WILDE LIFE The above launch recently popped up on tme and Nathan Herbert pointed her out to me. The description was very loose “Boat needs painting. Does run but needs some loving”. Actually maybe not the loose 🙂 Looking at her side on, she would have to be a contender for the TV1,TV2,TV3 award i.e. 3 TV screens.There is a mix of styles going on but deep down could be an interesting boat.
Would appear to be moored at Herald Island, West Auckland. Will have to check her out, on route to the Riverhead Tavern on Sunday for the Woodys Lunch Cruise (details below). Anyone able to help us out with more details?
RHUM LINE According to her tme listing the 30’ Rhum Line was built c. 1930s, building unknown. The hull is kauri, with the current cabin top added within the last 15 years. A Ford 80hp 4 cylinder diesel engine gives her a comfortable 8 knot cruising speed.
She appears to be will appointed and with a low asking price, could be a nice entry level wooden classic launch. Do we know any more about her past and photos from before the addition.
WANDERER II Wanderer II was built in 1965 by Owen Woolley and measures approx. 39’ with a 13’7” beam. Powered by a Ford Lees 100hp 6 cyl. diesel she gets along at a comfortable 8 knots. A recent addition to tme (thanks Ian McDonald).
Can we uncover where and what Wanderer II has been up to for the last 55 years?
Input From Nigel Drake – Below is another photo of Wanderer 11, I am a friend of the present owner. The previous owner showed me this photo of her when he sold her 5 years ago. She is in her original colours. Not sure of the date but interestingly the name on the side is Wanderer not Wanderer 11. The previous owner had her for about 17 years to my knowledge and kept her in Doves Harbour, Bay of Islands. The owner before him, who was the 2nd owner, also had her for about 17 years apparently.
ONE MAN’S TRASH – ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE Yesterdays boat boot sale at The Slipway Milford was a cracker. Of course I took nothing along to sell, I’m a collector, but I do give stuff away 🙂
Above is a snap shot of some of the goods on offer. Big thanks to the team at the Slipway Milford – Cam and Jason for hosting the event and providing the BBQ.
Bargain of the day – the very impressive search light, already converted to LED
Best shopper – telephone ‘bidder’ – Peter Mence for a piece of art – a 28Ib bronze anchor to grace the bow of Eileen Patrica.
Best Seller (the most stuff) – Jason Prew, I thought I had it bad, he is worse, for every item he sold, he bought something else 🙂 I can see this becoming a regular event 😉
Buying or Selling a Classic Boat Without sounding too much like the late Jacinda Ardern (“be kind”) – when people ask me about classic wooden boat ownership, I normally say that owning a woody has a positive effect on your life i.e. you end up forging a life you don’t need to escape from.
So woodys in the interest of your mental well being listed below a sample of some of the boats that are currently berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau Sales Marina. There are others for sale, some owners request privacy. To read more about the Wooden Boat Bureau – click https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/01/wooden-boat-bureau-advice-for-buyers-and-sellers/ The Wooden Boat Bureau is uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-date market information and objective advice to both sellers and buyers. So if you are looking for a wooden boat or considering selling – email us at waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Marian was built by Alf Saunders, is 50’ in length and powered by a 6LX 110hp Gardner. Her present owner has started the conversion to pleasure craft and now reluctantly offers her for sale.
Sadly no interior photo on her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald). Currently berthed in Lyttleton, South Island. The listing states that she is ‘an amazing and well respected sea boat – the photo below would call for an underpants change for most of us Waitemata harbour woodys:-)
WW – SLIPWAY MILFORD BOAT BOOT SALE – Important Info 1. Sellers arrive at 9.30am – a tip – if you can, bring a table for you items + cash ‘change’ for buyers
2. Doors open at 10am for buyers
3. Cash only
4. Gold coin sausage sizzle BBQ
5. Its all over at 11.30am so don’t be late
ANY ONE RECOGNIZE THIS NAME BOARD – ATATU
A WW reader, Brent Farquhar, sent in the 2 photos below of a name board his daughter found washed up high and dry on Waiheke Island. It appeared that it had been there for a considerable period. It measures approx. 410mm x 100mm. I have asked the Brooke brothers (Robert & Don) for comment, given the ‘Built by J Brooke – Devonport’ reference, but the name Atatu does not appear in any of the records that they have. So woodys – can anyone shed some light on the origin of the board?
Harold Kidd Input – Interesting! It’s not a launch and it’s not a Frostbite; I wonder if it’s a Wakatere canoe that Jack built or someone bought from him. It looks like pokerwork or chipwork and could easily be the backboard of a canoe which will go back to the late 1920s.
Classic Wooden Launch Project Last week I was contacted by Bruce Deeming about the above woody launch that had been brought to his attention. Bruce advised that he had been approached to take over the project due to changing circumstances of the present owner. Unfortunately its not on Bruce’s radar so the search is on for a passionate woody looking for a restoration project.
There is no name on her and the design / build is also a mystery, but Bruce suspects maybe a Cauldry, length is approx. 30>31’. Was sitting in Kaiaua mud berths opposite the Kaiaua fish & chip shop for a number of years. Bruce commented that it requires some plank work and the window surrounds in main cabin are not good, but it has good bones. It has been in the water up until 4 odd months ago. Decks & cabin appear to be very sound, with exception to those main cabin window areas.
Bruce has the original motor, an air cooled Lister or similar, not going. The owner is happy to look at any offer & discuss options.
Anyone able to ID the launch for us?
UPDATE – 03-03-2021 Bruce Ryrie has taken over this project and thus far has scraped and red leaded below the waterline and gutted the interior and set up a soaker system inside to stop her drying out. Some process photos below. Well done Bruce 🙂
A Woody For The Lake Boys Kiwi woody Mark Erskine gave WW the heads up on Miss Tessa, currently for sale in the USA. This would have to be a great buy for one of the Lake Rotoiti gang, current bidding is sub US$6k.
Miss Tessa is a 1930 Dodge* 16’ runabout with two cockpits separated by an engine compartment. The boat features a planing, seam-and-batten mahogany hull with spruce stringers and oak frames. Power comes from a Lycoming inline-four, and additional features include a forward/reverse transmission, double-planked bottom, two-piece windscreen, and blue vinyl upholstery. The Lycoming marine inline-four engine is mounted amidships and produced approximately 45hp when new.The boat was found hanging in a barn by the previous owner, who commissioned a restoration before donating the vessel in the early 2000s to the seller, the Tahoe Maritime Museum. Comes with a very cool trailer, which I imagine is only for off road use. *Horace E. Dodge Boat Works was started by Horace Dodge Jr., the son of Dodge automobile company co-founder Horace Dodge.
KURI – A Peek Down Below The 44’ Kuri has made a guest appearance on WW back late December 2015, WW link below. Now thanks to her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) we get to have a peek below.https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/12/30/kuri/
Kuri was designed by Herbert Levi and built in 1929 by WG Lowe, she has had an honest life as a workboat and now resides in Picton snd converted to pleasure boating / live-aboard. Powered by a 115hp Gardner 6L3, she is very well fitted out (as are most southern boats). Depending on her condition its a lot of boat for $83k
The above gallery of photos of the launch – Erewhon, were sent in by Kerry Alexander. Erewhon was once a very salty woody, sadly these days she is high and dry in Helensville at the Kaipara Cruising Club. In another life, Erewhon was a registered long-liner, owned by a friend of Kerrys, Great Barrier Island resident, Brian Burrell, who currently owns the woody – Lynmar.
Can anyone tell use the designer / builder? And what became of her between long-liner at being parked at KCC.
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