Category Archives: Non Waitemata

Komutu + What To Do On The Long Weekend

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KOMUTU

Woody Ian McDonald has been on a wee road trip up north. Ian sent in the above photos of Komutu hauled out at Whangarei. All we know is she was built in 1950 by Curnow & Wilson in Motueka.

Komutu is 44’ in length , single skin and powered by a GM 6/71 diesel engine.

Can anyone tell us what she has been up to in the last 69 years ?

Input from Brian Kidson – Komutu was designed by Cliff Nalder for himself and built by Curnow and Wilton of Port Nelson. Cliff was the Nalder of the Nalder and Biddle, marine engineers with Curnow and Wilton, next door on the same 200ton sidways slip way. Komutu was launched in the December 1952 at 42ft x 12ft x 3ft 6inches. Komutu hull was seam batten carvel planked white pine from Golden Bay over rata frames with hollow sections frd running aft to a straight flat transom. Her original engine was a 165hp 6/71 GM said to have come out of a Sherman tank. Cliff used her between Nelson and the Marlborough Sounds where he had a bach, until he sold her about 1967 to a Keith Robson. Has had five or six of owners since then.

Further Input from Brian Kidson – Brian sent in the photos below (ex Bill Nalder & Phil Robson) The shows her under construction, then post launching and lastly c.1960’s.

Input from Mark McLaughlin – The new cabin was built by Blenheim boatbuilder Arthur Watson in the late 1980’s. Arthur showed us over her when he had nearly finished the cabin while she was on the hard in Havelock for the refit.

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Komutu(Phil Robson) 1

 

BUSY WEEKEND ON & OFF THE WATER THIS LONG WEEKEND

  1. Friday – sees the start of the annual Coastal Classic Yacht Race to Russell in the Bay of Islands. The start is always a great spectacle, best viewing spot being up North Head, Devonport. Follow the race on-line, details here  https://www.coastalclassic.co.nz/watch

2. Saturday > Monday  – the Tino Rawa Trust are again hosting the classic yacht and launch exhibition at Te Wero Island down at Auckland’s Viaduct. This year the event celebrates the contribution immigrant boat builders had on Auckland’s maritime history. Particular focus will be on the Logan and Bailey boat building dynasties. Event open each day 10am > 4pm – Entry is free. Read more on the event here https://tinorawatrust.co.nz/events

3. Its Labour Day long weekend – time to load the boat up and get out there 🙂

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Jaguar – mini me

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JAGUAR – mini me
 
John Bullivant is a very talented man, one of his talents is building classic boating models – not the kit-set ones, we are talking about drafting them by eye from what ever resources are still around. John had mentioned he was keen to build one of the 40’ Jaguar, which he had wanted to build since back in the days when she was moored down the road from John’s place at Bucklands Beach in the 1960’s > 1980’s, (the photo of her on the hard at Bucklands in the 1970’s below). 
John didn’t have a plan to go off, just this photo, some movie grabs from Ken Rickets and some info from on-line sources. The model is R/C and powered with two water cooled (pump) 540 brushed motors and has independent motor control. It also has twin sound units (unfortunately they haven’t got Detroits in the program, but they make a reasonable sound – check out the youtube link below.
Has the usual lights etc, and cooling water comes out of the exhausts and side telltales. Model is glass over planked balsa with a ply deck and balsa coamings.

Youtube video of the model –https://youtu.be/VqUNmWlKdGw

 

 Previous WW story on Jaguar.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/08/16/looking-for-jaguar/

 
Its the 2nd Woody Classics Weekend today – 20+ boats cruising to the Stillwater Motor Camp for a picnic – lots of photos tomorrow 🙂
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UPDATE: Photos below showing John’s attention to detail – the one of the original boat under way (ex Ken Ricketts video footage, filmed in the 1970’s) and the one of the ‘as launched’ model (also ex KR) – shows matching colours on the deck and dinghy.
Plus more from KR of the launch day.
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34’ Swanson Launch

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34’ SWANSON LAUNCH

We do not know a lot about the above 1964 launch, except she was built by Bob Swanson, is 34.5’ in length, with a 10’9” beam and draws 3’7”.
The trademe (thanks Ian McDonald) listing will tell you all about its cabin heater and solar panel but there is no mention of her having an engine 🙂
Some people really make selling their boat hard and its a brokers listing……………
I’m guessing from the phone number that the boat is located somewhere in Blenheim.
Anyone able to tell us more about this woody?
Input from Mark McLaughlin – It’s “Maritza”. The orignal configuration was the same as Silver Dollar but a new cabin was built in the 1990’s when she was in Havelock. Currently at Waikawa Marina. Power is a 6cyl Ford diesel I believe.
23-10-2025 UPDATE ex NATHAN HERBERT – The 37ft Maritza ex- Cyrena was burned to the keel on the beach at Parengarenga after being stolen (purchased with a forged cheque) from Jack Lidgard in 1959.
I Have Emailed Out The Details For This Sundays Woody Picnic Cruise to Stillwater, if you have not RVSP’ed – its not too late, but do it now.

Tamati – Lake Taupo Launch

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Tamati –  Lake Taupo Launch
All we know is the date, 1937, and the location – Lake Taupo.
Hopefully the Drake brothers will be able to help us out 🙂
Input from Nigel Drake – This is the Bailey and Lowe built Tamati now converted to a paddle boat.

Woodys Classics Weekend Stillwater Picnic Cruise – this Sunday

The key times are below – I will be emailing more details to those that have RSVP’ed later today.

