Category Archives: Mystery Boat

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH 475 – CAN WE ID 

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH 475 – CAN WE ID 

The WW brains trust have been starching their heads on todays classic wooden boat and have not been able to put a name to her. The photo comes to WW from Craig Pippen via Jason Prew.The rather large 475 on her side should help but has drawn a blank.

Can anyone help out with a name and even better some info on her back story.


ATTENTION – MASON CLIPPER OWNERS – Looking for an original Fairhead for a Mason Clipper 24’? Alan Smith has one, available free + the cost of courier. Contact smital@xtra.co.nz

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS NAVIGATE THE OHAU CHANNEL

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS NAVIGATE THE OHAU CHANNEL

Todays woody photo popped up recently on the postcard’s of old NZ fb page via a Marcus Hurst posting.

 The location of the photo is The Ohau Channel, that connects Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti.

I know the channel is still in existence as the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association run an annual raft / float day down the channel – not sure what the depth is these days.  Any of the Lake WW readers able to put some names to the craft we see on the waterway.

MYSTERY LAKE BOAT – CAN WE ID HER

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MYSTERY LAKE BOAT – CAN WE ID HER

Todays woody photo comes to use from John Dawson. John believes the location is most likely Lake Rotorua, this is based on the photo album it came from. So if not Lake Rotorua maybe Lake Rotoiti.

Would be nice to put a name to the launch and learn some of her history.

CAN WE ID THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH + Win A Off Centre Harbor Cap

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CAN WE ID THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH + Win A Off Centre Harbor Cap

Todays woody photo was sent in by Nathan Herbert and shows a classic wooden launch probably berthed at Westhaven Marina, Auckland.

Nathan commented that the date was c.1960’s and that the launch had a Woolleys look to her.

She is one of those boats that looks very familiar but we can’t put a name to her.

So woodys – the first person to correctly* ID the launch wins a OFF CENTRE HARBOUR cap. All entries via the WW comments section. *NOTE: WW must be able to verify the launch name. 

VIEW OFF CENTER HARBOR HERE – offcentreharbor.com

CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH -STELLA ROSE

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CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH – STELLA ROSE

Todays 34’ woody was built in 1967 by boat builder R E Swanson, constructed via the clinker method using kauri planks. The interior is macrocarpa.

Forward motion is from a 70hp Ford diesel engine.

Woody Ian McDonald commented that she had a similar ‘look’ to Baden Pascoe’s – JOHN DORY, I’m sure Baden will disagree 😉

Can we learn more about this Akaroa, South Island woody.

22-06-2025 INPUT EX LIAM DALY
There were at least two other ‘almost identical’ clinker built launches built by  Bob Swanson. One was named “TELSTAR” And the other named “MANANA” which was often mispronounce!  “Mañana” named after a popular song of the day, translated from Spanish means, “tomorrow” or “morning”.Back in the day, Manana was at one time owned by Bay of Many Coves identity Errol Christian. Errol installed a huge turbo charged 100 h.p. diesel engine in Manana which he used as a water taxi throughout Queen Charlotte Sounds.     

KEN RICKETTS Input – it’s named STELLA ROSE

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ROTUI

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ROTUI

Todays WW story features the classic wooden launch – ROTUI. The photos above were sent in by Karyn Klarwill and came to her from the McCann family.

A mystery woody to me, so keen to learn more about her.

A search on WW comes up with a couple of stories on a boat named ROTUI, but that one was built in 1938 and according to K Ricketts was a Chris Craft  boat. Not sure if it was a genuine CC or a NZ knock-off.

Todays we are mooching up the upper Waitemata Harbour for a Woodys Cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for a group catch up / lunch. If your attending remember to take lots of photos and email in to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

HELP IDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT

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HELP IDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT

Woody John Dawson sent in the above photo, but wasn’t able to ID the vessel, I have an idea but better to throw it open to the WW readers. (apologise for small photo size)

Suggestions in the comments box would be appreciated.

INPUT ex Ken Ricketts – It’s the FLORAY, built by & for Major, (Christian name, not rank), Bailey, on his back lawn on the corner of Wheturangi & Greenlane Rds., in 1948-49 using the frames from Hec Goodfellow’s RANUI, borrowed from RANUI’s builders, Roy Lidgards boatbuilders.

She was named after his wife Flo & his only son Ray.

Her name was later changed to LEILANI, & I believe she is now neglected beyond repair, & was last seen on a hillside property at Thames by me, several years ago.

