MELANIE – TRACING THE HISTORY OF A CLASSIC GAME LAUNCH
Thanks to an email from John Dawson we are able to clear up any confusion around the provenance of the classic wooden game boat – MELANIE.
In the top photo we she MELANIE c.1959 as built by Brian Donovan (brother of Andy) at 21st Century Boats.
In April 1965 her owner,Len McCracken, sadly drowned returning to the vessel one evening at Mayor Island.
Late 1960’s her new owner, John Lee had MELANIE refitted as a bridge-decker at the Visser yard and changed her name to LEEWAY. She then went into charter fishing the Mayor Island grounds.
Harold Kidd advised the last he heard of the vessel was c.2015, in Havelock North.
Any update on where she is today.
(Special thanks to Harold Kidd, Brian Worthington & the Andrew Donovan collection)
CLASSIC WOODYS ABROAD – COLOURFUL CRAFT ON THE CÔTE D’AZUR
For the last few months, Kiwi woody Shane Anderson and partner Azra have been exploring Europe the hard way — by bicycle and on foot. And we’re not talking about battery-assisted cycling or gentle strolls! These two have been tackling the big stuff, including the mighty Mont Blanc.
This week, they’ve been hiking the spectacular French Riviera, using the beautiful coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer as their base.
Naturally, Shane couldn’t resist checking out the local boating scene, and today’s woody photos come from the marina at Villefranche.
Shane reports that much of the local wooden fleet consists of smaller 15–22ft fishing boats, most powered by small diesel engines, with a few sailing craft thrown into the mix.
What really catches the eye is the wonderful use of colour. These working little wooden boats have plenty of character, and sitting together in the marina, they make for a colourful slice of traditional Mediterranean boating life.
The photo above has appeared on WW before, capturing and promoting the X-factor that makes Kawau Island such a special destination for classic boaters. Its sheltered anchorages, rich maritime heritage and relaxed cruising atmosphere make it hard to beat for a Labour Weekend escape.
Over the past few years, the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club and WaitemataWoodys — three staunch supporters of classic boating and the cruising lifestyle — have been working together to develop and promote a gathering of traditional craft in and around Kawau Island.Brought together under the banner of Labour Weekend Spring Splash.
The event is becoming a wonderful opportunity for owners and crews to get out on the water, catch up with fellow enthusiasts and celebrate everything that makes classic wooden boating so special.It’s all about good boats, good company and the timeless pleasure of cruising in one of the Hauraki Gulf’s most treasured destinations.
• SATURDAY – Matakana Markets River Cruise & Round the Island Yacht Race
• SUNDAY – Waitematawoodys Classic Parade & Short Course Yacht Race + Race Giving ar KBC
• MONDAY – Breakfast at KBC
Each day the KBC clubrooms will be open to all boaties + we have new managers and menu. Check on-line for opening hours. https://kawauboatingclub.nz
f you are not racing there is no requirement to enter, just turn up and enjoy the weekend and the sociability of the KBC. Hey you my enjoy it and consider becoming a member 😉
PS – I emailed details out to the WW data base earlier in the week, but not surprisingly not everyone is on the database. If you want to be kept updated on classic events and gatherings – just drop an email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with your name, boat name (if you have one) and mobile number. We do not spam you, it is a very tight list.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MELVILLE — WHAT CAN WE DISCOVER ABOUT HER
Earlier in the week the classic wooden launch – MELVILLE popped up on the ‘Old North Auckland’ fb feed. Suzanne-Richards Osborne posted the above galley of photos.
They are from several sources eg the top two are from early photo postcards of the Mangamuka Gorge, Hokianga area. These prompted Suzanne had, to do some online research that hit the jackpot in the Auckland Libraries Heritage collection.
The last image comes to us via a glass plate negative and the photographer is tagged as C. Dawes.
Can we learn more about the launch MELVILLE, seen in the photos.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MOANA ROA (MAUREEN R) A Peek Down Below
Back in August 2018 we Rana story on the 1957 Owen Woolley built 29’ launch MOAANA ROA (previously named MAUREEN R, then over time we received regular input and historical photos from WW readers as to her story, the last being in 2025, Link to that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/08/27/maureen-r/
Fast forward to last week and thanks to Ian McDonald spotting a tme listing we now get to have a peel down below.
Appears to be a very smart, well presented classic wooden launch. Forward motion is from a Lees Marine Ford 60hp diesel engine.
