Category Archives: Mystery Boat

100 YEARS AGO –  CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT AT DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB

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100 YEARS AGO –  CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT AT DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB

Todays classic woody photo popped up on ’Timespanner’ fb , we see the Devonport Yacht Club, Auckland and a mix of yachts and launches hauled out on King Edward Parade yard in front of the clubrooms. The photo originated from Auckland Libraries heritage collection and has been tagged 1930 > 1940.

At first I thought we had seen the image on WW before but a search slowed no match.The motor vehicles should help with the appox. date.

Keen to put names to some of the motor boats. Have enlarged that section below.

INPUT EX RUSSELL WARD – The big workboat with the oveized funnel and wheelhouse morphed into the ketch Waihau under the guidance of Raph Sewell and long-suffering wife Allison in the ’50s. I have a pic of her in 1972 below). She was taken for work at one of the Speedy family’s places in Stanley Point, Last heard of 10 years back rotting away on a farm at Puhoi.

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

A CLASSIC WOODYS UNPLANNED ADVENTURE

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A CLASSIC WOODYS UNPLANNED ADVENTURE

Todays woody is in my neck of the woods – Devonport. The photo popped up on ‘Devonport Locals Facebook Group (NZ) fb and comments said  the boat had been drifting in and out of the upper reaches of Ngatarina Bay.               The area is very tidal and silted up and it appears that there wasn’t the depth for her to drift further out into the harbour.

I have observed the bridge-decker for years on a mooring in the creek, never could see a name or anyone aboard.

So Devonport, Narrow Neck, Belmont woodys can we learn  more about the vessel.

CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC LAUNCH + NEXT WOODYS EVENT DETAILS

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CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC LAUNCH + NEXT WOODYS EVENT DETAILS – the boat is LADY JOYCE > LADY JANE

After a record viewing day yesterday, today we revert to one of the many things WW does well – locating / tracking down details on someones classic wooden craft.

Yesterday WW was contacted by John Gilroy concerning his father launch. John tells the story below –

“I am hoping your readers can help identify the old launch as per attached photos.This was my Dad’s,Herbert Gilroy, launch. Mum is standing on the back.

Dad knew Harold Kidd mainly through the vintage car community.I only recently found this photo of the launch in a collection of old slides. I have been told that it may have been built by Sam Ford. I would appreciate any information or details on the vessel” (edited)

John mentions Sam Ford above but in my eyes its got Lidgard written all over her. The addition of the ‘Tauranga Deck’ at the rear would not have been original , and should help with ID’ing her.

Please use the WW Comments section with any replies.

INPUT ex SCOTT – the launch is LADY JOYCE, later renamed LADY JANE, link below. Next question, where is she today.

Mystery Waikato Launch (Lady Joyce > Lady Jane) + WW T-shirt Orders

THE NEXT BIG CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT – Clevedon River Overnight BBQ Cruise Nov 14>15

RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME AND APPX CREW #’s – Note dock space is limited

EMAIL waitematawoodys@gmail.com

ABANDONED MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH – IDOLON

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ABANDONED MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH  – IDOLON

Todays wooden launch photo comes to us from John Dawson , who spotted it on the NZ Cars, Boats, Motor bikes ….. fb page.John commented that Mitchell Hutchings had commented he took the photo but could not recall the date or location, but suspected maybe the Coromandel . 

I also have a suspicion that it may have made an appearance on WW before, but the lack of intel hinders a WW search.

Anyone able to shed some light on the photo .

INPUT ex GREG PHILPOTT – The boat is IDOLON. Built by Francis Arlidge in Russell for Brian Baker. She was about 38ft and powered by a Chrysler 6 petrol. Photo was taken in Russell.

UPDATE – Appeared on WW on March 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/03/07/idolon-where-is-she/

CLASSIC MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH AT LEIGH WHARF

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CLASSIC MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH AT LEIGH WHARF

Today we have another classic wooden launch photo from Robyn Kellian via Tobias Forsyth.

Based on all the previous photos and what we can see in this one, the location is the Leigh Wharf.

Vessel name and date unknown.There appears to be a Registration # on her bow so maybe a small commercial fishing boat – long-liner? 

