Category Archives: Engines

THE REBIRTH OF CENTAURUS

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Launch – Bailey & Sons – c.April 1969
1969
Dec 2019
Sept 2020
June 2021
June 2023
July 2023
Re-Launch August 2023

THE REBIRTH OF CENTAURUS
I often remark on WW that some boats get lucky in terms of owners and some sadly do not – Centaurus the 1969, 42’ Bailey & Sons bridge-decker is one of the lucky ones. A succession of owners have cared for her over the years, but even the best practices and intentions aren’t enough to ensure a 50+ year old wooden craft is 100% fit for purpose.

When Angus Rogers purchased Centaurus in late 2019, he had already compiled a ’To-Do’ list. Work started immediately on the projects that would make her more live able and comfortable for extended cruising. Fast forward to September 2020 and she was hauled out for an upgrade on systems and the installation of a bow and stern water thruster unit.

Fast forward to June 2021 and Centaurus was out again for a below the water-line back to bare wood refurbish.If you know Angus you will know that in-between all this there were dozens of other enhancements going on.

Fast forward to 2023 and the decision was made to undertake a refit that would see Centaurus live on for another 50 years. Initially most of the work was based around the decision to re-power with a new John Deere 175hp engine, this replaced the original Cummins V6 215hp that was the size and weight a small elephant. As anyone that has done a transplant knows, the to-do list just keeps growing…….

Below is a list of some of the work undertaken, I’m sure a few things got forgotten along the way, but its a tad scary. Well done Angus.
WW has recorded a lot of the work over the last3 years, use the WW Search Box to view.
Centaurus re-launched last week and looks stunning, ever the perfectionist Angus has another to-do list to finish her off, but he is under the pump to have her at the upcoming Woodys cruise to Clevedon on Sept 30th > . 

Overview of recent work One new water tank, two new fuel tanks, all new plumbing and valves and fuel filter, fuel and water sight tubes and valves, new fuel breathers, new28x23 inch propellor, new and re-positioned motor water intake and toilet water intake and valves all Truedesign nylon and piping, new toilet outflow valve, new 175hp John Deere with ccv and a second alternator (Balmar 175 amp) engineered onto continuous belt, new 2.5:1 ZF gearbox, new fibreglass exhaust system, replaced exhaust on Webasto diesel heater with genuine Webasto parts, installed SaltAttack injection system for flushing motor, built dorade tubes for the 4 half funnels on the sides of the wheelhouse, created a soft closure hatch in the cabin top for the future when needed, new insulation for engine room hatches and around fuel tanks. Cleaned up all bilges under motor and painted white.  Able to use existing shaft, dry seal and jack shaft which were all replaced two years ago. Anti-fouled hull and Propspeed to new prop.

MYSTERY LAUNCH 30-06-2023

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 30-06-2023

Todays woody was nearly one of those projects that got started then life and time got in the way – thankfully Simon Raikes discovered the hull and took on the project.

What we see above is the result of Simon’s very talented skills. Simon’s company Craftbuilt won the 2023 Supreme Award at the Master Joinery Awards.

The launch is 30’ in length, constructed of diagonal laminated kauri planks and powered by a 80hp Ford D series engine. Not a lot more is known about the launch, so if anyone recognizes her – let us know.

2023 Moreton Bay Classic

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MORTEON BAY CLASSIC 

The classic boating community in Brisbane / Queensland Australia have just celebrated the second running if the Moreton Bay Classic – a 10.9 nautical mile drag race for all shapes and sizes of classic craft. Last year was the inaugural event – link here to details on the event and how ir came about https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/04/the-race-social-event-that-stops-the-bay-the-moreton-bay-classic-part-one/

First video – the start from onboard the vessel – Adagio 

https://www.facebook.com/adagioalaskan/videos/1900175600355472

A woody friend, Andrew Christie also sent me a link to a 3 minute birds-eye video of the fleet filmed by Saxton Thomas – what an impressive gig. I can see Jason Prew salivating over this 🙂

Enjoy.

https://www.facebook.com/100023439100358/videos/204917255845751/

KA-IWI Only Read If You Own A Petrol Station

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KA-IWI Only Read If You Own A Petrol Station

Todays woody appeared in WW back in 2016 (link below) since then   she has been re-powered with twin 350 Chef V8’s that give her a top speed of 30 knots – as they say if you have to ask what the consumption is – its not the boat for you 🙂 The re-power was more a de-power, the previous engines saw her topping out at 45 knots.

