BOI woody and pro photographer Dean Wright sent in the above photos of Miss Brett, Arcturus and Ranoni loitering in the bay on Christmas Day.
Meanwhile closer to home island life is a little bit more ‘family’ focused – the paddle board xmas present was a hit, I’ll say it before Jason Prew does – its a 1/3 the size of Raindance 🙂 If you’re on Waiheke, check out the new establishment named HEKE, very relaxed dining, great food and for Waiheke, well priced. Just down the road from Stonyridge.
Today’s gallery of photos comes to us from Glenn Martin who was mooching around the haul out yard at Coromandel township last week – some have made quest appearances on WW before and some are newbies. If you know anything about them – chirp in at the WW comments section.
Thank heavens the 25th has been and gone – we do we do it, too much of everything. A special day this year, first time all the tribe where in country and under one roof. The weather is ace on Waiheke Island so we slipped an early swim in before the present stampede, you would think we would be more civilised as we get older – yeah right. Then a long lunch.
We featured Lady Margaret on WW when she relocated north to Whangarei , now in the talented hands of Alistair McRae, Lady Margaret is looking very smart after some lock-down maintenance and recently getting her top sides painted and new antifoul – all set for summer cruising.
The 38′ Lady Margaret was built in 1955 by L. Beacon of Mt Albert. Lady Margaret has had more name changes than most woodys and shares the LM tag with a lot of classic woodys – so a little birdie tells me another could be on the way – hopefully they won’t stray too far from the previous – maybe Happy Lady, second thoughts maybe not – sounds like a ‘lady of the night 🙂 Lots more to read and view herehttps://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/31/lady-margaret-happy-wanderer-lady-mary-gets-some-tlc/
The photo above of the launch – Koanui popped up recently on Lew Redwood’s fb and is tagged ‘Cyclone Bola, 1988. Kohanui in Red Cliffs’ (Great Barrier Island). It might be a bit hard to see in the photo, but she has an anchor down. I bet there was no sleep aboard that night.
FYI – Cyclone Bola created some of the largest rainfall totals for a single storm in the history of NZ. Some locations receiving more than half their annual rainfall totals from the storm. WW knows nothing more on the launch Koanui, so we would love to hear from anyone that can enlighten us. Only 2 sleeps till the jolly fat man arrives – fingers crossed he found all the hints I left around the house 🙂
UPDATE 28-12-2021 Ant Smit sent in the photo below, showing Koanui berthed at OBC marina in Auckland. Looking very smart.
The classic launch Aumoe, builtin 1913 by Tom Le Huguet is now calling the Milford Marina home. Could this mine we will see her out and about more? Or maybe an upcoming haul out at The Milford Slipway……
Type Aumoe in the WW Search box to see more on Aumoe 🙂
Help Needed – Anyone have a Whitianga Mooring For Rental This Xmas > Jan – see below
Helped Needed – The txt message you dont need / want – see below. I did sort of help, turns out it was electrical. Now looking for a Bayswater Marina friendly sparky.
And Proof That Its Worth While Dropping A Line or Getting Wet – Not mine But A Mates Catch Yesterday – And Don’t Ask, Lets Just Say Spot X
The 24’ Lake Rotoiti based woody – Rambler was built by Joseph Anderson in the Big Omaha Valley near Matakana and launched in 1913. It took 3 years to build the boat and she was one of the first boats to be built with a kauri strip plank construction. Rambler was used to travel to Auckland as it was easier by boat than by road. After returning from World War 1, George Anderson, Joseph’s son, used Rambler to travel to Kawau Island for cray fishing, trapping possums and hunting deer. These trips also became the delivery for mail and provisions to those living on Kawau.
In the mid 1930’s, Rambler was sold to the local cobbler in Matakana and the boat was used for fishing trips but later was left in the mud in a sorry state. In the 1970’s Rambler was sold and given a major refit including having a top cabin added.
Rambler was discovered in Howick in 2000 and was brought to Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua by her current owners, where she was refitted with a revamped interior, hand made cedar mast, bronze and brass fittings and a number of other improvements. Approx. 1990 her engine was changed from a petrol Chev 4 to a two cylinder 20hp Chinese diesel. This still goes but needs to be replaced. Amazingly Rambler has had only four owners in her 108 year old life, and now is on the market, awaiting her next custodian. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.