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La Paloma

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Mystery Launch 13-10-2019

La Paloma

I have Raindance hauled out at the moment for her annual health check and bottom tickle, so todays story is short and sweet. Too busy working. Thanks to Nathan Herbert for the photo link 🙂
The first person that can correctly ID the above launch wins a WW T-shirt – normal story – entries via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
The winner of the comp to ID the launch is Colin Boyld. Who must share the same sleeping hours as me – 5.05am entry. Colin, email me your postal address & t-shirt size. Well done 🙂
Whats happening with Connie V 
Woody Chris Laird sent me the photo below of Connie V ‘festering away” on the hard at Panmure. Anyone know who owns her and if there is a plan?
I seem to recall that the late Tom the Torch bought her or did he on sell her, or have I got the wrong CV??
Connie V Oct2019
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RSVP to  sueedmonds@xtra.co.nz

Highlander

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HIGHLANDER

I have been having ongoing chat with Bay of Islands woody and photographer Dean Wright, he is about to undertake a build / installation of a new wheelhouse for his almost 100 year old (99) 33’ Bob Brown built ex gaff rigged cutter – Arethusa, these days presented in work-boat / launch style.  The wheelhouse will be made from Iroko and the big question is yellow or red Uroxsys (Allwood) primer.
Dean sent me a sample of the timber and I have done a 1/2 and 1/2 varnishing job – the result? Not much between it, slight golden tinge to the yellow section. I think the natural colour of the Iroko is just so strong that the primer tint makes little difference.
I have attached at the bottom of the story a photo comparison of the existing wheel house and the plan for the new one – very smart.
Anyone back to todays story – Dean email me mid-week and said “check out what’s parked in our bay tonight” and sent the above photos of the 49’ Highlander. Designed by Roger Carey but not built by Careys. Wheelhouse designed by Don and Peter McManaway.
Dean mentioned Highlander was featured (page 127) in the 1988 book ‘By Boats We Live”, written by Joan Clark. The book records the history of the boats built by Roger Carey. I have reproduced the page below, have a read – its very good
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Arethusa – New Wheelhouse

INA + Woody Classics Weekend – Stillwater Picnic Cruise Update

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INA + Lots of vintage motorcycles joining in on the Woody Classics Weekend

Must be the week for Miller & Tunnage  woodys, Baden Pascoe will be wetting himself.
Ina is a 32’ kauri fishing boat, still in service targeting Blue Cod.
All I know is the forward motion comes from a Ford diesel.
Ina was for sale early this year for not a lot of money – as the architects say ‘ good bones’, could be a good mule for a pleasure boat conversation.
FREE to a good home – anyone looking for a winch – drop me an email and I’ll point you in the direction of the donor :-).  waitematawoodys@gmail.com
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HAVE YOU RSVP’ed TO THE WOODY CLASSICS WEEKEND – STILLWATER PICNIC CRUISE ?
# RECORD NUMBERS OF CLASSIC WOODYS HAVE ALREADY CONFIRMED THEIR ATTENDANCE
# WE WILL HAVE A FANTASTIC COLLECTION OF VINTAGE MOTORCYCLES JOINING US ON THE WATERFRONT LAWN.
RSVP TODAY   sueedmonds@xtra.co.nz
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Aria + WIN a copy of the Des Townson book

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ARIA

Todays vessel is the 47.5’ ex-work boat Aria, built in 1938 by Miller & Tunnage to tow barges of native timber, retired from duty in 1963, then used as a fishing trawler and pleasure use until 1981.She then received a total refit including all new topsides for extended blue-water Pacific cruising, the refit included a rebuilt 1963 Gardner 6LXB, (now 150hp).

Reviewing her trademe listing (thanks Ian McDonald), Aria is very well fitted out for cruising or live aboard. Won’t win a beauty competition but a very salty looking woody.

WIN A COPY OF THE JUST RELEASED BOOK –  ‘DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY’
A ground breaking book that chronicles the life and design work of one of New Zealand’s most successful boating legends. Over 400 photographs.
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HOW TO ENTER 
Answer, correctly, the question below and you will go into the draw for a copy of the brilliant 334 page book. Entry is via email only -send your answer to the link below waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: How many words are used in the book?
Hint – you will find the answer here  https://destownson.co.nz
Entry closes at 8pm on 09-10-2019. Winner advised on WW.
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz

 

Lady Gay On Sydney Harbour

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New Australian Home For Lady Gay

It appears the dockside rumours are true, the photos below confirms that the 1935 Colin Wild built launch Lady Gay is now residing on Sydney Harbour, Australia. I hope someone has paid the bond………………

Update 08-10-2019 – I have been told Lady Gay posted a substantial bond for her return to NZL. She is on a 3-year leave from NZL to cruise the Australian East Coast.

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Photo below of Lady Gay at Palm Beach, Waiheke Island (Jan, 2019), ex John Simpson

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Lady Naomi

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Lady Naomi

Hello woodys, did you see Halley’s Comet last night? It appears in the sky once every 75 years i.e. once in a lifetime. Now maybe I’m stretching the truth about the comet but todays story has to be as rare event  🙂 
I think the reason Lady Naomi makes an appearance today is  because Amy Bateman caught me in a post Boat Show blues moment e.g. I have been looking at too much white fibreglass.
 
Anyway onto the Lady Naomi – Amy contacted me trying to trace the launch that her father built in Thames. Lady Naomi is a Hartley 30 Tide Song design. She was sold over 30 years ago and all Amy knows is that she went to Auckland.  Amy is not sure where she went after that but would love to know what became of her.