Category Archives: Mystery Boat

Can We Name These Classic Wooden Boats

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Can We Name These Classic Wooden Boats
I have been contacted by Evelyn Whitell regarding the above photos from the South Island, probably the Abel Tasman area. Evelyn’s father Sid Giberston is pictured in the first photo on the left of in the dark suit, the large (Evelyn’s words) lady on right is his mother and his father Alex (Alexander Gilbertson – also known as Deacon) is beside her. Alex was a boat builder among other things and was the youngest son of Captain David Gilbertson, a pioneer in Nelson. Capt. David was a shipwright and builder of several trading schooners and ketches, including one of the first steam boats in Nelson. They ran from Nelson down the West Coast, up North and around the South to Lyttelton. Sadly most were shipwrecked eventually. 


Evelyn’s dad, Sid, used to take groups of people down the bay for picnics in the Abel Tasman area.
Evelyn commented that the steamship mentioned above was discovered around 1997 under a ton of sand near Wanganui and was going to be taken to a museum somewhere. 
Any Southern woodys able to ID any of these boats ?

Mystery Motor-Sailer

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MYSTERY MOTOR-SAILER
The photo above of the motorsailer is dated late 1960’s, early 1970’s. Location probably in/around Whangarei. Anyone able to ID the boat and tell us more about her past?

I know the answer, just hoping the arrival of this good quality photo will shift a few brain cells in some woodys.

Stuart Turner Engines One of the woodys was unable to attend Sundays boat boot sale – he has x5 Stuart Turner engines…1 P66 (10hp) and at least 4 P55 (8hp), for sale at a modest sum to a good home. One P55 and the P66 are intact, the rest in various stages of disassembly. Plus various manuals and technical articles. These wonderful little British 2 stroke engines run like a sewing machine….when handled by a knowledgeable operator!Once a very popular yacht auxillary but would be perfect for that restored classic clinker dinghy/open launch. If interested, I can supply contact details.


WOODYS CLASSICS RIVERHEAD TAVERN LUNCH CRUISE – RSVP TODAY Just need boat name and guesstimate of crew numbers – email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Can We ID This Launch

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Can We ID This Launch
Another photo sent in by Bryce Strong from his families old photo collection. The above launch is a mystery to me, but the very distinctive array of windows should trigger someones memory. I can make out the following letters on her name board ‘_OANUI’

Given the other photos in the album, the location would have to be in / around the Hauraki Gulf. 

STOP READING THIS AND GET DOWN TO THE WW – SLIPWAY MILFORD, BOAT BOOT SALE On today between 10>11.30am @ 5 Omana Road, Milford. 


Circle The Diary – November 6>8th – Aucklands Waterfront Celebrates Yacht Designer John Spencer – Details below

http://www.tinorawatrust.co.nz

Classic Wooden Launch Project

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Classic Wooden Launch Project
Last week I was contacted by Bruce Deeming about the above woody launch that had been brought to his attention. Bruce advised that he had been approached to take over the project due to changing circumstances of the present owner. Unfortunately its not on Bruce’s radar so the search is on for a passionate woody looking for a restoration project. 

There is no name on her and the design / build is also a mystery, but Bruce suspects maybe a Cauldry, length is approx. 30>31’. Was sitting in Kaiaua mud berths opposite the Kaiaua fish & chip shop for a number of years. Bruce commented that it requires some plank work and the window surrounds in main cabin are not good, but it has good bones. It has been in the water up until 4 odd months ago. Decks & cabin appear to be very sound, with exception to those main cabin window areas.

Bruce has the original motor, an air cooled Lister or similar, not going. The owner is happy to look at any offer & discuss options.

Anyone able to ID the launch for us?

UPDATE – 03-03-2021 Bruce Ryrie has taken over this project and thus far has scraped and red leaded below the waterline and gutted the interior and set up a soaker system inside to stop her drying out. Some process photos below. Well done Bruce 🙂

Sgag

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SGAG
The above photo was sent in by Andrew Mikkelsen during lock-down, I know nothing about her but with a name like Sgag someone must recall the boat.Will be interesting to see what details come to the surface.


Woody Boat Boat Sale at The Slipway Milford – This Sunday

Great response to the sale – thanks to all those that RSVP’ed. 

