Category Archives: Non Waitemata

WHY CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS BECOME AN OBSESSION

Posted on by
Reply

WHY CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS BECOME AN OBSESSION

There have been several magic bullet moments in the history of waitematawoodys, actions that had significant impacts on the readership numbers. The most significant was an international phone call, now I tend to ignore these calls as normally it is some self titled investment guru wanting to share a once in a lifetime investment opportunity with me. For some unknown reason I took the call  and it was a gent named Carl Cramer, who introduced himself as the Publisher of WoodenBoat magazine in the USA, that got my attention pretty quick. 

Carl told me he and the founding publisher / owner of WB – Jon Wilson, had been chatting on the phone, bored senseless after being snowed in for 3 days. As they were talking Jon Wilson was trolling the web looking for sunny wooden boating content – bingo Jon hit on the waitematawoodys site and the story of the day was my coverage of the  3 day Mahurangi Regatta weekend. Over 200 photos and videos, Carl told me Jon suggested he make contact – which led to our telephone call.  Back then WB was print only and a very popular on-line forum, so he was impressed with this new-ish blog format. Carl used to send a short, chatty weekly email out to the WB magazine subscribers, we talking 50,000+ – he asked if he could do a story on waitematawoodys. The story was a cracker and started with being snowed in and getting an infusion of summer boating that cured his cabin fever. He finished by saying.“This website is truely great”
Overnight the WW viewing numbers went into orbit, from around the world and we still retain a high % of them. In fact the USA is number 2 on the readers list.

Sorry for the long lead in to todays WW story. Over the years I have read several features on how Jon Wilson founded the WB  group but over the weekend I stumbled on a YouTube channel named ‘LIFE ON THE WATER’ – one of the featured videos is titled ‘Jon Wilson – The Restorer’s Journey’. In their words it is is a cinematic portrait of the man who took on a monumental task to change the course of wooden boat history. I haven’t come across a better insight, explanation on this bug we all suffer from. Read it, I promise afterwards you’ll feel better about life and your classic wooden boat.

CLASSIC 1948 WOODEN FLEET GATHERED AT KAWAU ISLAND 

Posted on by
5

CLASSIC 1948 WOODEN FLEET GATHERED AT KAWAU ISLAND 

Recently WW was contacted by Moss Carlin concerning a cache of b/w photos that his wife found among her mothers processions. Her father Ray Rhodes was a member of the RNZYS at Westhaven in the 1940’s – 1960’s period.

Included was todays stunning photo of a squadron gathering at Mansion House, Kawau Island in 1948. WW has previously shared other photos most likely from the same gathering, but none have offered a panorama of this scale, nor been of the photographic quality of todays photo. Reviewing the photo its warming to see so many of these classic wooden craft are still afloat today – 80+ years later. Tomorrow we get to share a gallery of classic sailing craft from the Rhodes family album.

And while on the subject of Kawau Island – sad to get advice during the week that the RNZYS had found a buyer for Lidgard House and surrounding land. The pros & cons of the sell off have been well documented, so I’ll leave the topic alone……….


WHO DESIGNED THIS IMPRESSIVE DINGHY

WW has recently been in discussions concerning the dinghy below and the owners desire to ID the designer / builder. The dinghy has the hallmarks of vacuum bag, multi veneer construction, a technology with origins from the late 1940’s New Zealand boat builders were early adopters and this dinghy is a product of that technology.

Found derelict in an Auckland shed she was carefully restored to its current condition – only used occasionally for classic boating events where its lightness and low resistance hull form saw it win several classic boat races. It remains an immaculate very rare time capsule of mid century boating.

SPECS: Length 8’ 9″, beam 4’ 5” – weight 45kg. Constructed using straight grained Mahogany and resorcinol glue. Her transom is kauri.

SO WOODYS ANYONE ABLE TO ID HER ORIGINS

And woodys its for sale on tme.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – EAGLE RAY

Posted on by
5

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – EAGLE RAY

Today thanks for Robyn Kellian and Tobias Forsyth we get to see another launch from the Leigh region. The name on the helm seat reads – EAGLE RAY, and the photos are tagged – Wayne Collings.                                   Given the bunting and ‘crowd’ we can assume this was launch day.

