Category Archives: Engines

CLASSIC LAUNCH THETIS  – A ROLLING RESTORATION – UPDATE

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CLASSIC LAUNCH THETIS  – A ROLLING RESTORATION – UPDATE

Last June we reported that the classic launch – THETIS had been relocated toAuckland after several seasons in the Bay of Islands – link below to that story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/06/23/classic-launch-thetis-back-home/

Fast forward to last week and I bumped into her new owner Norman Ramsy in my local coffee shop. Turns out after initially spending time at Westhaven marina, home is now across the harbour at Bayswater marina.. THETIS was built in 1955 by Lanes on the Tamaki River, Auckland. Built from single skin/fore and aft kauri planking, her beam is 13’ and she draws 4’. Her twin Greymarine 6 cyl. (1960) 120hp diesel engines were probably best described as a ticking time bomb, in fact I heard one of them ‘let go’ during the pre-purchase sea trial.

Turns out lots of activity has been happening on the boat and Norman sent in the above photos and commented that THETIS is an ongoing project with lots of work in progress.(can’t they all)

A brief summary of work completed to date includes – 

• Engine rebuild by Kris – Marine and Industrial Diesels.

• New manifolds by Aliart – Christchurch.

• New Anchor from Grant Macduff – Ropes Chains and Anchors.

• New Mattresses custom.

• Transport and yard space/hard stand at Boat Boat Haulage

• Walk through Transom and Cabin Roof access for engine removal/refit by Terry – Boat Building and Ship Repair Auckland

I have always said that THETIS is a seriously smart looking craft and is a boat that looks fast even when at anchor, so its great to she her getting the TLC she deserves.

Input ex Russell Ward

“Brilliant that she’s keeping her original machinery: Raise a tot to the owner- long may he continue on this course.

A fine ship always, but she has Gray Diesels -four strokers, Ken. Not any kin to 6/71 “Dripstroit”, “Rocky Mountain Humming bird” “screaming demons” whatever you want to nickname them, although the first were built by Gray. The War stuffed all that and General Motors did the production by the million.

The 6/71s were designed by a very wise man -Boss Kettering- and with the war looming were to be made by General Motors. And they did by the millions. Some wise man told me they were designed by a smart man for less smart men to maintain.  I’m not sure where Grays came into the process for the 6/71 -don’t think they were involved for long. My books on the subject are not with me. 

Any thoughts, Cameron? You got two of ’em!”

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – HINEMOA

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CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – HINEMOA

Todays woody made a brief appearance on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and disappeared before I could record the details. So either sold in a flash or seller got cold feet.

So other than being located somewhere in the South Island and having a canoe-stern WW knows little about her, so keen to learn more.

KELVIN R4 75hp Engine – Needs A Home – Message below from Russell Ward
“It is time to place the R4 Kelvin with you to find a new owner.
It is 75 hp at 1500 rpm. I bought it from Sanfords -had been briefly the generator on Sea Harvester. Low hours. 

So I’ve had it in the mancave for most of my life awaiting a boat. I got Athol Burns to design me a 40′ MS for it – his last design ever. It was great fun but I knew I could never afford to build new. But I wanted Athol’s last design and it was well worth the effort just to have the exchange of letters. I will always treasure his sage advice. “No hysterics with old time practices” was his best.

Conrad Bergius who was related to the Kelvin makers Bergius had a similar dream and I gave it to him when we left Bayswater. He took it apart and got many new parts for it from the company.

When I took over St Antonio, I bought it from him – it had been on display in Moon Engines foyer.  I got a Niigata gearbox with a 3:1 reduction. I had it professionally fitted by Watts Engineering. 

It went briefly in the river at Warkworth and has been rebuilt since. When I sold St Antonio, the new owner had an Isuzu in preference to the Kelvin so I kept it.

Very easy engine to live with and will see any of us out. I have a vid of the last time it ran. Interested buyer contact Russell” mrward@steam.co.nz

RESTORATION OF CLASSIC LAUNCH – TAINUI – UPDATES – RELAUNCHED

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RESTORATION OF CLASSIC LAUNCH – TAINUI – UPDATES – RELAUNCHED

Very pleased to be able to report that the restoration of the 38′ classic wooden launch – TAINUI , built c.1967 is progressing well – recently Blair Boats provided via fb the above images. TAINUI is kauri carvel planked and has a beam of 9’3″.

