Category Archives: Events

My Woody Happy Place

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My Woody Happy Place

Later today I’ll be heading down to Lake Rotoiti (Nth Island) for the weekend & its no ordinary weekend – its the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade weekend. Over 70 classic & wooden vessels of all shapes & sizes make the lake their home for the weekend, which climaxes with a lake front parade in Okawa Bay on the Saturday morning (starting at 11:00am), all the vessels are viewable from the roadside/ grass reserve. Following the parade the fleet will cruise to Wairau Bay for a good old fashioned picnic.
Myself & Chris Miller have been making the crusade for the last 4 years & its now a most do each year for us.
To check out the previous parades type Lake Rotoiti in the ww search box.

The photos above were taken last weekend by CYA Launch Captain, Angus Rogers who was at the lake for a wedding. The classics (Lady Kathleen, Achernar & a couple of unknowns) are a few of the boats that have a permanent home on the lake.
If you are out & about this long weekend & near the lake, check out the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association website for viewing details.
http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz

Weather permitting there will another cracker ww post from the lake to start the week with 😉

Big Woody Weekend -120+ Classic wooden launch & yacht photos from 2017 Mahurangi Regatta

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Big Woody Weekend -120+ Classic wooden launch & yacht photos – Mahurangi Regatta

Rather a large post this morning woodys – the long weekend started around mid-day Friday when I slipped the lines at the marina & headed up the coast for the Mahurangi Regatta weekend. Late afternoon & into the evening, Sullivans Bay started to fill up with classic launches & cruising classic yachts. Given the SW breeze the classic yacht race fleet were not far behind. Makes a pleasant change to get to see the fleet finishing in daylight 🙂

Saturday dawned as a repeat of Friday in terms of the weather – 10/10, & it stayed that way for the next 3 days – maybe summer has arrived.
For the last few years we have been trying to beat the drum & build interest > participation in a classic wooden launch parade as part of the weekends activities – well 2017 was the year that the classic woodys really made a statement – 35+ launches of all ages & sizes meet off Scotts Landing & proceeded to motor over to Sullivans Bay & parade along the beach front in a special lane that was laid for the parade. To all the skippers that made the effort to join in, many thanks for making the event special. To the skippers that remained at anchor, maybe next year ……… 🙂
While I have been told on numerous occasions that its a sailing weekend, the truth is that with the growth of the classic launch movement , the Mahurangi weekend is now the largest classic wooden boating event in NZ. So lets all enjoy the event & celebrate our magnificent classics. I do have one wee bleat about the weekend, but I’ll talk about that at the end of todays post.

I have broken todays pictorial into five parts – Launch Parade, Regatta Yacht Race, General Regatta, Kawau Island & Trip home / Auckland Anniversary Regatta

At the Regatta prize giving on Saturday night I was chuffed to accept on Harold Kidd’s behalf the ‘John Cole Trophy’ (photo below) – awarded for ‘aesthetic contribution to the Mahurangi Regatta’, when I told Harold about the award he was concerned that it had taken 80 years for people to recognize his good looks, I told him I think his looks were enhanced by the fleet of classics he has presented over the years at the regatta 😉
Not along after walking up to collect Harolds award I was up again – it was my turn this time – I was presented with the ‘Handicappers Trophy’ (photo below) for helping with the Launch Parade over the last 5 years.

I saw lots of cameras out there, so send your photos to waitematawoodys@gmail.com & we will share them (the good ones) with the wider woody community.

AND REMEMBER YOU CAN ENLARGE THE PHOTOS BY CLICKING ON THEM.

LAUNCH PARADE (Hopefully I got everyone, if I missed you boat, sorry but one guy (only me on-board, family joined later) & one camera has limitations

REGATTA YACHT RACING

GENERAL REGATTA

KAWAU ISLAND – in case you did not know – the Kawau Boat Club rocks

TRIP HOME + SOME AUCKLAND ANNIVERSARY REGATTA PHOTOS

DOG FREE REGATTA

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As you mooch around classics one of the things you notice is that a  lot & I mean A LOT of the boats have dogs on-board, not big scary dogs, 99% of the time they are small / medium dogs & they tend to be very loved & very well behaved – I would estimate that 1/3 of the people that I regularly boat with have a pooch & that pooch is better behaved than most kids. So why would someone attempt to make a classic boating event dog free. Thats what the organizers of the Mahurangi Regatta tried to do this weekend, I say tried because common sense won out & the dogs stayed. But it really does worry me that they are people out there that would send the time & effort to try to change the council rules on a piece of public land just because they do not like dogs. Maybe next time they should try making it Kids Free 🙂 A word of warning, keep this up & you will lose a large chunk of your loyalists.

I will not bother to comment on the stanch of DOC & its apparant drive to make every beach / reserve dog free…….. that is another story.

