Category Archives: Events

Geoff & Warrick Bagnall’s Achilles Relaunched

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GEOFF & WARRICK BAGNALL’s ACHILLES RELAUNCHED
Saturday was a very special day for the Auckland woody community – we got to celebrate with Milford boatbuilder Geoff Bagnall as he re-launched the 31’ 1973 Roy Parris designed and built launch – Achilles.
Geoff has built and restored a lot of very fine craft in his 19 years at the Milford yard, but the refit of Achilles is extra special because she used to be his fathers boat. Amazingly Warrick was there to witness the launching and he looked very happy, on two fronts – seeing Achilles back family ownership and it was also his 90th birthday, a cake appeared and a bloke’ish version of happy birthday was sung 🙂
Geoff also served his apprenticeship under Roy Parris so the bond with the launch is deep.
Achilles will most likely be Geoff’s last big project – in a few days he will close the shed for the last time – that is a very sad day for us woody owners but this story is all about Warrick, Geoff and Achilles, more on the future of the shed later. Today we had 4 generations of the Bagnall family coming together for the party.
Over the last 18 months I have watched Geoff crafting over the refit and the standard of workmanship and design smarts is second to none, the man has a very good eye for size, proportion and just what looks right when it comes to boats. I have had the pleasure to have Geoff work on Raindance for over 10 years and she is now twice the boat she was when I bought her in terms of practicality and looks, as a result of Geoff’s input and craft.
Some details on the ’new’ Achilles – she now measures 31’ in length, is powered by a new Yanmar 200hp turbo that will she her dancing along very nicely. That stunning finish comes from being glassed (I quote Geoff- “I don’t want to be bloody working on her again in my life-time”) and she has all the latest features to make life aboard very comfortable. There are still a few wee jobs to complete but I think you’ll agree from the photos above and video below, Achilles is an impressive sight and a wonderful example of Geoff’s skills.

 

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Below is a selection of photos taken ‘in-the-shed’ during the refit.
As always – click on photos to enlarge 😉

To view a selection of launches built by Roy Parris – click this link https://waitematawoodys.com/tag/roy-parris/page/1/

Its Regatta Day – Get Off The Couch

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Its Regatta Day – Get Off The Couch
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The black & white photo above was taken 79 years ago at the 100th Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta. The woody front, right – PACIFIC, is owned by the Classic Yacht Association of NZ, Launch Captain – Nathan Herbert.
You could write a book on this woody, but to me the coolest thing is she was launched in 1917 & ownership remains in the same family – that is 102 years for those of your that failed school cert maths.
Today marks the 179th regatta & Pacific has recently undergone an extensive refit & in my eyes is presented ‘better than new’. Photos below to back that up 🙂
There are not many events in the world that are 179 years old & still running – so today, get off the couch & either hit the water in your boat or nab a prime waterfront viewing spot to see what makes Auckland, our harbour & classic woody fleet so special. Details on start times & viewing locations at the link below.
BIG WW STORY TOMORROW – PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE 2019 MAHURANGI REGATTA WEEKEND 
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MAHURANGI REGATTA – What you are missing

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MAHURANGI REGATTA – What you are missing

If you are reading WW today, chances are you are not at Mahurangi, so to make up for it today we have a totally stunning 16minute video filmed & edited by Roger Mills of the 2018 event. Roger filmed the footage using a drone.
It truly is breathtaking & what makes it even cooler is the coverage of the Classic Launch Parade. I recommend to watch the video in it entirety, but if you are time poor, skip to the 1:50 mark.
This footage could easily be re-branded as a tourism NZ movie.
Enjoy the film, link below – 2019 regatta photos will be on WW on Tuesday.

Mystery Launch 22-01-2018

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MYSTERY LAUNCH. 22-01-2019

The above photo was sent in by Harold Kidd – the questions for Woodys today are:
1. Location
2. Name of the boat
MAHURANGI WEEKEND – ATTENTION LAUNCH OWNERS
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If you are heading up to the regatta this weekend, drop Joyce Talbot (email address below) at the CYA a quick note to confirm that you will be participating in the Classic Launch Parade on Saturday morning. The crew ’try’ to pull together a listing of boats for the parade. Only takes a minute to click the email link & confirm your boat name, year, length & designer/builder.
admin@classicyacht.org.nz
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Beatnik + Mahurangi Regatta Reminder + Details On Sunday River Cruise + Auckland Anniversary Regatta Launch Race

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BEATNIK

Woody Colin Pawson sent in the above photo of the sloop Beatnik that he snapped during the week at Great Barrier Island. She is flying a CYA burgee, but doesn’t ring any bells with me, maybe a name change or a very new member?

Her ‘cockle shell’ clinker dinghy is rather cute.

Any of the woodys able to tell us more about Beatnik?

