Stormbird + Boat Boot Sale

STORMBIRD + Boat Boot Sale

The 26′ Roy Paris c.1960 clinker built launch – Stormbird recently popped up on tme , thanks Ian McDonald, and to a brave buyer could be a great gulf cruiser. By brave I mean having the courage to get out the tungsten tipped chainsaw and dropping the cockpit top down some, if you want full headroom and good looks , there is only one solution – buy bigger 🙂

Stormbird is powered by a 60hp Isuzu desel engine that gets her along at 5 knots.                 

Home is the inner estuary at Sandspit and she comes with a swing mooring, which probably justifies the buy price of $12k alone.

Anyone know more about her past.

NEXT SATURDAYS BOAT BOOT SALE AT THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – so we can ensure there are enough bangers on the BBQ, if you are intending coming – seller or buyer – can you give us a heads up email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

AND I WILL BRING ALONG SOME WW CAPS AND BURGEES FOR SALE – SAVE ON POSTAGE. If you are an out-of-towner – shop on line https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

WAIMANA – Very Affordable Waterfront Living

WAIMANA – Very Affordable Waterfront Living

Waimana had the best possible start in life – built at the Percy Vos yard in 1943 as a 51’ seine trawler for Sanford Fisheries (AK77). At one stage post launching she was set to be requisitioned by the US Army for war use in Noumea, New Caledonia,  but this cancelled. 

Built from single skin 1.5” kauri planks over double hardwood frames, she weighed approx. 35 tonnes.

Powered by a Gardner 6L3B diesel (not sure if original) .

Fast forward to the 1980’s and Waimana was converted to pleasure use and these days has a very homely fit-out. But still very well spec’ed for cruising.

Originally for sale for c.$110k, its a deceased estate sale and the new tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) is $60k – that woodys is very low entry into a 6 >10 bed apartment.

What Became Of Sonar Mia

What Became Of Sonar Mia

Earlier this week we featured a 16’ Carl Augustin designed run-about named Mare-Ee-An, today we have another craft by the same designer. A little bigger this time at 40’ and built in 1968. 

Sonar Mia popped up back in February in Gisborne on a Turners Auction site after a grounding (their words) and was for sale as-is-where-is. The opening bid was $100. From the photos there was a lot of work needed, but someone may have got a bargain. The engine is a Ford Lees Marine 180hp diesel.

Do we know if she was saved or went to the land fill.

FYI – back in March 2019 a descendent of a previous owner was trying to track the boat down. I forwarded the 2023 Turners link but never heard back from them – that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/03/23/edna/

Old photos below, possibly c.1970’s

Creme Brûlée – Classic Lidgard Day Boat

Creme Brûlée – Classic Lidgard Day Boat

Todays 19’ woody run-about just popped up on tme but isn’t for sale there, the craft is going to auction at Webbs auction house later this month. The price indication is $25>$35k and then on top of that there is 15% buyers premium + 15% gst to pay so it will be interesting to see what price it sells for, if it sells.

Interested in the WW brains trusts thoughts on the Arch Logan design and 1933 Lidgard build claim. Has to have been a name change at some stage, Creme Brûlée doesn’t sit well with the build date 🙂

She made an appearance on WW back iin April 2019 as a project boat – well spotted by Angus Rogers – link https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/10/woody-lake-boat-project/

The sales blurb says kauri carvel construction, pohutukawa trim and carbon fibre reinforced hull, again interesting.

The boat spent most of its early life on Lake Tawawera with one family, then she passed thru several owners before being uncovered in Rotorua. Her original engine, a 7hp marinised Austin 7 Thetis, was found near Okere Falls, Lake Rotoiti and then fully reconditioned.

From Rotorua she was taken to Kawhia for restoration which was completed in Whangarei by the current owner.

Can we confirm / add to any of the above. She is a honey and would fit what I’ll be looking for in a few years, with a heart transplant (the boat not me)

Mystery Couldrey Launch

MYSTERY COULDREY LAUNCH

As always its only a mystery because the broker deletes the name 🙂 What we know is she was built by Bill Couldrey in 1972 so slips into the ’spirit of tradition’ grouping. 34’4” in length with a beam of 11’ 4” built from double diagonal kauri (+ glassed….). Powered by a 80hp Ford diesel that pushes her along at 7 knots. Appears to be well spec’ed. As always thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads us.
Can we put a name to the launch.

