Category Archives: For Sale

MYSTERY SHIPBUILDERS WOODEN LAUNCH + SPRING SLASH REGATTA DETAILS

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MYSTERY AC DCS – SHIPBUILDERS WOODEN LAUNCH + SPRING SLASH REGATTA DETAILS

Well todays woody is only a mystery because (1) the owner didn’t put the vessels name on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and (2) the phots are out of focus, stopping reading the name board.

All that aside we learnt that the launch was built in 1959 by Shipbuilders, is 36’ in length and powered by a 90hp Ford Dorset engine.

Hull is 3 planks of diagonal kauri so built like the brick out-house.

As for the Sea Nymph transplant canopy on top…………………….. I suppose it would be simple to remove ✓

UPDATE – as advised by John Bullivant the boats named AC DECS and resided on the Tamaki estuary, near the Panmure yacht club. It is shown in the ‘a woody tour of the Tamaki river’ WW story and also featured in a Feb 18 2023 WW story – linked below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/02/18/ac-dcs/ Ken Ricketts advised it was named WHIRONUI and has previously commented that she was most likely a Shipbuilders ‘kitset’ boat.

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR – LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SLASH REGATTA @ KAWAU ISLAND

The place to be on the long holiday weekend of October 24>27th is Kawau Island and the crew at the Kawau Boating Club and Ponsonby Cruising Club are again hosting the world famous (in NZ…) Labour Weekend Spring Splash Regatta. waitematawoodys are chuffed to by involved with organising the classic woody parade on Sunday, details in the flyer below + downloadable PDF file, which includes the entry (free) form for the sailing events. Link below to 2024 eventhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2024/10/29/kawau-island-spring-splash-regatta-review-70-classic-wooden-boating-photos/

ATTENTION YACHT SKIPPERS – If the coastal classic isn’t your scene, put the Kawau Spring Splash Regatta on your radar ✔️

LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SPLASH (2)Download

EX WORK BOAT ARGO – A Peek Down Below

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EX WORK BOAT ARGO – A Peek Down Below

Back in May 2022 we ran a story on the 55’ ex commercial fishing boat – ARGO, that at the time she was berthed at the Kaipara Boating Club (west coast of Nth Is) during an extended (3yr) cruise around New Zealand. Link here WW May 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/22/argo/

Fast forward and she is currently calling Milford (Sth Is) home and has recently popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald).

A very tasteful conversation to pleasure use and being built in 1944 by Miller & Tunnage ARGO is more than capable of handling any conditions that Mother Nature might throw at her.

ARGO is powered by a 240hp Caterpillar D334 diesel engine that gives her a comfortable cruising speed around 8.5 knots.

So woodys today we get to have a gander below decks.

CLASSIC BOATERS GATHER FOR A SUNNY DAY OF SWAPS AND STORIES

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CLASSIC BOATERS GATHER FOR A SUNNY DAY OF SWAPS AND STORIES

Saturday delivered a cracker of a day in Auckland – crisp early on, but soon warming into blue skies and sunshine. Ideal conditions for a classic wooden boat gathering, even if this time we stayed firmly on dry land.

The occasion was the (almost annual) Woody Boat Boot Sale held at The Slipway, Milford – and frankly, you’d struggle to find a better venue. A special thanks to Cam Malcolm and Jason Prew for hosting us and for hauling out a few beautiful craft for close-up inspection. It added a real bonus for those who came for more than just shopping.

We had over 18 vendors on site, offering up a treasure trove of marine goods – everything from tiny cleats and chain plates to sails, bronze winches, stoves, and more. From what we saw, plenty of deals were done and everyone left with something – if not in hand, at least with a smile on their face.

It was also great to see so many familiar faces from the classic boating community. Events like this are about more than gear swapping – they’re about connection, community, and strengthening the bonds that keep the wooden boat movement alive and thriving. (photos yours truely & Geoff Fiebig)

Next Up: Mark Your Calendar – September 20th > 21st

Our next gathering is set for September 20th, and this time we’re heading back on the water – cruising up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club for an overnight dockside shindig. Expect a BBQ, live music, and the usual top-notch company. It’s always a highlight – more details to come soon, but lock the date in now.

