Category Archives: Events

WHAT HAPPENED TO WAIRETE

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WHAT HAPPENED TO WAIRETE

Todays woody photo comes to us from ’Timespanner’ via a Chris Priestly fb post. The photo above we see the launch Wairete on the beach / foreshore at Devonport, Auckland. The photo was captioned – ’The launch was destroyed by fire, which started in the engine room. The owner was overcome by fumes and fall overboard, narrowly escaping drowning’ The story appeared in the NZ Herald on 15th March 1926.

And that woodys is all we know – can we learn more about Wairete and weather she was a write off or was salvaged and lived a 2nd life.

03-02-2024 INPUT EX GREG PHILPOTT –

The following is a report from the Auckland Star of 14 March, 1926 (from Papers Past)

“LAUNCH DESTROYED • OWNER NEARLY DROWNED • FIRE ON THE WAIRETE • CREW RESCUED BY ESME.
Fire destroyed the launch Wairete, worth £800, off Devonport wharf, at 3.45 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, and the owner, Mr. Robert Maynall, who was overcome by the fumes in an endeavour to quench the flames, fell overboard unconscious and was rescued by his two companions. Drifting opposite the wharf, one of the crew noticed that fire had broken out in the engine room. Mr. Maynall went below immediately with a small chemical extinguisher, but the flow from this proved useless. He set to work with blankets and tried to put out the fire. Soon strong benzine fumes overcame him, and he just managed to reach the deck. There he collapsed, and fell overboard. Not realising for a minute that their skipper was unconscious, Messrs. A. and F. Williams, who were on the launch, saw Mr. Maynall sink twice. As he came up the third time, they both dived to the rescue. Holding Mr. Maynall under the armpits, they contrived to keep his head above water while they clung to the launch, which was soon blazing from end to end. Relief came when the launch Esme drew near, racing from a distance at top speed. After taking the hapless trio aboard, the crew of the Esme made a great effort to save the Wairete. Flames were leaping high, and it was found to be a hopeless task. A large crowd had assembled on the wharf, and the rescue of Mr. Maynall, the timely arrival of the Esme, and the efforts to save the Wairete provided some exciting moments. The Devonport Fire Brigade, summoned by one of the crowd, could do nothing till the vessel had drifted to the rocks on the eastern side of the wharf. When the launch came within distance of a hose, water was played on her blazing length. When she struck the rocks she was badly charred, being almost totally destroyed. Dr. Rout attended to Mr. Maynall, who was found to be suffering from shock, more than anything else, and the doctor later motored all three to their homes.
Owner a Heavy Loser. Described as the most elaborate and up-to-date vessel of its kind in the harbour, the Wairete, which cost the owner in all £830, was insured for £500. She was a 28 h,p., 6-cylinder self-starter boat, fitted with electric light and all modern equipment. The launch was practically new. The origin of the fire is unknown. It was suggested by the crew that the engine back-fired, and burst a pipe leading to the petrol tank, located near the bow, in a separate compartment.

BIG WOODY EVENT AT LAKE ROTOITI (Nth Is.) COMING UP THIS WEEKEND

Always an amazing turn out of classic craft at the Lake Rotoiti wooden and classic boat parade –  Details on the website – https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/

2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA – CLASSIC WOODY LAUNCH PARADE 130+ PHOTOS 

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My GIRL
MEOLA
Launch Parade

2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA – CLASSIC WOODY LAUNCH PARADE 130+ PHOTOS 

As regular readers of the waitematawoodys site know the last weekend of January is always a biggie on the wooden boating calendar. The Mahurangi Cruising Club year-on-year pull off the biggest wooden boating event in New Zealand – {the} Mahurangi Regatta. If you type that into the WW search box your day will be ruined – hundreds of classic wooden boating photos.

I’ll apologise upfront for the lack of sailing photos – these days there are a lot of other happy-snappers recording the racing – when and if I get photos or links, I’ll add them to the story. 

