Category Archives: Launches

DEVASTATING BREAK-IN AT THE HISTORICAL MARITIME PARK – PAEROA

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DEVASTATING BREAK-IN AT THE HISTORICAL MARITIME PARK – PAEROA

In the last 24 hrs the social media drums have been beating about two woodys – ARIANA and  NORITA that were broken into at the Historical Maritime Park in Paeroa.

Both vessels were stripped of brass fittings and other important items, including portholes, steering wheels, railings, controls and dials. These boats are more than 100 years old. Their fittings are part of their history and are more than likely irreplaceable.

The park crew are appealing for the safe return of the stolen items and for any information that may help. If you have been offered fittings matching this description, or know anything about this crime, please contact the police or the Historical Maritime Park.

Back in April 2022 we took a Waitrmatawoodys flotilla up the Wairoa River for a visit to the Museum, we overnight berthed dockside and we hosted to a great BBQ. During the weekend several of the woodys crew went aboard the classic wooden 34’ launch ARIANA under the command of skipper and tour guide – Peter Vandersloot, and travelled from the Museums dock to the town dock in the centre of Paeroa township.  The journey takes approx an hour.

Reac / view the trip at this link  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/04/20/ariana-at-the-paeroa-maritime-museum-park/

MELANIE – TRACING THE HISTORY OF A CLASSIC GAME LAUNCH

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MELANIE – TRACING THE HISTORY OF A CLASSIC GAME LAUNCH

Thanks to an email from John Dawson we are able to clear up any confusion around the provenance of the classic wooden game boat – MELANIE.

In the top photo we she MELANIE c.1959 as built by Brian Donovan (brother of Andy) at 21st Century Boats.

In April 1965 her owner,Len McCracken, sadly drowned returning to the vessel one evening at Mayor Island.

Late 1960’s her new owner, John Lee had MELANIE refitted as a bridge-decker at the Visser yard and changed her name to LEEWAY. She then went into charter fishing the Mayor Island grounds.

Harold Kidd advised the last he heard of the vessel was c.2015, in Havelock North.

Any update on where she is today.

(Special thanks to Harold Kidd, Brian Worthington & the Andrew Donovan collection)

KAWAU ISLAND’S LABOUR WEEKEND BOATING MUSTER

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KAWAU ISLAND’S LABOUR WEEKEND BOATING MUSTER

The photo above has appeared on WW before, capturing and promoting the X-factor that makes Kawau Island such a special destination for classic boaters. Its sheltered anchorages, rich maritime heritage and relaxed cruising atmosphere make it hard to beat for a Labour Weekend escape.  

Over the past few years, the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club and WaitemataWoodys — three staunch supporters of classic boating and the cruising lifestyle — have been working together to develop and promote a gathering of traditional craft in and around Kawau Island.Brought together under the banner of Labour Weekend Spring Splash.

The event is becoming a wonderful opportunity for owners and crews to get out on the water, catch up with fellow enthusiasts and celebrate everything that makes classic wooden boating so special.It’s all about good boats, good company and the timeless pleasure of cruising in one of the Hauraki Gulf’s most treasured destinations.

Each year it gets better and better and has become one of the most popular events on the waitematawoodys calendar. Link here to last years event  https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/28/2025-kawau-island-spring-splash-regatta-a-woody-weekend-to-remember/

There truely is something for all craft – 

• FRIDAY – Cruising to the island

• SATURDAY – Matakana Markets River Cruise & Round the Island Yacht Race

• SUNDAY – Waitematawoodys Classic Parade & Short Course Yacht Race + Race Giving ar KBC

• MONDAY – Breakfast at KBC

Each day the KBC clubrooms will be open to all boaties + we have new managers and menu. Check on-line for opening hours. https://kawauboatingclub.nz

f you are not racing there is no requirement to enter, just turn up and enjoy the weekend and the sociability of the KBC. Hey you my enjoy it and consider becoming a member 😉

PS – I emailed details out to the WW data base earlier in the week, but not surprisingly not everyone is on the database. If you want to be kept updated on classic events and gatherings – just drop an email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with your name, boat name (if you have one) and mobile number. We do not spam you, it is a very tight list.

Read more in the attached PCC notice of regatta.

NOR LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SPLASH 2026Download

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MELVILLE — WHAT CAN WE DISCOVER ABOUT HER

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MELVILLE — WHAT CAN WE DISCOVER ABOUT HER

Earlier in the week the classic wooden launch – MELVILLE popped up on the ‘Old North Auckland’ fb feed.  Suzanne-Richards Osborne posted the above galley of photos.  

They are from several sources eg the top two are from early photo postcards of the Mangamuka Gorge, Hokianga area. These prompted Suzanne had, to do some online research that hit the jackpot in the Auckland Libraries Heritage collection.            

The last image comes to us via a glass plate negative and the photographer is tagged as C. Dawes.

Can we learn more about the launch MELVILLE, seen in the photos.

LADY ARGYLE — CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LATEST ADVENTURES

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LADY ARGYLE — CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LATEST ADVENTURES

Tom Wieringa the owner of LADY ARGYLE the 52′ 1965 classic wooden launch built by John Lidgard, made contact with WW earlier in the week with an update on her travels and some recent photos.

LADY ARGYLE has appeared before on WW – links to those stories below. Lots of details on her past there, make sure you read the comments sections. When launched she was named Santa Rosa, then Argyle, then went all fancy and became a lady.

WW 2015 https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/29/lady-argyle/

WW 2025 https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/05/30/classic-wooden-launch-lady-argyle/

 I’ll hand over to Tom (edited)

“We have had the pleasure of owning Lady Argyle for six years. Five of those years we have lived aboard, from Tauranga to the Hauraki Gulf/Coromandel to Whangarei to the BOI’s, Whangaroa and back again.

