Category Archives: Designers & Builders

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES NAMED SPEEDWELL 

Posted on by
3

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES NAMED SPEEDWELL 

I suspect I’m going to get  history lesson today…… The above photo surfaced on a Maurice Sharp’s fb feed and was captioned “The motor launch Speedwell om the Waitemata Harbour – 1920’s – 1930’s” (NZ Herald). Searching WW we get a link to a ROSEMARY M story where Harold Kidd advised the ROSEMARY M had once been named SPEEDWELL – link to that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/09/07/rosemary-m/

Harold also made reference to his and Robin Elliott’s book – Vintage NZ Launches’where we see another SPEEDWELL, this time one of several launches of the same name owners by WA ‘Wilkie’ Wilkinson . To my eye this SPEEDWELL (2nd photo above)  is not the one in Maurice’s fb post.

Can we correctly put a builder / date on this one.

13-10-2025 INPUT ex GREG PHILPOTT – advertisement below appeared c.1920’s Bay of Islands Swordfish Club yearbook.

Off to Whangarei today for the Whangarei Maritime Festical – fingers crossed Monday will be a great story 🙂

KEY INTEL October 11th and 12th 2025

Whangārei Town Basin – Free Entry

More info: www.whangareimaritimefestival.co.nz


HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

Posted on by
4

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

Posted on by
2

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

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS – TAUPO MOOCHING

Posted on by
Reply

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS – TAUPO MOOCHING

Most of todays woodys have appeared on WW before but its always nice to see that they are being cared for.

A woody, my lips are sealed, was at the lake doing a recce on a woody there and snapped a few photos for us.

Also today we share a couple of photos from a recent project on CENTAURUS, owner Angus Rogers is a talented DIY’er and after the recent re-power took on upgrading the dash. See below 

‘OLD’
‘NEW’

REFLECTIONS ON THE 2025 PORT TOWNSEND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – 80+ Photos / Videos

Posted on by
2

REFLECTIONS ON THE 2025 PORT TOWNSEND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – 80+ Photos / Videos

One of the bucket list classic wooden boating events is the annual Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. From all reports the 2025 event was outstanding. While its easy to go on-line and find a link to a professional overview, in my eye there is something special about viewing a festival attendees collection of boats – sure the light or camera angle isn’t alway perfect but you get a raw edge, which appeals.

Today thanks to kiwi John Oates we get to share what appealed to John’s eye.

One of the festival features that sets it apart from a lot of events is the ability to go aboard the boats and talk to the owners. There is something for everyone – food & drink, live music, kids activities, movie screening and lots of opportunities to get on the water.

One of this years ket themes was tagged –  ‘A Gathering of Maritime Legends: Celebrating Shipwrights’. The festival brought together shipwrights from some of the world’s most iconic maritime institutions—craftspeople who keep the art of wooden boatbuilding alive with skill, heart, and tradition.Via  a mix of talks, presentations and hands on gatherings where the public were able to rub up against the legends.

Enjoy the gallery – I did. As always click on photos to enlarge ;-

Ps John has promised another photo report featuring more classic sail boats ✔️

Pps where did that Morris Minor Ute come from ?

A NEW CHAPTER FOR COMPACT TRAWLER BESSIE FLORENCE 

Posted on by
Reply

A NEW CHAPTER FOR COMPACT TRAWLER BESSIE FLORENCE 

As I have mooched around the bottom end of Waiheke Island over the years, ono of the craft I have spotted most frequently is the 26’ BESSIE FLORENCE, link here to a Jan 2016 WW story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/01/16/bessie-florence/

BESSIE FLORENCE  is a ‘mini’ trawler designed by Jay Benford and built in 2006 by Paul Jessop of Waikawa, Picton for Cook Strait fishing and Sounds use. With her build year and construction method (glassed ply) she sits outside of what we would label a classic wooden boat , but probably slides into the spirit of tradition family.

Forward motion is via a 30hp Yanmar 3GM30 diesel engine that which averages approx. 3 litres per hour when cruising at 5-6 knots.

Recently her owner made the call to move the craft on and I can report that her new owner will be relocated BESSIE FLORENCE to the Coromandel area and changing her name to TOBY.

RESCUED YET AGAIN – THE CLASSIC LAUNCH NANA

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
4

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.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH FLASHBACK  –  JOHN GLADDEN’s LADY JESS

Posted on by
Reply
2021
2025

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH FLASHBACK  –  JOHN GLADDEN’s LADY JESS

LADY JESS the1961 John Gladden built classic wooden launch last appeared on WW back in May 2021 when Dean Wright took the top photo of her berthed at Tutukaka Marina, link below to that story. At the time Scott Macindoe sent in a great piece on the boats provenance, also in the link https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/05/25/lady-jess-woody-workshop/

Then in June 2025 we saw her on fb (2nd photo above), via Lew Redwood. Now retired from commercial big game fishing. Fast forward to yesterday and woody John Dawson sent in the great photos below from her early days, before the addition of a 2nd story.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH KAREMOANA – LOST or FORGOTTEN

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH KAREMOANA – LOST or FORGOTTEN

Todays woody is the classic wooden launch – KAREMOANA, designed and built by Chris Robertson and launched in 1968. She was one several craft referred to as the ‘ Chris Robertson Fast Cruisers’. And fast she was in her day, a 135hp Commer 3D215 diesel engine saw her topping out at 17 knots.

Construction was twin skin diagonal heart kauri planks. Her specs were 32’ x 11’ beam x 3’10” draft.

As seen in the above scans, she featured in the June 1968 issue of Sea Spray magazine. 

Yesterday (scroll down) we featured one of her sister ships – WAIREKA, her co-owner Desiree Stuart sent in the Sea Spray article.

KAREMOANA does not pop up on WW, maybe a name change. Keen to learn more of her past and what became of her.

INPUT EX DENNIS MCNAUGHTON – Hi,I  am Noel McNaughton’s son, Dennis, pleased to see the article about Dads boat. He sold it in 1976 to Bill Subritsky- he only wanted it for the marina- it was on sold to a captain of a deep-sea fishing trawler and it was relocated from Auckland to Picton. The name was then changed to St Tropez( I think it was  ).

Noel had re-powered it in 1970 with a 180 Ford, giving a top speed of around 20kts and added a flying bridge from a corsair design. Noel visited the boat in Picton around the mid 1990’s, so it was still there then.

ONE WEEK TILL CLEVEDON WOODYS CRUISE – HAVE YOU RSVP’ED

RSVP – boat name to waitematawoodys@gmail.com