LEGENDARY EX BIG GAME WOODEN LAUNCH SEEKS PASSIONATE NEW CUSTODIAN

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c.2005 tbc
2025
2025

LEGENDARY EX BIG GAME WOODEN LAUNCH SEEKS PASSIONATE NEW CUSTODIAN

The 42’ ex game boat KITTY VANE has a wonderful back story, starting life in 1956 big game fishing and owned by the Going family in Tutukaka, Northland. She has appeared numerous times on WW, starting back in March 2015 when we reached out to learn more about the craft. Link below to that story and others – lots of chat in the comments section.

Fast forward to July 2021 and we learnt that KITTY VANE had been purchased in Auckland and returned to Northland with the intention of a full restoration. As can be seen in the above photos the worked has started and most of the hard yards have been ticked off. Unfortunately circumstances have changed and the decision has been made to find a new owner that can complete the restoration.   As she sits now, under cover in Kerikeri, KITTY VANE is a blank canvas that her next owner can refit to match their style and budget.

As the architects say when working on heritage buildings – KITTY VANE has good bones and has not been ‘altered’ too much from as built.
KITTY ZANE has always been a good looking woody and with a new passionate owner, we look forward to seeing her back on the briny.

Her owners are very realistic in terms of an asking price, so interested parties to initially make contact via michelle@zewnealanddesign.co.nz

LINKS TO PREVIOUS WW STORIES: WW March 2015 https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/03/21/kitty-vane/
WW April 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/04/20/kitty-vane-where-are-you/
WW July 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/03/kitty-vane-update/

MAJOR ACCESS UPGRADES AT MILFORD CREEK LED BY WOODEN BOAT ENTHUSIASTS

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MAJOR ACCESS UPGRADES AT MILFORD CREEK LED BY WOODEN BOAT ENTHUSIASTS

 Interesting day yesterday on the water, gave Dave Giddens a hand taking his woody motor yacht – ALLERGY to the Slipway Milford for a haul out .

For all the wrong reasons the day started bad eg late leaving her waterfront berth meant we were time poor re the Milford Creek tide / access and the forecast was for deteriorating conditions as the day went by.

ALLERGY is a big girl – approx. 58’ LOA and a beam of 14’ and two good sized masts. Saving grace less than 4’ draft.

Well with an outgoing tide, a NE up the bum that was gusting 20>25 knots we ordered up the bridge to be raised and lined up the fairway poles.

I believe no one captured the run, which is just as well. Short answer is we made it – but:

1. We both shook hands once under the bridge

2. Every skipper of a vessel moored in the Milford Marina should thank ALLERGY for pruning the Pohutukawa trees on the bank

3. A small donation is probably due to Project Crimson 

4. The Slipway BBQ won’t have to buy firewood for a few months

Lastly –  FOSTERS deserve a medal for their mast work 40 years ago – nothing budged 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SUSAN ROSE > ODYSSEA 

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1975
1984
2025

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SUSAN ROSE > ODYSSEA 

Our first glimpse of the 34’ ex game fishing boat SUSAN ROSE was in August 2017, (2nd photo above) this 1984 photo and others were shared with us by Dean Wright. At the time we saw her docking at Paihia in the Bay of Islands – link below to that story.                            https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/17/susan-rose/

Now thanks to a tme listing we get to see her back in 1975 (top photo) and today, re named ODYSSEA, with an extra ‘story’ on top and a lot of upgrades.

Her back story is she was launched in 1960 in Mangonui, Northland but it has been reported that it took 18 years to build her. Design unknown.

In c.1991 she was repowered with twin 90hp Ford 4cyl. 2722E diesel engines that gives a cruising speed of 8 knots. 

The seller comments that all she needs is a lick of paint and an oil change. These days she is Auckland based.

SPOILER ALEART – THE WW SITE OR THE WRITER ISN’T THAT SMART – NO ONE PICKED UP A PREVIOUS STORY WHERE THE BOAT NAME WAS SPELT – ODYSEA………… sorry and just too tired to write a replacement 🙂

32’ MYSTERY CLASSIC BRIDGE-DECKER – Help Needed Identifying

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32’ MYSTERY CLASSIC BRIDGE-DECKER – Help Needed Identifying – WAINUI

Todays woody is another recent tme vessel (thanks Ian McDonald), no name but looks familiar.

