Category Archives: Launches

Rehutai

Posted on by
12

REHUTAI
details & photos ex Vinings Brokers ex Ken Rickets

If you believe the brokers listing Rehutai was built by Lanes in 1960…………….  She is 43ft x approx 13ft 6in, carvel kauri hull, powered by a 120hp Ford diesel. Currently based in Waikawa.
Ken questions the 1960 launch date as he recalls her from the 1950’s & she was not ‘new’ then. Open for discussion but Kens view is she looks early to mid 1930’s & could even be earlier than that??
Any input / details would be appreciated.

Note – there was several steamers called Rehutai

Harold Kidd Update

Thank goodness Ken has learned to be more cautious with his prognostications. The owner should add not a “II” but probably a “VI” to her name to satisfy Ken’s obsession over names, because REHUTAI was a popular name for NZ launches, up and down the country.
I have told the owner of this boat her provenance, but he doesn’t believe me. He believes his own myths and maybe you can see why when the full facts are revealed.
This particular REHUTAI started life as an amateur-built 35 footer, partially built  by a chap called Elley in Ponsonby who sold her to J.P. Aldred of Ponsonby. He had her finished off (most likely by Collings & Bell) and launched her in December 1919 as IRIHAPETI (maori for “Elizabeth”) powered by a 30hp Doman supplied by Collings & Bell. Aldred sold her to H.F. Butler of Remuera in November 1921 to commute to his property on Browns Island. Butler changed her name to NOMAD and kept her until about 1929, having repowered her with a 56hp Ferro around 1925. He sold her to Nops who sold her to W.E. Fullerton of Remuera in 1931. Fullerton sold her to Stan Parker in 1935 and he had her converted to her present configuration by Lidgards who added 7 feet to her amidships, taking her out to 42ft., renaming her ARAWA and having a 65/90 Deutz diesel installed.
After WW2 she was renamed REHUTAI.
Now who would believe that??

SUZY Q

Posted on by
8

SUZY Q

Another Mason – Suzy Q started out as a double diagonal hull, Marlin & later in life got a top chop.  Since these photos were taken a chrome, split glass windshield has been added. Her engine is a brand new V8 Lexus motor. Sounds & looks like she’ll do 35 knots – would be interesting with round bilge, might drift around the corners 😉

She is owned by Ryan from Pine Harbour Electrical, Ryan & his father did all the work.

(photos taken at the 2013 Boat Show at the Viaduct)

Sir Francis

Posted on by
8
Sir Francis Lake Taupo 2013

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

Posted on by
2

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.
Screen Shot 2014-07-20 at 8.18.28 AM

Maibe (Regina)

Posted on by
3
Regina
Maibe (Regina) @ Nelson 2014
Cowes Bay Jan 1934

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?

Sad News

Posted on by
17

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.

Screen Shot 2014-07-22 at 10.43.20 AM

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

Posted on by
4
New helm /dash
Old helm

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 🙂

Nereides Oops 1

Jan 2021 Updated Photo – Spotted at Moturoa Island by Dennis Rule aboard Summer Wine

Mason Marlin

Posted on by
26

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

Posted on by
7

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

Posted on by
2

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.