A slightly worrying trend that is occurring on trademe is the number of wooden craft that are being offered up in ‘as-is-where-is’ condition with a short time window before they are disposed of. Probably a sign of the times in terms of storage costs and rebuild costs.
Todays wooody was saved, sold for less than $1,000 – lets hope the new owner has plans to restore her and not harvesting for parts / fittings.
Potiki II is 28’ in length, built by JH Young – thats all her tme listing told us. Thanks to Lan McDonald for the heads up.
Just a reminder we have the 38’ Robertson built classic – Katherine at Westhaven this weekend for viewing – 100% turn-key purchase – you’ll be boating this Christmas / NY. + W/haven marina also for sale. Email below for a viewing time.
On Sunday we held a woodys gathering ashore on Motuihe Island – trip down was commonly described as ‘lumpy’, except for the large woodys skippers who just smiled.
The bonus of a lumpy passage was almost zero trailer craft or pwc’s, so had the beach to ourselves. Very sheltered and sunny afternoon – always good to catch up with other woody owners and swap tales. Trip home was perfect with wind and tide assisting.
Nice to see both Lady Crossley and Pirate after there winter hibernation / haul outs.
My boat of the day was John Wright’s latest project the uber cool double-ender – Kiwa. That man has a wonderful eye for bringing the best out of any classic craft. Photo below when she was at Te Atatu Boating Club + links to previous WW stories on her
KATHERINE ON DISPLAY @ WESTHAVEN – THIS WEEKEND – INVITATION ONLY
Considering an upgrade or a boat for summer – the 38’ Conrad Robertson designed classic – KATHERINE, has been relocated to Westhaven Marina for one weekend only – inspection by invitation.
There is some debate around the provenance of the 35’ bridge deck launch – Saga, featured above, her tme listing told us she was built by Bailey in 1946 and Harold Kidd is going for built and also probably designed by a Val Maxwell. What we do know is Saga is single board, kauri, carvel construction and powered by a Perkins 145 hp turbo diesel engine. These days she calls Kerikeri, Northland home.
Any woodys able to tell us more about her past life.
08-11-2022 INPUT ex Harold Kidd
Val Maxwell was a very experienced launch man. He was a teacher at King’s College (not my school; I went to Takapuna Grammar) and retired as Deputy Principal.
In 1936 he bought the Joe Slattery launch WAINUI which had been wrecked on Rangitoto and fitted a 1918 Studebaker car engine. Just before WW2 he started building SAGA and finished her in 1950. She was bigger than Ken R remembers (refer WW comments section) at 33’x32’x10’x2’9″ and had a Leyland Cub engine as Ken R remembers.
In 1963 Val sold SAGA to A.J. (Jimmy) Osborne of Panmure. In 1969 Osborne moved north to Mangonui and took SAGA with him.
I knew Val’s son Peter for many years. He died just recently. We were both Sunbeam car owners. He had a most magnificent 1925 25hp Sunbeam tourer which I later owned. Peter of course owned for many years the 1937 Dick Lang 34 footer RESOLUTE at Devonport.
My feeling is that because Val’s SAGA is the right size and went North, she is the SAGA above; but I wouldn’t dream of being dogmatic about it.
UPDATE Feb 2024 – Hauled out photos added.
24-05-2025 UPDATE ex Bruce Pascoe – I believe SAGA started out as a sedan . The aft section of the roof has been cut off and raised up to become a bridge-decker. The raised cockpit floor has been built over the old floor. When they fitted the turbo 6 cylinder Perkins they had to raise the wheel house floor 100mm. Unfortunately instead of raising the wheel house roof to maintain headroom they cut a section of the roof out only and built a plywood box on top.
I have stripped many layers of paint off the roof beams and uncovered the Kauri one piece beams, not laminated. All the deck and roofs are planked with Kauri. The cabin sides are plywood. She is a very sound boat, dry bilges.