What we do know is she is currently based in Wellington but previously ( 2 years ago) was in the Christchurch area. Before that Auckland was her home.

The seller has undertaken some updates to her exterior and general maintenance to the engine and drive line. Interior looks like it needs some TLC.

Forward motion is via a 3.6L Fordson 4 cyl. diesel engine.

Anyone able to put a name to the craft and hopefully provide an insight into her past.

29-07-2025 UDATE ex CARL – The 32′ bridge deckers name is Wainui originally from the Kaipara sent many years as a fishing boat. an then come over to Auckland around 2000 where she had a major refit and then was a much loved family boat.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ALLISON > NORLOCK + BOAT BOOT SALE

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ALLISON NORLOCK + BOAT BOOT SALE

After yesterday bumper story on the 2025 Classic Woodys Boat Show at OBC Marina, I thought your eyes may need a rest, so a short one today.

The wooody launch NORLOCK recently popped up on tme, thanks Ian McDonald, in a previous life she was named LADY ALLISON.

The listing states that she was built in 1958 by Colin Wild, I suspect this isn’t correct as I’m told Colin Wild’s last boat was in 1955 and he died shortly after that. 

What we do know she is approx. 33’ and powered by a 140hp Lees Ford engine that has her cruising at 8 knots.

Interior looks quite smart and she appears to be another bargain buy at $9k ono.

Can we learn more about the vessel and clear up her heritage.

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR – ONLY 10 DAYS UNTIL THE BOAT BOOT SALE AT THE SLIPWAY MILFORD YARD – AUG 2nd

We already have a great group of boaties looking to off load their treasure , details below. Still not too late to secure a spot, or just rock up on the day.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TEINA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TEINA – A Peek Down Below

Recently the 41’ classic wooden launch – TEINA popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) she last appeared on WW back in July 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/07/08/classic-wooden-launch-teina/ Great selection of photos here from the past.

TEINA was built in 1922 by the McLeod Bros. In Bayswater, Auckland to a Glad Bailey design. Current engine is a 60hp Isuzu c240

Probably best described as a work in process / project boat, but as the architects say – its got good bones (see photo below), so at the asking price of $8k ono she has the makings of a good woody.

Kawau Island c.1930’s
OBC Marina
OBC Marina

Currently waiting on a low tide to exit the OBC Marina – full report on Sundays OBC/Woodys event tomorrow – check out WW on Tuesday.

CLASSIC DES TOWNSON 30’ YACHT – FALCON + Win a copy of the book – DES TOWNSON A Sailing Legacy

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CLASSIC DES TOWNSON 30’ YACHT – FALCON + Win a copy of the book – DES TOWNSON A Sailing Legacy

As most WW readers will know, Des Townson never designed an unattractive craft, that skill is harder to do as the size of the vessel decreases. I have often said on WW that very few people can get a >30’ craft looking ‘right’.

Mr Townson excelled himself with the design of the 30’ keeler – FALCON (Reg. #873), as seen above.

Falcon was built / launched in 1965 and constructed from double diagonal kauri, and no f/glass ✓.

Her owner Grant Wylie has been the custodian of FALCON for the last 17+ years and contacted WW to say that age and health were against him and could we help locate a new owner.

I asked Grant about headroom and I had to laugh at his reply – “Yes & No”, Des’s design eye always won out over comfort 🙂

FALCON is powered by a Bush 20hp engine and sports a KIWI prop. She is well kitted out for gulf cruising but needs a refresh, which is reflected in Grant’s price expectations.

A great opportunity to acquire for a modest price a classic yacht from the design board of one of New Zealand’s most paramount designers.

Continue to enjoy her as she is or put your sanding / painting skills to use this winter and prepare yourself for the compliments at anchor this coming summer.

Interested parties to contact Grant initially via email – grant.wylie@xtra.co.nz

AND AS AN ADDED BONUS TODAY – ANSWER THE QUESTION BELOW CORRECTLY AND YOU ARE IN THE DRAW TO WIN A COPY OF Brian Peet’s book – ‘DES TOWNSON A SAILING LEGACY’. A 343 page  insight into the man and his designs.

Enty ONLY via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Question : HOW MANY INDIVIDUAL DESIGNS DID DES TOWNSON TURN OUT ?. (in the event no one gets the correct number – closest wins)