TE ATA KOURA Todays launch – Te Ata Koura , according to her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) was built by Shipbuilders, she is 32’ in length and constructed via single plank carvel / kauri. She has a beam of 10’ and draws 3’.
Powered by a 1990 85hp Ford Dover diesel, that gives her a very respectable top speed of 10 knots.From the photos and comments she is in need of some TLC but the bones are there and would make a very smart woody.
I would say there has been a name change along the way, which won’t help ID’ing her, but keen to hear from anyone that can provide more details on her.
Tony Brewer contacted me regarding his recent purchase of – Monita a 17’ Mason Marlin which was built by Sutton Mason & Co. Ltd in Mt Roskill, Auckland sometime in the 1950’s. She is powered by a 2003 90hp 4stroke Honda, which Tony feels maybe to heavy. He is considering re-powering with a 2013 Mercury Mariner 50hp ELPTO 2stroke. Tony’s not interested in a high top speed but would like to be able to travel at between 15 to 18 knots. Fuel economy is not an issue as they do not travel far and there would usually be only 2 people on board.
So woodys – the question of the day is – would the boat be under powered with the 50hp motor?
Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta – Thank God For The Classics
Ok, I’m going to upset a few – but……. I ask the question – has the AAR passed its use by date?
I think the answer is yes, in its present format. If it wasn’t for the classic fleet i.e. old boats (tugs, work boats, classic launches and yachts) there wouldn’t be many boats on the harbour on anniversary day. Maybe time for a reset, now here’s a thought – merge the event with the Classic Yacht Association’s annual classic regatta.
The reality is changing lifestyles and if people are honest, the Bay of Islands – Sailing Week has robbed the AAR of most of the modern sailing fleet. They in fact claim to be “the biggest regatta of its kind in NZ and one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier yachting events” – not that long ago the AAR made similar claims. And on top of this the continuing growth of the Mahurangi Regatta that attracts huge numbers of wooden boats from near and far.
The AAR has being a happening thing for over 180 years, it would be a shame for it to continue to die a slow death, now’s the time to ask the big questions and future proof its existence – as an aside a large chunk of the AAR people are linked / involved with the CYA so should not be too hard…………Now where’s my hat – I’m leaving the room 🙂
Video footage for the 2021 regatta below – if you’re only into classic launches fast forward to the 1:14 mark 🙂
Today’s woody story comes to us via Peter Jenkins fb. Peter’s father – Des Jenkins and his uncle Murray Jenkins built the above 23’ launch in the families backyard at 67 Shakespeare Road in the early to mid 1960’s.In the photos we see the neighbours and friends assisting in turning the hull over for completion of the topside.
A transporter was later backed down the side of the house, boat loaded on an then transported to the launching ramp by the northern side of the Harbour bridge, probably Sulphur Beach boat ramp. It was sea trialed and then moored up to the jetty in Milford Creek at # 12 Craig Road, which was where Peter’s grandparents lived. The launch was used for family fishing trips around the Rangitoto Channel, and beyond.
Peter is keen to ID the design of the boat and learn what became of her. It has been suggested that it may have been a Pelin Express design.
CYA ROUND RANGI LAUNCH RACE & BBQ – THIS SATURDAY– DETAILS BELOW
The CYA are running a Round Rangitoto Launch Race and BBQ at Islington Bay, if you wish to be eligible for prizes, please nominate a female skipper, or someone that ‘looks’ the part, get your entries in to admin@classicyacht.org.nz as soon as you can.
If you want to just arrive, eat and socialise without the round island voyage, thats all good – but can you please let Joyce know on admin@classicyacht.org.nz so they can plan how many sausages to get.
The “race/log rally” will start off Orakei, using the Yacht Start Line at 10.45am (Sat 13th feb). The race is clockwise around Rangitoto and Motutapu, do it at your own speed. BBQ only boats should aim to be there by late afternoon. Families welcome, but feel free to BYO some top up food, drink etc….. There is A-Cup racing this day so if you want to watch the racing and attend the BBQ this another option.BBQ kicks off at 5pm. ish….
As promised todays WW story is a doozy, we travelled down to the lake very early on Saturday morning and were hosted by the clubs commodore Dave Wilson and wife Glenys, who own the magnificent 1947 Colin Wild built bridge-decker – Haumoana. The launch is kept at the end of the lawn at their lakeside property (photos below) – More details on Haumoana here https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/06/05/haumoana/
Dave lent me is ‘fishing boat’ – the f/glass runabout seen the photo below, to use as a photo boat for the parade – fingers crossed no one got a photo of me at the helm 😉
Close to 80 classic and wooden craft of all shapes and sizes – power, sail, oar and steam participated in the days events – starting with a parade that snakes around the waterfront properties and vantage points. Post parade every one heads off to Wairoa Bay for an old school boating picnic – being lake based, no issue with tides or anchoring, people just nudge up to the shore – perfect for checking out each others woody.
The afternoon activities had something for everyone – adults and kids activities (egg throwing, bucket diving for sweets etc) + lots of cool prizes to be won.Without a doubt its the best organised and executed boating event I have been to – very slick and the bonus – lots of nice friendly people – we like that 🙂
Enjoy the photos. As always – click photos to enlarge 😉 If I missed your boat, sorry but one boat and one camera can only be in so many places at one time – next year.
