Category Archives: Mystery Boat

Mystery Wellington Launch

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Mystery Wellington Launch

Woody John Wicks was recently visiting Wellington and tooth opportunity to do a spot of marina mooching at Chafers Marina.

One woody leapt out to the eye, hard not to when painted ‘Rescue Yellow’ 🙂 John was unable to sight a name, but dockside chat is that she may have come down from Auckland.

Given the colour – hopefully we can ID her and learn more about her.

Nathan Herbert Input – That’s the Rehutai, ex Arawa, Nomad, Irihapeti. Converted to this guise by Allan Williams in Milford

FREE TO THE RIGHT HOME– Have been recently contacted by a gent that has a pair of wooden game poles (5m high x .800m wide) that he will donate to someone that will use them – so no profiteers need apply 🙂

Mystery Lake Taupo Launches

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Mystery Lake Taupo Launches

Todays woody photo has a launch leaving the Waikato River at Taupo for an excursion on the lake. The photo appeared in The NZ Herald on the 9th January 1937.

And woodys that is all we know, so keen to ID the launch and also the sedan cruiser in the background.

I suspect my inbox will ping me an alert from one of the Drake brothers with the answers 🙂

INPUT ex Nigel Drake – In my view the boat leaving the harbour is Waihora and the sedan launch on the beach is probably Destiny. Will leave someone else to hopefully confirm and provide more detail.

INPUT ex Paul Drake – Yes the above is a great photo of WAIHORA, run commercially by a Mr Tabernacle (Tabby) who was an A grade mechanic and the only person in New Zealand qualified to work on Rolls Royce engines. WAIHORA had a Chrysler Ace or possibly a Chrysler Crown. Last seen at Lake Rotoiti in the early 1980’s with the usual ugly plywood cabin but not seen for many years. 

I don’t think the other boat is DESTINY.

Photo below of WAIHORA at Lake Rotoiti dated Feb 8th 1983.

03-09-2023 INPUT ex Michael Drake – I agree that the launch in the foreground is Waihora, going far too fast in the river and with two fenders still down. But I doubt if the sedan launch in the background is Destiny, as the launch in the photo is too highly wooded at the stern, and the Destiny’ s cabin sides were visually lower than shown in the photo.

WOODYS BOAT BOOT SALE – SPACE FILLING UP – RSVP TODAY to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

MANULELE

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MANULELE

While mooching around Half Moon Bay at the weekend I spotted the launch – Manulele, a newbie to me.

Can anyone tell us more about the vessel.

CLEVEDON WOODYS WEEKEND – DOCKSIDE SPOTS FILLING UP – RSVP TO AVOID MISSING OUT – September 30th > October 1st.

RSVP with boat name and approx. crew #’s to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Mystery Launch 23-08-23

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 23-08-23

Today we have another woody from Sue Rivington’s family album. Photo most likely taken by her grandfather – George Hyaulason.

Looks to be around 32’ in length and her hull design looks familiar – fingers crossed Nathan Herbert can ID the launch.

The ‘eye-brow’ on the forward edge of the cabin top is a perfect example of the difference they can make to the appearance of a launch – and even the davits are a good look – very salty both get my tick  🙂

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert – I’d like to say it’s Boucher’s boat, the Baby Lu, with altered windows (pre or post racing era I’m not sure). Furthermore, I’ll add that I think she may be the present/recent ‘Waratah’. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/16/waratah-needs-a-new-home/

Waitemata Woodys Gear Update

Start saving your pennies – we have just ordered another run of the WW canvas caps – these ones are now the #1 selling WW crew gear.

And after years of hearing “where are the WW flags” we have pushed the green light on production – 100% canvas, printed both sides with the Waitemata Woodys logo (below) using old-school screen printing method (long lasting) and pennant shaped.

Ordering details soon – in time for Fathers Day 🙂

Leone – Where Is She

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LEONE – Where Is She

WW was contacted yesterday by Sue Rivington who advised that she has been going through the family photos and albums and she came across the gems above. 

The boat is – Leone that belonged to Sue’s Grandfather George Hyauiason many years ago – unfortunately Sue is not sure when. But she would love 

any information on her or details on what became of Leone.

Sue also commented that her Grandfather also owned the ‘Ronaki’ – I have asked for some more intel so we can ID which particular Ronaki it was – there is a promise of photos so fingers crossed.  

The Ponsonby Cruising Club + Collings & Bell yard / wharf / railway photo is a doozy – so many boats, so few names.