It was a sub 24hr up and back trip to Mahurangi – I had an important family event that I have been dodging for years, and this year the message was – “be here” 🙂

I came away from Mahurangi feeling very upbeat for the health of the classic wooden motor boat movement – there was in excess of 50 classic woodys in the Mahurangi Harbour and from that fleet 32 skippers participated in the classic woody launch parade. A record turnout, so I say thank you those that took part and specially those that dressed their craft.

I was particularly heartened to see the return of several craft that had drifted away from the scene due to relocations, long tern refits and frustration with the community. Of note was Florance Dawn, Kumi and Raiona.

People linked to the supposedly organisation of the the parade (I’m not talking about the MCC) need to wake up to the contribution that the classic launches make to the event – 50+ craft is a mighty powerful visual vista. So fingers crossed the housekeeping improves to ensure the loyalist keep turning up.

After the speed bumps at the start, the parade got underway and a good time was had by the skippers, crews and spectators afloat and ashore at Sullivans Bay.

Enjoy the gallery of photos – some (most) boats appear twice, some I’m sure missed the camera, can’t be everywhere:-) Thanks to Steve Horsley for the photo of Raindance and Murray Deeble for the race start photo.

As always click on photos to enlarge 😉

A reward – first woody to tell me which boat in the above photos has the largest WW flag – wins a normal size WW burgee – enter at waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RACING TODAY

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RACING

Todays a first for me – I’m crewing (moveable ballast) on Jason Prew’s woody rocket ship – My Girl in the Auckland Anniversary day launch race. Do not be confused its a drag race, sure there is a handicap prize but all the bragging rights go to the first (i.e. fastest) over the finish line. My lips are sealed on top speed but its somewhere between 20 >30 knots. Crew refreshments provided by {the} Slipway Milford.

Should be a hoot. Full report to follow.

One things for certain we will not be cutting the corner off Devonport Yacht Club – a certain A-Class gaffer with a green bum, spent 4 hours parked off DYC yesterday afternoon…………

BIG PHOTO GALLERY STORY TOMORROW FROM THE 2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA  

Mahurangi Regatta Today

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Mahurangi Regatta Today

Chances are if you are reading this early today , you have missed attending the 2024 Mahurangi Regatta – so todays to give you a heads up about next weekends Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, held every year on Lake Rotoiti in the middle of the North Island – its always an amazing gathering – details here 

And here’s an ideally the above 1948 classic 15’ wooden speed boat , drop an engine in and you’ll be on the water for the 2025 parade.

LOTS OF PHOTOS FROM MAHURANGI EARLY NEXT WEEK

SEAGULL – West Coast Woody + Mahurangi Regatta Classic Woody Launch Parade Details

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SEAGULL – West Coast Woody

During the week to woodys Jeff Norris and Dave Stanaway sent in photos of the very salty looking woody launch – Seagull, that was hauled out at Dargarville on the West Coast of the North Island for some TLC.

Both gents commented that Seagull had an ex lifeboat, maybe even surf-boat look to her, but thats all they could add, so super keen to learn more about her.

07-2-2024 INPUT EX OWNER - Hi I am the owner of Seagull, pictures of her on the Doraville slipway in a post a couple of weeks back.

She was built in England 1900 -1904 as an admiralty barge, She was bought to NZ as a ships lifeboat. Spent the first 70 years of her life on the Kaipra , I bought her from Waiheke Island and bought her “Home”. She has had 4 names during her life. Seagull, Her launch and present name, Lady Irene, Spicer, and Rakapi.

Mahurangi Regatta Classic Woody Launch Parade

Will be sliding up the coast later today for the 2024 Mahurangi Regatta and the classic woody launch parade on Saturday morning – need to knows below

10.15am ASSEMBLE OFF SCOTTS LANDING

10.30AM HEAD OFF IN INDIAN FILE TOWARDS SULLIVANS BEACH

Note: there will be a clearly marked lead vessel and at Sullivans a MCC craft (probably a landing craft named- J Barry Ferguson) will pilot the woody fleet for two circuits of the bay.

