OPUA MARINA / HARDSTAND MOOCHING Woody Dean Wright snapped the above selection of woodys that he spotted at Opua at the weekend.I have supplied links to previous WW stories below. I know I’m a broken record, but Luana …………. 🙂 Luana https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/01/luana-4/
Ngapuhi – Ex pilot boat, more on this one later in the week
Sea Mate(Birdsail 52 on the marina) – No details known
Dean didn’t catch the name of the ‘long’ keeled yacht in the last photo above – any one able to supply details?
Input from Neil Chalmers – Could be ‘Restless’ – Lou Tercel / John Alden April 1920.
Input from Simon Smith – The long keeled yacht is indeed the Tercel yacht Restless. 100 years old and owned by Russell resident Tim Beattie who being a master painter has her in beautiful condition. Always sails in the Tall Ships Race but with her ocean cruising rig needs a strong breeze to show her mettle.
Chantal was designed, and built in 1981, by Denis Brown, in the Bay of Islands. LOA 8.24m, DWL 7m, Beam 2.1m, Draft 0.9/1.9m Displ 2,450KG
A 3/4 rig, double ended, centreboard, sloop, that is easy to sail single handed, and very quick in light air. Great for cruising, as the shallow draft with the board up, gives you more options for exploring and anchoring. Fun to race as she is pretty efficient up wind, and has very low drag on a reach. Sailing photos taken during the 2017 Tall Ships Classic Invitation Race.
Constructed in Radiata Pine and Kahikatea, opposing diagonal 4.5mm laminated planking, outer sheathing 5mm lamination longitudinal. Everything well soaked in West System Epoxy. Centrecase fabricated in 6mm mild steel plate, which holds 1200KG of lead ballast. Centreboard is solid Kauri. Shaft tube and bearing setup for a small inboard motor, which we installed back in 2000 and removed again in 2001.
Sleeps 4 comfortably, and while space is fairly tight the arrangement feels generous. Single burner gas stove, storage space for a medium sized chilly bin and jerry cans for water. Torches and candles for lighting, and a chemical toilet. A very simple set up.
(details & photos ex owner – Bruce Mitchinson)
WIN AN OFF CENTER HARBOR CAP
All correct answers to the question below, go into the draw to win an OCH cap. Enter via email only at waitematawoodys@gmail.com Closes 8pm 13-12-2020
Q – Name Bruce Mitchinson’s classic launch
SCROLL DOWN TO YESTERDAYS STORY – STARTED OFF WITH ONE OLD PHOTO, MORPHED INTO AN AMAZING RESTORATION STORY 🙂
The launch – Marinus was built in 1938 (apparently by Barr-Browns in Wellington) for commercial work in Cook Strait and was Lloyd’s registered to carry 5 tons. It is believed that Barr-Browns were cabinet and furniture makers in that era, rather than boat builders and in later years, Barr-Browns were machinery merchants selling the likes of forklifts and other industrial machinery.
Unconfirmed, but she probably was originally powered by twin Gray Marine inline 6-cylinder engines, and was re-powered in about 1965 with two 1956-ish Rootes TS3 2-strokes, which were located directly under the bridge floor. The gearboxes she had in 2001 were 26 spline Borg-Warner Velvet Drives.
The photo above was taken in January 2001 at Pine Harbour. Post this date she may have been moored at Great Barrier Island for an extended time frame. Rumour has it that she experienced several semi sinkings due to bilge pump issues. Marinus was taken over by a new owner who towed her to Whitianga and on-sold her to another individual who either towed or motored her Whangamata, where her engines were removed.
Nothing is known about the boat post being kept on a swing mooring at Whangamata. So woodys can anyone tell us what became of this woody, did she survive?