The First Yacht Confirmed For The New CYA Heritage Basin Marina
If you were asleep all week, might be a good idea to click on the image below to catch up on the controversy around the probable selection criteria for classic CYA vessels berthing in the new CYA 40 berth waterfront marina.
click image to view
WW Quiz Winners – The answer to the Friday quiz re the number of boats Collings & Bell built turns out to be very questionable – Ron Wattlen in his book states over 1000 (see screen grab below) turns out it was a lot less – so woodys to be fair & kind (pass me a bucket) all entries went into the draw and the two winners of a copy of the book – ‘C J & A J Collings – Designed & Boat Builders’ are:
• Ross Dawson – Papakura • Dean Wright – B.O.I. (copies are in the mail)
Very chuffed to advise that the 1939 Colin Wild designed and built launch – Rehia has found new owners after an extend spell on tme. Bought by a young family that have the desire and commitment to return her to her former glory. Which she deserves, being woody royalty i.e. ex the Colin Wild stable. When a boat survives 80+ years in almost original configuration, it tells you that the designer got it right.
WW will follow this one closely, being ‘nice people’ the first project was fitting a holding tank – had to cash a few credits in at The Slipway Milford to get the work done at short notice – thank you Mr Prew 🙂 Lots of past Rehia stories on WW, search her name in the WW Search Panel – for lots of photos.
24-02-2022 Input ex Scott Taylor – Scott sent in the sketch and photo below of his fathers (Mac Taylor) time spent on Rehia on boom patrol during the WWII, Mac drew the pencil sketch of which Scott has the original.
During the week Hugh Gladwell gave me the heads up on a woody project that was nearing completion. The ex navy 3-in-1 whaler, Hauiti, also known as a motor sea-boat, was built at the Naval Dockyard in 1962 out of double diagonal kauri. She has been converted by Peter Thompson (who was the project manager on the Jane Gifford restoration) to a river boat to operate in survey on the Mahurangi River. Hauiti is powered by an Elco electric motor which will run for about 7 hours and is charged by a bank of solar panels on the cabin top with no shore charging. Peter Sewell has designed the propellor. Hugh commented that the river is now dredged along 3 quarters of its length to a depth of 1.5 metres at low water and they have about a year to go to complete the project. Once complete, the upper basin area will be a great overnight cruising destination for swallow(ish) vessels. Watch this space for a woodys weekend cruise.
Looking For Santa Sack Fillers
For what seems a very long time (25 years in fact), Rotorua woody – Ronald Wattam has been beavering away pulling together a book on the boat building dynasty – C.J.and A.J. Collings. Ron is linked via marriage to the family. The book covers the period 1896 > 1967. Yesterday a package arrived with some advance copies – I am so manic on the work front I haven’t had a chance to read, but at 153 pages its a very extensive collection of photos, data and insights into 70 years of New Zealand maritime history. I have two copies to give away – the question is – approximately how many boats did the Collings & Bell company build?. All close answers will go into the draw for one of two copies. Entry is by email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com closes 9pm 17-12-2021 If you miss the draw – copies are available at $55+p&p, direct from Ronald Watttam at olivine@xtra.co.nz
50’ HALVORSEN MOTOR CRUISER – MINOCQUA Todays story from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival – ‘Folk Boat’ video series features the stunning Minocqua and her custodian, Andrew Cannon AM. The 50ft vessel was built and designed by Lars Halvorsen and Sons in 1947. The luxury motor cruiser is a great example of an early post World War II boat. She has now been berthed in Hobart for nearly 20 years and Andrew loves escaping his busy life, to spend time cruising the D’Entrecasteaux Channel on Minocqua. Sit back and watch the story above.
THANKS FOR VOTING
If you missed the results from Tuesdays POLL on the NZ Classic Yacht Association’s new Heritage Basin marina – its was a clear winner for the marina to be open to all CYA vessels, with 85% voting for this option. In comparison only 15% voted from it being used by YACHTS alone, via invitation, and these yachts would be pre WWII, NZ designed and built, and preferably gaff rigged, A Class vessels. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see what people with sawdust in their veins want. Over 1,000 votes received and the second highest day in terms of individual visitors to the WW site. Thank you again for all those that took the time to connect with the story. We will keep you posted.
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