At the recent 2026 Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat weekend one of the stand out craft was LADY BETH, a 23’ picnic / day boat, builder unknown. I was surprised with her build date as she had a ‘new build’ level of presentation.
Today thanks to the LRC&WB team we get to learn more about LADY BETH’s past and how she ended up my pick of the 2026 parade.
LADY BETH, formerly named HIDDEN AGENDA, was first used in Whakatane as a picnic and tour boat. She then moved to Napier and was used in the same way until she was to be found on Lake Taupo, moving to Lake Rotoiti about 40 years ago. Purchased by the current owners in April 2018, she underwent a major 20 month refit at Alan Craig’s boatyard where she was transformed into the very beautiful classic wooden boat she is today. She is named after Lady Beth Moore, (mother of her co owner), who was born the same year the launch was and loved the lake since coming on her honeymoon in 1942.
Her inboard has been replaced by a 9.9hp outboard in a concealed well. The glass house is made of teak and a teak bowspit and duckboard were fitted with stainless anchor and remote windlass. During restoration it was noted she originally had 2 portholes each side, not just the 1. So stainless ones were imported from Italy.
BAY of ISLANDS CLASSIC WOODYS – KERIKERI INLET RAID
Last weekend a few of the B.O.I.’s classic launch skippers gathered for a cruise up the Kerikeri Inlet to raft up at the Stone Store for a catch up. The real reason was a session at the Plough & Feather waterfront pub.
One of the WW cub reporters – Grant Gibbs was aboard KORAWAI to record the event.
I note from the photos that a couple of ‘visitors from Hawkes Bay’ managed to tag along, but we will turn a blind eye to that.
I’ll comment more on the Bay of Islands woody scene in Mondays upcoming story.
Today woodys I want to draw your attention to an upcoming woody event – the Worldwide Classic Boat Show hosted by our friends at the Vblog – Off Centre Harbor. The show has been running annually for several years and just gets better and better – read more below. With the Worldwide Classic Boat Show, the best boats from around the world come to you, wherever you are. You can search and explore hundreds of boats via characteristics like propulsion, era, or size, and see them all on the interactive world map:
WHERE & WHEN: Where: The show is entirely virtual — online at ClassicBoatShow.com You can attend from your favorite lounge chair. When: Everything starts on Friday, February 20th: Gates open, boats arrive and presentations begin. WHAT’S AT THE SHOW? The Map – Everything in the world related to classic boats is on one interactive map Live Presentations – Presentations featuring experts on a variety of topics Boats – Over 1,000 of the world’s best classic boats (with beautiful photos and details) Organizations – Explore festivals, boatbuilders, clubs, museums, schools, etc. People – Connect with other attendees anywhere in the world (right there on the map)
For example, say you want to explore the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, and you find this boat – just click on it and you’ll get to see her history and details, ways to learn more about the boat, and see more great photos (and videos if available):
There always has to be a woody boat – todays is the launch TAURAKA. While at Lake Rotoiti for the annual classic and wooden boat parade over the weekend I spotted TAURAKA hiding in the willows looking very neglected. She has been on WW below, in fact in March 2022 (link below) we did an SOS story trying to find a new custodian – anyone know the current status. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/19/tauraka-sos/
As the photos will quickly confirm, Saturday 7 February delivered near-perfect conditions for the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association’s annual gathering. While the event unfolds over four days, it’s the Saturday on-the-water get-together that remains the undisputed highlight.
From a photographer’s point of view, wall-to-wall sunshine and tricky angles don’t always play nicely with timber and varnish. So, if I’ve missed your boat or the images aren’t quite showroom-perfect, my apologies — I was doing my best to keep up with a lot of very good-looking boats.
The day naturally divides into two acts: the Parade, followed by the Picnic. A few familiar regulars were absent this year, but they were more than ably replaced by some truly stunning “new” additions to the fleet, making for an impressive and varied lineup on the water.
Sit back, enjoy the gallery, and soak up a little Lake Rotoiti magic. As always click photos to enlarge.
Special thanks to David & Glenys Wilson for the generous loan of a boat for the day 🙂
CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT RACING ON THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR – Auckland Anniversary Regatta
After the disappointment of a cancelled Mahurangi Regatta weekend I was chafing at the bit to get out on the water.
