SIR FRANCIS
photo & details ex Paul Drake
The above photo of Sir Francis was taken at Taupo in 2013. She was built by Collings and Bell in 1916. Sir Francis is 22′ in length & is powered by a Universal Utility Four, dating from 1937. She is a very lucky boat as she lives in a boat shed on Lake Taupo.
One of the amazing things about Sir Francis is that she has had the same owners (the Drake Family) for 75 years.
ROMANY II
photos & details ex trademe & Ken Ricketts
Romany II, a double skin kauri bridgedecker, designed by Roy Steadman & built in 1964 by Shipbuilders. A distinguishing feature of Steadman’s designs was the half circle foredeck, which resulted in a very pronounced flare (refer birds-eye photo below). Steadman’s own bridgedecker, the 28′ Nauty Girl (thats nauty as in nautical) , that he built for himself in the early1950s also had this feature & may well have been the first of this concept. Does anyone have any photos of Nauty Girl?
Romany II is 44’x14’6″x3′ & powered by twin Ford 150hp engines.
A WEE TIP
Keep an eye out on Saturday, I have a promotion with a very cool prize. Details on Friday 😉
ps anyone can enter but if you are a ww ‘Follower’, entry will be faster & for this promo – the first correct answer wins 🙂 so sign up now.
MAIBE (Regina)
photos & details from Harold Kidd & Papers Past
Maibe started life as Regina and was launched by T M Lane & Sons on 14th December 1912 for Maguire & Pountney. The photo above without the ‘2nd story’ is as original from her Regina days.
The photo with the 6 crew topsides was taken in Cowes Bay, Waiheke Island on Jan 4th 1934 during her summer cruise.
The photo with one crew member lying down is unknown but looks to be off Devonport Navy Base ??
The colour photo was taken last week in the marina at Nelson by Harold Kidd.
To the ‘untrained’ eye you would struggle to recognize them but the bones are there & as Harold would say it’s a good example on how to bugger up nice original boat, but it’s a process that started the instant they hit the water.
Anyone able to add to the history of Regina / Maibe?
Whakari Sinks
Heard a rumour in the weekend that was confirmed last night that the stunning 1925 Sam Ford launch ‘Whakari’ has sunk on her moorings in the Weiti River. Do not know anymore at this stage.
Horrible news, our thoughts go out to CYA member Gordon Cashmore & I’m sure all classic wooden boat owners will be hoping Gordon & family bring the old girl back to life – if they need any inspiration they need look no further than the Nereides post below.
This is the 2nd oops she has had according to Papers Past , 69 years ago (Aug/Sept 1945) she broke away from her Hobson Bay mooring & went ashore on the Orakei reclamation embankment.
Update from Gordon Cashmore (via Stephan Harris) 23/07/2014
Whakari is now safe and secure at the old Cashmore mill site in Silverdale. She is being repaired by Philip (blue) Holmes. The cause of the dilemma was a broken mooring line in one of the big blows a few weeks back that caused her to swing from the jetty and bang the keel on the papa bank springing the garboard and sinking. The 6.354 has been flushed and run up while at Gulf Harbour. This will be removed for access to the keel bolts etc so repairs/upgrades can be done.
Gordon wants her fixed for her 100th birthday. Stephen Harris, Gordons neighbour in Still Water.
Nereides Repaired & Relaunched
Received some great news from Mark Lever the owner of Nereides on Friday, she went back in the water last week looking all shiny and sharp. When I first saw the photos of her 1/2 submerged (below) my heart sank, could this be the end of such a glorious ship……….. but having meet her owner I had faith that we would see Nereides returned to her finest again – well folks I’m stunned, she is genuinely better than before.
Aside from fixing the ‘hole’ – Mark took the opportunity to strip all old varnish off the wheel house and replace it with Awlwood MA. She also has been treated to a hull repaint.
Given the H2o she took on board, the engine was pulled out and rebuilt and the interior rewired. Mark also took the opportunity re worked the helm station to a more traditional appearance & to also create more room.
A new addition is a second skylight (modeled on the existing but non opening) which allows more light into the saloon.
Nereides is a special boat to me, she was one of the objects of desire that got me into this wooden boating gig – & is on my bucket list.
Owners like Mark & Sue Lever deserve a medal – the CYA needs more owners as committed as they are 🙂
Jan 2021 Updated Photo – Spotted at Moturoa Island by Dennis Rule aboard Summer Wine
MASON MARLIN
photos ex Sven Baker
Following along from the recent Mason Clipper posting we had, todays boat is a Mason Marlin that Sven restored in 2013.
Any more of these classics hiding out there? Photos & details please.
ps Sven previously owned the rather nice Ranui – a 1947 Lidgard. Enter Ranui in the ww search box to view.
click photos to enlarge
THE DAWN
photo & details from Riwia Fox
Have had a request from Riwia Fox on behalf of her aunt who is looking for any details on her fathers kauri launch – The Dawn. Excuse the very low res photo, hopefully a better one will be found. The war time ‘345’ number should help jog some memories. Riwia’s aunt believes it was built by Dick Lang in 1935.
Updated details (25/07/2014) from Riwia Fox – her Aunt has advised her fathers name was Bill Hogan, a member of the Ponsonby Cruising Club & The Dawn was built in 1935.
Lake Taupo c.1950’s.
photo ex Paul Drake
This photo appeared on a postcard & shows two boats that have recently featured on ww – Lady Pat & Moana.
Also in the picture, on moorings, in line astern are – Kotare (steel), Arcadia and Kahurangi.
Arcadia is still on Lake Taupo – with new cabin. Kahurangi was last seen at Mana, Paremata, also with new cabin. KOTARE is still at Lake Taupo.
The vessel poking out of the boat shed is Water Nymph now restored and at Lake Rotioti.
Woody Report From A Far
At great expense to the ww budget I have one of my cub reporters currently swanning around the USA at present. Todays report is from the Sausalito Marina in San Francisco.
The shed photos are from the Spaulding Wooden Boat Centre, feed back from Colin Pawson is that like NZ there are very few wooden boatbuilders and not a lot of new work, mainly maintenance.
The sign on the bow of the yacht is interesting – click the photo to enlarge.
ps sorry for the late post- in a bay with no cell coverge 🙂
Mystery Launch 15/07
photo ex Nathan Herbert
Another old lady from the Whau River that appears to have dodged the hand of the wood butcher.
Any input on who she is & her past?
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