Category Archives: Launches

Parma

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PARMA

The launch Parma hasn’t made an appearance on WW, other than a small cameo appearance, mainly because many moons ago, back in the heady days of the CYA forum, I got my hand slipped for saying that Parma held the record for the longest appearance on trademe :-). While life moves on, my skin is thicker and I suspect she is / was in new ownership.

I note in her current trademe listing the question is asked about previous ‘rot’ issues which we are told have been righted, so today Parma finally gets a chance to shine on WW.

What do we know about her? – she was built in 1958 by Brin Wilson, carvel planked, measures a tad over 34’ and is powered by a 1970, 6 cyl. Ford (Fordson 2700 series) 40hp diesel engine.
She appears to be presented in good order and is well fitted out. Owner must have a taste for Heineken 🙂

UPDATE 07-07-2022 Parma had again been 4sale for an extended period of time and had reverted to ‘live-aboard’ status at Bayswater marina – please to be able to advise that she appears to have been sold and received some TLC – new paint job.

Mystery Woody at Whangateau

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IMG_0478 Interesting woody in Wangateau Harbour

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Mystery Woody at Whangateau
 
Woody Denis O’Callahan (MV Tasman) spotted the above woody anchored last Saturday when he was mooching around the Whangateau Harbour.
There appears to be a ‘pole’ (maybe the main mast) lashed to the starboard bulwarks.
A few splashes of paint on the stern might be concealing a name, home port?
 
Anyone able to ID the vessel for us?
 

Waitematawoodys T-Shirts + New Release – Caps – Perfect Christmas Presents

Well woodys Summers almost here so it’s T-shirt weather. If you want a WW t-shirt nows the time to order – details below.
  1. Some background on the T’s – I only source top quality garments & use high-end screen printing for really tight detail & a durable finish. I’m passionate about WW & will only put the logo on something that is 100% quality.
  2. In terms of colour – we are like Henry Ford, we only do one colour – a very dark blue (navy) with white logo. 
  3. Price – same price for the last 3 years  – $34.95 (gst inclusive) + $5 p&p (one off freight charge, no matter the number you order). If that’s too much to pay for a quality T-shirt, well I guess you won’t be buying one, but I’m not prepared to compromise on standards. This years T’s are an even better cut / fit.
  4. Sizes – Refer chart below. If there is interest I will do a smaller female sizes.
  5. Ordering – B4 Xmas I’m doing a limited print run, so if you want a shirt/s – I need your order by Monday 25th November, sooner would be even better. I’ll advise payment details when I confirm your order.
NEW RELEASE – CAPS
I have done a small run of WW Caps and the feedback from my crash-test dummies has been very positive – so we have added caps to the merchandise list.
1. One size fits all
2. Light weight, 6 panel
3. Two colour options Navy Blue / Light Blue
4. Price is $32 (gst inclusive) + $5 p&p (no charge if ordered with T-shirt/s)

What’s next – email me at waitematawoodys@gmail.com & advise:

 

# Your name 

# Postal address

# Phone 

# Quantity & size/s & colour (cap only)

Ps – Sent in a sealed courier bag, so if you are ordering for a Xmas present, no-one will know the contents.

Size Guide

1940’s Woody Speed Boat

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1940’s Woody Speed Boat

Todays woody speedboat was built by Richard Hall’s father and his best mate John Primrose in the late 1940’s. The zoom zoom came from a 1938 Cadillac V8.
The caption on the back of the photos says 35 knots – very impressive – refer the photo below for more more details.
Richard commented that John Primrose had a boatbuilding business in Gisborne, undertaking a lot of Govt. contract work.
Can anyone tell us the name of the speedboat and what became of her?
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Time Piece – A Peek Down Below

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TIME PIECE – A Peek Down Below

The 30’ Time Piece was built by Ship Builders, year unknown. She is kauri planked* and powered by a Ford 96hp, 6 cyl. mark 2 Trader  590 series diesel engine that sees her cruising at 7.5>8 knots. * a question – did Shipbuilders build any carvel planked boats?
Very nicely presented below decks – she has however gone the way of a lot of Ship Builders craft and now sports a second story…………  I’ll sign off before Cameron P bites and points out that people can do what ever they like to their boat 🙂
Recently sold. Thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up.
TRIP DETAILS FOR THIS WEEKENDS WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND – CLEVEDON CRUISE HAVE BEEN EMAILED TO ALL ATTENDEES. IF YOU HAVE NOT RSVP’ed – DO IT NOW
Email your name & boat name to  waitematawoodys@gmail.com
WCW Clevedon Poster