Update – photos below of – Marinus, which were taken in January 2015 at Gibbs Landing on the Barrier. She had been towed over to the wharf from her swing mooring after being pumped out the last time. Click to enlarge photos
Update #2 – Below are the as-was interior photos before being towed away from the Barrier in 2015. Over looking the untidy appearance and the need for much TLC, you can see how well designed the interior was for such an old girl. Very spacious and well appointed for her age and with twin TS3 engines, the floor in the bridge was flat (no engine boxes). Note the Lloyd’s Reg Number on the bulkhead, in what was then the bathroom / shower / toilet area. According to the Gt Barrier is. owner, she was apparently built in 1938 to an American design (which might account for the sloping windscreens), but wasn’t launched until after W.W.II.
UPDATE # 3 – I received a call from boat builder Geoff Bagnall today and Geoff pointed me in the direction as to where I could find Marinus. Geoff has been working on her and while in my eyes some areas are a tad modern looking – what a difference from the above Great Barrier photos. Just goes to prove that old saying “every dog has its day”. An amazing rescue job, who ever the owner is, they deserve to take a bow – well done 🙂
14-12-2020 Harold Kidd Input – MARINUS was owned for many years by Keith Lackey of Wellington.She was built by Barr-Brown, Owen and Stewart and launched in 1947. Her first engines were twin 6 cyl Gray petrol. According to Lloyds she was designed by A.M. Deeming.(an Opua Deeming??).
WW was sent the above photo by Alistair Rowe, who took the photo earlier in the week from the deck of the Boathouse Cafe in Rawene. As we see her above, there is an interesting mix of lines and styles – and one would have to assume she started life as a work boat. Her colour scheme indicates that someone loves and cares for her.
Keen to learn more about this old girl.
Input & photos below from Cameron Pollard – SEABIRD. Been on Hokianga for eternity. Powered by a 100hp Hino noise maker.
11-12-2020 Harold Kidd Input – SEABIRD was built at Motukaraka by Kelsey Bros to their own design for their own use in April 1912 with a 6hp Automatic engine. Another clone of Chas. Bailey’s MILKMAID.
WAITEMATAWOODY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS Just a heads up, we have almost sold out of WW merchandise, orders have been coming in think and fast over the last month, even without any promotion – on Monday we sold 16 t-shirts to a very big visiting yacht – seems all the crew are getting one in their Santa sack 🙂
The WW cupboard as of today looks like this: Mens short sleeve dark blue – size 2XL – 8 in stock Mens short sleeve dark blue – size 4XL – 1 in stock Mens short sleeve dark blue – size 5XL – 2 in stock Mens short sleeve orange – size 2XL – 1 in stock Mens short sleeve dark brown – size L – 8 in stock Mens short sleeve dark brown – size XL – 4 in stock SOLD OUT of hats T-shirts are $34.95 + $5 p&p. Email me the size / colour you are after and I’ll get back to you with availability and payment details. waitematawoodys@gmail.com
The c.1928 Joe Slattery built 32’ launch – Manuia has made a couple of appearances on WW, link here to intel and photos on her past https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/06/manuia-an-update/ Manuia recently popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald). At the hands of her present owner she has received an updated interior (but in keeping with her date of birth). Built from heart kauri, these days a 100hp Yanmar 4JH3-HT6 pushes her along at a good clip.
From the above photos Manuia appears to be very well appointed.
After yesterdays mammoth story on the Patio Bay weekend, today we come down to earth with a woody at the other end of the scale.I have been contacted by Jill & Laurie White looking for the next owner of their 10’6” Seacraft clinker dinghy. The White’s used to own the launch – Siesta, but have moved on and would now like to pair the dinghy up with a woody classic or maybe a lake based woody looking for a cool trout fishing boat. Laurie mentioned it tows and rows beautifully.
The build date is probably c.1960’s and a previous owner told the Whites it was built from Sumatran mahogany. Back in 2014 the dinghy was paired up with the road trailer seen in the photos, also available is a Yamaha 4hp.