Mystery Wooden Boats – Lake Manapouri

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Mystery Wooden Boats – Lake Manapouri
The above photo, ex Lew Redwood, of Pearl Harbour, Lake Manapouri could almost be a painting. Its rather stunning and features two very smart woodys. Can anyone help ID either or both of these boats? Sadly there is no date accompanying the photo.


Booked Your Woody In For Its Annual TLC?
Talking last week to a couple of yard managers + marine engineers and given the knock-on effect of the CV-19 lock-downs the work diaries are VERY full, in fact depending on what you want done, there is a strong chance you will miss out. So get on the phone today – or you might end up like this guys stern drive………..

Mystery Launch 09-10-2020 (White Cloud)

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MYSTERY LAUNCH – 1968 Sam McGreedy
The above 39’ carvel planked, 1968 launch popped up on trademe, light on photos, the tme ones are very average. The stated builder is Sam McGreedy, thats a new one to me.Power is from a 130hp Ford diesel. Appears to be well fitted out.

From the photos I suspect it a Panmure boat – can on of the river rats enlighten us more on the boat?

That was easy, thanks Ken R – its White Cloud see more here 

https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/18/white-cloud/

Also video of launch day

https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/10/white-cloud-movie-leaving-the-shed-launch-day/

HOST VENUE: NZ Traditional Boatbuilding School 17 Totara Rd, Te Atatu Peninsula, Auckland – Saturday 17 October 2020 – Sunday 18 October 2020

This is a two day course introducing you to the use of hand tools. Over the two days you will build a small tool box and a bench stop incorporating a number of woodworking joints and skills including cutting a simple scarf joint and then using copper nails and rivets to turn that piece into a handy Bench stop. Marking and cutting pieces for the tool box, preparing the timber with planes and a cabinet scraper, marking and cutting a dovetail joint, marking and drilling dowel joints, turning a square piece of wood into a round handle, final assembly and clean up.

This is a great course for someone wanting to learn how to cut accurately and use chisels and planes and other hand tools in a practical manner. Students will leave with a completed toolbox and bench stop and an introduction to many new skills. The tutors for this course are Olaf Wiig and Allan Hooper.

NOTE: Min of three students required, max of six students- COST $290 – includes materials for toolbox.

Click link for more details on NZTBS + space bookings http://nztbs.org.nz/course/an-introduction-to-fine-woodworking/

Classic Wooden Boats – Bin Diving

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS – BIN DIVING

Yesterday I meet briefly with David Campbell-Morrison to receive a collection of boating books and magazines that David saved for the rubbish bin. The original owner of the collection was a Mr Thompson and most date from the early 1930’s to the mid 1940’s.
Some of the USA MotorBoating magazines are in very good condition and the covers are almost collectable art. Today cover is from the March 1935 issue.


Amongst the many items was a ‘photo’ (press clipping) album – the photo below is dated Dec 1931 and appeared in the NZ Herald. Can we ID the launch on the left of the photo?The caption reads “Stretching their sails in preparation for the official opening of the Yachting season today. Pleasure craft which made a pretty picture on the Auckland Harbour last week-end. The yachts are Matariki (N10) and Leveret (V5)

Classic Wooden Boats At Kawau Island

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Classic Wooden Boats At Kawau Island 

At Sundays Stillwater woodys picnic I was chatting to boat builder Greg Lees and he showed me the above photograph (in its frame) of Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island that a neighbour had given him. Interesting that for once the bay is almost bare of yachts – maybe they were off racing at the time.


Are we able to ID some of the launches? I have numbered the boats in the b/w photo below + included a couple of blow ups of the photo, which may help.

Mystery Launch 22-09-2020

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 22-09-2020
The above photo comes to us from the Andy Donovan collection via Chris Collins (RNZYS Historian). The vessel is a total blank to me, but given all the very distinctive features and her size, I’m sure someone will be able to enlighten us on her name and provenance.

The ‘train spotter’ that names the boat and ID’s the pennant correctly – wins a WW bucket hat – normal rules – enter by EMAIL ONLY and if more than one correct entry, we do a draw. Closes at 7pm 22-09-2020. Enter here waitematawoodys@gmail.com