ALMARAY Over the last few years the name Almaray has popped up on WW, mainly in reference to being built alongside the Lidgard launch Monterey. The shed photos below c.1946-8 shows Monterey, Almaray and possibly Tangaroa. All three were fitted with 30hp Lister engines when launched. Almaray was built by Lidgard for Stanley Bell-Booth, whose son Nick Davenport recently contacted me last week after uncovering the photos above in an old family photo album. Harold Kidd commented on a WW story last week on the launch Jean – that the Bell-Booth family name was linked to BERNICE (1922) Stan’s father perhaps?, ATAROA (ex SPEEDWELL II) 1930-34,LADY PATRICIA (1943-48) and ALMARAY (1946 onwards). Nick has commented that his father also owned the launch Jean, somewhere in this mix.
Nick would like to know what became of Almaray post his fathers stewardship.
TOO MUCH SUN 🙂
I think I must have sun stroke – I’m writing about a 1980 Vindex………. But despite what a certain debarred lawyer thinks, I’m actually a nice guy. So here goes – I have been contacted by 21 year old apprentice boat builder, Connor Sanderson, who has taken on a project – I’ll let Connor tell you the story”Late last year I was presented with an irresistible opportunity to purchase a very tired and rundown wooden vindex named “Vin Maree” The only information the seller was about to provide was a build year of 1980 and that it had been from Gulf Harbour prior to them moving it down to Whangamata. It is double diagonal kauri planked, resorcinol glued and coated with ample red lead. It is powered by a inline 6cyl ford I believe to be a “Dover” and had Lees marine manifolds, gearbox and V-drive. I have not yet seen another vindex in V-Drive configuration but I’m familiar with it and hope to retain the use of one. I’m eager to know more about this boat.”
HINEMOA – 1904 Logan 4sale Having spent yesterday on Lake Rotoiti surrounded by a stunning flotilla of classic wooden boats, I feel some what obligated to find a home for Hinemoa. She was built by Logan Bros in 1904 for the NZ Government. 24′ overall double ended. Very heavily built. She was fitted with an 8hp Union petrol motor and carried on the NZ Government steamer Hinemoa for general use particularly when servicing the NZ lighthouses.Her history is known and she has had but five owners.
She is now fitted with a 1960 10hp twin cyl. Kelvin diesel (spares included) – ex NZ Maritime Museum that was recently reconditioned and is regularly serviced. Electrics include nav lights, echo sounder and VHF. Fishing chair for one and rod holders. An excellent sea boat (as you would expect) and there are the bones of a tandem trailer that with modifications would transport her. She is very usable – fishing, picnics or traditional boating events. Lots of fun and an eye catcher.
I’d like her to remain in Auckland but she would be a perfect lake boat. Interested parties, email me and I’ll point you in the direction of her owner. waitematawoodys@gmail.com
The above photo comes to us via Diane Kinzett’s fb and shows the workboat Corinthic that successfully fished out of the Bay of Islands. In this photo she was owned by brothers George and Bob Atkinson, Bob is at the wheel and George sitting. Diane’s father – Gerald Keene (Bob’s step-son) is on the bow. Sadly the boat sunk after hitting a rock at Tapeka Point in the early 1970’s.
Anyone able to tell us who built her and when?
LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE TODAY
Today is the 24th running of the amazing parade held each year on Lake Rotoiti, this year its looking like 70+ classic’s on display. If you are in the area , a great vantage spot to view the parade, starting at 11am, is the banked grass area near the Okere Falls Store. If you can’t be there, check WW on Tuesday for my report 🙂
The 1972, Jorgensen built, 38’ Donna Maree has made several cameo appearances on WW via the camera of Dean Wright. Now thanks to tme (& Ian McDonald) we get to have a peek down below. Given the 1972 build I’m not sure if she is a workboat conversion of has always been in pleasure mode. Being a Jorgensen vessel she is built well with single skin kauri planks on laminated hardwood ribs. In true workboat style she has a 6LW Gardner down below and appears to be very well fitted out. Photos below ex Dean Wright (L) & Ian McDonald (R)
JEAN Today’s photo is of the launch Jean, sent in by Nick Davenport, whose grandfather – Stanley Bell-Booth owned her. Nick knowns little of her history and would love to learn more as to her past and what became of her. In my eye, there is a lot of Romance II to her – possibly a Bailey & Lowe?
Stanley Bell-Booth went on to own the Lidgard built launch Almaray, we will feature her in another WW story. So woodys can we help Nick out?
Input from Harold Kidd – I didn’t know that Stan Bell-Booth owned this JEAN. Other launches he owned were BERNICE (1922) his father perhaps?, ATAROA (ex SPEEDWELL II) 1930-34,LADY PATRICIA (1943-48) and ALMARAY of course (1946 onwards). There were many JEANs. I think this one was owned originally by S.H. Leyland and built for him by T M Lane & Sons in 1919, but there were so many it’s a jungle.
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