Hopefully we can get a positive ID from the WW crew.

HENRY GEROS WOODEN BOATBUILDERS – TAURANGA 

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HENRY GEROS WOODEN BOATBUILDERS – TAURANGA 

Todays woody photo popped up recently on a fb link that features historical events from the Tauranga area.

The photo originated from the Bay of Plenty Times, 22 March 1973 issue.

The poster was Rebecca Muir, who commented that in the photo we see Henry Geros and his two sons – Phillip and Michael(r), putting the finishing touches to a 22’ cabin cruiser built in their Tauranga based boat building yard.

Can we learn more about the yard and possibly the design of the cabin cruiser, which to my eyes is very appealing. Being 1973 the AWB’s (average white boats) can not of been too far away……..

MYSTERY WOODEN MOTOR SAILER #2 – WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – WAIMARIE

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MYSTERY WOODEN MOTOR SAILER #2 – WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – WAIMARIE

Today we have another pilothouse classic woody berthed in the Whangarei Town Basin.

Again as per yesterdays vessel she looks very salty and could be from foreign shores. 

Can any of the northern woodys help us out regarding the vessel.

INPUT ex PETER STRINGER– she is name WAIMARIE, and was launched in 1963 – 47′ in length- more details in the article

IMPORTANT EVENT DATE ADVICE – THE OVER NIGHT BBQ CRUISE TO THE CLEVEDON CRUISING CLUB IS NOW NOVEMBER 14

MYSTERY WOODEN MOTOR YACHT – WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – Riddle of the Sands

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MYSTERY WOODEN MOTOR YACHT – WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – Riddle of the Sands

Todays wooden was spotted yesterday in the Whangarei Town Basin. I’m not sure how you would describe / classify her – ‘pilot house motor sailer’ / pilot house yacht … open to input. Not a design we see much of in NZ.

Given that WTB is a magnet for international cruisers maybe she is from foreign shores. What ever her roots she is quite a big girl.

Can any of the northern woodys help us out regarding the vessel.

Speaking big girls – the rear on 65′ ARCTURUS, the 1930 John G. Alden (USA) designed schooner is a work of art.

18-09-2026 INPUT ex MARK MCLAUGHLIN – Originally called Solaris, now known as Riddle of the Sands. She is a ferro Hartley Tahitian hull built at Span Farm, with deck and wooden superstructure built by Jim Young.

THE MIGHTY KAURI — A WOODEN BOATBUILDER’S BEST FRIEND

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THE MIGHTY KAURI — A WOODEN BOATBUILDER’S BEST FRIEND

Todays woody photos were sent in by Andrew Molloy and give us peek back in time when there was more of the magnificent kauri than the boatbuilders of the day needed. Hell we were exported it to Australia and I’m told 1/2 of San Franciso, USA, was rebuilt with NZ Kauri after the 1906 earthquakes there.

In the top photo, dated 1963, we see a halved Kauri log at the Helensville rail siding, it was used for building a fishing boat and a keeler and then some left over. Of note – we have 2nd from left Percy Vos and Sam Mason 3rd from left left. The log was 43 ‘and had a girth of 21’. From the log they milled 14,800 superficial feet of lumber.

Second photo is of the Goldie’s Timber Mill, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland. There is an impressive block – stack weathering there. Keen to learn the indignity of the launch seen in the bottom right hand corner – refer close up below.

In the 3rd photo we see a clinker dinghy taking shape at one of Auckland’s boat yards c.1910 . Has the look of the Percy Vos yard about it.

CAN WE PUT A NAME ON THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAGA

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CAN WE PUT A NAME ON THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAGA

Today’s woody has us scratching our heads — can anyone put a name to this classic?

We’re told she was built in 1946 by Bailey with a kauri hull, and measures 35’. Power comes from a 146hp Perkins T6354 diesel.

A recent appearance on tme — thanks Ian McDonald for spotting her — suggests she has benefited from a number of systems upgrades and maintenance work in recent times.

At under 15k, she could represent a very affordable ticket into the world of classic wooden boating.

If you recognise the boat or know anything about her history, drop a note in the WW comments section. Home is Opua, Northland.

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – her name is SAGA https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/11/06/saga-a-peek-down-below/