Category Archives: Launches

CLASSIC EX WOODEN WORKBOAT – VEDETTE

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CLASSIC EX WORKBOAT – VEDETTE

Recently on one of the many boating channels I follow the launch VEDETTE popped up , a gent named Tony Howse was considering buying the boat and needed a builders name to obtain insurance to haul-out for an inspection.

Tony commented that the boat was built from double diagonal kauri planks.

Its believed that she was originally on the Kaipara Harbour  and then in the late 1960’s moved to Raglan as the harbour masters boat for a period of approx. 20 years.

Can we learn more about the launch.

01-06-2025 UPDATES

TONY HOWSE – I’ve owned her for 20 plus years.The best cray and fishing boat I’ve ever owned. My 4 kids have grown up learning to fish off her. I have just sold her and she’s hopefully back to the Bay of Islands.

REUBEN PARR – Our family used to own Vedette on the Kawhia Harbour in the late 1960s. She was powered by a Morris Vedette petrol engine.  My memory is that my father said she was a Logan and had been a pilot boat, but not sure how correct that was.

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CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN LAUNCH – IRENE 

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CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN LAUNCH – IRENE 

Last week the newish owner, Karl Reynolds,  of the classic 31’ wooden launch – IRENE contacted WW to update us on the status of the vessel.

IRENE was built by Dick Lang c.Feb 1927. These days she resides at Pahi on the Kaipara Harbour.

IRENE made an appliance of WW back in April 2016 – link below  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/27/irene-2/

Karl purchased IRENE in late Feb of this year. Karl commented that she was not in great shape but still has great bones.  When purchased she was powered by a 120hp Ford but unfortunately her sump rusted out and the engine dropped her oil into the bilge and she subsequently seized solid. So currently reviewing the options e.g. repair or replace. In recent times IRENE has been out the water for 15 days and Karl addressed some rot in the cabin.The work also included a good tidy up underneath including new keel straps, removal of her keel cooling pipes and removed rudder to be straightened. 
The plan is to have her finished for what Karl believe to be IRENE’s 100th birthday in Feb 2027.

SEA QUEEN + THE JOHN KENNEDY

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SEA QUEEN

Todays woody photo comes to us from John Dawson, John spotted the photo recently at the Te Ahu Centre in Kaitaia.

The photo is captioned – ‘Harry Slide and the SEA QUEEN’, the location is the Hokianga Harbour. And that woodys is all we know.

Can anyone tell us more about the vessel.

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON THE JOHN KENNEDY

WW has been contacted by Lew Redwood who has been asked about the whereabouts of the vessel – THE JOHN KENNEDY.

Refer details below – can we help Colleen Small out.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AIRANA (ROSEMARY)

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AIRANA (ROSEMARY)

Todays woody AIRANA was built in Balena Bay Wellinton by car franchise owner Noel Manthel in 1934. AIRANA is a lightly built craft of British design, Sterling her owner Bruce Campbell believes. There were apparently about 50 built in the UK.She was originally named’ Rosemary’.

AIRANA is essentially built for the Thames Estuary and connecting canals, and consequently is quite narrow;-under 2 meters with a shallow draft of 2ft 9inches, and is 30 feet in length. Alfred  Hitchcock apparently was taken fishing in Wellinton harbour years ago and AIRANA supposedly searched for submarines in the harbour during the war with a Bren gun on the foredeck.

Bruce purchased her almost 20 years ago, and gave her a complete birthday at Wellington Boatbuilders Gracefield, Lower Hutt 17 years ago. Home is a mooring in Ruakaka  Bay, Marlborough Sounds. Forward motion is via a reconditioned 85hp diesel Ford Lees Marine (ex Moon Engines), boat speed  is 7 knots.

CLASSIC LAUNCH MOOSE ON THE MOVE – Update #1

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CLASSIC LAUNCH MOOSE ON THE MOVE – Update #1

Earlier in the month woody boat builder Alan Craig gave us a peek at his team extracting the Collings & Bell, 1939 built, 28’ launch – MOOSE, link below to that story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/08/classic-launch-moose-a-sneak-peek/

As previously promised, last week Alan sent in the gallery of photos above starting with MOOSE in her Lake Rotoiti boathouse at Moose Lodge and finishing up in Alan’s yard with the restoration already underway.

Alan commented that the process went very smoothly, a few of the crew were a little apprehensive that a planked wooden boat will still float after an extended period out of the water. Alan said that MOOSE was all good, with a bit of help from the modern technology of temporary urethane sealant 😉

As with all wooden boat projects things start with unveiling the surprises that lie beneath the layers of paint, but for the experienced team at Craig Marine there are no real surprises these days.