Turongo + Mahurangi Launch Parade Details

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TURONGO

Woody Alan Sexton was anchored in Orokawa Bay, Bay of Islands, last week & while doing a dinghy run ashore he spotted Turongo on her mooring.
All we know about her is that she was built by Salthouses following Trinidad. Alan believes she was originally powered by twin V8 Cummins & is still Cummins powered, the exhausts suggest a pair of largish engines.

So woodys can we provide some more details on her. Given her current presentation, she is very well loved

THE BIGGEST CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT GATHERING IN NZ

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Photo by Mark Lever

This coming weekend sees the staging of the Mahurangi Regatta, without a doubt, on a fine day it is the most spectacular gathering of wooden craft afloat in NZ. For those that are newish to the waitematawoodys site, just type Mahurangi Regatta in the ww search panel & you can view the previous years regatta’s.
On the day the main gig is the actual Mahurangi Regatta yacht race but in recent times the classic launches have been doing a parade on Saturday morning. The regatta organizing committee are notorious for their laid back ‘it will be all right on the day’ attitude so things are always a tad fluid when it comes to start times etc BUT I can tell you that the assembly point will be off Scotts Landing, we will depart there at 10am (a vessell will sound its horn x3 times), so be there early. We will proceed in ‘Indian file’ to Sullivans Bay. Attempts in previous years to be in chronological order have been a shambles & nearly ended in fistie cuffs -so the order will be a gentlemanly thing i.e. just merge like a zipper 🙂

We will approach Sullivans Bay via the right hand side of the bay, past the flagship – Jane Gillord, from where a specially marked (red buoys) fairway should be roughly in line with the driveway to the right of the old homestead down near the beach. Refer photo below. And also view at this link http://www.mahurangi.org.nz/2017/01/18/small-buoys-in-sullivans-bay/

We will enter the fairway to port to motor across the bay along the red buoy fairway. We will exit the fairway on a bearing towards Pudding Island, clear of which will be a buoy, refer photo.

If all goes to plan, we will do two laps. Its really very simple, as there will be a lead boat, so just stay in line & follow her. NOTE: There will be a minimum of 2m water in the fairway area.
After the parade, boats can head off to enjoy the rest of the day. Remember, the beach side BBQ at Scotts Landing on Saturday night is a must do – BYO food & drinks but BBQ’s provided. The prize giving is schedule for 6.30pm but most people head ashore around 5’ish. The ‘Prohibition Big Band’ will be playing in the marquee till late.

Whether you own a boat or not there is something for everyone during the day – check out details here http://www.mahurangi.org.nz/2016/01/14/2017-regatta-programme/

When you go ashore, bring some cash – the Mahurangi CC Yearbook (magazine) at $15 is great value & as always a cracker read.

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Photo by Chris Miller

A Woody Cruise

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A Woody Cruise

Family commitments & the weather meant that this years Xmas / NY cruise was a tad short this year e.g. 7 days & the location was a lap of Waiheke Island. A lot of classics were in the same boat (pun) with the weather so we tended to be in the same spot at the same time – good for photos 🙂

I’m sure I missed a few so I apologize upfront, I have also saved a few for separate ww posts.
Enjoy the gallery of classics, most I have been able to name (scroll over image) & you can enlarge photos by clicking on them 😉

I can’t wait for the Mahurangi Regatta weekend……………………

Little Tasman Moves South After 91 years in Auckland Waters

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LEAVING AUCKLAND

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ARRIVING IN WELLINGTON

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Little Tasman Moves South After 91 years in Auckland Waters

Late November 2016 saw a part of Auckland’s maritime heritage leave our waters & head to her new home in Wellington.  The 1925 Colin Wild built launch Little Tasman has graced the waters of the Waitemata for approx. 91 year. While Auckland’s loss is undoubtedly Wellington’s gain, she is in good& I’m sure will return home one day – they all do 🙂
Her restoration has been well documented on ww so to view/read more on her – type her name in the ww search panel.

The montage of photos above are from numerous cameras, including Ken Ricketts, who also emailed me the photo of her below, in Mansion House Bay, taken in 1936 by Tudor Collins, courtesy Auckland Museum, for comparison of then & now. A wonderful restoration at the hands of Colin Brown & son-in-law Josh.

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Merry Christmas

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RAINDANCE

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Good Morning woodys.
Merry Christmas to you, where ever in the world you are. ww has followers in just about every country in the world, outside of NZ the biggies being Australia, USA, Canada, France & the Pacific Islands (I think this is cruising yachts) – the numbers are amazing with site views just about to hit 2,500,000 views.

On a personal note I hope Santa has found you & you received what you wanted – I learnt years ago that there was only one way to be happy on the present front, either buy it your self or leave very clear instruction 😉 ( see below)
I intend to keep posting stories over the Xmas / NY period but at times may be challenged by internet reception so bare with us if we miss a day 😉
A request – use your camera (even the phone is good) to take any interesting woody related photos when you are out & about over the break & email / txt them to waitematawoodys@gmail.com.

