Category Archives: Events

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT RACING ON THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR – Auckland Anniversary Regatta

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RACE START VIDEO
MY GIRL

THE PARADE

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

TUGBOAT RACE

DO NOT STOP LOVING YOUR CLASSIC WOODY

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BELOW – ON A GOOD DAY

DO NOT STOP LOVING YOUR CLASSIC WOODY

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

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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.

So today we flash back to 2020 , the biggest and best classic woody weekend on record – check out below and enjoy a vicarious regatta 🙂 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/01/28/mahurangi-weekend-biggest-on-the-water-wooden-boating-event-down-under-200-classic-wooden-boat-photos/

Race start off RNZYS / Westhaven > Orakei and return > RNZYS

MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH – CAN WE ID

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MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH – CAN WE ID

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.”

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH ALMEDA GETS A REFRESH

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH ALMEDA GETS A REFRESH

 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.

REMEMBER TO PICK UP A COPY OF THE 2026 MAHURANGI CRUISING CLUB YEAR BOOK – 4SALE AT THE PRIZE GIVING – ONLY $20

WHERE IS THE MOTOR-SAILER SOUTHERN BELLE TODAY

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WHERE IS THE MOTOR-SAILER SOUTHERN BELLE TODAY

Todays woody story features the 35’ ketch rigged motorsailer- SOUTHERN BELLA, launched in 1960. She featured in the August 1961 edition of Sea Spray magazine.

In the top photo we see her preparing for launching at the Devonport Yacht Club. In the Sea Spray article , below, they described her as amateur designed and built by Barney and Peter Soljak (father & Son), alongside they Devonport home.

When launched she was powered by a 50hp BMC Commodore Diesel engine + a 4.5hp Lister auxiliary engine. 

(Story and photos ex Sea Spray magazine via Ken Ricketts)

Southern Belle and Raiona B.O.I. – date unknown

Back in 2019 in another story, DYC related, Chris Leech commented at SOUTHERN BELLE had suffered fire damage and been restored. Chris supplied to photos , the first hauled out at DYC and afloat post repairs. Can we learn more about what happened and what became of SOUTHERN BELLE after this.

2026 RUSSELL CLASSIC TALL SHIPS SAILING REGATTA

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2026 RUSSELL CLASSIC TALL SHIPS SAILING REGATTA

Following on from the weekends story on the Russell Boating Club’s classic wooden launch parade (link below), today thanks to BOI photographer – Dean Wright we get to enjoy some stunning photos from the race.

Classic launch parade https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/01/10/bay-of-island-russell-classic-launch-parade/

Later in the week you will be able to view the just of the race fleet here  https://russellboatingclub.org.nz/tall-ships.html

To view the full race results click here https://russellboatingclub.org.nz/results/tall_ships_2026.htm

Below is the recently re-launched – MARLINE, the 1949/50’s Leon Warne built classic launch – out following the fleet.

A few of the zoom zommers watching the yacht race

BAY OF ISLANDS – RUSSELL  – CLASSIC LAUNCH PARADE

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VIDEO EX IAN HOLT

https://www.facebook.com/groups/316224205161973/permalink/25652234717800906/?mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=KPLPuWDP0YaaYW1o#

BAY OF ISLANDS – RUSSELL  – CLASSIC LAUNCH PARADE

Yesterday (Friday 9th) saw a group of woody classic boat owners participate in a parade of classic craft as part of the Russell Boating Club – Tall Ships Regatta weekend.

Great turn out with an even mix of launches, ex game boats and ex work boats, looked like perfect conditions and a great time by all. 

Part of the event was a log rally which my spies tell me was a tad too long and my lips are sealed but maybe a few skippers may have been using the smart phones for more tha just phone calls……..

Photos thanks to Hilton Ward onboard SPINDRIFT.  (as always click on photos to enlarge)

Today (Saturday) will be a biggie on the water with the running of the 50th Tall Ships Sailing Regatta.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS – The winner of the log rally was the Owen Woolley built launch – KORAWAI, owned by Tania and Matt Cooper. Photo below of Matt (R) and cabin boy Grant Gibbs. I suspect they won it fair and square – I know both well and both are luddites when it comes to technology 🙂

12-01-2026 UPDATE BELOW – ex Margo & Jamie Hudson

CLASSIC WOODEN BIG GAME BOAT – DOROTHY – FLASHBACK

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CLASSIC WOODEN BIG GAME BOAT – DOROTHY – FLASHBACK

Back in July 2015 WW ran a great story on the Oliver & Gilpin built launch DOROTHY, link below. At the time we only had one every stunning b/w photograph  https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/07/01/dorothy-2/  There is lots of chat on DOROTHY at the link.

Fast forward to late Dec 2025 and woody John Dawson sent in the great photo above .

Can we learn more about where she is today.

05-01-2025 – INPUT ex CRAIG OGLE – My old mate Wayne owned her in the 90s he sold her to a couple fellas in Wellington as far as I know.

Merry Christmas from Waitematawoodys

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Merry Christmas from Waitematawoodys to all the crew who follow along each day.

It’s been a monster year for WW, with more than one million extra views over last year – still hard to get my head around that, and I’m hugely grateful.

A special shout-out to all the helpers who send in stories, photos, and snippets of history. You know who you are, and you make my job a whole lot easier (and far less stressful).

I hope everyone gets the break they deserve and need. If you’re afloat over the holidays, enjoy it – and safe boating to all.

Now… if there’s no story tomorrow, it will be because the co-owner of Raindance didn’t see the humour in the “gift” (the book below ) I picked up in a second-hand bookshop 

And finally – if you’re out and about over the Christmas / New Year period and you spot a woody, could be yours ;-), take a photo and email it in to
waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Thanks again for the support.

THE WOODY SANTA (Bill Rimmer / Poco Lento ) WAS SEEN ARRIVING AT DEVONPORT.