WOODYS CLASSIC PICNIC AT MOTUIHE ISLAND TODAY – 1PM
When I saw Perano, a 16’clinker kauri built double ender – my immediate thought was lake boat. Built in the 1960’s by Bernie Perano (of the whale chaser family) she is a very cool little ship. The negative of being f/glass encased is off set by the positive of being able to be stored out of the water on her trailer and not needing to ‘take up’ when launched.
Perano it is powered by a super reliable 5 hp single cylinder diesel engine. Made by Yanmar the NTS 70 engine is started by hand it is a slow turning engine with a 2:1 reduction gearbox with shaft drive swinging a bronze 3 blade 13×12 prop. The hull speed of 5.4 knots is easily achieved with fuel consumption of 1 litre per hour. Fuel tank is 10 litres – plenty for a full day out and then some. Thanks to Rob Watt for the tme heads up.
AND ON THE SUBJECT OF LAKE BOATS – Put A big circle around February 5th 2023
That is the date of the uber cool Lake Rotoiti (Nth Island) Classic & Wooden Boat Parade. If you are a woody boat owner and have your craft on a trailer – consider doing the trip to Lake Rotoiti – its a blast. Details belowFull details at https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/. 5th Feb 2023 (Waitangi Weekend). There is a dinner the night before and a picnic after the parade. Normally well over 100 boats in different styles form the parade.
AND LASTLY – WOODY CLASSIC PICNIC ON TOMORROW AT MOTUIHE ISLAND 1PM – which side decided by weather on the day
WOODY BOAT – BOOT SALE – THE SLIPWAY MILFORD Two years ago we ran one of our most popular woody events – a classic woody ‘BOOT SALE”, hosted by the Slipway Milford. Well folks its on again, circle Saturday 26th November in the diary. Lets be honest, we all collect / hoard boat bits. Could be a good time to gain some more space and earn a few dollars. Waitematawoodys and The Slipway Milford are hosting the sale at their boat yard in Milford, Auckland. Details below. So woodys, be brave and get together anything boat related that you think needs a new home and bring it along – there is only one rule – items must fit in a car boot 🙂 But we will make an exception for grandad’s kauri clinker dinghy. Most of the items will be displayed outdoors and space will be limited so drop me an email to reserve some space waitematawoodys@gmail.com AND IT IS CASH ONLY.
CLASSIC YACHT BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
7.00PM THURSDAY 10 NOVEMBER at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron. The Classic Yacht Charitable Trust would like to invite you, your family and your friends, to celebrate the 125th birthday of Thelma, the 1897 Logan gaff-rigged cutter, and the 130th birthday of Gloriana, also a Logan built gaffer. Our special guest will be David Barker, the world-renowned maritime artist, who has extremely generously created a new painting, which features our classic fleet and entitled “Start”, to assist in our fundraising effort. Come and meet David and find out how you can take home this fabulous artwork. This fun evening, with like-minded classic boating enthusiasts, will also be a crucial fundraising event for all seven of the boats in the trust – Thelma, Gloriana, Waitangi, Ida, Frances, Ethel and Rainbow II. So, please support this event and we know you will have a fun evening.Tickets: $30pp Order your tickets here
Mahanui is almost as new condition and presents as a hop board and go boating vessel – a snapshot of her package includes – dinghy, outboard, cockpit table and chairs, fenders, cutlery, pots, pans, glassware, tools (particular to the vessel), almost a spare of everything, cushions etc etc.
In the last two years of ownership the new owners have – upgraded the galley water system, new remote set-up for electric dinghy davit, new tender and outboard, undertaken a refurbishment of the interior (new – upholstery, carpet, blinds and refreshed bright work) and a full engine service. So woodys why am I telling you all this – because due to a change of circumstances – her owners have made the hard decision to pass Mahanui onto the next owner. So Mahanui is Offered For Sale.