TAINUI was originally named KAIPARA and was a pilot vessel on the Kaipara Harbour. From that role she was converted to a commercial fishing vessel and then went off to Great Barrier Island, GBI more often than not ends up a grave yard for wooden boats but she was saved by John Sloane who and bought back to the main land. After 8+ years at the boat shed at Whangateau TAINU was moved to Blair Boats for fitting out and re-powering prior to launching.

Recent work has seen the ‘new’ Gardner engine fitted and aligned on reenforced engine beds. The photos show that the head and anchor locker work is almost complete. 

As is becoming the normal these days a jet bow thruster is also being installed 🙂

Read more on TAINUI here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/08/27/the-classic-wooden-launch-tainui-relocates-north/

11-04-2025 UPDATE ex Blair Boats – new floorboard have been fitted and varnished

24-08-2025 UPDATE ex Blair Boats – the work continues – teak hand rails and anchor roller, engine box undercoated.

10-09-2025 UPDATE – First coat of varnish on the hand rails and teak capping going on the toenail. 

22-09-2025 UPDATE – work continues with bonding and screwing on the laminated teak capping on the toe rail.

01-10-2025 UPDATE – Varnish going on the trim and toe rail

07-10-2025 UPDATE

UPDATE 10-10-2025 – Tainui was moved the outside shelter to free up some space in the shed. Latest work includes – installing custom built bifold doors, bronze potholes and engine vent.

01-11-2025 UPDATE – Bow rails receiving final coat + installed.

UPDATE 30-11-2025

SPLASH DAY HAS ARRIVED

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – DAY 6

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DAY SIX – BULLETIN – TUES 11TH

On the big silver bird today heading back to Auckland. Today we have a glimpse at a rather fine speed boat – MISS JAMAR that caught both my self and Angus Rogers eye.

Powered by a 383 ci Chev V8.

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Day 5 Bulletin

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DAY FIVE – BULLETIN – MONDAY 10TH

DAY FIVE – BULLETIN – MONDAY 10TH

Today woodys we have a gallery of photos of the 1895 Bailey Brothers built yacht – TE UIRA. She was one of the first NZ designed and built racing craft to be exported to Australia (Victoria, Melbourne).

TE UIRA has had a colorful past and been very close to a Beehive restoration several times. Luckily she found the right owner who commissioned a full restoration that was only completed late last year by Cygnet Wooden Boats.

Won’t bore you with the full details but lost my IPhone yesterday, spent hours visiting lost & found + police etc but there are some honest people out there and later in the day I recovered it. So relived.

Lunch was a shared pizza – very good 😋

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Day 4

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DAY FOUR – BULLETIN – Sunday 9th

My favorite woody

Four seasons in one day today on the weather front but all good post mid day.

Some serious culture today via museum and gallery visits then dock mooching to snap the woodys I’d not photographed and then some R&R at the local watering holes. Public holiday on Monday so crowds could be a little OTT.

Bumped into anyone and everyone that matters in the trans Tasman classic wooden boating scene and made a few new friends.

Lots of activity at the Pacific exhibition, with Johnny Wray’s – NGATAKI, stealing the limelight.

Back at the hotel our wallaby mate came around for dinner and bought the whole family 😄

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Day 3

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DAY THREE – BULLETIN – Saturday 8th

The first gallery of photos above were taken early evening yesterday, taking advantage of the best light.

Today was overcast all day and a tad cold. A little bit of sightseeing and dining then the ‘Dinghies After Dark’ function at the City Hall. Lots of Kiwis in attendance which is always nice.

It was also time to move on from the fish diet – Beef Cheek Wellington and discovered a new ginger beer ✔️

Also woke up very early and meet a visitor on the lawn, could have been worse eg a snake.

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL- Day 2

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OFFICIAL OPEN DAY

DAY TWO – BULLETIN – Friday 7th 

OFFICIAL OPENING DAY

Today was when the waterfront comes alive, yesterday you could have fired a shotgun and not hit anyone but overnight and thru out the day the classic wooden craft kept pouring into the surrounding areas.