COMMS: VHF CHANNEL 17

PHOTOS – SMILE AND WAVE IF YOU ARE NEAR RAINDANCE 🙂

Can We ID This Sinking Woody

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Can We ID This Sinking Woody

Todays story comes to us from Ian McDonald via the Bay of Plenty community website – SUNLIVE’ –Article written by Rosalie Liddle 

“Plans are in place for the removal of a vessel rotting and sinking on its mooring in Tairua Harbour. Sadly, the boat’s owner has recently passed away. Last week a commercial operator alerted Waikato Regional Council to an old wooden vessel sinking on its mooring in Tairua Harbour, says Waikato Regional Council’s regional harbourmaster Chris Bredenbeck. Staff from our Maritime Services team responded, pumping out the water.

The team returned again on Sunday, after becoming aware that the vessel was again taking on water. They pumped the water from the vessel and then towed it to shore on the high tide, where it remains, says Chris. After establishing that the owner has recently passed away, we arranged for the 300 litres of diesel onboard to be safely drained and taken away so it no longer posed a risk to the environment. Chris says while the diesel was being removed from the vessel at low tide, booms were set up around it just in case any contaminants escaped.

Unfortunately, the timber is rotten which prevents the vessel from being lifted off the beach, so it will be dismantled and removed over the coming days,” says Chris.”

So woodys – can we put a name to the vessel

Bay of Islands Summer Mooching + Anniversary Weekend Cruising 

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RANONI
ENTERPRIZE
ARETHUSA
IORANGI
ALOFA
VALHALLA
RAMPAGE

Bay of Islands Summer Mooching + Anniversary Weekend Cruising 

Todays gallery of classic wooden craft comes to us from the camera of Dean Wright, taken while he was cruising the bay on his woody – Arethusa.

From top to bottom the craft are:

• Ranoni – Army Bay

• Enterprise – Opunga Cove

• Arohanui – steaming past Cable Bay, Urupukapuka

• Arethusa – Whangamumu

• The Logan yacht – Iorangi – Whangamumu

• Alofa – Whangamumu

• Valhalla – Whangamumu

• Rampage – Whangmumu – an early 2000’s Robertson Boats sedan launch ( lengthened and repainted)

• Mary of York – Ben Tomb’s leeboarder

2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA – Classic Launch Parade & Sunday Gathering At KAWAU ISLAND 

The countdown is on for one of the worlds best and biggest classic wooden boating events, the Mahurangi Regatta, organised by the Mahurangi Cruising Club.

Sadly due to the freakish weather the 2023 regatta was cancelled, but plans are in place to make 2024 on-the-water and ashore at Scotts Landing bigger and better.

The Classic Wooden Launch Parade is one of the highlights of the weekends activities – followed later in the day by a serious ‘old school’ boaty BBQ ashore at Scott’s – including a massive marquee for the 20 piece dance band.

 On the Sunday, most woody launch skippers head to KAWAU ISLAND and the plan is to gather later in the day for a few sun-downers at the newly refurbished Kawau Boating Club.

Mystery 1937 Launch

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Mystery 1937 Launch 

Todays photo comes to us from ’Timespanner’ via a Maurice Sharp fb post. The location is the Whau Creek in New Lynn, Auckland and the photo originally appeared in the NZ Herald on 15 Oct 1937.

Its captioned – that the craft was 26’ in length, built by a Mr. L. Knaggs of Sandringham, Auckland to an American design, probably ex Rudder Magazine. Her first owner was a Mr.J. Harvey of New Lynn.

Can we put a name to the craft and possibly uncover what became of her.

Slipped the mooring lines yesterday for a wee trip to McKezies Bay, Rangitoto Island. Swapped photos with the crew on Endeavour, who were out celebrating owner Paul’s 84th birthday – Endeavour was looking very smart.

email jasep@me.com

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT RAINDANCE – SUMMER 2023/24 – TRIP REPORT

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CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT RAINDANCE – SUMMER 2023/24 – TRIP REPORT

With 2023 being the worst boating year that I can recall, whilst I held high hopes I also was semi expecting another fizzer – well as most of you will know the Christmas – NY period turned out to be a winner for those that slipped the lines and headed away. Other than New Years eve being very wet (but warm) we enjoyed great launch cruising conditions. Not always perfect but if you picked a spot that suited the wind and travelled at times when conditions were settled it was never unpleasant. I put my faith in PredictWind and they delivered. 

