classic Boat and Bob Aylott we get to have a peek at one of the best classic yachts ever – Peggy Dawn, her owner Hal Sisk shows us around his beautiful 1894 G.L. Watson 36ft Cutter. Filmed in Cowes and The Solent on a day with not a lot of wind.
Hal Sisk also gives us a great insight into the genius of designer G.L.Watson.
If the above video has wet your whistle for more on the water time – check out below these links form the WoodenBoat Forum
Link below to very cool vicarious cruising experience http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?279187-Cruise-of-the-Ketch-Julia
If you have more time – read the back story about the boat and the fit out – get tips and photos http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?279187-Cruise-of-the-Ketch-Julia
Anyone know Adam Leyden? If so, ask him to contact us at waitematawoodys@gmail.com
WORKBOAT WEDNESDAY
I was sent the above photo by Gary Stanborough whose family owned the 32’ Des Townson designed and built yacht Starlight from 1978 to 2016, so any other namesake boats would always catch our attention.
Gary took the photo in 1984 in Woody Bay, Rakino Island but knows nothing of the history of this salty looking old timer. She’s tied alongside another fishing boat. Does anyone know of her past or what’s become of her? Reg # is AK14333.
A great example of the amazing work the Rakino Island residents have been doing on the planting front.
LOCK-DOWN GARAGE SALE
One of our followers is using the enforced lock-down to clean out a home workshop.There are a few bits and pieces up for grabs and a project boat that never got finished, but it’s very close to being done though. It looks to be around 14ft, and a sailing and rowing skiff. Design is called a Phoenix 3. Comes with a rig and centre board but not the trailer. Offers around $500 will see the boat oft a new owner.Plus a woodworkers tool cabinet & a few misc. tools
Drop me an email if you are interested waitematawoodys@waitematawoodys
The Restoration of Rogue
Scrolling thru the USA WoodenBoat Forum yesterday my woody antenna popped up when I saw a new thread on the New Zealand yacht Rogue – the 1892 gaff rigged 32’ cutter built by Chas Bailey Jnr. , it was in fact his first design.
The restoration of Rogue has been a happening thing since late 2007 and a lot of the time under the radar, not helped by her residing in Wellington.In the 2015 > 2018 period there were some unexpected ’speed bumps’ that derailed the project, and her owner relocated north to Auckland. So in early 2021 after a 120 year absence Rogue followed her owner and returned to Auckland and slipped into Wayne Olsen’s shed at the Horizon Boatyard. There the restoration has moved along at a good clip, and CV-19 aside, we can expect a splash date in early November.
I would be surprised if there was a better documented history on a classic vessel in New Zealand, and the restoration project is jaw dropping – an amazing commitment to one of New Zealand’s magnificent maritime artefacts.
Below are links to the most recent project monthly updates , but given that most of us are in lock-down, I would encourage you to click on this link https://rogue1892.com/rogues-restoration/ and scroll (its a long way) to the bottom and follow the project from day one.
Enjoy 🙂
FEBRUARY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/02/
MARCH 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/03/
APRIL 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/04/
MAY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/05/
JUNE 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/06/
JULY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/07/
AUGUST 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/08/
FLARELINE – A Perfect Lock-Down Project
We have had examples of ’small’ boat builder John Bullivant’s work on WW before, I use the term small because to tag John a model maker would be very inappropriate – the man is very talented.
Today’s boat – Flareline was built by John over a 12 month period, based on his memories and photos of a full size sister ship that he owned a number of years ago. She measures 31’ LOA and is powered by a jet propulsion unit, check out the electronics.
Part of her set up sees her emitting engine smoke and water from the stern drive + she is wired for sound – engine starting & running noise. There is full interior lighting, working nav lights and even illuminated instrument dials on the dash.
Check out the link below to view a pre launching video of her being towed by an SUV https://youtu.be/hs6-DmBKRHM
(photos, video and details ex John Bullivant and Ken Ricketts)
KOTANUI – Launch Day
In the photos above we see the launch – Kotanui being launched at the Salthouse yard in Greenhithe c.1963.
In the 2nd photo we also see the yacht Rawhiti getting her new ‘doghouse’, probably owned by Don Brooke at the time.