Mahanui presents in suburb condition and while retaining her distinctive appearance her most recent owners have carefully integrated modern systems and technology to ensure the very latest in comfort and safety. One of the most livable classics on the Waitemata Harbour, she offers an immediate cruising solution – grab your togs and toothbrush and you and the family (>8 berths) are boating. t
ALLERGY – Auckland’s Most Engaging Classic Craft – Offered For Sale
Allergy was launched in 1985, built by Kerry Huntington for prominent Auckland businessman Alan Gibbs. Her design is ex Pete Culler / Denis Ganley and length over all is 58’ with a beam of 14’, so woodys she is a rather big girl, and after Auckland sailmaker Dave Giddens purchased her she has acquired a reputation as one of the most hospitable boats in the Hauraki Gulf.
As you would expect being owned by a sail maker Allergy sports an impressive sail wardrobe but most days she slots comfortably into the motor-sailer division. Forward motion (>10 knots) is via a Ford 130hp diesel, that was installed new in 1985 when launched.
The craft was designed and fitted out for cruising in comfort with a separate owners cabin + 2nd double berth and upwards of 3 single berths. 6’6” cabin headroom and large dining area, that I have seen 10 seated at dinner. The cockpit would be one of the most comfortable roomy area I have experienced on a vessel, a reflection of the trade skills of owner. Her ample side decks allow for morning exercise laps + perfect for the pets, kids could even bring a small pony 🙂 With her center board up, she only draws approx. 3′, perfect for securing the best anchoring spot in the bay.
If todays story sounds like a for sale notice – it is, after 30 years of ownership, Dave Gidden has asked the Wooden Boat Bureau to identify the next custodian for Allergy – so woodys if you or anyone you know is looking for the penultimate floating holiday / getaway venue – Allergy is it. And it is priced to sell. Serious enquiries to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Todays WW story hopefully will solve the question – “where are we going for Xmas” for one lucky family.
28-11-2022 UPDATE – some ask me does it sail – of course , see below
One of my ’spotters’, Dean Wright, in the north sent in on Wednesday night the above photo of Spindrift. Dean commented that Spindrift was a newbie to him and myself also.
The photo shows her coming up the Kerikeri Inlet (Doves Bay).
Can anyone enlighten us on Spindrift, there is an interesting mix of styles going on, but overall she looks very salty.
UPCOMING WOODY EVENTS
We have a long weekend coming up – Labour W/end – OCt 22nd > 24th) historically we tend to point the bow towards Kawau Island, weather permitting, if the weather gods are nice the plan is a catch up / drink ashore on Saturday at the Kawau Boating Club. Always very informal, so probaly around 3.30>4pm. If your around drop in.
The insurance surveyor has advised they have offered up Parma at no charge other than removal costs from Hobsonville Marina Hardstand – if no takers by Oct 21st – she sadly will be cut up. Interested parties contact Simon Marshall via email simon.marshall@nz.sedgwick.com
In the opening line the seller says “whole boat made from kauri, no rot!”, well I think rot would be the least of your worries. The major features promoted are the brass bits – “steering wheel, anchor winch, prop – the value of these bits probably dictates a fair starting price for bids….
Vender says -“Opportunity not to be missed” , I suspect it will be a miss.
It is not a bad looking craft, but presented like it is, and with a an engine that doesn’t run – it should be – Free To A Good Home. Way too many negative photos that showcase how neglected she is, then again maybe the woody folks down south like a major project 🙂
Have had a request from Mike Mulligan as to what happen to / the where abouts of the ex NZ Navy launch, nick named the Green Parrot , and at some stage named Lindauer.
In the above photos ex Mike’s family collection, we see her in North Cove, Kawau Island. The date is 27-12-1980
I’m sure Chris Leech will be able to comment on her past.
09-10-2022 INPUT ex John Newham. – photo below of her inc.1953/54 9n Naval service – with the Queen onboard.
A Whiff Of A Bad Odor At The CYA
Those of you that follow my observations on the tide going out at the NZ Classic Yacht Association will be interested to learn that the newly elected CYA committee has hit a few rogue waves – only two meetings into the new year and the vice chairperson and a general committee member have resigned – not for me to say why but here’s a clue – waterfront docks…………
Sadly as per the past, the two won’t be replaced, or if they are it will be with more ‘also-rans’ so the committee ends up weaker, as normally its the talented free spirits that protest with their feet……….
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