The shed / yard could possibly be at Whangateau, back when it was a public facility, available to the wider boating community. 

Can we learn more about EAGLE RAY.

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – A strip plank Greenwood so far as I know,. Photos below (as of today) ex Jason Prew

HELP NEEDED ON THE WOODEN BOATS – WEITI AND KERERU

Posted on by
Reply


HELP NEEDED ON THE WOODEN BOATS – WEITI AND KERERU
Mixed bag today – a request for info on a launch and a partnership offer. 
THE LAUNCH WEITI

WW has been contacted by Steve Bass who is looking to learn the history of a 38’ launch named WEITI, currently moored in the Weiti River at Stillwater.Steve commented that he had heard that she was used to tow kauri logos from Tiri Tiri Matangi Island to the mainland (location unknown).There appears to have been some additions to her eg an extension to the forward cabin as well more towards the foredeck.  WEITI is powered by a 4 cylinder Ford diesel. 


KERERU RESTORATION – BOATBUILDER WANTED

WW has been contacted by Darryll Heaven the newish owner of KERERU, the rather good-looking 1911 Chas Bailey Jnr. built  canoe stern classic wooden launch that has recently relocated to Auckland from the South Island.
Darryll is about to undertake a restoration project on KERERU and has an unconventional proposal to a boatbuilder / shipwright – in exchange for their services on the project he will transfer upwards of 50% ownership. There are way too many details to cover off here, but I understand materials and new engine would be supplied – anyone interested to initially contact Darryll at  bigdart@rocketmail.com Check out KERERU here –https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/20/1911-classic-wooden-launch-kereru-a-peek-down-below/

LOOKING BACK AT CLASSIC LAUNCH –  EILEEN PATRICIA 

Posted on by
Reply

LOOKING BACK AT CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH –  EILEEN PATRICIA 

Today thanks for Robyn Kellian and Tobias Forsyth we get to have a peek back in time at the classic wooden launch – EILEEN PATRICIA.                          

Designed and built in 1933 by Arnold Couldrey. She was named EILEEN PATRICIA when launched but as you can see in the b/w photos at some stage she was named LYNDON. Just visible on her bow is a fishing boat rego # AK113 (might be wrong), so possibly a workboat at some stage. It may have been a typo but when current owner Peter and Jenni Mence bought her the spelling was LINDEN.

Approx 6 years ago she underwent an extensive rebuild / restoration at the hands of Marco Scuderi’s yard. Since then the lads at The Slipway Milford have been looking after her needs and she resents in stunning condition.

LinkS below to all the EP storied on WW and the second link is from her re-launching day.

https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Eileen+Patricia&submit=Search

https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/05/20/the-launching-of-eileen-patrica-1933-classic-motor-boat-50-photos/ 

CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT AT LEIGH

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT AT LEIGH

As mentioned last week Tobias Forsyth located a treasure trove of old photos from the Leigh area, a mx of workboats and pleasure craft. 

Todays photo shows a small workboat (Reg # 15156) with an interesting mix of steading sails. She looks a little too smart to be a commercial fishing boat, but there does appear to be a long-line set-up on her stern.

Vessel name unknown, but the Reg No. must make ID’ing her easy for someone with a reference of vessels ‘v’ numbers.

The photographer is listed as Robyn Kellian.

MOETAPU REGATTAS 1909 – 1919 – A REMARKABLE CLASSIC BOATING ARCHIVE

Posted on by
1

Slightly different format today that sees us featuring the Moetapu Regatta’s 1909 > 1914. Moetapu is located in Pelorus Sound, Marlborough. The story was shared with us by Roy Jones from the Picton Clinker & Classic Boat Club. Roy pulls together an amazing newsletter for the club and is one of my must read items each month.
Roy contacted WW last week following up on a WW story I ran, sourced from the clubs newsletter. At the time WW was seeking intel on an old photograph of a launch pictured at the Moetapu Regatta.
Roy commented that from a very distant source, they have determined an identity of the craft, ZEALANDIA.  Roy has cropped together (his words) a story on the Regatta’s for the clubs newsletter. And today we get to share it. Many thanks Roy 🙂

Moetapu Regatta, 26th December 1909 – 1914 – Roy Jones

Some time ago we wondered at the name of a motorised craft featured at the Moetapu Beach picnic 26th Dec 1911.

