Category Archives: How To

MAGGIE – Clinker Dinghy 4sale

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MAGGIE – Clinker Dinghy 4sale

Regular WW readers may recall that sadly last year one of the classic boating movements most committed crew – Alan Good departed this life.

Alan was co-owner along with partner Nicky of Lucille – a L33 launch. Alan would always wind me up that his f/glass boat had more bronze and varnish than most wooden classic craft – he was probably right, but I’d never admit it.

Back in 2012 Alan undertook a project to build a classic clinker dinghy, which he named Maggie. I was recently contacted by Nicky advising that the family had made the decision to find a good home for the dinghy. 

So woodys if you are looking for a clinker to accompany your classic or maybe just want a traditional gaff rigged sailing dinghy for the grand children – Maggie is for sale and Nicky is looking for realistic offers. If you are a serious woody you will know the time and $$ that it takes to craft a boat like Maggie, so please only genuine enquiries to Nicky via email in the first instance nmlgood@gmail.com

Specs – 7’6” , designed by Selway Fisher, Redshank Dinghy. (Note: oars excluded from sale)

Fantasia

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FANTASIA 

Earlier in the week I was out east and called into Leader Boats on the Panmure River. Dave Patterson and his team are currently breathing newline into a launch named – Fantasia, previously she was ‘berthed’ near-by.

Fantasia started life as a Crestacraft design and was built by Harry Biddle in a shed in Saleyard Rd, Otahuhu c.1968.

She has had several face lifts over the years and at time been a little un-loved. Now is getting what I’d describe as a sport fisher look, check out the new sheer line – close your eyes and think Oliver & Gilpin. The boat was re-engined in 1978, with what I’m not sure – much to K Ricketts disgust, I’m never that interested in the engines.

Her owner commented to me that he only came in for a new duckboard and paint job 🙂 I said to Dave that he could always get a job at McDonalds i.e. he’s the champion of companion selling – “do you want fries with that” 🙂

Still very much a work in process but you can see from the photos what she will look like.

HAROLD KIDD INPUT – According to the contemporary APYMBA records FANTASIA was built in 1963 By B. Everett of 51 Kiwi Esplanade Mangere. No mention of a designer. Make of that what you will. Did Everett simply pay for her to be built? That’s not the normal way APYMBA recorded information. Did he finish off a hull perhaps?

EPIC WOODYS DAY – 10 MILLION VIEWS + How To Tips

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EPIC WOODYS DAY + How To Tips

Yesterday was a very big day at the world headquarters of waitematawoodys – we passed the 10,000,000 views mark. Seems just yesterday when I watch the counter tick past 1,000 and thought – ‘wow, maybe other people are interested in what I am’. 

Some history – In the beginning I chose a blog format not a website, forum or a facebook page , this decision was a winner as using a blog allows me to keep the site pure to its DNA – 

the study & appreciation of wooden boats. We do this via telling stories about the history of our classic wooden boats, the craftsman who built them & characters that owned & crewed on them. Along the way the site has morphed into a resource tool for classic woody boats and everything else connected to the movement. On any given day approx. 1/2 the site visitation is research driven e.g. people looking for a particular boat , a person or help with a problem. Covid did amazing things for the site – the number of individuals visiting the site and signing up for the daily email alerts more than doubled and most of them liked what they saw / read and have stuck around. I made a decision a while ago and commenced loading a lot more stories on boats that maybe a few years ago wouldn’t have passed the grade in terms of the wow factor, the reason being to build a more extensive ‘library ‘ of content – so if sometimes you think “what the …. how did that make it onto WW, its there for historical reasons 🙂

I’d be lying if I told you writing a daily woody story and maintaining the site was undemanding – as the numbers have grown the email inbox swells, so I apologise if my email etiquette isn’t always to your liking.

Some Suggestions On How To Best Use The Site

1. If are aren’t already – sign on to receive email alerts when new stories go live

2. Use the COMMENTS section – there is no such thing as a dumb question

3. LIKE (click) a story, that way if new content or comments are added, you’ll get an alert 

4. Use the OLDER POSTS button, the site only shows a limited number of current stories, this speeds up your access to the site

5. Use the SEARCH box to find anything on the site

6. Use the POPULAR TAGS to find the most viewed content

7. Use the FIND STUFF tags to search by category e.g. all work boat stories

8. Use the SHARE links e.g. email the story to a friend, post the story on your facebook 

9. Buy the WW merchandise – it helps oil the wheels – hosting over 50,000 images in cyber space isn’t cheap and WW has to pay to stop advertisements for products like Viagra and hair transplants appearing on the site 🙂 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

10. Support the advertisers on site

11. If you have a business in the marine game – consider advertising on the site.

AND LASTLY –   Send in any photos or information you have, it might not be enough for a story, but more often than not someone else sends in something and -snap – combined we have a story

Big thanks to everyone for helping make waitematawoodys what it is and special thanks to those that send in material 

How Do I Stop The Roll

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HOW DO I STOP THE ROLL
Well woodys you can’t – all boats roll but you can minimise it – read on.