MAHURANGI REGATTA NEXT WEEKEND

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If you’re a serious woody you will have already made plans to be at Mahurangi this coming weekend. As I have told you b4 it is the single biggest gathering of classic wooden boats in New Zealand. Lots to do & see for both yachts & launches + Saturday nights BBQ / dance ashore at Scotts Landing is huge.

You can find out more details at the link below. But for the launches, the classic launch parade meets off Scotts Landing at 10.15am, with a parade start time of 10.30am.

On Sunday at around midday there is a trip up the Mahurangi River to Warkworth – the Jane Gifford will lead the way, so we effectively have a pilot 🙂 It is a great trip & the event is being run to demonstrate support for the dredging / improvements to the basin. Details below.

http://www.mahurangi.org.nz/2018/01/26/2019-mahurangi-regatta-programme/utm_source=CYA+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=0f35421837-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_01_15_12_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_539b169589-0f35421837-67897225

I’ll post more during the week.

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Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta – Classic Launch Race

If Mahurangi was not your scene or you get back early from the Mahurangi, this event is a must do to the ‘petrol-heads’ amongst us. After 100+ years the organisers of the AADR have resuscitated the regatta classic motorboat race. Details below ex Joyce Talbot

“It’s been 100 years or more since a race for power craft was part of the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. But this year, for the first time since the early 1900s, the regatta will feature a classic launch race – and we’d love for you to be part of this historic revival.

This “new” (old) event is the perfect opportunity to show off these wonderful vessels in front of a huge audience of spectators, and a chance to prove once and for all – who has the fastest launch of them all.

Time’s running out to enter the Ports of Auckland Anniversary Regatta and put yourself in the running to win cash, a huge pool of spot prizes including a holiday in Hawaii, and your name on our historic trophy collection.

Entries cost just $30, and every entry received will go in the draw to win a holiday in Hawaii plus loads more.”

Enter now at www.regatta.org.nz

Enquiries: 0800-REGATTA   Email: admin@regatta.org.nz

 

Is This The Future Of Woody Boating?

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Is This The Future Of Woody Boating?

Normally on Boxing Day you would expect a boatbuilders yard to be very quiet – but if your were anywhere near Greg Salthouse’s Greenhite yard on the 26th Dec you would have witnessed a very special event. The yard launched two sister 10m weekender boats – ARIHI and GRACE.
Below is the story behind these two stunning launches, as told to me by Delayne Salthouse –
“Nick Peal has been with Salthouse Boatbuilders for over 38 years, and in that time construction methods have morphed and developed to achieve better this, faster that, lighter these or more efficient those. While those improvements are important and incorporated where needed, for the likes of Nick there is nothing better than getting back to the beautiful basics of a traditional build.
You can imagine the excitement when the yard received a brief to design & build two traditional looking 10m craft  that would reclaim some of the classic lines and charm of New Zealand’s coastal cruiser. This is in sharp contrast to the imported ‘plastic creations’ we see so many of in New Zealand boating in these days.
The concept plans and line drawings were done by Chris Salthouse, from these Nick has crafted Arihi & Grace utilising double skin ply, with solid timber keelson and gunwale, The boats were then heavily sheathed with double bias glass to make a robust, strong and lightweight boat.”
They are powered by a Hyundai 270hp stern leg, will cruise at 25-30 knts, and top out at around 37 knts. There is a huge super king front island berth + quarter berth with ample saloon seating that can also be a berth. Head, shower, simple cooker, fridge, large cockpit. PLUS Trailerable !!!
The boats are very easy on the eye and I have already had people asking me – who, what, where in terms of the designer / builder.
Well done Greg, Delayne, Chris, Nick & the team at Salthouses – I think you are onto a winner here.

The Launching

Arihi Splashes

Grace Splashes

Photo below sent in by Steve Finnigan – lots of zoom used on the camera/phone

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Grace

Rakanoa + Reminder Re Cool Woody Event

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RAKANOA

Today’s WW post features one drop dead gorgeous woody. The photo above is of the 56’ Rakanoa, sent in by Peter Loughlin & is the perfect photo to showcase the recent TLC she has received. Rakanoa was built in 1946 by Shipbuilders.

You can see > read more on Rakanoa here.      https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/21/rakanoa/
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LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC – WOODEN BOAT PARADE WEEKEND – FEB 8TH > 10TH
Big reminder / nudge that one of the coolest woody events of the year is fast approaching & if you are thinking of attending with your boat you need to get your A-into-G & register now.
If you are boat less & around the centre of the North Island that weekend – check out the Parade on Saturday – there will be between 70 & 100 woodys on display.
I have featured the Parade on WW for the last 4 years – so just enter Lake Rotoiti in the WW search box & you will be blown away with the boats. Or  be lazy & just click the link below to view last years event
Link below for more details on the Parade & the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association

 

Mechanical Advice Needed Re Bearings

I have been contacted by Bruce Flintoff looking for some advise on his my stern bering. Refer photos below. The bearing needs replacing. Does anyone know who supplies these bearings and what bearing would be the best replacement?

