Category Archives: How To

CLASSIC 1955 WOODEN RUNABOUT – LITTLE HONEY UPDATE

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CLASSIC 1955 WOODEN RUNABOUT – LITTLE HONEY UPDATE

Back in March 2025 WW ran a story on a1955 17’ Mason Marlin runabout named LITTLE HONEY that owner James McConnell was restoring – link to that story here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/03/17/little-honey-1955-classic-wooden-runabout/

Over the xmas/ny break James sent in photos above and commented that after managing to dislodge the transom on the 2nd voyage after the initial rebuild, he had now completed the repair.

James pulled the transom back the 1/2 inch it had moved when the motor hit the submerged log.  Cut the buckled veneer off, cleaned it up and epoxied it back in place followed by 8 coats of varnish.

He then put 4 threaded rods from the transom to the next structural point as he felt the motor put a lot of load on the transom.  Lastly a layer of fibreglass tape along the bottom of the transom just in case.

In James words itt’s a goer now and the new perma-trim meant no need for a new prop” 

CLASSIC WOOLLACOTT YACHT GETS A SECOND CHANCE

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CLASSIC WOOLLACOTT YACHT GETS A SECOND CHANCE

In mid December we ran a story on the Woollacott yacht – JANACE ANNE and reached out for some help saving her from the land fill. Link to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/12/21/classic-woollacott-yacht-jance-anne-needs-a-helping-hand/

Chris Leech sent in the update below – “Great progress has been made over the break on Janace Anne. Below the waterline is just about ready for anti foul, the topsides have been stripped back, and given two coats of primer. The cabin top has been water blasted and ready for attention. Down below is has been tidied up, but the current plan is to only get the engine running. We have had the offer of a complete running engine (Bukh 10) if required. The original was handled by Moon Engines.
Please visit woollacott.org.nz for more photos in info + some below.”

Janace Anne – Terry WilmerDownload
Janace Anne – Malcolm DickensDownload

— WAITING ON A WW T-SHIRT ? – A few orders over the break went into the spam file – so if you think Im rude and have not got back to you – sorry – can you re0send your email – thanks

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR

CLASSIC LAUNCH – STERLING – Can We Help Out

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – STERLING – Can We Help Out

Todays woody – STERLING was built by Ernie Lane in Picton and launched in 1925. Lots of details and photos in this April 2019 WW story – link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/03/sterling-2/

Last week WW was contacted by STERLING’s owner who advised they were in the process of getting her back up to speed for her 100th next year. They commented that with the help of a tame boat builder, they have removed the dodgy timber and replaced with good Northland Kauri, pulled the engine out and given it an overhaul, reconfigured the main cabin and will replace the very agricultural duck board and raise and reconfigure the aft cabin. Along with a full rewiring, she should be good to go for a wee while. 

That’s all good news put they have a wee problem – in pulling out the old 6 cylinder Ford Lehman, it was discovered that the cast manifold is beyond repair and are reaching out to see if there are any woodys that might know know where they can get a replacement.

So question today is – can we help out, someone must have one in a shed somewhere.

THE REFURBISHMENT OF CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – TASMAN BEGINS

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Ready for re-launch
Back home at OBC

THE REFURBISHMENT OF CLASSIC COLIN WILD LAUNCH – TASMAN BEGINS

The classic 38′ wooden launch TASMAN, built/launched in 1929 by New Zealand foremost wooden boat builder – Colin Wild, has made numerous cameo appearance on WW as her past owners were attendees at most of the major classic boating events in and around the Waitemata Harbour. A few years ago ownership of TASMAN changed hands and her new owners are perfect custodians of this soon to be centenarian.They have committed to undertaking a rolling restoration that will see TASMAN celebrate her 100th birthday in 2029, looking better than the day she slid down the Wild slipway.
In owner, Stephen’s words – ” This is the first of a stepped plan of restoration for her centennial at Easter 2029. This first stage was completed by Marineskills at Half Moon Bay. The primary task was the removal of the original 1929 foredeck canvas to ply, glass and strengthen the foredeck.  

This required removal of all the furniture, toe rails, winch and sundry gear.  The 1960-period guard rails were replaced with a reduced rail around the work area forward.  

Old winch and gear chromed, salt water wash-down pump fitted and new spare-man provided. Toe rail teak restored and rebuilt. Sundry other works around ‘Tasman’ included restoration of period navigation lights in wheelhouse roof mounted boxes to reflect the originals.”

We look forward to future updates on the refurbishment and will keep the WW readers updated.

(Photo below dated Feb 2021 of TASMAN in Whakaatakalaka Bay aka OBC, Auckland by Nathan Herbert)

Feb 2021

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON RESTORATION UPDATE #2

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON RESTORATION UPDATE #2

WW has been following the restoration of AVALON the 24’ 1954 Sam Ford built classic wooden launch since late 2021.

Owner Tobias Forsyth has been juggling the project in between family life and a profession that sees him ‘off-shore’ for extended periods of time. I have linked the previous AVALON WW stories below – lots of historical photos.

Late 2021. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/29/resurrection-of-avalon/

May 2025. https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/12/classic-wooden-launch-avalon-restoration-update/

Today Tobias has shared with us a gallery of work undertaken in the last 6 months. The size of the project is lofty but when its a one owner family craft you tend to disregard budgets and hours work.

Tobias commented that  he had “made some good progress with interior build, cockpit, side deck glassing, loads of sanding and painting. Also finally finished the forward windscreen mahogany after deliberating on exactly how it should look for a while so I can order the new glass soon. I refurbished the original helm whittled by my grandfather in Manuka from the family farm in Beachaven, finished before he had even commissioned Avalon, I just had to replace the mahogany trim pieces that were made of a veneer and the diamantés”. 