Todays woody story is a shout out for someone who might be able to answer a few question.
WW was contacted recently by David McWilliams, from Melbourne, Australia asking for help concerning a pond yacht his father built.
The model carries the name WAIRAKEI. It is an impressive craft, standing approx. 6’ tall.
On old photo has the name WAIRAKEI , built 1899 Logan Bros, Auckland written on her stern. However he photo is most likely the 1904 34’ Logan built gaffer rigged yacht – WAIRIKI. So there is a degree of crossed wires / confusion in play.
So woodys –
1. Did Logans build a yacht named WAIRAKEI and if so what year
2. Does David’s pond yacht look like a Logan build
If the answer is yes to the above – do we know what became of her.
Hopefully Mr Kidd or Mr Elliott will be able to help solve the mystery.
And On The Subject of Classic Pond Yachts – I said good buy to one of my favourites yesterday , pictured below. Bought on trademe for $120. An architectural design firm saw the model in a WW story and ‘just had to have it’ for a client reception project – I said no 3 times, then the offer was enough that I couldn’t say no. There’s money in these models if they look the part and are near to original .
The 32’ classic launch EMERALD first appeared on WW back in Sept 2019 (link below) that story generated a lot of comments and historical photos (below – dated c.1970’s). We also were sent updated photos from her then trademe listing. WW Sept 2019 https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/09/16/emerald/
What we know about EMERALD – built c.1950’s, designer unknown but possibly her hull from the Collings & Bell stable.
Kauri hull now glassed and powered by a 3.6L, 4 cylinder Ford Trader marinized (Lees Marine) diesel engine, that gives her a cruising speed of 9 knots. Her home waters are Picton, Marlborough Sounds, South Island.
Earlier in the week WW was contacted by Bruce Herbert, who purchased EMERALD in 2022. Bruce advised that between 2022 and 2023 he commissioned a restoration at Sounds Marine Series, Picton that saw her exterior and interior refurbished and included upgrades to her systems.
Sadly circumstances have changed and Bruce is looking for the next custodian of EMERALD. Bruce is aware the market is weak and in my eyes is asking a fair price ($19k)
05-10-2026 INPUT ex owner BRUCE HERBERT (edited) – below are a few photos showing some of the journey Emerald has come on. The black and white image shows a similar lineage, I’m guessing, or is of a similar age as the image above from c,1970’s. The location is Henderson, courtesy of Bob Wylie, where she was undergoing the rework of hull restoration when they sheathed it in glass, along with the additional cabin work.
A COMMUNITY RALLIES TO SAVE A STOLEN & SHIPWRECKED CLASSIC LAUNCH — ALMANA
The classic wooden launch – ALMANA, appeared on WW back in August 2017 when Nathan Herbert sent in a photo of ALMANA asking if we could uncover her designer / builder and what became of her. Link here waitematawoodys.com/tag/almana/
Harold Kidd commented that she was built in 1940 by Cliff Roberts and Alder.
Fast forward to 2019 and we received several photos and comments from Nathan Herbert and Jason Prew as the launch ‘moved’ around the Waitemata Harbour – those photos are below.
Fast forward again early this week and WW is connected by Kathy Parlane who discovered ALMANA on WW while searching for historical photos of my family’s boat, ALMANA. I will hand over to Kathy to share with us an unknown chapter in ALMANA’s life –
“My parents owned Almana in the early 1980’s. After leaving her moored in Mangonui Harbour following a wet Christmas, my father intended to return from Auckland once the weather improved. Before he could do so, the vessel was stolen by three escaped convicts who attempted to sail her toward Australia. They ultimately abandoned her on 90 Mile Beach, Northland, during a spring tide.
Residents of Pukenui and Houhora assisted in recovering Almana, and she was transported back to Auckland for restoration. Many of those involved became lifelong friends of our family.
My father, Doug Parlane, passed away in 2015, so my remaining records are limited, but I wanted to contribute this part of Almana’s story for your archive. I’ve also included a link to the video of the rescue from 90 Mile Beach”
The video mentioned above was pretty ropey and one hour long, so we have uplifted images from the video – as seen above.
Can anyone tell us who undertook the restoration and where she was between the early 1980’s and 2017.
Also in the photos below, the last one shows her alongside a Harbour Master vessel, most likely for an appointment with a back-hoe. Do we know if this happened.
May 2019 – Whau River -Te Atatu
June 2019 – Harbour Master Mooring – Northcote Point
