CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES AT WHANGAMATA
Following on from yesterdays story on the classic wooden launch – LADY ARGYLE , Angus ROGERS also sent in todays gallery of photos from the Whangamata marina and moored nearby.
Keen to ID these craft.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ARGYLE
Todays classic wooden launch is the 52’ 1965 bridge-decker LADY ARGYLE , built by John Lidgard for Mac Stewart. When launched she was named SANTA ROSA, and later ARGYLE.
She was built based on drawings done for the original owner by “Hoki” Williams, a retired staff member of Shipbuilders Ltd., with modifications by John Lidgard.
She first appeared on WW back in May 2015, lots of ownership details and photos in this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/29/lady-argyle/
Todays photos come to us from Angus Rogers and show LADY ARGLE in her new Whangamata Marina berth. Angus commented that she was very smart.
CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – KORARI II – A Peek Down Below
Back in 2017 the 1964 built, 36’ Mason Clipper – KORARI II made an appearance on WW but we never got a gander below. Now thanks to Ian McDonal’s eagle eyes on tme we get to see her impressive interior.
KORARI II is powered by twin 135hp Perkins HT6364M diesel engines.
CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SOLACE
Recently while on-route to my favourite woody cruise destination – Rakino Island, I passed (yes Jason Prew do occasionally pass other boats) the classic wooden launch SOLACE, as pictured above.
SOLACE was heading further afield than us so never got to get a closer look.
So woodys can anyone tell us about the launch.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – CHARLYN
Todays woody photo of the launch CHARLYN comes to us from the Kopu Marine Precinct fb page in Thames via Ian McDonald.
Peter Deeming commented that CHARLYN was built at Ashbys Boat Yard in Opua, Bay of Islands and Peter worked on her from start yo finish.
In the photo she looks a quite a big girl, made even bigger looking by the addition of that conservatory………
Can anyone tell us more about the launch.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARIKI
Todays classic wooden boating photo comes to us from John Dawson and shows the launch – ARIKI. At the time of the photo (1946) the launch was located in Napier. At the time of the photo the launch was owned by B. R. Menzies.
And that woodys is all we know.
Interested in learning more about the craft.
AND ONE FOR THE WTF FILE
A recent arrival on tme. I’m sure she will find a home, someone, somewhere must need a floating porte-loo. (thanks Ian McDonald for the photo)
CLASSIC LAUNCH – MARISTELLA OUT FOR SOME TLC AND A SHAVE
The 1936, 40’ , Sam Ford built classic wooden launch MARISTELLA hauled out at Milford this week for some TLC and shave. Some great historical photos and a peak down below in the WW links below –
https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/07/30/a-snapshot-of-the-classic-wooden-launch-maristella/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/09/03/classic-wooden-launch-maristella-a-peek-down-below/
Westhaven was once one of the better marinas in terms of growth but looking at MARISTELLA seems Westhaven is as bad as all the others these days.
In addition there will be some differed maintenance to her rubber stock area, but thats par for the course on these old woodys.
Have to love a railway haul out and the gentle ‘roller’ method of position a vessel in the yard.
UPDATE 06-09-2026 – Back in the water after some engine maintance, engine looking very smart.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RIO RITA
Back in December 2014 WW was helping find a new home for the 1929 Collings & Bell built classic wooden launch RIO RITA, At the time she was named RESOLUTION (a 1971 name change) – this link gives us a gander down below https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/12/01/resolution/
If you use the WW search box there is a lot of intel on the vessels provenance.
Last week she popped up on the social media scene and its pleasing to note that she has reverted to her original name and as we can see from the photos above – owner Peter Meister is looking after this almost 100 year old classic wooden launch.
CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN LAUNCH – MANDALAY
Yesterdays deluge of emails to the WW inbox contained a gem – todays top photo (2013) and a note from Janet & Bob Heart the owners of the 36’, 1940 built classic launch MANDALAY. Over the years MANDALAY has appeared on WW – first in Sept 2016 as a mystery launch seen at anchor in Jacobs Bay in Pelorus Sound, (second photo above).
Next appearance was in May 2023 when Dean Wright was mooching around Havelock Marina (third photo above). This story prompted WW reader Phil Vining to recall the vessels broker listing from c.1980’s when she was 4sale – see below.
Janet has commented that MANDALAY was built in Auckland by Lanes in 1940, this has been questioned on WW previously because she certainly has the look (and paint scheme) of Lanes Picton.
Janet has kindly written a brief review of the craft.
“We ( Bob and Janet Hart ) have owned Mandalay for 39 years since 1987. She’s been based in Havelock Marina and has been a regular sight around Pelorus Sound over these years. Her original design has been faithfully maintained. She’s been much loved and cared for.
She has a cockpit with seats. With full headroom, there’s a saloon with table and seating for captain and passenger facing forward. A separate bunkroom sleeps 4 people and a separate bathroom has the rope and chain locker.
With a Ford 75Hp engine, Mandalay uses approx. 1 gallon of diesel an hour.”
CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH
Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Jason Waterson re his recently acquired launch. Her current name is 5 O’CLOCK SOME WHERE, but in a previous life was named ELSIE MAY II.
Jason is hoping to confirm her design / builder, current think is Allen Williams and learn more about her past. When Jason bought her she was on Lake Taupo and previously was in Napier. Forward motion is via a Fordson 40hp diesel engine.
Can we help Jason out.
Now if she was mine I’d we buying a small tin of a pant and returning the coamings (window surrounds) to a semi wood look, or similar – as per the photo of EILEEN PATRICIA below.