Have a great break & if you are on or near the water take care, play nicely & be kind to fellow woodys. Alan

Now I mentioned above that I liked to be ‘involved’ in my xmas present selection – this year I was lucky to have a daughter living in London & when she asked what I wanted for xmas I pointed her London’s 400+ year old marine chandlery – Arthur Beale. Your similar to what your Foster’s used to 😦
The present is magnificent boat horn, made in Italy & delivered by hand from London by a friend of the daughters returning home for xmas. It arrived 2 days ago & was installed yesterday by my good friend Colin Pawson – I can hear Harold mumbling about it being too shiny, Jason P saying that it sticks out like dog balls etc but I love it & most importantly it makes a noise closer to a Harley Davidson than a Vespa scooter.  It replaced a horn that was more suited to a Honda Civic 🙂

 

Cerinara- Sailing Sunday

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CERINARA – Sailing Sunday

ww has had a request from Gary Chaplin for any info on his brothers ketch, Cerinara (pictured above), that originally came from New Zealand and is now based in Queensland Australia .
All they know about her is that the hull of Cerinara was a John Alden design & was registered with sail number 6841. She was found in mangroves somewhere and then the topsides were completed & launched in approx. 1990. Probably in Auckland.
Gary is unsure when she went to Australia but he reports she is a beautiful girl and lovely to sail.

Any woodys able to supply any more details on her kiwi past?

24-12-2016 Hauled out photos added.

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2017 Centerboard Regatta

Some how the above event slipped below the ww radar – who ever does the publicity for the event need s a nudge 😉 Not much in the way of regatta photos but Baden Pascoe & the coastal rowing guys attended & sent in the photos below. Hopefully some had a camera & they will send ww some photos 🙂

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MELITA

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WW1 Mystery Launch = Stanley

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WW1 Mystery Launch – Stanley

The photo above was taken in Wellington during WW1. Sent in by Baden Pascoe who has offered up a copy of his book ‘Launching Dreams – Percy Vos – The Boats & This Boys’ to the first woody that can ID the launch (middle) tied up along side the wharf. Entries via the ww Comments section. Its not an easy quiz but the prize deserves a toughie 🙂
Copies of Baden book can be bought direct from him – contact  badenhp@xtra.co.nz  the perfect woody Xmas present.

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The answer is – the launch is called Stanley, see below zoomed in photo. No winners 😦

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A Woody Weekend – CYA Patio Bay Invasion

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A Woody Weekend – CYA Patio Bay Invasion

As promised today’s post is a photo essay from the 2016 CYA Patio Bay weekend. I know by saying it I will put a curse on things but the big boy up in the sky must have been a fan of wooden boats because the fine weekend % for CYA events is very high. He must also have been a launchie because he tends to smile on us weather wise more than the yachties.

For the launch fleet Saturday was a pearler, but not so good for those in the yacht race – lots of sun-screen & H2O would have been the order of the day. The lack of wind meant a late arrival in the bay for the yachts but soon after the anchors dropped, crews were heading ashore for the BBQ at Margaret & Bert Woolicott’s bach. I apologize for the lack of BBQ / Prize giving photos, for once I was just enjoying the company of the classic wooden boating community. Nice to see so many new members & boats joining in the festivities.

The above photos are just a selection of the turn out – enjoy, I did 🙂

Lake Rotoiti Calendar Winner = Simon Smith with the correct answer of Grant Cossey as the commodore of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association. Saturdays post featuring the calendar was huge in terms of viewing numbers, 2nd highest in the last 2 months so I hope that results in lots of calendars sold 😉

I’m a big fan of what they call ‘paying it forward’ – via ww I come across quite a lot of boats bit- some of these I have re-gifted to a woody that was undertaking a very hands on restoration. Over the weekend he gifted me the below – proof that paying it forward works 🙂

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Update – lots more very good photos at the link below. These ones are from the camera of Chris Miller, who was aboard Raindance with me. The one below makes me laugh – you have to twist Chris’s arm to get him to photograph a yacht – this photo sees him using a yacht to frame the real photo – the launches 🙂 http://wp.me/p6Eld4-1is

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A+B+C Class Yachts Racing To Rocky Bay

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A+B+C Class Yachts Racing To Rocky Bay

In the above photo we see, from left, Kotiri, Ladye Wilma, Waione, Rawene (race winner) & Ngatoa just after the start of the official opening race of the season (year unknown).
Photo ex the Mac Taylor collection.

Help Needed
ww has had a request from Gary Chaplin, who owns the yacht, Fidelity, see below & click photos to enlarge, based in Christchurch Gary has commented that she looks just like the Shiralee which featured on ww in October , (link below).
Gary would like to know if it is the same  vessel or possibly a sister ship . Gary believes Fidelity was built in Milford Creek by Allen Williams in 1960 .

Shiralee E64 – Sailing Sunday

REMEMBER LOTS OF PATIO BAY WEEKEND PHOTOS ON WW TOMORROW