The headline above comes from a t-shirt that the boys at Off Center Harbor gave me and it fits todays story perfectly. Some photos that drop into my inbox go straight to the ‘WoW Keeper’ file – todays is one of those, it comes to us ex Tauranga Library archives via Dean Wright.
The chap in the deck chair doesn’t look like he has been on the end of a paint brush, maybe an owner supervising the work, or maybe just taking in the vista. What ever he is doing I think we all need to do more of it 🙂
The photo is tagged ;ady-Julie Nov 1960, I suspect that is a typo and it should read – Lady-Julie, so woodys are we able to ID launch in the background?
Todays very impressive photo comes from the Tauranga Museum archives via Dean Wright and show the launching of the launch – Sapphire, also centre stage is Lady Lynn. Photo dated Dec 1969
Lady Lynn – 48’ built by Oliver & Gilpin – later named changed to Lady Sophia and currently Tide Song. Read and view more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/09/06/lady-lynn-lady-sophia-tide-song/
Sapphire – Don’t know anything about Sapphire but In May 2016 Dean Wright snapped the 1st photo below of Sapphire in a berth at Whangaroa Marina. And again in Jan 2017 she popped up again in a gallery of photos that Dean sent in from the Far North, 2nd photo below.
Only last week the 32’ Kairanga popped up on tme, and already appears to have sold, or maybe the owner realised it was too cheap and pulled the listing. In my eyes Kairanga is a real looker and always kept in top condition.
Kairanga’s past is a little cloudy in terms of builder and year – but its been commented on WW before that she is possibly a Baileys and built c.1912.
At one stage in her life she was a work-boat servicing lighthouses and marine construction in the Hauraki Gulf. The work-boat link is supported by the fact that she is built like a brick outhouse eg triple skin kauri – 2 diagonal planks and one horizontal
Forward motion these days is via a Ford 90hp diesel.
Current home is the far north – would be nice to see her back on the Waitemata. Photo below dated 2018.
Photo below ex K Ricketts
27-09-2024 INPUT ex CHRIS KOOGER – The photos and the listing on trade me was when we owned the good ship Kairanga. We had her for 30 years. Loved the boat and was hard to let it go but she is now loved by James and Ann-Marie. I bought the boat I 1992 from Derek Tanner and she was in a very sad state. We hauled her out and trailered her to Bucklands beach where she got a major makeover with the help from Harry Mieyer a boat builder who taught me a lot about boat building and repairs. I was told by Derek that she is a Bailey built boat, 32 foot. Double diagonal and planked for and aft. About 40 mm thick. Super solid boat that handles the rough seas with no problems. She weighs about 7.5 tons.
It had a BMC engine in it when we got it but that was no good and we put the Ford 90hp engine in it. Changed the gearbox 3 times and fitted a hydraulic gearbox in it which was great. New Shaft and driveshaft fitted at the same time. I built the cockpit cover in the later years of our ownership.
While out in her we met a chap who said that his family owned her in the sixties and another time out we met a fellow who bought her in 1956. Fantastic boat that I always felt safe in. My children and many friends have had great times with her and I think about her a lot. Great memories. Great to see that she is still being loved and getting the regular attention that any boat needs.
Recently woody Simon Smith commented that all the mystery launches were a struggle for the stick & rag brigade that follow WW. Simon sent in the above photo , so today can we ID the yacht and possibly the design.
INPUT ex Jim Lott – Hull looks like an early Bert Woollacott. Could well be Vectis, but only if she was later rerigged. When I had Vectis in 1972-6 she had two sets of spreaders and the boom was a bit shorter.
INPUT ex Robin Elliott – Although the boat is Vectis, that “23/7/23” date is a bit dodgy. Vectis was not launched until 1930. NZ Herald 15/11/30: Mr. Wollacott’s new cruiser Vectis, which, is ready for launching at Devonport during this week-end was registered in the C class, although her waterline length of 27 feet would qualify her for the B class if length alone was the deciding factor. Vectis is 31ft overall and a wholesome type of cruiser.