The highlight of day one is the ‘Parade of Sail’ that sees 11 Tall Sailing Ships and over 200 craft sail up the Derwent River and into Sullivan Cove to mark the start of the festival. At the 2023 festival I was aboard the 110’ brigantine – WESTWARD BOUND, this year I choose the very fast and stable media boat. A perfect platform to capture the event.

Today woodys I post a snapshot of the day and share our culinary highlights- the seafood is next level in Tasmania.

Scallops On A Stick
Seafood Pasta

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL- Day 1

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DAY ONE – BULLETIN – Thursday 6th

Hello woodys

I’m now in wooden boat heaven – attending the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Arrived yesterday mid morning and to use that wonderful Aussie saying – ‘ I’m as happy as a dog with two tails. I attended the 2023 festival and quickly became hooked – search Australian Wooden Boat Festival in the WW search box to view that trip.

I’m adopting a different reporting style this festival – rather than doing massive photo posts each day – there will be some narrative on what we have been up to and some BOATS of THE DAY photos, then at the end of the trip there will be one big story. Why you may ask – well last trip I spent 1/2 my time bent over my laptop editing photos and loading up via very average hotel internet services.

This year I will be trying to enjoy the occasion more and meet more woodys and visit their craft dockside.

Each year the festival has a theme – The 2025 festival celebrates Australia’s deep maritime connections across the Tasman Sea, featuring the debut of Te Karangatahi, the Māori waka taua, and a lineup of NZ vessels including NGATAKI, LADY GAY and TE RAPUNGA. There will be talks, open to the public, on the restoration of NGATAKI and the saving of the DEEMING. These vessels are well known to the followers of WW, so the cameras will be mainly focusing on the hundreds of stunning Australian wooden craft that make up the festival – so I apologise in advance to the connections of these Kiwi boats. 🙂

Lots of activity down at the waterfront as all the festival crew are setting up.

Tomorrow I’m out on the water for the event that marks the start of the festival – the Sail In’ – it’s very spectacular.

WORLDWIDE CLASSIC BOAT SHOW- FREE ACCESS TICKET

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WORLDWIDE CLASSIC BOAT SHOW- FREE ACCESS TICKET FOR WW READERS

As you read this I’ll be winging my way to Hobart for the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. There will be daily posts of the best thats on display so check in each day.

Readers of WW will be familiar with my addiction to the USA based v-blog OFF CENTER HARBOR, one of the super cool gigs these guys pull together is the annual WORLDWIDE CLASS BOAT SHOW, which waitematawoodys is co-sponsoring this year. The online show kicks off on February 14th – and as a WW reader you get a Free Ticket to the Worldwide Classic Boat Show

See over 1,200 of the world’s best wooden boats at the show. The show is 100% online/virtual, February 14 to March 2nd, so you’ll get free access to everything from your favorite lounge chair at home.
You can CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE TICKET/PASS.

WHAT’S AT THE SHOW? 

  • World Map – Everything related to classic boats on one interactive world map
  • Boats – Beautiful photos and details of 1,200+ of the world’s best classic boats
  • Organizations – Explore festivals, boatbuilders, clubs, museums, schools, etc.
  • Live Presentations – Inspiring presentations featuring experts on a variety of topics
  • People – Connect with other attendees anywhere in the world (right on the map)

Your free ticket will get you into all of these presentations:

  • Arctic Solo Sailor Veronica Skotnes
  • Yacht Restoration w/ Dave Snediker
  • Indigenous and African Maritime Legacies w/ Akeia de Barros Gomes
  • Why Are These the Best Boat Festivals? w/ Port Townsend, France, and Australia
  • Two-Tim Race to Alaska Winner Jeanne Goussev
  • Marine Systems w/ Kevin Ritz from NWSWB
  • Small Boat Design w/ John Welsford, Clint Chase, and Ross Lillistone

+ SUBMIT YOUR OWN BOAT:
They’re still accepting boat submissions too, so you can CLICK HERE to submit your own boat to be in the show.
Enjoy the show