On WW June 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/06/04/ka-iwa/comment-page-1/#comment-64552

Ka-iwi is a 26’ Mason Clipper, built in 1968 and possibly the first twin engined one. Originally owned by the Stevenson family and used up north at their family bach. Has also done some powerboat racing in her early days. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up

29-06-2023 UPDATE ex Hamish Moore – Hamish spotted the article below in the May 1968 edition of Sea Spray magazine

Centaurus On The Move

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CENTAURUS

CENTAURUS ON THE MOVE

Yesterday was a sad day and a good day.

SAD – Angus Roger’s 1967/8 Baileys & Sons built launch – Centaurus left The Landing at Okahu Bay hardstand on Aucklands waterfront on a transporter – why sad?, because she was the last boat left hauled out at the Orakei Hardstand, looks like Scott Milne and his Auckland Council cronies have done a clandestine stocktake i.e. the haul out facility has been closed down and the area no longer available to rate paying Auckland boaties.

(“A section (term) in the above post has been edited on request. The use of the term was not intended to offend any particular ethnic group or religious advocate. No malicious was intended.

WW thanks Mr. Adam Ross for drawing the NZ Human Rights Commission to the matter and going forward the WW site will tighten the filter on its comments”)

GOOD – Centaurus is off to a new temporary home for the final act of her refit – the installation of a John Deere 6.8L 175 hp diesel. The JD replaces her original engine, which was a monster – a Cumins V6 215hp – photo below. The Cumins had to partially dismantled to get her out.

First refit photos https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/09/17/centaurus-has-a-birthday/

Engine out photo gallery https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/02/02/centaurus-under-goes-open-heart-surgery/

Centaurus is a very big woody – 42’ long with a 13’ beam and built like a brick outhouse – 1.25” kauri carvel planked.

Lots of chat and head scratching going on during the unloading > cradle 🙂

Full details on all the refit work in a later WW story.

UPDATE 06-07-2023 NEW ENGINE INSTALLED (video ex Tim Strange)

SKY TV ADDICT – the owner of this (name withheld) launch must like his Sky Sports 🙂

UPDATE FOR THE RECORD – after input from numerious parties re the launch date of Centaurus we can advise the following – BUILT 1967/8 – LAUNCHED EARLY 1969

Ngaio Gets A Heart Transplant

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NGAIO GETS A HEART TRANSPLANT

The 36’ 1921 Arch Logan built launch – Ngaio is one of my favourite woodys, impeccable bloodline and drop dead looks. There are lots of stories on her in the WW archive , including her restoration back in 2013. 

Back then if she had a weakness it was her a heart – a 95hp Ford Trader engine that was a tad tired, well 10 years later and that old Ford was still delivering the goods but her owner decided in the interests of reliability an upgrade might be a good idea – so out it came at the Slipway Milford and the hole will be filled with a much newer (30+ yrs) reconditioned 125hp Ford Dover engine, sourced by Cameron Pollard.

Back in March 2021 Ngaio celebrated her 100 th birthday – link below with lots of interior photos 

100th Birthday Party – Ngaio

(Todays photos ex Jason Prew, Luca Beachman and myself)

21-07-2023 UPDATE – ‘new’ Ford 125hp installed (almost)

WW Caps – low profile, 6 panel, canvas caps in the new camel colour topped with dark brown WW embroidered logo has a dash of understated style.

just click the email link here and tell me your name, postal address and number of caps required. I’ll come back to you with payment details – $38 + $6 p&p. waitematawoodys@gmail.com

LADY GLAD – Electric Conversion

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LADY GLAD – Electric Conversion

Todays story was written by Richard Amery on of the Lake Rotoiti woodys. Richard has pulled together the background on the launch – Lady Glad, owned by Marcus and Jan Wilkins, and her conversion from diesel power electric – I’ll hand over to Richard now – note: slightly different layout today with the photos in the story text.

“The keel was laid in 1981 by Mr. Bill Visser attached boat builder who had settled in Tauranga and started building boats under the name Kingfisher Boats limited, in a shed where the present oil terminal at the Mount is today before moving to Omokoroa. Bill was asked by Mr. Marshall Lee to build a small tug for him to tow a barge between Matakana Island and Omokoroa for his farming operations and it was to be named “Lady Glad” after his mother.

The tug was to have a gas stove and two bunks in it. The bunks had been beautifully painted with scenes by local young artist Alice Blakely, but unfortunately they were pulled out and lost.    Bill Visser was an artist with wood, and he carved the name along with the scroll and the tiller handle and also built the steering wheel which in itself is a work of art. The back deck was to have a bollard for towing mounted in the middle with the underneath area to be able to hold a farm bike and tools. This was all removed and Bill made the rear cockpit as it is now.   The motor was a Yanmar 32HP diesel.

However, before her completion Mr. Lee sold the property and we purchased the Lady Glad, and Bill Visser completed her at his home workshop, hence she never got to sea, and was launched on Lake Rotoiti in 1985.

