Category Archives: Launches

Pencarrow – Where Is She

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Post Re-build
As Launched
Original Engine
Wellinton 1940’s
Wellington WWII – Navy
Wellington – Navy
Pre Re-build

PENCARROW – Where Is She

WW was recently contacted by Dylan Saggers in regard to the 1916 built, 38’6″ vessel – Pencarrow. I’ll let Dylan tell the story

“The bridge-decker has been close to my heart and the history has been with many other happy owners. 95% of her life she has been called Pencarrow but when she was launched (as described In the paper article below) she was christened Valerie. Originally had a NZ made 4cyl. Twigg marine engine, then a 160hp petrol Kermath engine and I possibly believe she still has her 6 cyl. Ford diesel.Built In Auckland by Lanes (as I was told) not sure If this is correct . She has been many tops and 1 hull change In her lifetime, as described In the photos she has been many things. Many owners have had her. The Pencarrow spent time with the Pencarrow Sand Shingle company for a year in the mid 1930’s towing barges to Wellington for reclamation of the wharfs. In the 1940’s she was owned by the NZ Govt for Navy Patrol for Wellington. After that she went to the Dunn family who owned it from the early 1950’s to late 1960’s. 

But through the 1970’s > 1980’s unfortunately, I didn’t know who owned her. Early 1990’s my Dad had her and she did not have the extended top (as pictured with her reflection shining in the water) She was very beautiful to me In that configuration. She is my favourite boat of all the boats my father had. Then sold to the Macmorland family with partner family (It’s easily understandable why the top was extended including the wheelhouse being put forward for more room) as pictured the current top as it is now. Then the Coles family. Last sold In 2016 I think In Waikawa in Queen Charlotte Sound. After that I don’t have any Info.”

Dylan would like to locate the present owners, keep In touch with them and make an offer on it when he can. Dylan’s main outcome of all this is to buy her and restore her how Dylan remembers her when his father had her. Any current info or pictures Is very welcome.

MATAROA (Kenya) – Looking For A New Owner.

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MATAROA (Kenya) – Looking For A New Owner.

The 1928 Joe Slattery built 36’ launch – Mataroa (previously named Kenya) has popped up on WW numerous times – enter her name in the WW search box to see and read a lot more on her.

The link below has a cracker of a story from 1970 when she had a near sinking at Gt Barrier Island.https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/29/mataroa-kenya-3/

Back in 2016 she received a refresh to her exterior but her interior remained almost un-touched, which it still is today.

Powered by a Ford 80hp diesel, like all Slattery designed craft she has a respectable turn of speed (11 knots).

Mataroa’s owner for the last 6+ years has made the big call and decided that she deserves a new custodian that will complete the final work to bring her back to her former glory. As they say “all the hard works done” just needs someone handy with the tools to tidy the interior up.

Very realistically priced – expressions of interest to – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Tokatea

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TOKATEA

The 44’ WG Lowe & Sons built (1959) ex work boat, recently popped up on tme and our woody spotter Ian McDonald advised that it was once his boat. 

Tokatea was built to Goverment spec for Fisheries as a Patrol Boat and lighthouse tender and based at Coromandel until she was retired from service in 1987/88 and bought privately and taken to Tauranga. In recent years she has called the Marlborough Sounds home.

Built from solid kauri – hull and decks she has a beam of 12’5”and draws 5’. Forward motion is via a Gardner 6LW

Got to love the axe in the wheelhouse – a nod to her work boat days 🙂

Back in 2016 we learnt a lot about Tokatea in a very informative WW story – link below to read how Ian purchased Tokatea. https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/07/28/tokatea/

REHIA – A Peek Down Below

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Rehia Underway Apr2023

REHIA – A Peek Down Below

The 36’ launch – Rehia, designed and built in 1939 by none other than Colin Wild, our foremost wooden boat craftsman, has been undergoing a rolling restoration since changing ownership back in late 2021. 

Last Sunday at the Woodys lunch cruise to the Riverhead Tavern, Rehia was front and centre looking very majestic.

When purchased her interior was a tad tired and new owners Amanda and Joe have given Rehia a revamp and she is looking rather dapper. (As purchased photos below)

I’m told that the next project is renewing the varnished coamings.

PATHFINDER (Eunice. K)

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PATHFINDER (Eunice. K)

Today thanks to Ian McDonald’s eagle eye and a tme listing we get to have a gander at the 39’ bridge decker – Pathfinder. Constructed of kauri, single skin carvel, she is powered by a 130hp Ford diesel.