Alan H Comment – There is speculation as to the build, with Harold Kidd commenting previously that Lidgard built the hull and she was finished by her owner. Also the name as launched could have been FLORAE, or maybe thats what it was registered as. Whether way, sad that she has ended up in a paddock. Photo in the 2023 story – WW Aug2023  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/09/leilani-florae-floray-jolly-roger/

And if your not on the WW email list – details on Fridays Woodys Lunch Cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern below

For those skippers / boats taking part in Fridays Classic Woodys Riverhead Tavern Lunch cruise – see below details re meeting times etc.

If your boat is out for winter maintenance or you are boat less, coming by car is an option to consider.

DATE : FRIDAY 20 JUNE (4 days away)

MEETING LOCATION: HERALD ISLAND / LUCAS CREEK AREA

DEPARTURE > RIVER: 11.45am

ARRIVE PUB: APPROX 12.15PM

HW= 2.10 – TIDE = 2.88m

DEPART PUB: 3.00pm >> (skippers call, if in doubt leave/follow the ferry)

Being a public holiday there will be 2 ferries making the trip, so please give them right of way on the river and at the jetty. 

PLEASE BRING YOUR DINGHY – as jetty space is very limited.

Reviewing the list of boats that have RSVP’ed, I think all have braved the river before so skippers should be ok with navigation and anchoring spots, if you want a refresh, email me and I will supply details. AND REMEMBER ME TRAVEL IN INDIAN FILE UP THE RIVER – no overtaking.

LOOKING FOR INFO ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – WAKANUI 

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LOOKING FOR INFO ON THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – WAKANUI 

WW was recently contacted by Craig and Mary Mountjoy regarding the launch – WAKANUI.

Craig commented that she was launched in approx. 1969, having been built for Ed Schischka, who farmed at the mouth of the Puhoi River, on land that is now the upstream part of the Auckland Regional Reserve at Wenderholm. 

WAIANUI was kept on a swing mooring just outside of the family farmhouse, which is now known as the ‘Schischka Homestead’. The Schischka family mostly used her for day fishing expeditions, in between milkings.

Mary believes she was built in Greenhithe, which would possibly indicate Salthouse, but Lidgard has been remembered as another possibility.

The above photo, at Westhaven, Auckland may have been taken on launch day. In the photo she appears to be around 30’ in length.

I questioned Graig re the photo as it appears too perfect i.e.had it been re-touched, Craig assured me he had scanned the photo from the original 1969 print. 

Craig and Mary last saw her on a mooring in Opahi Bay, Mahurangi around the early 1990’s, and are very keen to find more information on her design, builder, any history and where WAKANUI is now. 

So woodys can we help out.

IMPORTANT EVENT UPDATE – Note: new date for Woody Boat Boot Sale – now August 02

WOODY WHANGAREI HOUSEBOAT

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WOODY WHANGAREI HOUSEBOAT

The above painting of todays woody comes to us from Barb Hudson via the NZ cars, boats, motorcycles fb page and is captioned ‘Hone Houseboat Whangarei’.

The question for woodys is “did the boat actual exist or someones creative freehand”.  If it is or was an actual boat do we know anything about the vessel.

UPDATES

Greg Philpott sent in the b/w press clipping below , taken form the ’Northland Holiday – 20 March 1978. The HONE was built in WW1 as a freight carrier servicing war ships. She was retired c.1948.

Paul Shaw sent in the colour photo that he found posted by David/Janet Matthews on “Whangarei Way Back When” fb of the same houseboats near Kissing Point, Whangarei. And commented that you couldn’t miss them anytime you drove between the city centre & Onerahi.

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH DOCKSIDE – BELL BIRD

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH DOCKSIDE – BELL BIRD

Todays woody popped up on a post that Don France made on the Tug & Workboat fb.

From comments made the bow scroll tends to point towards either a Collings & Bell or Bailey & Lowe built vessel.

The location has the look of a tide estuary / coastal river.

I’m being very generous in the heading with the use of the word ‘dockside’, I’m sure it was fit for purpose but wouldn’t pass todays OSH standards 🙂

Anyone able to ID the boating location.

15-05-2025 INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – This is surely the present day BELL BIRD. She has been at Taupo for many years and is in frequent use. Certainly Bailey and Lowe. Photo below ex Jason Prew Jan 2015.

★ Mondays AVALON photo bomb was the highest rating in terms of views for YTD 2025 – looking forward to more updates.★

THURSDAY’s WW Story – tomorrow we have the last of the 7 part series –  ‘AN INSIGHT INTO NZ’s UNIQUE MARINE ENGINES’, complied by Ken Ricketts.

While having a niche audience, we received a lot of positive feedback and additional intel from readers. When approached by Ken Ricketts re WW running the series our primary aim was to record the data on a searchable source for access now and in the future. 

WW thanks Ken Ricketts for his passion, time and tenacity in pulling it together.  In the next few days I will do a post to provide all the links to the 7 stories in one location.