I can’t just leave you with one photo of a yacht so check out the short film below of Auckland’s North Shore in the 1920’s. It was filmed an advertisement for the Devonport Ferry Company showcasing what the shore offered.
For the time poor just fast forward to the 4:14 mark – some great footage of the Devonport waterfront and craft hauled out at the Devonport Yacht Club + Bayswater in its heyday , how did we ever let that gem of a location slide into the condition it is today?.
Further on there is some excellent sailing footage and I love the pond yachts. ENJOY (ex Ngatira Tronga Sound & Vision) – CLICK LINK BELOW TO VIEW
Todays woody – King Fisher if you believe her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) states she is a Shipbuilders design and built in 1998. Someone more worldly than me can advise if that possible.
What I can confirm is that King Fsher is 36’ in length with a beam of 11’5” and draws 3’3”. Built from kauri with f/glass to the waterline.
Forward motion is via twin 160 hp. Chev 4stroke V8 diesels, the engines are said to be ex military.
Some very tidy interior wood work, but the listing mentions she requires some TLC. Currently located in Helenville.
Todays woody is another ex the Tauranga Museum archives and comes to us vis Dean Wright, its tagged Westwind and dated January 1962.
And that woodys is all we know – so reaching out for more details on her design / builder and what became of her.
WW Caps – low profile, 6 panel, canvas caps in the new camel colour topped with dark brown WW embroidered logo has a dash of understated style.
Just click the email link here and tell me your name, postal address and number of caps required. I’ll come back to you with payment details – $38 + $6 p&p. waitematawoodys@gmail.com
While Bay of Islands woody, Dean Wright was working on his own launch – Arethusa at Opua Marina, he spotted the 1956 Percy Vos built 28’ launch – Nga Kiwa being relaunched after what appears to be so annual maintenance e.g. a bum clean and new anti-fouling.
The video is ex DW and the still photos are screen grabs from the video.
Nga Kiwa is new to me so would love to learn more about her.
The photo of todays woody, the 31’ launch – Waitanguru , built in1953 by Alan Williams in Milford Creek, was sent to me back in Jan 2023. The location is the Bay of Islands and was taken by Dean Wright. Slightly embarrassing delay in posting, somehow the email slipped under the radar 🙂 Aside from the rubber duck she is looking very salty and carries the game poles very well.
Waitanguru is kauri carvel and powered by a Yanmar diesel – lots of details and photos in the two previous WW stories, linked below
The 34’ Brin Wilson built launch – Te Honu was launched in 1963 and has been lucky with her ownership over the years – back in 2015/16 she was given a decent birthday that saw her decks glassed, a re-modelled cockpit and new windows throughout. Then in 2021 she was re-powered and her hull repainted. Link to the Aug 2015 WW story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/25/te-honu/
I spotted Te Honu at the 2019 and 2020 Mahurangi Regatta and Dean Wright snapped her in both April and August 2022 in the Kerikeri Inlet + BOI
Forward motion is via a Ford Otosan 130hp ex Moon Engines, that gives her a top speed of 13 knots.
RATANUI – A Peek Down Below + Serious Incentive To Buy Her
The 31’ carvel planked bridge-decker Ratanui has appeared several times on WW and generated good debate re her age and builder , in the interests of keeping things factual its best to say that she was built in the 1910>1930’s period and in terms of parentage – possibly Bailey & Lowe or that wonderful name that gets attached to so many boats – Lanes 🙂
Most recently Ratanui has called Lake Rotoiti (Nth Island) home and has been blessed with life in a boat shed.
Forward motion is from a Ford D-series, model 2722E diesel that gets her along at a comfortable cruising speed of 8 knots.
A change in circumstances now means Ratanui is looking for a new owner – vendor is very realist re price +/- $30k and is also offering to finance the purchase to an approved / suitable buyer. FYI – boat shed not available for purchase.
So woodys if you are looking for a very roomy, affordable classic either on the lake or relocated back to the briny – contact Kim on 021 169 9699 for more details
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