Category Archives: Launches

UPDATE ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

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UPDATE ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

On Wednesday we asked for more information on the classic wooden launch – COLUMBIA and the WW readers delivered, link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/06/25/looking-for-information-on-classic-launch-columbia/ . 

Then on Thursday night Sandra Gibson sent in the gallery of photos above and advised that “Columbia has been restored by Stanford Boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. And she is now powered by a V8 Cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable.”aunt 

Reviewing the book cover below, her exterior hasn’t changed much in the last 30 years.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS GETS SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS GETS SOME TLC

Earlier in the week one of the WW spotters, Alan Sexton, dropped WW a note to say that the 44′ Oliver & Gilpin 1964 built classic wooden launch NAUTILUS was hauled out at Sandspit Marina for some TLC. Always good to see the big old girls being looked after. My lips are sealed but NAUTILUS is another classic woody owned by one of NZ’s yachting ‘royalty’.

The first grouping of photos is as of this week, the b/w photo is probably as launched, and the last lot are from approx. 4 years ago + a peek down below (again 4>5 yrs ago). Forward motion is via twin120hp Isuzu diesel engines.

We understand home these days is the Whangateau area.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MARINUS RE-LAUNCHED

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MARINUS RE-LAUNCHED

Back in May we started following the haul out of the 1946 classic woody – MARINUS, at the Slipway Milford. Link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/16/classic-wooden-launch-marinus-gets-a-birthday/

The brief was for a Jason Prew Paint Job and to overhaul her running gear (driveshaft, props etc), well as is almost always the case the shopping list grows and approx. 9 weeks later MARINUS was re-launched yesterday.

The most visible highlights being her new colour and the removal of the 2 lower portholes.

MARINUS has a rather nice interior which we featured back in April 2023- link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/17/marinus-a-peek-down-below/

Quick overview – Designed by A. Deeming, built by Barr Brown, 46’x12’4”x4’ , and powered by twin Cummins 85hp diesel engines.

(photo below showing the ‘old’ porthole placement)

LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

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LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ON – CLASSIC LAUNCH – COLUMBIA

Recently WW was contacted by Richard Erdman who had just finished re-reading 2 books penned by Ralph S Von Kohorn that document Ralph’s circumnavigation of the South and North Islands of New Zealand in the early 1970’s aboard his motor vessel COLUMBA.
Richard commented that COLUMBA was designed in 1967, 45′ loa, and powered by a single Detroit GM 283, 8 cylinder engine, that gave her a top speed of 15 knots but she cruised at 9 knots. No mention was made of the vessels designer or builder.

The books were published : South Island cruise – Jan 1977 and North Island cruise – Jan 1979 

In 1977 Ralph was commodore of the Mana cruising club in Wellington. 

The artist painting of COLUMBA on the North Island book has been very generous in their rendering i.e. she looks better than in real life (South Island cover) 🙂

So woodys todays question is what became of COLUMBA and can we earn more of her back story.

INPUT EX ALAN SEXTON – A very detailed description of Columbia is provided in Appendix II in “Columbia Cruises North”. Quick summary, designed by Jim Cole (California), built by Lidgards, 2 skin kauri , powered by Detroit 8V53, launched 1967. Baron Ralph Steven von Kohorn died in early 2011 aged 91, his wife Jill died some months later aged 67.

INPUT EX JEFF GIDDEN – Used to be moored under the bridges at Paremata many years ago.

INPUT EX BOB SPEARMAN – Columbia is in Havelock, Pelorus Sounds

26-06-2025 INPUT EX SANDRA GIBSON – The Columbia has been restored by Stanford boatbuilders, as she had been gutted. She is now powered by a V8 cat and she is 2 meters longer. Cruises at 14 knots. Modernized inside and very comfortable

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH PANIA – Priced To Sell 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH PANIA – Priced To Sell 

The rock bottom pricing continues – the classic wooden launch PANIA is on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and at last glance the highest bid was $110 and the reserve had been met.

PANIA has appeared on WW several times – lots of details and photos at this March 2021 WW story link  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/03/29/pania-a-peek-down-below-post-sale/

Quick overview – built by L Coulthard in 1959, 28>30’ in length, powered by a 80hp Ford D250 And guess what – she lives at Waiheke Island 🙂

(the top two photos are from 2021)

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT

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MATRIA
KIWA
MANAPOURI
KIWA
NGAIO + MANAPOURI + TUHUA
KALUA
WAIKARO
MA CHERIE
KIWA + MA CHERIE
TUHUA
KIWA + KALUA
MARISTELLA
WAIKARO+ MY GIRL
RAINDANCE
MANAPOURI

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT RIVER CRUISE – TRIP REPORT
Fridays Classic woodys cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch was a grand day afloat, 13 classic wooden craft made the journey up the upper reaches of the Waitemata Harbour to the historic tavern. It was extra special with several first-timers making the trip.
We were blessed with the weather and also having just one of the tourist ferries making the trip on the day, which allowed us to berth a lot of the boat on the jetty.