UPDATE 11-08-2023 ex Harold Kidd – She wasn’t BUILT by Bill Couldrey; he stopped building shortly after WW2.

Ana Maree

Ana Maree

The 32’ launch Ana Maree has appeared on WW several times (links below). Thanks to Harold Kidd back in November 2013 we established her start in life and some of her history – all in the links.

Built in 1965 by Oliver & Gilpin for Sir William Stevenson, over the years she has under gone several visits to the orthopaedic surgeons – we last saw her in Jan 2020 when she was part way thru a refit at Pine Harbour. At the time she lost her flying bridge so I was very happy. I understand there is still a few items to tick of the list but all of the major work is completed.

Forward motion is from a 120hp Lees Ford engine

Thanks to her tme listing (ex Ian McDonald) we get to have a gander down below.

Nov 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/19/ana-maree/

Jan 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/01/23/ana-maree-2/

King Fisher – A Peek Down Below

King Fisher – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody – King Fisher if you believe her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) states she is a Shipbuilders design and built in 1998. Someone more worldly than me can advise if that possible.

What I can confirm is that King Fsher is 36’ in length with a beam of 11’5” and draws 3’3”. Built from kauri with f/glass to the waterline.

Forward motion is via twin 160 hp. Chev 4stroke V8 diesels, the engines are said to be ex military. 

Some very tidy interior wood work, but the listing mentions she requires some TLC. Currently located in Helenville.

RATANUI – A Peek Down Below + Serious Incentive To Buy Her

RATANUI – A Peek Down Below + Serious Incentive To Buy Her

The 31’ carvel planked bridge-decker Ratanui has appeared several times on WW and generated good debate re her age and builder , in the interests of keeping things factual its best to say that she was built in the 1910>1930’s period and in terms of parentage – possibly Bailey & Lowe or that wonderful name that gets attached to so many boats – Lanes 🙂

Most recently Ratanui has called Lake Rotoiti (Nth Island) home and has been blessed with life in a boat shed.

Forward motion is from a Ford D-series, model 2722E diesel that gets her along at a comfortable cruising speed of 8 knots.

A change in circumstances now means Ratanui is looking for a new owner – vendor is very realist re price +/- $30k and is also offering to finance the purchase to an approved / suitable buyer. FYI – boat shed not available for purchase.

So woodys if you are looking for a very roomy, affordable classic either on the lake or relocated back to the briny – contact Kim on 021 169 9699 for more details

Must Have Been A Special On White Paint – Rag Doll

Must Have Been A Special On White Paint – Rag Doll

Todays woody is taking the decorating term – ‘White-On-White’ to the max 🙂

Built from double diagonal kauri (+ glassed….) she was launched in c.1972. A Bill Couldrey design, she measures approx. 34’ in length, with a beam of 11’3” and draws 2’7”. Powered by a 80hp Ford Diesel engine that gives her a comfortable cruise speed of 7.5 knots.

Being 4sale via a broker – of course there is no name mentioned or visible – can we ID the boat.

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert – todays woody is named Rag Doll – photo below of her before she was ‘modernised’ – photo also ex NH.

Doreen > Haku > Coquette – 1912 Logan Motor Launch – SOS

Doreen > Haku > Coquette – 1912 Logan Motor Launch – SOS SAVED

When it comes to provenance it would be hard to beat this woody – designed and built by Arch Logan for his brother Robert, named after their sister Doreen. Then in 1945 she was ‘modernised’ by Bill Couldrey, one of the Arch’s few preferred boat builders. She has passed thru many hands and aside for her blue blood, her second claim to fame is that she was used to take the mould off for the popular 33’ fibre-glass launches (Logan33).

Last week I was contacted by her owners who advised that a few months ago while taking her out at very low tide they hit an unmarked reef inside the OBC Bridge on the way out. The damage sustained is that as a result of the keel and prop hitting reef the drive shaft, this was pulled out of the gearbox. I’m told no water entered the boat – BUT the insurance company has written the vessel off so now it is up for sale for $12,500 as-is-where-is. Potentially the bargain of the year.

Given the abysmal listing by the insurance companies boat broker, I’d be amazed if it sells. We plug it on WW today because the boat deserves better.

This WW link will take you to numerous WW stories that feature Coquette (Doreen > Haku)

18-07-2023 UPDATE – SAVED !!!! – I can confirm she has been purchased off the insurance company by a previous owner and will be repaired and returning to the north – GREAT NEWS