I was recently included in an email exchange where a classic launch owner was asking Chris McMullen why they should replace the mast (rot issue) on their launch given that there was no plan to make use of a sail. Chris shared with us both a copy of a 1909 extract titled ‘Ballasting of Motor Boats’ from an article by Charles G Davis in the book – ‘Motor Boat Handbook vol. 1’. The article provides all the information required for displacement launches. If the above images are too hard to read – below are links to downloading the articles.

ballasting-of-motor-boats1Download
ballasting-of-motor-boats-2Download

WOODY + VINTAGE MOTORBIKE STILLWATER WATERFRONT PICNIC – OCT 7TH – RSVP NOW waitematawoodys@gmail.com

THE REBIRTH OF CENTAURUS

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Launch – Bailey & Sons – c.April 1969
1969
Dec 2019
Sept 2020
June 2021
June 2023
July 2023
Re-Launch August 2023

THE REBIRTH OF CENTAURUS
I often remark on WW that some boats get lucky in terms of owners and some sadly do not – Centaurus the 1969, 42’ Bailey & Sons bridge-decker is one of the lucky ones. A succession of owners have cared for her over the years, but even the best practices and intentions aren’t enough to ensure a 50+ year old wooden craft is 100% fit for purpose.

When Angus Rogers purchased Centaurus in late 2019, he had already compiled a ’To-Do’ list. Work started immediately on the projects that would make her more live able and comfortable for extended cruising. Fast forward to September 2020 and she was hauled out for an upgrade on systems and the installation of a bow and stern water thruster unit.

Fast forward to June 2021 and Centaurus was out again for a below the water-line back to bare wood refurbish.If you know Angus you will know that in-between all this there were dozens of other enhancements going on.

Fast forward to 2023 and the decision was made to undertake a refit that would see Centaurus live on for another 50 years. Initially most of the work was based around the decision to re-power with a new John Deere 175hp engine, this replaced the original Cummins V6 215hp that was the size and weight a small elephant. As anyone that has done a transplant knows, the to-do list just keeps growing…….

Below is a list of some of the work undertaken, I’m sure a few things got forgotten along the way, but its a tad scary. Well done Angus.
WW has recorded a lot of the work over the last3 years, use the WW Search Box to view.
Centaurus re-launched last week and looks stunning, ever the perfectionist Angus has another to-do list to finish her off, but he is under the pump to have her at the upcoming Woodys cruise to Clevedon on Sept 30th > . 

Overview of recent work One new water tank, two new fuel tanks, all new plumbing and valves and fuel filter, fuel and water sight tubes and valves, new fuel breathers, new28x23 inch propellor, new and re-positioned motor water intake and toilet water intake and valves all Truedesign nylon and piping, new toilet outflow valve, new 175hp John Deere with ccv and a second alternator (Balmar 175 amp) engineered onto continuous belt, new 2.5:1 ZF gearbox, new fibreglass exhaust system, replaced exhaust on Webasto diesel heater with genuine Webasto parts, installed SaltAttack injection system for flushing motor, built dorade tubes for the 4 half funnels on the sides of the wheelhouse, created a soft closure hatch in the cabin top for the future when needed, new insulation for engine room hatches and around fuel tanks. Cleaned up all bilges under motor and painted white.  Able to use existing shaft, dry seal and jack shaft which were all replaced two years ago. Anti-fouled hull and Propspeed to new prop.

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

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JOCELYN
RAINBOW

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

Earlier in the week I found myself at HMB marina with some time to kill so went for a wander.

Three woodys in different stages of getting some winter TLC.

JOCELYN – The 49’ Brin Wilson built launch, possibly to a Hacker Craft design, appears to be getting a varnish refresh. She is one of those craft that are just so much bigger out of the water. Read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

UNKNOWN – has a Lanes / Picton look to her – I’m sure someone sharper than me can tell us her name. Impressive back to bare wood restoration underway.

RAINBOW – the 1898 Arch Logan built gaffer has just had a birthday – lots shinny paint and varnish on display + the masts was revarnished , that is a titanic undertaking – well done. I was on-hand as the team from Boat Haulage were dropping the stick back in. An impressive of collection of origami on display 🙂

Too Old To Go Boating – Think Again

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TOO OLD TO GO BOATING – Think Again

Recently on the subscription only weblog – Off Center Harbor there was an amazing short film titled ‘Conversations with The Lobster Lady’. The lady is Virginia Oliver and when the film was made in 2019 Virginia was aged 100, and woodys today Virginia is103 and still working the pots.

Angus Rogers came across the film on YouTube so we all get to view it – you’ll enjoy it – she is a hoot 🙂

LADY GLAD – Electric Conversion

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LADY GLAD – Electric Conversion

Todays story was written by Richard Amery on of the Lake Rotoiti woodys. Richard has pulled together the background on the launch – Lady Glad, owned by Marcus and Jan Wilkins, and her conversion from diesel power electric – I’ll hand over to Richard now – note: slightly different layout today with the photos in the story text.