Being Auckland Anniversary Day yesterday , I secured a spot aboard Jason Prew’s classic launch MY GIRL – WW readers will be aware that MY GIRL holds the title of fastest classic wooden launch on the Waitemata.
So at 11am we were on the start line for the classic launch inner harbour race – start off RNZYS > down to Orakei Bouy > across to Devonport area > back up the harbour to the finish line (aka the start line). Conditions were best described as ok, certainly better than the previous 4 days, overcast, the occasional shower and westerly >20 knots.
This year we were lacking a few of real quick woodys so Mr Prew had the race in hand after 10 seconds. Some close racing with the ‘recently’ re-powered woodies – NGAIO and LUCINDA. Do not have the handicap results but line honours went to MY GIRL / NGAIO / LUCINDA. All serviced at The Slipway Milford yard so a nice trifecta.
Earlier in the morning the tug/workboats put on their normal spectacular performance – see below.
The parade of sail was bolstered by several classic woodys that did not race – parade photos second group above.
Enjoy the photo gallery, light on the winning boat, always is when the bloke with the camera is aboard the favourite 😉
As always – photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
RACE RESULTS – MY GIRL collects line and handicap honours
A wise old wooden boat builder told me once varnish on boats is like a house with a swimming pool – looks great, helps sell it but you soon get tied of the upkeep.
Well things have changed / improved with the development of some of ’new’ wonder products on the market but they still regular TLC, even if it’s just putting the covers on.
Today we see what 12 mths of neglect can do – sad, very sad. But dockside chat says that a tin of white paint could be on the horizon , so maybe its a work-in-progress.
AND WOODYS – REMEMBER TO GET DOWN TO THE WATERFRONT TO CHECK OUT TODAYS ANNIVERSARY DAY MOTORBOAT INNER HARBOUR RACE – 11 am – RACE START IN FRONT OF RNZYS CLUBROOMS – Course is down to Orakei Buoy and back to finish off RNZYS – so good viewing from most city-side waterfront locations. I’ll be there onboard the rocket ship seen in the photo below, hopefully defending the title – first across the line 🙂
WAS THIS MAHURANGI REGATTA OUR BEST CLASSIC WOODY EVENT EVER
As some of you will be aware todays Mahurangi Regatta was cancelled sadly for all the right reasons – the safety of our craft and people must always come first.
Earlier in the week I was sent the photo above with a very short note – “Found an old photo. Not sure of the boats name but if anyone wants the picture they can have it.”
So woodys can we ID the craft and hopeful learn where she is today and then we can offer the photo to the current owner.
MAHURANGI REGATTA –CANCELLED
A LEFT FEILD QUESTION
WW was contacted by the owner of a vessel named WATERHORSE – message below.
“I was wondering if someone can give me information on a boat I bought. It was built around 2006 for the movie ‘Waterhorse” for Weta Workshop designed by Bruce Askew. It was the PT boat during the later part of the movie. It is a glass over ply construction 32 feet long. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”
On Friday I point the car north for a quick trip to Sandspit Marina for the relaunch of the 36′ classic wooden launch ALMEDIA. Some background – built by Alan (Snow) Waters in approx. 1972, designer unconfirmed but most likely by Walters himself with design leanings to John (Jack) Brooke.
Single skin strip plank hull and decks appear to be 2 layers of tongue & groove. She is powered by a 6 cylinder Ford. Home has been the Matakana River for 25+ years. Owner Kim needs a medal for his work ethic, the dock chat was that it was the speediest haul out and work schedule seen at the yard. Started on Dec 22nd 2025 = 4 weeks turnaround. Possibly helped by the self imposed rule ‘ No Beers Till Launch Day’ 🙂 Pre launching I caught up with Gregs Lees and his team at Lees Boatbuilders, Greg reports a healthy calendar of work to start the year, so thats good news for the wooden boating movement.
UPDATE FEB2026 – nice to she her out and about, at anchor in Bon Accord, Kawau Island. Photos ex Angus Rogers
REMEMBER TO PICK UP A COPY OF THE 2026 MAHURANGI CRUISING CLUB YEAR BOOK – 4SALE AT THE PRIZE GIVING – ONLY $20
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