PHOTOS OF 1904 LOGAN YACHT – ARIKI BACK IN THE WATER
After an 8-month refit at Okahu Bay, Auckland, the 1904 Logan Bros. classic yacht Ariki was dropped back into the water yesterday at Westhaven.
Still needs the stick & rigging but she looks a treat.
You can see / read more on the refit here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/14/ariki-restoration/
(photos ex one of my waterfront spies 🙂 )
Easter Woody Cruise – 36 photos
Wow – I can not remember when we last had 4 days back-to-back of stunning Easter weather. Not sure about the rest of the country but the Hauraki Gulf was near perfect. Each day the cloud / haze disappeared mid morning & the from then on it was 10/10, even the stick & rag boys would have been happy – enough breeze to push them along.
Above is a collection of random photos from over the weekend – on a personal front I had two highs –
1. Anchored briefly in Oneroa on Friday & bloke came over in his dinghy & said (to me the magical words) “I used to own your boat years ago”. Turns out he bought her off Blair Cole (boatbuilder), who rebuilt her after she sank (late 1980’s). She was keep in the upper Harbour near Riverhead & he confirmed that her original name was Lady Gay. Lots of chat & I was rapped to hear about a period of her life I was unaware off . I even forgave him for now owning a Riviera 😉
2. Second highlight was at last visiting Garden Cove, Waiheke Island. Every time I have attempted to enter the very small cove, it has been packed with plastic fizz boats. On Sunday morning the gods smiled on Raindance & we spent the day in this very special spot catching up with Sue & Mark Edmonds on Monterey. Even overnighted there. The entrance is very narrow & we witnessed a few fizzies enter via the wider side – luck must have been with them , as the dodged the bricks (the red arrow on the last photo shows the narrow entry point)
Garden Cove photos below, as always click to enlarge 😉
photo – Mark Edmonds
LEISURE HOUR
I have been contacted by Don & Teresa Windley, the new owners of Leisure Hour. Teresa & Don purchased Leisure Hour from master boat restorer John Wright and sailed her from Westpark Marina Hobsonville to her new home at Mahurangi Marinas. Built some 82 years ago she is built strong and has strong standing rigging. Her little Arona diesel engine performed well and didn’t miss a beat on the trip. Don told me that they will continue with the good work John Wright started in keeping this lovely old sail boat in good sailing condition, 1st project being rewiring all the internal electrics. This winter a planned haul out will include masts out which need re-varnishing.
Don thanked WW for publishing Leisure Hours story a little while ago that included some of her history from Harold Kidd. The WW story and the trademe ad helped them to make the decision to purchase a classic they could manage to sail together, as they had been looking for some time. It is always nice to hear that WW is helping people discover the classic wooden boating movement.
You can see/read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/12/24/classic-vintage-1936-ketch-leisure-hour/
09-01-2021 Update from Angus Rogers – photos below taken at Gt Barrier Island 2020-21 xmas/ny period
As a bonus today – below is a link to a 30min video of the Melbourne based classic yacht Sayonara, in Sydney for News Eve 2001 , sent to me by Alan Good – enjoy it’s a cool look back at yachting 17 years ago.
Nana
Mahanui
Volantis
Korara
Classic Woody Riverhead Hotel Cruise
Not wanting to sound like a parrot but the CYA has an amazing track record of aceing the weather for its launch cruises to the waterfront Riverhead Hotel.
The forecast was average, but it just never eventuated & subsequently the boats that made the trip had a great day.
So cool to have one of our yachties make the trip, that center-board helped 😉
Highlight of the day for me was seeing John Wright’s recently restored launch – Nana. Nana was designed by C. Bailey Jun. & built by C. Bailey & Sons in 1934. You can view more on Nana’s amazing journey, from rescue to re-launch at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/02/01/nana-resuced-restored/
John has one of the best eyes for how a woody should look, the final details on Nana make her look perfect, in my eyes. John, you should have finished the trip & come up to the hotel, I have a WW tee-shirt for you – email me your postal address – waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Also had a peek at the publican’s – Paula & Stephen Pepperell’s 1967 Jorgensen launch -Volantis, that is nearing the end of an extensive re-fit, Stephan is another woody with a great eye for detail.
