Category Archives: Launches

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES AT SANDSPIT YACHT CLUB

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES AT SANDSPIT YACHT CLUB

Its’ not often we see two Dave Jackson boats together, hauled out side by side. Gregs Lees sent in the above photos from the yard at the Sandspit Yacht Club.

On the left is the launch – KARROS, Dave’s own boat, built in 1974 and on the right LADY BEV, the first boat of his own design, which he built in 1957 for his father. 

Photo of KARROS afloat in this WW story from Oct 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/10/03/karros/

We get a better look at LADY BEV in this link from a WW story back in July 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/30/lady-bev-cya-heritage-basin-marina-poll-results-revisited/

And a peek down below on LADY BEV in a WW April 2024 story https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/04/13/lady-b-bee/

WAIMARIE – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

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WAIMARIE – CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – A PEEK DOWN BELOW

Last September Dean Wright shared with us photos of the Oliver and Gilpin launch – WAIMARIE on launch day, link below to that story. At the time it was recorded that the date was Sept 1964 and she was 32’ in length. WW Sept 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/09/22/waimarie-ii-2/

Now thanks to a recent tme post we get to have a gander down below – interestingly the launch date there was given as 1960 and her length being 34’4”.

Built from kauri planks in the carvel technique. Forward motion is via a Ford 80hp Diesel engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

SALTY LOOKING WOODEN LAUNCH – GREY TEAL

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SALTY LOOKING WOODEN LAUNCH – GREY TEAL

Woody John Dawson sent in the above photo of a very salty looking launch / maybe motorsailer named – GREY TEAL.  A friend of an ex work colleague of Johns owned her in Wellington but other than the photo and the boats name, thats all he knows. With those hills in the background, maybe on the Wairoa River (Clevedon).

So woodys can we learn more about GREY TEAL.

INPUT ex HUGH GLADWELL – She was built by Howard Greenwood at Whangateau. The first owner John Murray is standing in the cockpit on the launching day. She had a sloop rig and John used her for long lining out of Leigh
INPUT ex RUSSELL WARD – Location is Whangateau Traditional Boatyard.

MARINE YARD SALE @ TE ATAATU BOATING CLUB

SEA FEVER – 1958 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RELAUNCHED

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SEA FEVER – 1958 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RELAUNCHED

Earlier in the month we reported that the 34’ John Salthouse built classic wooden launch – SEA FEVER was hauled out at the Slipway Milford for some TLC.

Yesterday afternoon she slipped down the railway into the Milford creek looking very grand.

#1 job was a Jason Prew Paint Job but her newish owners also upgraded some systems, repainted the decks, converted the old compressor driven freezer to 12V and removed / replaced a few spots of boat cancer. She was also fitted with a bow thruster to protect the new paint job 😉

As per most owners the project is a rolling restoration and next winter the cabin coaming bright work will get a birthday.

SEA FEVER is one of John Salthouse’s best sedan designs and enjoys a light and airy saloon with large windows that makes for a very comfortable vessel both on route, at anchor or in the marina.

Full Sea Fever Review Here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/25/sea-fever-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

And if you are ever in doubt as to the best way to haul out > launch your classic woody – check out the video below – railways rock ✔️ your boat will repay you for the kid gloves.

THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TAINUI RELOCATES NORTH

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THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TAINUI RELOCATES NORTH

As reported last week the 38’ 1968 ex work boat – TAINUI was heading north to Blair Boats in Kerikeri to bring to fruition owner John Sloane’s dream.

In the photos above we see TAINUI leaving the Whangateau traditional boat shed via the beach and then heading north to Kerikeri .

Third photo sees her resting on the lawn at the Blair yard, waiting her turn in the shed. 

Last photo is of the Gardner 5LW installed. John commented previously that there is no intention to have an engine box – the mighty Gardner will be centre stage – as per MY GIRL, photo below – we like that 🙂

15-11-2024 UPDATE – to quote owner John Sloane ’The journey begins’ at Blair Boats

18-01-2025 UPDATE – work underway in the Blair Boats shed – we like that 🙂

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WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ALLISON (Lady Helen) A Peek Down Below

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WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ALLISON (Lady Helen) A Peek Down Below

Back in May 2015 we ran a story on the 36′ Salthouse built launch – LADY ALLISON, at the time we learnt that when launched she was named – LADY HELEN. Harold Kidd has commented that there is no record of a LA or LH on the Salthouse yard records, so there is a wee degree of mystery around the boats name. Brian Worthington has previously commented that at one stage it was named LA VIDA.