The next phase is a new cabin top and some basic systems installed then final top coats of paint and varnish then she’s good to go. The plan is she will be kept on a trailer making AVALON a very user friendly woody.

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

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Robert Brooke (L) – Paul Tingy (R)

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

Recently WW has been following a major re-fit/build on the 1921 Logan designed and built classic wooden launch – NGAIO. Link below to the progress updates.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/08/heritage-refit-for-1921-logan-launch-ngaio/

I visited Milford during the week to view the work underway on the launch – MONTEREY (yesterday’s story – scroll done) so took the opportunity to check out NGAIO.      On previous visits there has been mainly deconstruction, template and repair work – yesterday we got to view first-hand the skills of boatbuilder Paul Tingey. So rather than ‘bury the photos on the end of the existing story, I made the call they deserved their own story. (I will also add them to the existing on-going story)

While at the yard I caught up with 3 generations of the Brooke family working on the family launch – LINDA. Robert came over to inspect the work on NGAIO and even though in the photo above it looks like Paul Tingey is having a chat with the headmaster – Robert had high praise for Paul’s work.✔️

LINDA

30-11-2025 Been a tad slack on the update photos – three sets (visits) below. Re-launch is close.

CLASSIC WOODEN BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MARLINE GETS A REFRESH

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CLASSIC WOODEN BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MARLINE GETS A REFRESH

Today’s woody story features the beautifully built MARLINE — a 1949/50 ex-game boat crafted by Leon Warne, and remarkably, still in the same family after three generations.

Now owned by Leon’s son, Ken Warne, the custodianship torch has been passed to Ken’s son Kennedy Warne, who’s been spending countless hours alongside the skilled team at CMC Design Boatbuilders in Opua, giving MARLINE some well-earned TLC.

MARLINE arrived at the CMC Design workshop in late April 2025. As Sian Steward from CMC Design explains, Leon’s master craftsmanship remains front of mind in every decision as they carefully upgrade and refresh her. While she was in impressive condition on arrival, she’ll leave looking that little bit sharper — the perfect birthday present as she celebrates 75 years afloat.

Relaunch is set for December 2025 — just in time for a well-deserved Bay of Islands summer.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IRENE GETS A REVAMP

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IRENE GETS A REVAMP

Not often I start with an apology– yesterday at Kawau was a wee bit of a cock up. I missed the prize giving. I’ll be polite and say things got ‘Lost In Translation’.

I was working on intel supplied eg prize giving was according to the notice of regatta was Sunday but it was held on Saturday……. Never mind 😄 sorry to the woodys that turned up 😢

During the week WW was contacted by Karl Reynolds the owner of the 1927 Dick Lang built 31’ classic wooden launch – IRENE. IRENE last appeared on WW back in April 2016, link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/27/irene-2/

Karl purchased the vessel in March 2025 and has been undertaking a refit, The work started with a good clean in the hull and then Karl and his father managed to complete the following in the 15 days they had IRENE hauled out.

• New larger hatch to remove engine through and lifted height to give me head room at helm

• Bulk heads installed to add support to hull and cut out to reduce visual impact 

• New Ford engine with heat exchanger sitting on its mounts awaiting gearbox and alignment 

• Closed in stern to keep birds out 

If you are undertaking a woody project , please share the work with WW, readers love seeing word-in-progress.

HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

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HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

I have very few regrets in life and only one when it comes to classic wooden boats. What is it ? – not buying the 36’ Arch Logan launch NGAIO when I had the opportunity. BUT – hand on heart, NGAIO went to a better owner, Jan Barraclough.                                    

Over recent years Jan has undertaken what we call a rolling restoration – and the centenarian has never looked better. BUT – there’s my better and Jans better, so currently NGAIO is undergoing a major refit to return her helm / cockpit area closer to as-built allowing for some creature (height) comforts.

Artisan  classic boatbuilder Paul Tingey started on the project this week and no time was wasted in removing her existing ’structure’. Given the presentation of the existing structure, photos below, most of us would have been very happy as is, but not Jan and we admire her for commissioning the work and look forward to the re-launch.

Check in for updates.

20-10-2025 UPDATE – work continues, today we see the reinstatement of a tram-top window to match her earlier style. Also we see the ‘brains’ trust pondering and a photo from her early days.

REVIVING A CLASSIC – INSIDE LEADER BOATBUILDERS AS FANTASIA PREPARES TO LAUNCH

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REVIVING A CLASSIC – INSIDE LEADER BOATBUILDERS AS FANTASIA PREPARES TO LAUNCH

Back in November 2023 I was mooching around Leader Boatbuilders on the Panmure River and Dave Patterson showed me around the 36’ 1968 (possibly 1963), Harry Biddle built (to a Crestcraft design)  launch FANTASIA . Link to the 2023 story here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/16/fantasia/

Today thanks to Mark McLaughlin’s visit to the shed last week and his guided tour from Ken we get to see what’s been happening to FANTASIA in the last 3 years. If I recall she came into the shed for a paint job, and now look at her – close to relaunching after an extensive refit 🙂 We love companion selling e.g. “Would You Like Frys With That?”

Mark commented that the new hull colour gets his tick of approval and I agree. We need more colour afloat – the bias for white-on-white must make Coastguards work a challenge .

Photos below from the past and prior to entering the shed + 2023 work in progress.

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – I understand that these were Customcraft. Crestacraft were fibreglass trailer boats