So woodys – looking for a fun boat for the xmas holidays? Use it this summer and then pop it in the shed for a make-over next winter. Interested buyers – contact initially via email – waitematawoodys@gmail.com
WIN A LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT 2021 CALENDAR
All correct answers go into the draw for a copy of the LRCWB calendar. Drawn 8pm 08-12-20. Enter via email only – waitematawoodys@gmail.com Q – Which classic yacht won line honours in last weekends CYA race to Patio Bay? Hint – you might have to read yesterdays story to find the answer 😉
PANTHER – Sailing Sunday Dean Wright recently spotted the yacht Panther hauled out at the Napier Marina getting a large dose of TLC.While she lists the Napier Sailing Club on her stern with all that fruit hanging off the back, she must have clocked up some off-shore miles.Hopeful our resident Napier WW spy Michael O’Dwyer will dial in with more details.
Hopefully as you read this I’ll be waking from a pinot induced coma, at anchor in Patio Bay, which means woodys – a big story tomorrow to share with you all 🙂
RANUI BACK IN WORK While woody Glenn Martin was mooching around Northland, he came across the 32’ launch Ranui in Kohukohu on the Hokianga Harbour. Readers may recall that Ranui was originally from Lake Taupo and built as a boat to ferry post war veterans in recovery. Originally named El Alamein, she was built by McGeady in 1944/45.
These days she plies her trade as an inner harbour charter boat. Glenn commented she has been freshened up with new paint and a Volvo engine. Owned by the local flounder fisherman and builder she is in good hands with steady trade servicing people on a gravel bike tour.
And up pops another work boat conversation for sale on tme (thanks Ian McDonal). Virgo was built in 1963 from kauri by Jorgensen & Son in Picton and started life as a commercial fishing boat before being converted to pleasure use. Virgo is 39’3’ in length and powered by a 130hp Gardner 6LXB Diesel engine. Current home port is Waikawa marina, Picton, South Island.
Interested to learn when and who did the conversion and any other intel on the vessel.
REMEMBER WOODYS – CYA PATIO BAY PARTY THIS WEEKEND
LUANA Luana is a very special woody, in a lot of people eyes, the best looking afloat, sadly these days she calls the Bay of Islands home so we do not get to she in the flesh. Recently woody – Glenn Martin snapped the two yard photos above of Luana hauled out for some TLC at Opua – nice to see you are looking after my boat Rick 🙂 She has made numerous appearances on WW, just type her name in the search box to be wowed, but if you are lazy, this link will give you a gander. Enjoy. https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/22/luana/
Woody Weekend at Patio Bay – This Saturday – Be There
If classic wooden boats are part of your life, you will know the significance of the 1st weekend in December – its Patio Bay Weekend – the CYA celebrate the end of the year with yacht and launch racing down to Patio Bay, Waiheke Island. This year we also have a twist to the launch event – included is a ‘Poker Run’ – where entrants collect playing cards at 5 locations on route and later, ashore, play a game of cards to win cool prizes. Post racing, the real fun begins – the best old school boatie BBQ ever happens ashore. Probably 2nd only to Mahurangi Regatta weekend for the number of classic wooden boats anchored in a bay. Also back this years is the cake day competition – two prizes – looks & taste. If you have just arrived from another plant – click this link to see last years gig. https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/02/classic-wooden-boat-waiheke-island-party-50-woody-photos/
If racing is your thing – check out the CYA events calendar for details. https://classicyacht.org.nz/events/patio-bay-cake-day-race/ If you are a cruiser– just slide down to the bay anytime after 2pm-ish. The BBQ (everything BYO) normally kicks off around 4.30pm. BBQ’s for cooking available ashore. Note: to be eligible for the prizes you must be a paid up member of the CYA. If you are not, don’t let that stop you attending 😉
The Perfect Woody Stocking Stuffer
Every year the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat (Nth Is.) crew produce a very cool calendar showcasing some of the woodys that attended that years event – I have had a sneak peek at the 2021 edition and its very sharp + only $15 – a steal 🙂 Copies available here, but be quick, they sell out every year zea.rachel@gmail.com
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