She is probably a sister ship to the other Salthouse 36’ launches – SEA FEVER (LADY BERYL when launched) and KAILUA. 

As is often the case with tme listings its states a 1968 build but we understand it was 1965.

Powered by a Ford 120hp D series diesel engine.

Thanks to Ian McDonald and the listing we today get a good gander below.

Link to May 2015 story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/02/lady-allison-lady-helen/

MESSAGE TO THE NEW’ISH OWNERS OF SEA FEVER CURRENTLY AT THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – DO NOT GET ANY IDEAS RE ADDING AN APARTMENT ON TOP OF SEA FEVER 🙂 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MATAROA SINKS > RE-FLOATED

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MATAROA SINKS > RE-FLOATED

During the week we were contacted by Mike Milne regarding the classic wooden launch – MATAROA. Some background – back in 2020 the launch sold from her then home base of Picton or Havelock (would like to confirm which) and motored off to her new home in Akaroa. MATAROA is a 28’ Shipbuilders design, double diagonal planked – not sure if built by Shipbuilders or a ‘kit boat’. Power is a Ford D Series diesel engine.

Fast forward to 3 September 2023 and she sunk at her mooring, due to a series of events – weather and maintenance issues (lack of no doubt)

In steps Mike who purchased the boat in November 2023 off the insurance company and has taken on the task of refitting her. 

Mike’s reason for contacting WW was 2 fold – one to buy a WW burgee ✔️ and to ask if the WW community can supply any more information on MATAROA. Mikes promised to keep us updated on the project. So hopefully we will get to share the action.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAPPHIRE 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAPPHIRE 

Back in July 2023 the Oliver and Gilpin 1972 designed and built 48’ launch – SAPPHIRE made a guest appearance on another story (LADY LYNN) as seen in the top b/w photo that came to us ex the Tauranga Museum via Dean Wright. 

SAPPHIRE has recently popped up on fb and she has obviously been on the growth hormones over the years – as seen in the second photo, quite an increase in stature…………  as they say no navel architect got rich on the additions 🙂

But – each to their own – nothing a tungsten tipped chainsaw couldn’t fix 😉

SOUTHERN WOODEN LAKE BOAT – TAWERA

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SOUTHERN WOODEN LAKE BOAT – TORA VERA TAWERA
Earlier in the month Shamus Fairhead (MV SEQUIA) wrote in concerning the vessel – TORA VERA seen above. I’ll hand over to Shamus to tell the story – 

“I was recently down in Christchurch catching up with my 91 year old Father, Jim Fairhall who has been a keen deer stalker all his life. Amongst his photos is this photo from a 1956 hunting trip up the Glaisnoch River that flows into Lake Wakatipu. 
The rear of the photo names the boat as the ‘Tora Vera’ and Dad tells me she was normally moored on the Frankton arm. ( opposite side ? ) Just curious if this is a later life Thelma – Vera that I sent a photo of earlier and your site has a great write up on ? (Link to that story below)I understood from your article that the Lake Whau Lodge owners were after any images.”


Any of the WW readers able to tell us more about the vessel – TORA WERA
WW Oct 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/03/18/thelma-vera/

23-08-2024 UPDATE ex Paul Newell – the photos below ex Paul confirm that the vessel is named TAWERA,  and the location of both photos is Te Anau.

Lake Te Anau tourist steamer Tawera. _ Otago Witness, 16.5.1922


CLASSIC KAURI BUILT WOODEN LAUNCH – TOROA – A Peek Down Below 

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CLASSIC KAURI BUILT WOODEN LAUNCH – TOROA – A Peek Down Below 

The 26’ carvel planked launch – TOROA has made two previous appearance on WW, links below, but today thanks to Ian McDonald’s eagle eyes and tme we get to have a gander down below.

Her listing states she was built in c.1955 by Chas Bailey & Sons. After an early life in salty water she moved to Lake Taupo in 2014 where still still resides.

Forward motion is from a 1980’s Ford 4cyl. 80hp diesel engine, that gives her a 6 >7 knot cruising speed.

The photos above are combination of 2012 and present day – she needs some TLC but appears to be a good low entry level floating Taupo bach or bring her home to the Waitemata 🙂

WW Oct 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/07/toroa/

WW Oct 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/10/14/toroa-gets-a-birthday/