I was contacted recently by Ms Victoria Gitting, who was sent a series of photographs and albums by a relative, Mr Ian Pinkerton, who is the great great great grandson of Mr William Ross Brownlee, the Havelock timber tycoon who established Blackball.

The albums are cherished by Ian and include a selection of photographs of the early Moetapu Regatta’s from 1910 – 1914

It was delightful to see the boat flotilla’s of so many styles and of the races they ran. The photo has a date of 27th Dec 1909

Considering the date of 1909 it is remarkable the number of motorised craft even then!

Attached is the article from The Pelorus Guardian and Miners Advocate newspaper with race results for the 1911 event.

I wish we knew the race course length to enable their speed to be calculated from the time elapsed in the race.

With the wonderful Glass Plate photos, we can zoom right in close without the modern day pixilation occurring and noting the flag on the stern of the craft below, and the race results, the only craft detailed shows it as Zelandia, the only named craft with ALA in the name.

A considerable crowd attended these regatta’s a scan be seen for the crowded steam boat Pelorus, the hulk of which is still seen on the side of the road at Blackball Harbour a short distance from Havelock on the road to Nelson.

The craft that indicates ALA on the flag at her stern, suggests her name is Zealandia.

This is the Kaituna River which flows into Havelock and is now just a trickle by comparison.

I notice that Mr J.W. Brownlee owns The Weka and is both mentioned as starting badly and only finished one round yet is mentioned as Weka winning easily, maybe there is a Weka and a Waka as both are mentioned. I presume that this is Mr John Brownlee who also commissioned Ernie Lane in Picton to build our Ruru in 1920. Ruru was also was fitted with an oil engine as it motored from Picton to Havelock shortly after being completed. There are some delightful old style photographs of early Marlborough and of how the locals enjoyed their recreation, watching yacht and speedboat races.

Dressed in their finery for the day out no matter how uncomfortable it would have been in frock jackets and formal hats to long dresses & wide hats. Kids too!Very little sign of food hampers.

The steam tug Pelorus, used by the Brownlee Timber mill to tow sailing ships up the Pelorus River to Blackball.

Gosh….   that punt is crowded and not a life jacket to be seen.

The beach Promenade

A fine Club house and starters box, is it the first of the Pelorus Boating Club rooms?

This is the current condition of the steam tug Pelorus, shown earlier in the article, lying alongside the road between Havelock and Nelson. The bank of the stream behind the hull is full of the offcuts from the sawmill that existed on this site at Blackball. One can walk the steam and see the ends of countless flitches discarded from the milling process.

In a more highly populated area than Marlborough, this hulk would be restored by a larger engineering company and be a usable steam tourist attraction.

Pelorus lies about where the bowsprit of Lindstol sits in this photo.

HAROLD KIDD INPUT – There were many launches called ZEALANDIA, usually because they were fitted with a Zealandia marine engine built by Hoiland & Gillett in Auckland. Tom Le Huquet built at least two for Hoiland & Gillett and T M Lane & Sons did another for them in 1910; there was a twin-engined smart launch built at Riwaka by Arthur McNabb in 1912 (not the pictured boat at Moetapu), one in Rotorua by Robinson & McIntosh in 1909, one in Dunedin in 1910 and this one at Pelorus. There were probably others.

RESTORATION OF THE 26’ TERCEL BROS BUILT CLASSIC YACHT – ROXANE

Posted on by
1

RESTORATION OF THE 26’ TERCEL BROS BUILT CLASSIC YACHT – ROXANE

Recently WW was contacted by Ross Dawson with an update on the restoration of his brother, Keith Dawsons Tercel built 26’ yacht – ROZANE.