Below are a collection of photos from the camera of Simon Smith who was perched on the Greenhithe Bridge – they give us another perspective on some of our classics. Pity Simon wasn’t there for the return trip – Raindance & the motor-sailer Korara, were just passing under the bridge, being good woodys, traveling to starboard of a large plastic yacht (a Hanse) that was approaching the bridge – when all of a sudden the yachts bow shot up out of the water & the yacht shot backwards. The reason – you guessed it – mast hit the bridge (photo of dent to the bridge, below) luckily they were travelling slow, any faster & they might have lost the mast. I suspect there was a change of undies needed for the crew.
Raindance & Nana
Lucinda
Lucille
Mahanui
Arohanui
Korara
Upper Harbour ‘V’s’ Yacht Oops
HDML – Kuparu – P3563 Looking Rather Smart
Kupara
Whangaroa Harbour 1971
The above photo (by G. Riethmaier) is dated Jan 1971 & show several craft in the bay of the Northland Lodge (later to become Kingfisher Lodge)
Can any woody ID the launch on the left?
CYA Riverhead Pub Cruise – Tomorrow
Don’t forget that tomorrow (Sunday) we will have some of the classic launch fleet cruising to the Riverhead Hotel for lunch. Boats are departing at 11.30am from under/around the Auckland Harbour Bridge, then proceeding to the Riverhead with an estimated ETA of 1.00pm. As always it’s fairly casual, so you can join in at any stage on-route. For the newbies – follow the leader & you will be all good in terms of navigating the ‘creek’. Remember to bring a dinghy. And if you are boat-less, come by car.
There is always a good turn-out of waitematawoodys there (photo below)
If the sun shines, there will be some good photos on WW on Monday
MANAIA – Launch Day
The above photos of Manaia were sent to me by Paul Drake – I’ll let Paul tell the story behind them.
“The first four I took on launching day. I was 15 and in the midst of School Certificate. No exam that day, so off I went on my bike from home in Balmoral, camera in my bag.
In the second pic, Capt. Warwick Dunsford can be seen in charge on the foredeck (white boiler suit and black beret).
In the third pic, Percy Vos himself is clearly recognizable just by the fore foot.
The last two photos I have had since the 1960’s & most likely come from the camera of TW Collins. Great photos, especially the one from the port quarter, and show MANAIA at work.
MANAIA is certainly very original, but note that the stem now has an unattractive (to me) hook near the top. Much better straight in my view. Also note unusual chine aft. Double ender but hard chine aft. That’s why she can do 15 knots if required!
MANAIA was about the last of the large wooden pilot vessels built for New Zealand ports. About the same time as AKARANA and 10 years after TIAKINA (Wellington – and also a Collings design). TIAKINA of course built in England and steamed out via Suez Canal.”
You can see photos of Manaia today, looking very smart & read extensive details on her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/01/26/manaia/
Volvo Round-the-World Yacht Race -Auckland Start
Photos Below In The Order They Passed North Head
And a couple of Woodys amongst the sea of plastic boats
Peter Boardman – Lady Margaret
Angus Rogers – Mahanui
NOR’ EAST
The above photo of the launch Nor’ East appeared via Lew Redwood on the NZ Cars, Boats etc. face book page. Its thought the photo was taken in the 1970’s.
I could be very wrong but to my eyes she looks to be leaving Milford Creek, Auckland.
What do we know about Nor’ East?
Input from Kevin Cassidy – The photo of Nor ‘East is from the cover of Seaspray mag in early 60’s with the caption Nor ‘East maiden voyage. She was built by Allen Williams at Milford creek.
97th Lipton Cup
Popped over to Westhaven to get some fuel yesterday afternoon & by chance caught the end of the 97th Lipton Cup, Mullet boat race (details below*). Not sure of the winner so will leave that announcement to the host club – the ‘Royal’ Ponsonby Cruising Club.
