Category Archives: Launches

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ACHERON 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ACHERON 

ACHERON was built in 1968 by Owen Woolley and is apex. 44’ in length, has a beam of 12’7” and draws 3’6”.

Forward motion is via twin Commer 135hp engines. Owen W was a big fan of these engine, no doubt based around the sideways configuration which allowed for ender floor installation. 

Probably best described as fitting the modern classic mould, she’s a tad too busy up top for my eyes.

She recently made an appearance on tme which gives us a good look below decks. She did appear on WW back in March 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/14/acheron/

Hopefully a new owner is enjoying this rather large launch this summer.

02-02-2026UPDATE EX K RICKETTS –  sold to a retired boat builder in Nelson

MAYBE LUCKIEST CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AFLOAT – NANA 

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MAYBE LUCKIEST CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AFLOAT – NANA 

In mid December 2025 WW was contacted by John Woodcock with the good news that the 35’ 1934 classic wooden launch – NANA had just been relaunched after a mammoth undertaking to save her.You see back in June 2023 WW ran an SOS story on the boat, she was in very sad state. In fact the listing was an ‘as-is-where-is’ listing.
As in life, the good lookers tend to receive the special treatment, this wasn’t NANA’s first rodeo – she had been close to an appointment with a back-hoe several times. Link here to her in 2019 post a refit. https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/06/03/nana-3/

Some background – NANA  was designed by C. Bailey Jnr. &  built by C. Bailey & Sons for Mr F Alison of Matiatia, Waiheke Island in1934 & launched in late November / December.

She is 35′ with a 8′ beam and a 3’ draft and built in kauri > carvel

So today woodys we tip out hat to John Woodcock for giving NANA another chance. Still a few bits to finish off but from what we can see in the photos above – NANA is lucky boat.

AND HAPPY YEAR 

CLASSIC WORKBOAT – MARILYN – STILL AROUND?

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CLASSIC WORKBOAT – MARILYN – STILL AROUND?

Todays woody is the 34’6” fishing boat MARILYN, built in 1959 by her owner Thomas Clements. Details below.

Question of the day – is she still afloat and if so where and in what condition.

Photos ex Sea Spray magazine c.1960 via Ken Ricketts

KAWHIA WHARF – 1910 – CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOATS FLASHBACK

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KAWHIA WHARF – 1910 – CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOATS FLASHBACK

Todays woody photo is of the wharf at Kawia and the large vessel berthed alongside is the harbour ferry – MAHINO.

Of more interest is the collection of small launches , they have a workboat look to them, anyone able to iD any of them.

Photo ex Auckland Libraries heritage collection via Ian McDonald. 

WOODY SUMMER CRUISING TRIP REPORT #1 – 233’ CLASSIC MOTOR YACHT

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WOODY SUMMER CRUISING TRIP REPORT #1 – 233’ CLASSIC MOTOR YACHT

The first report from the woody armada out cruising over the summer holidays is from Angus Rogers on his 42’ 1967 Bailey & Son built launch – CENTAURUS.

Angus was overnighting in Man ‘o’ War Bay, Waiheke Island and was sharing the anchorage with the 233’ majestic CLASSIC super yacht – HAIDA, built in 1929 (originally steam powered). Rumour has it these days owned by another billionaire from Hong Kong.

Also sharing the bay was Peter Loughlin’s 42’ 1927 Colin Wild build launch – LADY MARGARET, see below.

CLASSIC LAUNCH – STERLING – Can We Help Out

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – STERLING – Can We Help Out

Todays woody – STERLING was built by Ernie Lane in Picton and launched in 1925. Lots of details and photos in this April 2019 WW story – link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/03/sterling-2/

Last week WW was contacted by STERLING’s owner who advised they were in the process of getting her back up to speed for her 100th next year. They commented that with the help of a tame boat builder, they have removed the dodgy timber and replaced with good Northland Kauri, pulled the engine out and given it an overhaul, reconfigured the main cabin and will replace the very agricultural duck board and raise and reconfigure the aft cabin. Along with a full rewiring, she should be good to go for a wee while. 

That’s all good news put they have a wee problem – in pulling out the old 6 cylinder Ford Lehman, it was discovered that the cast manifold is beyond repair and are reaching out to see if there are any woodys that might know know where they can get a replacement.