Before we start todays story , back in May 2018 we ran a brilliant story on Keith celebrating his 105th birthday and we were also given an insight into the 1937 voyage Keith and his mate Dick Wellington undertook sailing ROXANE from Auckland to Sydney, Australia. Link to the story below. (Keith passed away in Dec 2018)

May 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/05/13/roxane-a-105th-birthday-party/

Then in September 2024 Ross updated us on the start of the restoration of ROXANE at the hands of Ralph Finch. Link to that story below. Sept 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/09/15/restoration-of-a-new-zealand-classic-wooden-yacht-in-australia-roxane/

Now fast forward to July 2026 and Ross has shared the above photo and the note below he received from Ralph in Cairns, Australia :-

“We’ve now installed a total of 11 sister ribs on the starboard side from beside the engine and moving back towards the stern. I want to get another 2 ribs in if I can, tucked under the rear deck. It’ll be a tight squeeze.

We’ve also started steaming, bending and clamping longer sections of spotted gum to be used, 3 each side, as backing blocks for the chain plates. The original internal backing blocks for the chain plates only extended 3 planks down the sides. The new pieces we’re making will extend down a total of 7 planks thereby spreading the stress and upward pull from the mast and rig over more of the hull. We’ll use copper nails and roves to fix them in place.

I had removed a 3 meter length of the sheer strake (very top plank at deck level) on the starboard side with the intention of replacing that section with Oregon Pine. Removal of the sheer strake revealed the beam shelf, a heavy internal timber running fore-and-aft along the top of the hull which supports the deck beams. Unfortunately, the now exposed beam shelf shows a great deal of dry rot. It has been very time consuming digging out the dry rot back to a solid timber base.

As you can see in the photos, the beam shelf has a great many holes in it. We’re treating the dry rot sections with preserver and then packing west system epoxy mixed with spotted gum wood shavings as filler. If this much dry rot is in just a 3 meter length then I feel I have no choice but to remove the sheer strakes both sides and the full length of the boat. The starboard side may be the worst as this was the side of the boat that had layers and layers of wet leaves sitting for 20 odd years.

Even with the beam shelf repaired, I’m intending to strengthen it further by cutting, shaping and fixing a doubled up layer of ¾ inch thick marine ply (1.5 inch thick total) under the present beam shelf for the whole length of the boat and both port and starboard sides. Yep there’ll be a few scarf joints in all of that!! It’s impossible to remove the existing beam shelf, so all we can do is strengthen and reinforce it.

We’ve also exposed a small section of dry rot in the starboard bilge stringer.

We haven’t really started work on the port side of the boat. This restoration project seems destined to drag out for a little longer.“

CLASSIC WOODEN BRIDGE-DECKER AT LEIGH – WONDABYNE

Posted on by
3

CLASSIC WOODEN BRIDGE-DECKER AT LEIGH – WONDABYNE

Recently Tobias Forsyth located a treasure trove of old photos from the Leigh area, a mx of workboats and pleasure craft. 

Todays photo shows a bridge-decker sporting a steading sail. Vessel name unknown, the photographer is listed as Robyn Kellian.

In my eyes the classic wooden launch looks like LADY JOYCE , refer WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/03/22/lady-joyce/ but I’m wrong more often than I’m right, so hopefully we can put a name to the launch.

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – its WONDABYNE – SEE BELOW https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/02/wondabyne-pakatoa/

CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT ON THE  HAURAKI PLAINS 

Posted on by
2

CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT ON THE  HAURAKI PLAINS 

Todays wooden launch is named possibly named SETILER or SETTLER and we see her docked at the Kerepeehi Wharf in the Thames District. Along side her a two smaller ‘settlers’ launches that would have been used as everyday transport. Where as bigger vessel has a passenger look to her. Out of site is a 4th launch, which unfortunately we can not read the name on the bow.

In the background is a dredge that would have been engaged in the drainage of the Hauraki Plains

The photo comes to us from Darren Carr on the Kerepeehi Community fb page via Lew Redwood.

INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD – This is not the steamer SETTLER built by Charles Bailey in 1905 for the Kaipara but the SETTLER built by Harvey & Lang around 1913 for H Kirby of Thames as a passenger boat. SAMSON was built in 1911 by Bailey for T J Storey of Thames.