MATAREKA II

Recently I was contacted by Chris Laird on behalf of Mavis and Louis Fenelon who own the Logan launch Matareka II (46 years) The Fenelon’s rescued and rebuilt the cabin and interior some years ago.

Due to advancing years & the requirement for some structural repairs beyond their capabilities, they have reluctantly decided to find a good home for Matareka.

Matareka is an iconic classic vessel, I have looked over her personally while hauled out in 2014 & I can vouch for her build quality & presentation. She is an absolutely superb launch, built with safety in mind. A Logan, so say no more.

The Fenelon’s are passionate woody owners & do not want to see Matareka II lost.

Any buyer needs to demonstrate that they have the resources / ability to undertake the work and return Matareka II to the lovely vessel that the Fenelons created.

They are very negotiable on price and want the boat to go to a good home. Anyone interested can contact Chris in the first instance (email address below) & he will put them in touch with Mavis and Louis.  chrislaird@xtra.co.nz

NOTE: there is an estimate of $20K for the commercial repair of the hull issues, given the overall condition of the vessel & her provenance, this is not an excess figure. Someone with the skills could reduce this figure substantially

Further reading:

During 2014 we began a major refurbishment of Matareka, which cost $25,000.  She had a complete and thorough repainting – antifouling, and all surfaces above the water-line. Complete interior painting and varnishing. Re-sealing of windows etc. where required. New water piping (input and distribution pipes) for the two 55 gal stainless steel water tanks. Servicing of water taps. Replacement of old winch with fully automatic anchor winch. New  Supreme anchor. Replacement of anchor rope with 60 metres of 3/8ths anchor chain. New teak bowsprit and bow roller. Cleaning and re-painting of underside of engine gear box. Four x 6 volt new engine batteries (arranged in two banks).

After all this work, on her third run in January 2015, we had the incident at the Ngapipi Road Bridge and she was repaired under Insurance during 2015.  We also decided, at our expense, to completely repaint the hull again – both white and anti-fouling.

Her inventory also includes the following:

• A 371 Detroit diesel 90HP engine complete with a hydraulic 3:1 Allison forward/reverse gear box  (replacement cost $25,000-00, though Detroit agent has said our engine will go forever).

• Large (original) bronze rudder.

• 1 ¾ inch dia. bronze prop shaft driving a 26 inch X 32 inch bronze propeller

• Hydraulically operated steering from a (unique) five spoke ship’s steering wheel

• Auxiliary emergency steel hand tiller

• Heavy duty towing bollard (so far used only for towing dinghy)

• 12 volt high capacity bilge pump

• 2 x 75 gal black steel diesel tanks

• All main cabin glazing is ¼ inch toughened glass

• Canvas double-zipped cock-pit cover

• Head with s.s. basin and chemical toilet

• 6 bunk x Dunlop sponge rubber Dralon-covered squabs in very good condition.