So question today is – can we help out, someone must have one in a shed somewhere.

CLASSIC LAUNCH – KARINA – FLASHBACK

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – KARINA – FLASHBACK

Back in Dec 2023 thanks to a tme listing we got to have gander down below on the 1959 Brin Wilson built launch – KARINA. Link to that story here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/11/karina-a-peek-down-below/

Today thanks to Ken Ricketts and Sea Spray magazine (June 1959) we get to see her as launched.

THE WINNER OF THE XMAS DAY CALENDAR QUIZ WAS DARRYLL HART – correct answer being Sir Frank Mappln

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS 

Todays woody story is based on a note received from Stuart Junge, an ex classic yachtie who previously owned the 26’ Bailey Jnr. built classic yacht – LEXIA.

These days Stuart is a volunteer at Auckland maritime museum and along with several others skippers the 1913 classic launch – NAUTILUS  that operates out of the museum. 

Stuart has some concerns about the (his words) ’tales told of the vessel’. 

Now NAUTILUS has made many appearances and WW generated debate around her history. I have included below a past comment from marine historian Harold Kidd, who is the fountain of knowledge in your wooden boating community. My rule is unless there is rock solid proof of an opposing view – HDK is the single source of truth 🙂 

I have published Stuarts questions below – can we shed some light on her past and let Stuart sleep easier at night. 

  • • What engine was she originally fitted with? 
  • • Was she steered from the cockpit prior to the high cabin being installed?
  • • Why was she lengthened, and by whom?
  • • What was the period of service on the Diamond Harbour run?
  • • When and why was the cabin deck-head raised?
  • • I am led to believe she never carried wounded soldiers, only hospital ship staff. True or false?

CLASSIC OLIVER & GILPIN LAUNCH – JOANNE

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CLASSIC OLIVER & GILPIN LAUNCH – JOANNE

WW follower John Dawson sent in todays photos of the Oliver & Gilpin built big game launch – JOANNE on what we assume is launching day.

Back in Sept 2017 Dean Wright sent in an ‘old’ photo of her in Whangaroa Harbour. This story created a lot of reader input and photos, which were added to the 2017 story – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/09/20/joanne/

The 3rd & 4th photo above show that there have been a fair degree of ‘updates’.

ATTENTION CLASSIC LAUNCH OWNERS – IF YOU ARE ON OR AROUND THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR THIS ANNIVERSARY DAY (Jan 26th) AND LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO USE THE BOAT – SEE BELOW

The inner harbour classic motorboat drag race is always a lot of fun and the handicappers are very fair so all entrants have a chance of winning on handicap. The honour of first across the line is tightly contested but you’ll have to be capable of 20+ knots to win that prize 😉

ENTRY DETAILS HERE https://regatta.org.nz/regatta-participants/how-to-enter-the-regatta/entry-form/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MARLINE RELAUNCHED

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MARLINE RELAUNCHED

Over winter the classic wooden launch – MARLINE has been hibernating in the CMC Design boat yard in Opua, Northland.

MARLINE’s custodian these days is Kennedy Warne , who worked on the refit alongside the CMC Design team . 

The launch has a very special history – prior to Kennedy, it was owned by his father Ken and originally built by Ken’s father Leon Warne in 1949/50.

Upgrades to MARLINE included –

• A new walk through transom

• Hand built wooden skylights with etched glass created in the original glass design.

• Reconfiguration of cabinetry and storage in the galley and head.

• Upgrading all water and diesel tanks.

• New elements, anchor winch, solar, electrical boards, refrigeration and oven.

• New Kauri cockpit flooring.

• New duckboard.

Check out the Oct 2025 WW story here for a look at the work-in-progress https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/27/classic-wooden-bay-of-islands-launch-marline-gets-a-refresh/

Much of the timber used in the project was from Kennedy’s personal collection, including some kauri timber leftover from the original build. Lovely Rewarewa with beautiful grain, repurposing Kennedy’s aunts dresser top for the head vanity top. Kauri slab from Kennedy’s good friend for the kitchen bench and oven surround.

The yard incorporated and repurposed as much timber as possible, the new handrails, plate holders, new door to the head and new skylight and many small detail elements.

A special touch was a picture of Leon etched onto a Kauri board (see below) as a gift for Kennedy from the yard.