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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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.
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
Marlborough Sounds 30’ Classic Launch
Today woody recently popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald), the listing doesn’t tell us anything about who built her and when but what we do know is –
30’ in length, she started life as a trawler from Greymouth. Then brought up to Picton and at some stage converted to a yacht then filled wth concrete to negate the need for chalking caulking. Later convert to the launch configuration we see today.
Forward motion is via a 30hp Yammer engine that sees her cruising nicely at 7>7.5 knots.
Can we have a crack at the design / builder and a new would be nice. Can’t see her moving from the south so fingers crossed a southern woody is looking for a low entry woody that with a small investment could be a very smart sounds boat.
WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE WANT FROM A CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT GROUP
The answer is very simple – events + know how + friendship Seems that Lake Rotoiti’s Classic & Wooden Boat Association know the answer 🙂 Lets hope ‘others’ take notice 😉
Input from Janice Rogers – “The house in this photo belonged to my grandparents and I lived in it as a child at Otaramarae. I remember 1 of those boats is called the Kay and I recognised the other smaller one as well. The Kay was tied up down at our jetty in the enclave below my grandmothers house I know because I went for rides on it the rear of the bigger boat now has a ramp and has pretty much progressed from when I was a 12yr old
I got a fright when I saw those photos online golly bought back many memories
Judge Simon Moore’s parents had a house right on the lake but it often flooded many years later that land was leased to his parents by my grandfather so there you go a piece of history for you”
MYSTERY LAKE ROTORUA LAUNCH #2
Todays woody again comes to us from Greg Philpott, hopefully we will get a better response than last weeks WW story concerning another of Greg’s mystery boats. I suspect that Greg has exhausted most avenues and people ’switch off’ re his pursuit for answers.
The transporter / truck door reads – E.G. Maurice, Cartage Contractor, Rotorua
But its worth a final try – so woodys anyone able to enlighten us on the above launch.
And while we are in the middle of the North Island – circle 8th July 2023 in the diary for what looks like a cool classic event – details on the website – see poster.
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