“The keel was laid in 1981 by Mr. Bill Visser attached boat builder who had settled in Tauranga and started building boats under the name Kingfisher Boats limited, in a shed where the present oil terminal at the Mount is today before moving to Omokoroa. Bill was asked by Mr. Marshall Lee to build a small tug for him to tow a barge between Matakana Island and Omokoroa for his farming operations and it was to be named “Lady Glad” after his mother.

The tug was to have a gas stove and two bunks in it. The bunks had been beautifully painted with scenes by local young artist Alice Blakely, but unfortunately they were pulled out and lost.    Bill Visser was an artist with wood, and he carved the name along with the scroll and the tiller handle and also built the steering wheel which in itself is a work of art. The back deck was to have a bollard for towing mounted in the middle with the underneath area to be able to hold a farm bike and tools. This was all removed and Bill made the rear cockpit as it is now.   The motor was a Yanmar 32HP diesel.

However, before her completion Mr. Lee sold the property and we purchased the Lady Glad, and Bill Visser completed her at his home workshop, hence she never got to sea, and was launched on Lake Rotoiti in 1985.

In 2022 by age 87 Marcus with Jan 86 were sick of climbing over the motor and made the decision to bite the bullet and fit her with a more compact electric motor and batteries.              With the expertise of Tony Whiting, marine engineer of note from Auckland, Alan Craig boat builder and his team, Miles Harnett on boat electrics and local electrician Simon Andrew to sort out the mains electric charging system, the task provided quite a challenge for them.

The power comes from eight 6 Volt batteries weighing 400kg coupled in line to produce 48 volts. This was a little more weight than was removed, and the charging unit for these and the house battery which looks after lights, radio, auto bilge pumps etc are fitted up in the bow.                                                                                                                                                             The shaft thrust bearing, special coupling to motor and mounting bracket etc central and the redesign of rudder, keel and propellor are all part of the team’s combined thoughts and expertise that went into this conversion.

                                                                                                                                                  The shaft thrust bearing, special coupling to motor and mounting bracket etc central and the redesign of rudder, keel and propellor are all part of the team’s combined thoughts and expertise that went into this conversion.

Lady Glad’s heart transplant is now completed with the Combi inboard 10kw electric motor with a Combi Inboard 10 kW electric motor made in Holland, the home country of her designer and builder.

We are delighted with the result, and along with a new cockpit and cabin layout has transformed Lady Glad into a lovely comfortable easy to use craft.

Marcus and Jan say thanks to ‘the Team’. “

Note: Available now for sale in excellent condition: The 32hp Yanmar Diesel engine, hydraulic gearbox, heat exchanger, flexible shaft coupling, bilge blower, hand & electric bilge pumps plus gauges and wiring loom- a great unit in excellent condition. Phone or Text Marcus to view 027 955 2213.

MANUKURA – Restoration Update

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MANUKURA – Restoration Update

During my frequent visits to Thames I used to see Manukura the 50’ c.1960 Shipbuilders built launch on the hard stand at the Thames marina, always looking a little sad. Then in 2021 we got the good news she had a new owner and work had recommenced on her restoration, and that the plan was to transport Manukura to Whangamata where the work would be finished. Link here to her history and time in Thames. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/12/manukura/

I was contacted earlier in the week by owner Allen Watson who advised that Manukura is in the process of a major refit. All new wiring, plumbing, gear boxes, shafts, engine mounts for the Ford 120hp 6 cyl diesel engines plus a new lay out inside. The photo gallery above gives us a peek into the work.

Photo below is dated July 2021 

Winter Woody Yard Report #1

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Marjorie Rosa

Winter Woody Yard Report #1

Over the weekend Lake Rotoiti’s favourite boatbuilder – Alan Craig (Craig Marine) held an open day at his workshop in Paengaroa (Te Puke) , the first three photos above are from the day. The blue hulled launch in the first photo is the 1930 Sam Ford built launch – Marjorie Rosa in for deferred maintenance, will be looking shipshape again very soon.

Read / view more on her in the below WW links:

https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/10/22/juliana-marjorie-rosa/ https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/02/09/juliana-the-2014-lake-rotoiti-classic-wooden-boat-weekend/

A new convert to the wooden boating world is Geoffrey Fiebig, who recently purchased off Jason Prew a Frostbite named Meteor, sail #13. Geoffrey as you will see has started the thank less job of stripping the interior planks. 10/10 for attire, the new WW cap completes the look 🙂

30-05-2023 UPDATE – a nameless woody drew to my attention that many (30+) years ago a Tauranga newspaper article appeared about a young man/teen named Jason Prew who dragged Meteor out of a derelict shed on a lake and restored her to go sailing. Note the miss spelling of the surname Brew -see below

Anyone else have a project underway – if so, share some photos – email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com