We look forward to following this restoration. (photo below dated 1954)

IT’S A BUYERS MARKET – CLASSIC LAUNCH OKE BAY (DIANA S)

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IT’S A BUYERS MARKET – CLASSIC LAUNCH OKE BAY (DIANA S)

If your selling your classic wooden craft this winter do not set your hopes to high in terms of price.

There are some amazing buys floating around, mainly on tme, todays woody is an example. $15k ono is just silly money for OKE BAY.

Then again so is sub $300k for the majestic woody TRINIDAD , she was the buy of the decade.

The 32’ OKE BAY was built / launched in 1945 by Roy Steadman of Herne Bay, Auckland. At the time of launching she was named DIANA S, her name was changed in 1956. Her hull is carvel construction with kauri planks.

Forward motion is from a Ford Lees 2701 64hp diesel engine giving her a cruising speed of 7 knots.

With some TLC someone will have a nice, very original woody for summer cruising. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.

Previous WW stories linked below. Lots of details in the 2017 link.

WW June 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/28/oke-bay/

WW June 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/06/20/diana-s-oke-bay/

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – DONALD SUTHERLAND (MV USSCO / SEA HAWK) – On The Move

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – DONALD SUTHERLAND (MV USSCO / SEA HAWK) – On The Move

The 46’ classic wooden launch – DONALD SUTHERLAND, once named MV USSCO and also SEA HAWK, was spotted by Angus Rogers at Half Moon Bay Marina, Auckland on Tuesday on the back of a Boat Haulage rig. 

We last saw her back in May 2023 when she had had an oops in a storm and ended up on the Tamaki Drive breakwater, as shown in the second group of photos. She has made several appearance on WW, links below.

WW Aug 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/08/30/donald-sutherland/

WW April 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/14/mv-ussco-4sale/

In the previous WW stories we learnt she was built by Collings & Bell in 1936 and commissioned by the NZ Government as a tourist / passenger vessel, also worked as a light house tender.

Not sure from the photos she is coming or going, I suspect leaving HMB as you dont need a transporter to launch + the ‘Kaiapoi’ name on the stern suggests she’s heading to the Christchurch region.

Anyone able to confirm the plans for her.

(Photo below – lunch day Jan 1936)

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENARAY

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENARAY

The 39’ 1942 Shipbuilders built launch – GLENARAY has appeared twice on WW but more times on tme – 2018 / 2021 / 2023 / 2025. 

Links below to the WW stories:

WW May 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/05/01/glenaray/

WW Aug 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/01/glenaray-2/

Compared to the 2018 photos her recent appearance on tme shows an interior fit out that has ‘drifted away’ from the tradition configuration. From what we can see and at the asking price she may be a bargain + with her power set uo,  might also suit a buyer looking for a live-aboard.

Forward motion is via a 180hp 6cyl. Ford diesel. 

We know she was built for WWII inner harbour mine patrol use, but never saw service – do we know any of her past, post war and up to 2018. Photo below ex Ken Ricketts dated 1958, when owned by Vince Norton.

CLASSIC YACHT – KIATERE + SEAWAY FAIR OPPS

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CLASSIC YACHT – KIATERE + SEAWAY FAIR OPPS

Earlier this year WW was contacted by Ian Butcher who owns the classic wooden yacht – KIATERE, built by 1936 at the Lidgard yard.

The yacht has been in the Butcher family for 35 years and at the time Ian was considering moving  her on to the next custodian.

Not sure if she has changed hands, also keen to learn more about her.

The Land Rover in the bottom photo has my name all over it 🙂

WEST BAY, RAKINO SHARK BITE

The classic launch – SEAWAY FAIR had a wee boat v’s solid item moment in West Bay , Rakino Island. I’m embraced to admit I know the spot…..

Currently hauled out for some treatment from the reconstructive surgeon 🙂

SEAMIST – A Peek Down Below

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SEAMIST – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody story features the 33’8” Claude Smith 1966 built launch – SEAMIST. She made a brief appearance on tme a little while ago and based on her looks and presentation I’m sure she sold quickly.

Built of double skinned kauri, sadly her hull has been splined and both above & below water the timber has been f/glassed.

Powered by a 70hp Fordson 4 cyl. diesel engine SEAMIST she cruises at  7 knots.

As seen in the photos she is very well kitted out.

Can anyone tell us more about her past life.