Westhaven Marlin

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Westhaven Marlin

Now the headline might have excited a few fisherman but todays story isn’t about a game fish being sighted in the Inner Harbour.
Last Friday while driving along minding my own business, I spotted the above Marlin Marauder  parked up outside the Mercury dealer – Marineworx. Appeared to be receiving some TLC to the stern drive/leg.
Rather a smart woody in very good condition – anyone able to tell us more about her? There was no name on her stern. Her builders plate stated she was ‘Custom built by Sutton Mason & Co Ltd, Mt Roskill, Auckland.
Now on the subject of big game, I would be amiss if I didn’t remind the Auckland based Woodys about the big garage sale today at Salthouse Boatbuilders – details below and folks, a very nice bronze and timber game chair is centre stage.
ADDRESS: Salthouse Boatbuilders, 84 Rame Rd, Greenhithe, Auckland 0632
WHEN: TODAY – 9th November 
TIME: 10.am > 2pm
 
REMEMBER – CASH ONLY

Southern Woodys

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Southern Woodys

Recently Kiwi woody, John Sloane, based in Macau, was back ‘home’ and sent in the above photos from a visit to the Te Ana Marina in Lyttelton.
A nice mix of working boats, some still active and some converts to a more leisurely life.
Spotted were – Roamer, Kahawai, Manurere, Manatee and Snark.
Look out for Sundays WW story, I have a stunning gallery of photos from Bay of Islands photographer, Dean Wright, of the Captain Cook – Endeavour replica and accompanying Waka. Tease photo below 😉
Note: as always with photos that appear on WW, copyright applies.
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Someone Stop Me

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Some One Stop Me
If I lived near a lake or Mahurangi etc – I would not be posting this story, I would be on-route to New Plymouth to buy this very cool double diagonal cold moulded kauri double ended day boat (thats a mouthful).
She measures approx 14’4” with the rudder on, built in 1970 in York Bay, Wellington.
Her motion is via a Petter 3.5hp diesel inboard, that was fitted c.1980s and has only done 40 hrs. Gearbox has N/F/R.
Her trailer hs been refurbished and fully road worthy.
Rod Prosser / Shawn Vennell – one of you must need another woody at the lake – perfect for the kids…………………
Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe heads up 😉

Lady Ellen Restoration – October Update

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LADY ELLEN RESTORATION – OCTOBER UPDATE

With a December launch date, Lady Ellen’s owner Bruce Mitchinson is on the downhill run – putting all the expensive bits on and hooking everything up.
Bruce’s words below tell us the status / list of things to do + the two videos show us the workmanship that is being ‘applied’ to the Lady.
Looking stunning 🙂
 

“Started painting the interior last Thursday.

Bunks have been removed to provide room to spray and some of the trim is out and being finished off site.
Moving from the forecastle backwards through to the cockpit, then we will tackle the decks.
Windows all patterned and should be in production tomorrow.

Bronze castings in the system and should be ready in a couple of weeks time.

Old mast is in the process of being remodelled to take hidden conduits for lights and gps antenna, and beefed up a bit to the right scale.
Galley and cockpit timber decking still to do after painting.
Electrics and plumbing gear all sorted but final fix still to go”
 
VIDEO – PART ONE
 
VIDEO – PART TWO

2019 Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 100+ Classic Wooden Boats

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2019 Thames Traditional Boat Festival

Woody Ian Gavin was travelling with family in July and included the Thames Traditional Boat Festival (Henley-on-Thames) in the itinerary.
Its an event on my bucket list, so I was a little envious when Ian handed me a USB stick with 100+ photos of the event. Special thanks to Ian for sharing.
Included in the Festival was a special Dunkirk Little Ships section. As you would expect it was a very civilised affair with the boats moored up to the river bank and they took turns at parading up and down the river.
The large rowing barge is an ex/retired Royal barge that has been recently restored.
Included on the day were a selection of old motorbikes and cars, including a few amphibious one.
Enjoy the gallery 🙂

 

Le Cygne

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LE CYGNE

Today’s story comes to us via Ray Morey’s fb. Ray tells us Le Cygne was built in Auckland for a Whangarei doctor post 1918. Next owner was Enoch Doel, who had a grocery store in Kawakawa. He used her for deliveries around the upper reaches of the Bay of Islands / Waikare inlet.
Ray’s father bought the launch c.1930 from Enoch Doel. Back then power was a single cylinder ‘Buffalo’ engine. Back in those days the boat was commonly called ‘Latrine’. They sold her to a guard on the railways, and he relocated her to the Clevedon River.
Anyone know what happened to her?

Which is a good juxtaposition to remind you that the Woody Classics Weekend to the Clevedon Cruising Club is almost closed off, so many boats and limited space – it will be a monty of a trip, a great mix of boats and people have RSVP’ed. Do not delay, I will not be posting again on this event, driving attendance – RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com. just need both yours and the boats name. Actually the boats specs i.e. LOL ,beam, draft will also be a big help.

Harold Kidd Input – LE CYGNE (the SWAN) was built for Dr Frazerhurst of Whangarei possibly by David Reid with a Buffalo engine (agent) immediately before the Great War. Dr Frazerhurst was badly wounded and spent the war in captivity. No clues what happened to her after she was part of the fleet to greet Lord Jellicoe off Reotahi in April 1921.

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