She has looked after us through almost every weather and sea condition you can think of, delivering us on our adventures every time.

She is beautifully crafted in 3 skin kauri; two diagonal layers and a top longitudinal layer totalling 55mm thick; riveted together over massive stringers you have to see to believe; approx. 140mm x 70mm. The interior timbers are kauri beams and stairs and teak everywhere.

I have just moved her to Pine Harbour Marina for a few months, hoping to get out and about a little more often.

The trip from Whangamata, after waiting for the south westerlies to settle down, was a lovely 15hr adventure, averaging an easy 7.3 kn at 1300rpm using 8L/hr  total both engines.

I parked up the first night at Port Charles, having never stopped there before, it was very pleasant.“

Tom commented that he was looking to rent a marina or mooring suitable for Lady Argyle (16m+) (LOCATION: Pine Harbour, Gulf Harbour, Whangarei, Coromandel)

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MOANA ROA (MAUREEN R) A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MOANA ROA (MAUREEN R) A Peek Down Below

 Back in August 2018 we Rana story on the 1957 Owen Woolley built 29’ launch MOAANA ROA (previously named MAUREEN R, then over time we received regular input and historical photos from WW readers as to her story, the last being in 2025, Link to that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/08/27/maureen-r/

Fast forward to last week and thanks to Ian McDonald spotting a tme listing we now get to have a peel down below.

Appears to be a very smart, well presented classic wooden launch. Forward motion is from a Lees Marine Ford 60hp diesel engine.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #6

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AVALON – RESTORATION UPDATE #6

Today we have an an update from Tobias Forsyth on his rebuild of the 24’ Sam Ford built (1954) classic wooden launch – AVALON. Getting very close to hitting the water. Have to admire the workmanship , very talented man is Tobias.

I’ll hand over to Tobias to walk us thru the work – Update 6, great progress and we have a launch date for late November.

“Photos are fairly self explanatory, new cabin top has been clashed with kauri and then corners glassed, an internal laminex epoxied and vacuum bagged down to have a nice easy maintainance deck head. Cabin top then fully painted and installed. Final coats of varnish done plus non skid on decks before glass install. Made some good progress of wiring and systems with a quick test run of the engine to make sure all is working as it should. 

Test fit the new squabs and carpets along with a few other cosmetic touches. All going to plan the launch date should be ok. Just the final coat on the hull and then driveline install and finish off the engine bay and systems left to go now.” 

WOODYS GETTING SOME TLC + Marine Yard Sale This Saturday

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MENAI
LADY MARGARET (Colin Wild)

WOODYS GETTING SOME TLC + Marine Yard Sale This Saturday

As we get closer to the summer boating season, several woodys are nearing completion of significant winter work.

The first woody above is the Sam Ford built MENAI that came in for a deck replacement but the scope has slipped out to some TLC, MENAI is one of my favourite classic wooden launches so very happy to see her new owners commitment to her.

The last photo is of the 42’ LADY MARGARET  (Colin Wild) in the shed for a big birthday (100 in 1927) treat – photo was sent as a tease, with the promise of a full story soon. 

HEADS UP – the Te Atatu Boating Club are having a Marine Yard sale this Saturday  (3rd Oct),.Nice and early start –  7am  A great opportunity to find those goodies or to sell those preloved unused items. 
Seller spots also available for non TABC members if any of your readers wish to buy a spot.
Details are on the poster below.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – EMERALD – 4sale

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – EMERALD –  4sale

The 32’ classic launch EMERALD first appeared on WW back in Sept 2019 (link below) that story generated a lot of comments and historical photos (below – dated c.1970’s). We also were sent updated photos from her then trademe listing. WW Sept 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/09/16/emerald/

What we know about EMERALD – built c.1950’s, designer unknown but possibly her hull from the Collings & Bell stable.

Kauri hull now glassed and powered by a 3.6L, 4 cylinder Ford Trader marinized (Lees Marine) diesel engine, that gives her a cruising speed of 9 knots.                                                             Her home waters are Picton, Marlborough Sounds, South Island.

Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Bruce Herbert, who purchased EMERALD in 2022. Bruce advised that between 2022 and 2023 he commissioned a restoration at Sounds Marine Series, Picton that saw her exterior and interior refurbished and included upgrades to her systems. 

Sadly circumstances have changed and Bruce is looking for the next custodian of EMERALD. Bruce is aware the market is weak and in my eyes is asking a fair price ($19k)

Interested parties to contact Bruce at  bruce@tradingwireless.com for more intel on the vessel.

c.1970’s

05-10-2026 INPUT ex owner BRUCE HERBERT (edited) – below are a few photos showing some of the journey Emerald has come on. The black and white image shows a similar lineage, I’m guessing, or is of a similar age as the image above from c,1970’s.
The location is Henderson, courtesy of Bob Wylie, where she was undergoing the rework of hull restoration when they sheathed it in glass, along with the additional cabin work.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SEA LEOPARD

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SEA LEOPARD

On my numerous trips to the OBC marina in Auckland I have walked past the classic wooden launch – SEA LEOPARD. Thanks to a note from Lindsay McMorran we learn that she has just appeared on tme.
What we learnt – 36’ in length, kauri planked and powered by a 120hp Ford Leman diesel engine. 

Previously owned by the Onehunga Working Men’s Club (as it was then known.) which may the origin of the OTT side rails.To quote the owner re her condition ‘definitely not new’, but the bones are there and appears well spec’ed and only asking 7k

Can we learn more about her – design, builder, launch date etc.