So woodys can we help Sue out in her quest for intel on Leone.

LOOKING FOR

One of the woody gang is on the hunt for 2 switches as per the photo below – (L) photo is a good one (R) photo has the knob broken off – anyone got two/one laying around?

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

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JOCELYN
RAINBOW

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

Earlier in the week I found myself at HMB marina with some time to kill so went for a wander.

Three woodys in different stages of getting some winter TLC.

JOCELYN – The 49’ Brin Wilson built launch, possibly to a Hacker Craft design, appears to be getting a varnish refresh. She is one of those craft that are just so much bigger out of the water. Read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

UNKNOWN – has a Lanes / Picton look to her – I’m sure someone sharper than me can tell us her name. Impressive back to bare wood restoration underway.

RAINBOW – the 1898 Arch Logan built gaffer has just had a birthday – lots shinny paint and varnish on display + the masts was revarnished , that is a titanic undertaking – well done. I was on-hand as the team from Boat Haulage were dropping the stick back in. An impressive of collection of origami on display 🙂

Northern Classic Woody Gander

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PATHFINDER
October 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/17/eunice-k/
March 2023  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/30/pathfinder-eunice-k/
LEISURE HOUR
WHITE HERON
May 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/25/white-heron/
REEL TIME
LADY J 
May 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/06/joel/
April 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/29/lady-j-joel/
UNKNOWN
UNKNOWN
NGAIO
BLUE FIN
Nov 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/26/blue-fin/
Dec 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/12/09/blue-fin-an-old-sailor-dies/
April 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/27/blue-fin-2/
CLOUD NINE
FLORENCE MAY
Jan 2016  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/21/florence-rose-2/
Feb 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/02/22/florence-may/
LINDA II
FOUR WINDS
Oct 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/10/22/four-winds/

Northern Classic Woody Gander

Today thanks to Dean Wright we get to wander the docks at Tutukaka marina and point the lens towards the Ngunguru River.

It was a slow day yesterday so I have done the hard work for you i.e. you will find links to previous WW stories on the boats that have appeared on WW in the past. Links found in the title section under each photo – enjoy 🙂

And if you can tell us more about the unknown boats e.g. there provenance, that would be great. If you haven’t come to grips with using the comments section – just send an email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Mystery Launch & Location + Win A WW Cap

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Mystery Launch & Location 12-07-2023

Earlier in the week I had a what I would call a WW windfall – Bay of Islands based woody – Dean Wright shared 80+ black and white photos from NZ’s boating past.

Some have appeared on WW before but the majority are new to my eyes.

Todays photo immediately caught my eye – everything captured is just a delight and records a special moment in time. I’ll stop now before I start sounding like K Ricketts 😉 The photo is currently my laptop screensaver image 🙂

The possible date of the photo is January 1961, and comes to us from the Tauranga Library archives.

So woodys – a very long shot but can we ID the launch and possibly the location. I’ll give the last of the winter corduroy WW caps to the first person that can name both, I’ll need more than a guess, so – tell me in a little detail why you think your answer/s are correct. ALL ANSWERS VIA EMAIL ONLY TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com

MYSTERY LAUNCH 30-06-2023

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 30-06-2023

Todays woody was nearly one of those projects that got started then life and time got in the way – thankfully Simon Raikes discovered the hull and took on the project.

What we see above is the result of Simon’s very talented skills. Simon’s company Craftbuilt won the 2023 Supreme Award at the Master Joinery Awards.

The launch is 30’ in length, constructed of diagonal laminated kauri planks and powered by a 80hp Ford D series engine. Not a lot more is known about the launch, so if anyone recognizes her – let us know.

EUREKA  – Looking For Help ID’ing This Woody

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EUREKA  – Looking For Help ID’ing This Woody

Todays woody – Eureka, comes to us from Kelly Ellis via fb via Ken Ricketts. The location is Havelock and that woodys is all we know. 

A very distinctive looking craft so no doubt one or more of todays readers will be able to tell us more about Eureka

INPUT EX GARY CHAPLIN – link below to an article that appeared in the Southland Times on August 30 2015. Lots of photos & video footage.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/71572730/southland-boat-eureka-relaunched-100-years-after-maiden-voyage

NAME THE LOCATION – Win A WW Cap

Email in the location of the image in the photo below and all correct entries go in the draw for a WW cap. waitematawoodys@gmail.com    Closes 6pm 25-06-2023

AUCKLAND MOTOR YACHT CLUB