Kotanui also featured on the Dec/Jan (1963-64) cover of Sea Spray magazine
More photos of Kotanui just after launching, in this 2013 WW story https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/10/16/kotanui-3/
More photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/29/kotanui-2/
Read the full background on Kotanui in Nathan Herberts WW story https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/15/kotanui/
(details & photos ex Nathan Herbert)
Worried About What You’ll Get For Fathers Day This Year In Lock-Down
Problem solved – click link https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/09/19/des-townson-a-sailing-legacy/
THE PROJECT
Classic Wooden Boats on the Broads
Mooching around the wooden boat on-line world I recently came a across a small group of woodys in the UK that host a fb group titled ‘Classic Wooden Boats on the Broads’. Its a private group so you have to request membership.They are very active posters and have great content.
A recent story by member Nick Rainbird feature the boat yard – Abbey Boat Builders and restored (rebuilt) 1932 Broads cabin cruiser – Queen of Light. She was designed and built by Herbert Woods of Potter Heigham, Norfolk, in answer to, back then, the growing demand for luxury inland waterway hire craft.
The team at Abbey Boat Builders is led by traditional boatbuilder Abbey Moyneux (photo below) – read more about Abbey here http://abbeyboatbuilder.co.uk
Wonderfully to see these craft being given a second life and even better that Queen of Light will be going into charter on the Broads.
And surprize surprize no CYA Tui’s billboard today – hopefully some good news tomorrow and maybe an email later today 😉
Shalom – A Peek Down Below B4 She Is Sold
If you blinked and looked again you would think that Shalom the 48’ Atkinson designed and 1973 built classic sport cruiser was a Ray Hunt designed craft. Hunt was one of world’s leading marine designers – from motor boats to Americas Cup yachts. So we can safely assume Atkinson was a good reader of USA boating magazines 🙂
Shalom has been very lucky in terms of owners, built by T K Atkinson as his own personal boat, her next owner kept her for approx. 30 years and these days she is owned by a renowned NZ boat building family.
Yes she is for sale – and as you can see above – superbly presented and professionally maintained. In recent years her owner has refitted Shalom for extended family cruising, she comfortably sleeps five. The work includes – new deck (2016), master cabin refit (2017), new saloon and galley (2018), new paint job (2019), new rudder tubes + drip-less seals (2021), new steering cylinder (2021), new batteries (2021). As presented the vessel is ready for immediate enjoyment. And the X factor – twin Yanmar 370hp engines – giving a top speed of 25 knots and cruising speed of 17 knots. With a beam of 14’6″ she has an abundance of living space across five zones – cabins, saloon, cockpit, fore deck and flying bridge. Construction is kauri double skin and finished (glassed) to require minimal ongoing upkeep.
To view – call David Cooke – 027 478 1877 – For a spec sheet email – david@ibg.co.nz
IRRESISTIBLE
Today’s woody is only part woody, the main build material is steel and she was designed and built by Serious Yachts in the Netherlands. The Dutch have a long history of steel construction, probably as a result of lack of suitable trees.
I discovered this stunning craft on Tad Roberts fb post and then checked out the builders website that showcases several other craft upwards of 75’ in length. Link here https://seriousyachts.nl/en
Irresistible is a ‘Gently 36’ Hardtop’ and with a beam of 12’ she is incredibly roomy. Powered by a single Vetus diesel DT44 114hp, she slots into the displacement category with a cruising speed of 9 knots.
Tad Roberts has a wonderful eye for a salty boat, so to get his tick of approval – means a lot. I would have to agree, and I suspect if Colin Pawson wins Lotto he will be placing an order 😉
Interestingly the NZ Classic Yacht Association, I’m sure would accept her as steel is ok with them and it certainly fits the ‘spirit of tradition’ mold BUT no way would it be allowed anywhere near the new Heritage Basin, then again I suspect neither would the stunning 1948 Colin Wild built Lady Crossley ………. or the Percy Vos built Te Arahi ………… or the 1923 Chas Bailey Jnr built Prize …….. or the 1938 Arch Logan designed Aramoana ……… or the 1934 Arch Logan designed Little Jim……..
Milford Creek 1960’s – ID The Boats & Go In The Draw To Win
Today’s photo comes to us from Glenn Martin and shows the Milford Creek c.1960’s. An eye-opener to see the degree of mangroves and ‘mud’ that must have been removed to make the expended marina that is there today. Can’t see anyone getting resource consent for that these days 🙂
WIN WIN
Seeing most of us are in covid lock down, could be a good time for a quiz – I’ll keep it simple and give everyone a chance to win. All you have to do is correctly name the launches that are circled in orange (click top photo to enlarge) – each correct entry equals one chance in the draw eg if you can only ID one boat, that is one chance. ID 3 , that is 3 chances etc. Winner gets a WW bucket hat – have gone with army (karki) green this year. Entry closes at 8pm 20-08-2021. ENTRY VIA EMAIL ONLY – to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