A nice breeze saw them scooting along at a good turn of speed. A selection of the boats below (ex iphone & blown up, so a little grainy)
*The Lipton Cup is NZ yachting oldest competed for trophy that is sailed for in 22ft (6.7mt) L Class yachts which are commonly referred to as Mullet Boats. Some of the race fleet are now over 100 years old and are still very competitive.
A Message for CYA Members
Next weekend is a double banger for CYA launch owners – on Saturday (24th) there is the annual Cake Day & Round Rangi Yacht Race. The day ends with a raft-up in Islington Bay, where along with lots of refreshing fizzy drinks, there is a cake competition (not compulsory but a lot of fun). The gathering is a great opportunity for CYA launch owners to mix & mingle with the rag & stick boys.
Then on Sunday (25th) we have a lunch cruise up to the Riverhead Hotel – these days are brilliant classic outings – details on the CYA website http://classicyacht.org.nz
If you are doing the trip (I will be) – be a good lad & follow the leader up the creek. The skipper of the plastic boat below, who shall remain nameless, but steers very big commercial vessels for a living, last weekend ignored the channel & spent a long night on the mud flats 🙂
Yachts at Kawau Island – Sailing Sunday – Win A WW T-Shirt
This Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island photo from the ‘NZ Car, Boats, >>> Utes Pre’75’ FB page shows a great collection of classic yachts (& a few launches).
I’ll put up a WW t-shirt to the woody that can ID the most yachts – given my launch angle – I’ll get a yachty to verify the answers. To stop copy-catting, entries ONLY via email to
waitematawoodys@gmail.com
LIPTON CUP RACE – SATURDAY – MARCH 17th
The 97th Lipton Cup race is set to take place on the 17th of March. 22 miles of blood, sweat and tears is to be raced by the 22ft L Class ‘mullet boats’ to see who will triumph as the winner of the esteemed Lipton Cup trophy. This is a highlight of the yachting calendar and this year it appears there will be fierce competition with a number of the mullet boats performing exceptionally well in recent racing. With only 3 years to go until the 100th you can expect there to be a lot more competition and boats coming out of the wood work to compete in following years. Previous crew and owners are always welcome to come down and watch with the club open all day with food and refreshments (with a lift for the weathered yachties).
The days events are as follows:
7am – Hot cooked breakfast (Prebooked)
9am – Race briefing
11am – Race commences
3pm approx – Race finishes
6pm approx – Prize giving and after party
Watch Video footage from last years race here https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=LAZotynoqiA
My Big Woody Adventure
Several months ago David Cooke tapped me on the shoulder & asked if I would like to join Barbara & himself aboard their 1965 Salthouse built classic motor-yacht, Trinidad, on the first leg of their circumnavigation of New Zealand – Bay of Islands (East Coast of the North Island) > down the West Coast to Picton (top of the South Island). The short answer was hell yes.
Fast forward to Saturday January 20th 2018 & the Cooke’s, myself & Jamie Hudson (owner of near sister ship – Lady Crossley) are having our last land based dinner at the Whangaroa Sport Fishing Club. Very appropriate that it was fish & chips. An early night was called & we woke at 5.30am Sunday morning to prepare for departure – photos & trip details below – read on & enjoy the journey – I did 🙂
A slightly different format today – magazine style i.e. photos & copy to support them, have also captioned some. When you are doing 3 hours on 3 hours off watches, food plays a big part of the day – so there are a few food shots. When Barbara deemed I needed to be punished for some misdemeanor she would not tell my what was for dinner & keep me guessing all day. To a serious foodie, that was cruel.
Dinner at Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club
We left Whangaroa early on Sunday (21/01) – approx. 515 nautical miles ahead of us. Conditions were a little damp & a combination of sea mist & low cloud meant we saw little of the Northland coast. In fact North Cape / Cape Regina was only an outline.