We left the marina on the 27th Dec. and chose Woody Bay, RAKINO ISLAND for Night One. Sundown drinks aboard Jenny and Angus Rogers stunning classic launch – Centaurus. Stunning sunset (as above)

Day Two was also spent in Woody Day as the wind had picked up, but very sheltered in the bay + the call had gone out for pizza from the islands Woody Bay Pizzeria, truely the best pizza’s I have eaten. 

Day Three we moved around the corner to West Bay as the forecast had a W in it which isn’t normally a good thing at Rakino – very quiet in the bay so again secured a good spot and sent Day Three and Four there.

Morning of the 30th, Day Four was decision time – head north to KAWAU ISLAND or south to WAIHEKE ISLAND – forecast was turning south so WAIHEKE was probably the better call but me stuck with the original plan and head to KAWAU, Raindance is at her best when everything on the nose so it was an ok passage. We choose to anchor for the day / night in Bostaquet Bay , a first for me, and can report a very nice anchorage and again very few boats.

Day Five (31st) we headed over to Bon Accord Harbour and took up residence on one of the RNZYS club moorings just off Lidgard House in Smelter House Bay. Plan was NYE at the recently refurbished and re-opened Kawau Boating Club. Slight problem, the power had been off on the island for 24+ hours so club closed 😦

As we relaxed onboard several helicopters were flying overhead with all manner of kit dangling below – ladders, tool boxes etc – Around 3pm power returned and thank god the back up generator had kept the beer frig working 🙂 . But the rain arrived and continued non-stop most of the night. KBC appeared to get well supported but people tended to come ashore for a meal and retreat to the boat.

Day Six was a lazy day mooching around the island and back to the mooring + KBC

Day Seven we head south to WAIHEKE ISLAND and spent the day in Oneroa re provisioning and hosting some friends from Devonport for drinks, then catching up with Waiheke friends ashore.

Day Eight a lazy day exploring WAIHEKE and moved to Hekerua Bay for the evening. I crossed the dark side and had drinks onboard another friends new non wood boat – putting aside the construction it was very grand (ice maker + water maker – 200L a day) our pup was very taken with the ability to do 360° laps of the boat.

The plan was to head down to the ‘bottom end’ the next day but the forecast included a H & a E so the decision was made to head home after another lazy day, on Day Nine. 

The trip restored my faith in owner a boat and helped make 2023 a distant memory.

There is so many photos that I have divided the trip report into two sections, Part One = the trip and Part Two (tomorrow) = the classic boats that were out and about. Todays story is broken up by location – ENJOY

(And sorry for the lengthy, slightly over-the-top title but there are key words that do wonders for the overseas search engines)

RAKINO ISLAND 🔻

KAWAU ISLAND – Bostaquet Bay 🔻

KAWAU ISLAND – Smelter House Bay 🔻

KAWAU ISLAND – Kawau Boating Club 🔻

WAIHEKE ISLAND 🔻

Have To Include One Of Raindance

KAWAU BOATING CLUB – OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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KAWAU BOATING CLUB – OPEN FOR BUSINESS

If the weather gods have been nice to me I’ll be in residence at KBC tonight- checked out the photos above of the recent (winter of 2023) refurbishment – the club / bar is looking its best ever. Big shout out to everyone involved.

BUT – these things come at a cost – so if you are cruising about Kawau _

1. Call in for a fizzy drink and /or meal – all welcome

2. Consider joining the club while you are there – we need your support.

Happy New Year Woodys 🙂

UPDATE – Dinner was very good. Scallops & Salad and the kiwi classic- fish & chips