Bruces boat is Norma built around 1920 and featured in Waitemata Woody’s a couple of years back. Link below

Woodys at the Bay of Islands 2019 Tall Ships Regatta

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Woodys at the Bay of Islands 2019 Tall Ships Regatta

I have been getting lots of chat on last weeks B.O.I. Tall Ships Regatta – I understand it was the biggest event yet as far as numbers, weather, & wind went. Boosted by the inclusion of two super yachts taking part – Silvertip & Thalia. The organisers got the hangi right & the food was spot on. Two bands kept the crowd entertained & the dancing went till 1am 🙂
CYA stalwarts Kirsty & John Bertenshaw, cleaned out the regatta winning line & handicap with Riada, their 1975 Laurie Davidson designed ketch.
The photos above come to us from the camera of Dean Wright. The highlight for me in viewing the photos, was seeing Tino Rawa head honcho Tony Stevenson at the helm of the recently restored – Teal. It’s been a while since TS has been on the rail of one of the TRT classics…. Welcome back Tony , how’s the bum?  🙂
Update 17-01-2019 – Photo below (ex Hylton Edmonds) of Lady Crossley on duty as start/finish boat.
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Junior Woodys

Colin Pawson is a big fan of getting kids into boating at an early age – so when he spotted Ben (6) and Libby (4) Managh, entertaining themselves in the wooden dinghy that Ben and his dad John designed and built at home, he dived into the cabin to grab his phone/camera. Colin was moored near the Managh family at Kaiarara, Great Barrier Island last week.

Colin commented to me that watching Ben row he reckoned he will be in the Olympics in a few years time 🙂

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LADY KARITA – A Rolling Restoration

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LADY KARITA – A Rolling Restoration

Lady K has been on the receiving end of what we call a rolling restoration for the last year+. Now based in the upper South Island, her owner Murray Shaw is very close to finishing a stunning re-fit. The photos above are from the camera’s of both Murray & mutal friend, John Burland & give us a peek at the standard of the work.

The last photos show Lady K relocated last week to the western entrance of Mapua Harbour.

You can read / view more on LadyK at the WW link below-

Lady Karita

MY GIRL TRIP LOG
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I apologise upfront, clicking the link below will consume 30>45 minutes of your time today – but its a great read & Jason’s log includes some cool photos of his travels & lots of other woodys encounter along the way.
 
 
DEVONPORT FERRY Co. PROMOTIONAL FILM c.1920’s
In case you missed this 1920’s b/w video showcasing life on Auckland’s North Shore, I have included the link below. Lots of blasts from the past there – enjoy
 

https://www.facebook.com/markety.mark.92/videos/377063966386661/

A Classic Wooden Boat Cruise to The Bay of Islands & Whangaroa 

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A Classic Wooden Boat Cruise to The Bay of Islands & Whangaroa 
Two of the driving forces behind the NZ Classic Yacht Association, Jason Prew (Deputy Chairman) & Nathan Herbert (Launch Captain) spearheaded a summer cruise of classic Woodys up the northland coast to the Bay of Islands & Whangaroa Harbour.
Both Jason’s launch – My Girl & Nathan’s – Pacific have been well featured on their facebook pages but in case you missed it, I have included below a link to Jason’s fb, from which you can click thru to Nathan’s.
The photos above we sent to me by BOI based woody & professional photographer Dean Wright, taken early morning on 30-12-2018 in Opito . As always from Dean stunning photos.
The two below are from Jason Prew – & show the two woodys at anchor, early morning in Whangaroa Harbour.
Enjoy.

Check out the Xmas / NY travels here: 

My Girl – Jason Prew & Pacific – Nathan Herbert
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WIN A COPY OF PETER PEAL’S BOOK – THOUGHTS ON CLINKER LAPSTRAKE DINGHY CONSTRUCTION

 

The first woody* to email me the correct answers to the following two questions, will win a copy of the above 108 page book. NOTE: Entry only by email to:
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q1 – What item seen in the above photo/s connects the two classic launches?
Q2 – Name the person behind the connection?
If you do not win – grab a copy from Boat Books in Westhaven (also on-line)
*(skippers & associated hangers-on of the 2 boats, are excluded from entering, and before anyone asks – I decide who is a hanger-on)
AND THE WINNER IS SIMON ADAMS
Correct answers were:
1. Lapstrake dinghy’s (tenders)
2. Brooke Family (one built by Jack & the other by Robert)