We crossed the top of the North Island mid afternoon. Gave the Pandora Bank a very wide berth & pointed Trinny in a straight line to the South Island. The rain and drizzle continue into the first night but after that it was a dry run. We had a 10>15 knot breeze from NE most of the way & a 2>3m swell. The combination of a steadying sail & a wee headsail worked a treat, not for speed but simply to help steady the rolling motion. When both are set the wheel can be left and Trinny will hold her course.
They say an army marches on its stomach – well the Trinny crew certainly had no complaints with the gallery – we dined well 🙂
Stunning sunset
Stunning dawn, off Taranaki
The clock on the GPS says 3:58am & we were just off New Plymouth, the gas well / rig lights being the first thing we had seen other than H2O. Mount Egmont poking thru the clouds / mist. This was the view most days – same > same but very wow.
Lots of dolphins (& the odd shark)
The crew – Barbara, David, Jamie & myself below
Closing in on Stephens island at the northern end of the Marlborough sounds, the weather gods smiled on us for the trip across Cook Straight & with the GPS reading 9.6 knots it was a happy crew. It had been a dry trip, so we were hanging out for a cold beer once we had dropped anchor in Queen Charlotte Sound.
We arrived in Resolution Bay at approx. 6pm, a total travel time of close to 60 hrs. And immediately rafted up with friends of Barbara & David’s – Rob and Mandy Carpenter who own the Warwick designed launch Pandanoosa. When the engine was killed it was so peaceful, but saying that the faultless beat of the 6LX Gardner was quite hypnotic.
I lost the bet on how long the trip would take (only by 45mins) & was forced to wear a bar napkin, take orders and serve drinks while displaying my best manners……….
We had a great night & a superb meal of Blue Cod aboard Pandanoosa.
Captain Cooke – peeling the potatoes for dinner
Bay Of Many Coves Resort
The Crew, brunch & bubbles
We awoke after a great sleep – we had been doing watches of 3 hours on / 3 hours, to the magnificent beauty of The Sounds. It’s just so big & so stunning. The next 2 days were spent mooching around the bays & coves sucking up the scenery(Pickersgill Island, Blumine Island, Endevour Inlet, Anapawa Island). Brunch at the Bay of Many Coves resort was a special treat, as were drinks at Furneaux Lodge.
This is my pick of the waterfront properties we saw. I will do another WW story soon on the boat sheds – some stunners.
Cabin boy Jamie doing his morning chores
A little sad when we had to berth Trinny at the Waikawa Bay marina & clean / pack up. End of the line for Jamie & myself but just the start for the Cooke’s – you can follow their cruise on the Trinidad Travels facebook page – link below
https://www.facebook.com/barbara.cooke.9028/posts/160438894747674
The return journey – I had always wanted to do the Wellington > Auckland scenic train trip, so suggested to Jamie that we took the overnight ferry from Picton > Wellington & caught the train home. A great plan, just had to kill 5 hours in the middle of the night in Wellington. I think Jamie thought Mermaids was a seafood restaurant………..
Train was very cool, a few issues with brakes overheating that extended the travel time – but I would do the trip again.
Highlights:
For the overseas viewers I have included below a few photos of Trinidad, a rather magnificent ship – looking as always very regal. You can see / read more about her here
https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/19/trinidad-52-salthouse-motor-yacht/
CYA Classic Yacht Regatta 2018 – Day Two – Race 2 – 50+ Photos
Popped out early on Raindance to catch the start of the regatta – not much of a day for photos, overcast………. but the stick & rag boys would have been happy with the breeze.
If there appears to be a high degree of repetition with the photos – thats because there were not a lot of classics competing. A-division had a good turn out but you could count the rest with out having to take our shoes & socks off.
Maybe everyone sleep in & they turned up for the afternoons race ?
Numbers aside – bloody impressive sight when they are all powered up. Things got a little tense at the start – some very un- corthinthian yachting language was heard, more often then not, the worst culprits always seem to flying a small blue burgee…… 😦
Below – My Pick For Best Photo (not mine, ex Jason Prew’s FB page)
When you arrive 5 mins late for the start you have to do whatever it takes to get into the race – it’s not often you see Jason out of the cockpit, let alone on Wairiki’s rail 🙂
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