Back in Oct 2017 she made an appearance on WW under the name – Eunice K and we learned she had been renamed – Pathfinder. Link below. Check out the comments section, good chat on the vessel, don’t think we ever 100% identified her provenance.  Maybe today. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/17/eunice-k/

YESTERDAYS WOODY PUZZLE WINNER IS DANIEL THOMAS– WHO WON THE DRAW. THE CORRECT ANSWER WAS – ARETHUSA EX HEREWARD PICKMERE, NOW OWNED BY DEAN WRIGHT. The photos are by Winkelmann via the Auckland Library.

CLASSIC WOODY PUZZLE

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CLASSIC WOODY PUZZLE

Today we have puzzle, who can ID the yacht above. It has appeared on WW before but it’s had a gender realignment. 

The obvious gurus are excluded – HDK, Robin E and the current custodian 😉

Answers via email only to Waitematawoodys@gmail.com

All correct entries received before 6pm 29/03/23, go in the draw for a copy of the magnificent book – ‘Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy’ by Brian Peet. The book chronicles the life and design work of one of New Zealand’s most successful boating legends. Over 400 photographs.

Copies available for purchase at peetfamily@orcon.net.nz

Dauntless – A Peek Down Below

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Dauntless – A Peek Down Below

Recently Dauntless popped up on tme as a project boat that failed to progress to actually being a project.She was possibly built by Lanes in 2027, but this is unconfirmed and there is a lot of chat in the comments section of WW in a past story 2013 WW story – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/03/dauntless/

Powered by a Isuzu diesel – that is just about all we know.

Woodys Riverhead Tavern Cruise – Record Turnout – 21 Woodys

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Woodys Riverhead Tavern Cruise – Record Turnout – 21 Woodys – Trip Report 

Yesterdays upper harbour cruise to the historic waterfront Riverhead Tavern ticked all the boxes – perfect weather and sea state, best (21- record) turnout of classic craft we have had, great food and as always – nice people 🙂

100% record of no oops on the sand/mud banks, but LOTS of timber floating around kept the skippers on their toes.

The above photo gallery tells the story of the day – enjoy.

UPDATE – Photos & Videos below from the camera of Tracy and Alan Gilder aboard Pirate.

REHIA
LADY JAN
PACIFIC

NEXT WOODYS EVENT – SATURDAY 15TH APRIL – STILLWATER DOCKSIDE PICNIC 

Auckland To Get A Wooden Boat Festival

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AUCKLAND TO GET A WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

Well woodys it’s been a long time in the cooking pot but at last it’s a happening thing. Circle 24th Feb > 24th March 2024 in the diary. Bankrolled by Auckland Council’s Unlimited Major Events division, the Wooden Boat Festival will be part of a month long Ocean Festival.

Having previously spoken to the brains trusts behind both the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and the Port Townson – USA, Wooden Boat Festival their advice was start small and grow organically. Also it’s not all about old large gaff rigged yachts, the home built wooden canoe needs to be also front and centre. Public access also needs to free.

The fact the event name has BOAT in it and not YACHT is a positive sign 😉

JOKE OF THE DAY – Vos Shed

In reply to my question what’s happening with the Vos Shed ? –  I got “we have a paying tenant , a film crew are currently using it” WTF….. every time I see / hear that the Maritime Museum are involved in anything, it’s the kiss of death. We live in hope, but if I had $10 for every time I have been told “I shouldn’t tell you this, but it’s happening, an announcement soon” I would be a wealthy man. 

THERE IS ALWAYS A BOAT

Went to the boat show yesterday – lots of on-the-water vessels, most with a price tag on them. The ’trade’ exhibits were down in numbers but still good to catch up with the normal crew. Zero woodys to be seen – but if I suffered a bang-on-the-head and had a desire for a plastic boat, I’d be looking at a Sasga Yachts – Menorquin 42’ HT – lots of wood on show and built in Spain.

Thetis – Shed Visit

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THETIS – Shed Visit

The 45’ classic launch – Thetis, built / launched in 1955 by Lanes is currently tucked up in a shed in Opua getting serious TCL.

One of the better looking big classic, she always looks fast even when at anchor.

Read / view more on her at this WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/06/20/mv-thetis-4sale/

Pre haul out / TLC

29-03-2024 UPDATE – Thetis has a new owner and already she has returned (via road) to Auckland and there are plans afoot to restore her to her former glory. We will keep you updated. Check out the photo below on the hard, she looks just so smart and fast just sitting on there on the stands 🙂

The Classic Yachting World Has Gone Doolally

Reading the latest issue of ClassicBoat magazine, I see they are reporting that glassfibre classics will soon be seen on the Mediterranean classic yacht racing circuit.

The CIM (Comite International de la Mediterranee du Yachting Classique) have made the call to accept glassfibre classics on the racecourse. Refer below extract from CB for more details.

Given the size of the yacht fleets turning up for NZ Classic Yacht Association races these days, they will be following suit and probably let 8Y8’s into the fold 🙂

RSVP – boat name and approx crew # to waitematawoodys@gmail.com