In 2022 by age 87 Marcus with Jan 86 were sick of climbing over the motor and made the decision to bite the bullet and fit her with a more compact electric motor and batteries.              With the expertise of Tony Whiting, marine engineer of note from Auckland, Alan Craig boat builder and his team, Miles Harnett on boat electrics and local electrician Simon Andrew to sort out the mains electric charging system, the task provided quite a challenge for them.

The power comes from eight 6 Volt batteries weighing 400kg coupled in line to produce 48 volts. This was a little more weight than was removed, and the charging unit for these and the house battery which looks after lights, radio, auto bilge pumps etc are fitted up in the bow.                                                                                                                                                             The shaft thrust bearing, special coupling to motor and mounting bracket etc central and the redesign of rudder, keel and propellor are all part of the team’s combined thoughts and expertise that went into this conversion.

                                                                                                                                                  The shaft thrust bearing, special coupling to motor and mounting bracket etc central and the redesign of rudder, keel and propellor are all part of the team’s combined thoughts and expertise that went into this conversion.

Lady Glad’s heart transplant is now completed with the Combi inboard 10kw electric motor with a Combi Inboard 10 kW electric motor made in Holland, the home country of her designer and builder.

We are delighted with the result, and along with a new cockpit and cabin layout has transformed Lady Glad into a lovely comfortable easy to use craft.

Marcus and Jan say thanks to ‘the Team’. “

Note: Available now for sale in excellent condition: The 32hp Yanmar Diesel engine, hydraulic gearbox, heat exchanger, flexible shaft coupling, bilge blower, hand & electric bilge pumps plus gauges and wiring loom- a great unit in excellent condition. Phone or Text Marcus to view 027 955 2213.

LENORA – 18’ Woody Runabout

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LENORA – 18’ Woody Runabout

With the constant escalation of Auckland marina berth costs more and more woodys are considering a craft that will fit in the garage / driveway. Today we have a peek at a unique 18’ runabout that started life in the early 1960’s at the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland.

The story goes that there were two boats built to the same design – the first boat was (possibly) built to take the Queen Mother fishing on Lake Taupo, in the early 1960s, and the second for old family friends of the current owner, they had a house at Rainbow Point, Taupo. The boat was fitted with a Volvo Penta Stern drive. The colour of the block (bronze) suggests it was either the first or second stern drive ever imported. When the house at Rainbow Point sold – the current owner bought the boat of the family. It had sat under cover for 60 years odd – she was as dry as a bone. Her new owner, a highly skilled furniture restorer commenced a restoration that included – engine reconditioned, new exhaust manifold, complete rewire, new upholstery, 1,000 hours on the woodwork and paintwork, new covers. An amazing project that accumulated with the craft winning ‘Best Presented Boat’ at Aucklands Outboard Boating Club (OBC). Power is from a 1962 Volvo 75hp stern drive (petrol)

Sadly her owner isn’t a boatie and has only used the runabout 4 times in the last 4 years so the hunt is on for a new custodian. (Thanks to Lindsay McMorran) for the tme heads up)

Seller contact email details – john@js.co.nz

INPUT EX ANGUS ROGERS – the craft was designed by Woolley and built in New Plymouth for the Tonkin family

Katipo

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KATIPO

Todays woody – Katipo, is a real mystery, the ‘photo’ above of her popped up on the Old Signs & Advertising fb. Featured was a full page advertisement (refer below) dated Nov 1951 for a company named – Clyde Engineering, head office Wellinton, NZ. They were the agents for the Petter Marine engines.

The ad featured the launch – Katipo, owned by Henry Cotton. Included was the following details – 26’ x 8’6” x 2’ 6” , powered by a 10 B.H.P. Petter marine diesel that gave her a speed of 7 1/2 knots.

What more do we know about Katipo

HERRESHOFF STEAM LAUNCH – Sea Trial

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HERRESHOFF STEAM LAUNCH – Sea Trial

On Friday Chris McMullen dropped me a note to say the 34′ steam launch was now running and had just completed its first sea trial. Chris commented the boat is doing hull speed at about 150 PSI but the boiler should produce 250 PSI, but needs some adjustment as the smoke is as a result of the burner not working properly. The hull floats as per the design and the machinery is all working as it should.

I have included below links to past WW stories on the project. If you are time poor, the 2021 will give you an insight into the project.

WW July 7 – 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/07/chris-mcmullens-herreshoff-steam-launch/
WW July 11 – 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/11/chris-mcmullen-herreshoff-steam-launch-part-2-the-engine/
WW April – 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/26/chris-mcmullens-herreshoff-steam-launch-2/