Special mention to the 7 classic launch skippers and partners that came by water taxi (MY GIRL) – Cam Malcolm (Connie V), Rodger Moore (ex Te Hauraki), Jason Davies (Lucinda), and those via car – Ian Gavin (Florance Dawn), Matt Cooper (Korawai) and John Chambers (Ngarunui), Murray Deeble ( Waikiore) combined with the 13 boats on the water we had crews from 20 classic craft present on the day. Very happy with that turn out.

True to form, the tavern and its staff extended their usual warm hospitality.
Enjoy the photo gallery

CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH -STELLA ROSE

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CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH – STELLA ROSE

Todays 34’ woody was built in 1967 by boat builder R E Swanson, constructed via the clinker method using kauri planks. The interior is macrocarpa.

Forward motion is from a 70hp Ford diesel engine.

Woody Ian McDonald commented that she had a similar ‘look’ to Baden Pascoe’s – JOHN DORY, I’m sure Baden will disagree 😉

Can we learn more about this Akaroa, South Island woody.

22-06-2025 INPUT EX LIAM DALY
There were at least two other ‘almost identical’ clinker built launches built by  Bob Swanson. One was named “TELSTAR” And the other named “MANANA” which was often mispronounce!  “Mañana” named after a popular song of the day, translated from Spanish means, “tomorrow” or “morning”.Back in the day, Manana was at one time owned by Bay of Many Coves identity Errol Christian. Errol installed a huge turbo charged 100 h.p. diesel engine in Manana which he used as a water taxi throughout Queen Charlotte Sounds.     

KEN RICKETTS Input – it’s named STELLA ROSE

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ROTUI

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ROTUI

Todays WW story features the classic wooden launch – ROTUI. The photos above were sent in by Karyn Klarwill and came to her from the McCann family.

A mystery woody to me, so keen to learn more about her.

A search on WW comes up with a couple of stories on a boat named ROTUI, but that one was built in 1938 and according to K Ricketts was a Chris Craft  boat. Not sure if it was a genuine CC or a NZ knock-off.

Todays we are mooching up the upper Waitemata Harbour for a Woodys Cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for a group catch up / lunch. If your attending remember to take lots of photos and email in to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

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WAIHEKE CLASSIC WOODY BOATS

These days it seems that when it comes to classic wooden boat locations, the ‘new black’ is the Bay of Islands. 

So I’m very happy to report that two woodys have found new owners / homes at Waiheke Island, Auckland.

Recently we helped find a new owner for the 28’ John Brooke designed, Walter Deeming built launch –  SEAFARER  and she is now moored at the island. Photos above of the delivery voyage, the bacon and egg pie is a masterpiece, made by the new owner’s father. More photos of the launch here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/09/classic-wooden-launch-seafarer-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

Also the 38’ RAIRA (photo above) built in 1918 by McLeod Bros. Devonport, has a new owner and will be remaining at the island. More photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/29/raira-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

HELP IDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT

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HELP IDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT

Woody John Dawson sent in the above photo, but wasn’t able to ID the vessel, I have an idea but better to throw it open to the WW readers. (apologise for small photo size)

Suggestions in the comments box would be appreciated.

INPUT ex Ken Ricketts – It’s the FLORAY, built by & for Major, (Christian name, not rank), Bailey, on his back lawn on the corner of Wheturangi & Greenlane Rds., in 1948-49 using the frames from Hec Goodfellow’s RANUI, borrowed from RANUI’s builders, Roy Lidgards boatbuilders.

She was named after his wife Flo & his only son Ray.

Her name was later changed to LEILANI, & I believe she is now neglected beyond repair, & was last seen on a hillside property at Thames by me, several years ago.

Alan H Comment – There is speculation as to the build, with Harold Kidd commenting previously that Lidgard built the hull and she was finished by her owner. Also the name as launched could have been FLORAE, or maybe thats what it was registered as. Whether way, sad that she has ended up in a paddock. Photo in the 2023 story – WW Aug2023  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/09/leilani-florae-floray-jolly-roger/

And if your not on the WW email list – details on Fridays Woodys Lunch Cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern below

For those skippers / boats taking part in Fridays Classic Woodys Riverhead Tavern Lunch cruise – see below details re meeting times etc.

If your boat is out for winter maintenance or you are boat less, coming by car is an option to consider.

DATE : FRIDAY 20 JUNE (4 days away)

MEETING LOCATION: HERALD ISLAND / LUCAS CREEK AREA

DEPARTURE > RIVER: 11.45am

ARRIVE PUB: APPROX 12.15PM

HW= 2.10 – TIDE = 2.88m

DEPART PUB: 3.00pm >> (skippers call, if in doubt leave/follow the ferry)

Being a public holiday there will be 2 ferries making the trip, so please give them right of way on the river and at the jetty. 

PLEASE BRING YOUR DINGHY – as jetty space is very limited.

Reviewing the list of boats that have RSVP’ed, I think all have braved the river before so skippers should be ok with navigation and anchoring spots, if you want a refresh, email me and I will supply details. AND REMEMBER ME TRAVEL IN INDIAN FILE UP THE RIVER – no overtaking.