CLASSIC RUN-ABOUT MARE-EE-AN RELAUNCHED

Back in 2023 WW was contacted by Tim Munro regarding the classic 16’ run-about MARE-EE-AN, at the time Tim was trying to locate a copy of her original Carl Augustin plans to help with an upcoming restoration. Thanks to Cam Malcolm at The Slipway Milford we were able to track down a copy. Last week Tim contacted WW to update us on the project – Tim tells the story below:

 “The boat was in pretty good condition other than needing a new transom and the top windscreen being constructed as at some time it had been taken off and replaced with a curved perspex one. The plans WW found for us came in handy for this.  The boat was refurbished in 2023/24 and re-launched back into the Kaipara 60 years to the day after it first being launched.The two black and white photos are of her when she was in the Epiglass 40 regatta in late 60s. The photo with the 1970 Atlantic 100 sticker is it in this race.  (For the 100 miler race Bryan McLeod (Tim’s father) needed to have a number in the 100s, so he just stuck some black masking tape either side if the number 8 for the 40 miler to turn it to number 181.) The older photo of it in front of the house with Bryan and his daughter is with them holding the trophies from these races. (Economy Class). The remainder of the photos are on the day of the re-launch into the Kaipara River.”

Tim also commented that that his wife, Janette McLeod had written an article for a local Helensville newsletter as Bryan lived his whole life in the area. I have reprinted the article below. 

“Our Dad, Bryan McLeod, built Mare-ee-an in the woolshed at our farm in South Kaipara Head in 1964. Built out of marine ply to a Carl Augustin design my older siblings (I was only one year old at the time) would be commandeered after school to hold the ‘dolly’ under the upturned hull while Dad banged in the copper nails, bearing Dad’s stern words when the dolly was out of position.       My understanding is that Mare-ee-an’s name came from the song ‘All Day All Night Marianne’ (Dad’s spelling slant applied) as opposed to being named after the neighbour’s daughters Mary and Anne.

Mare-ee-an has been involved in many fun filled escapades over her 60 years including fishing, waterskiing, diving, gathering mussels, regattas, ‘Epiglass 40’ and ‘Atlantic 100’ races (winning the economy classes), overnighters and various explorations – the Northern Wairoa and Hoteo River being particularly memorable. A terrifying crossing of the Kaipara Heads also lingers in my mind when an extra large wave came her way giving no time for us to turn around. Thankfully Dad was a skilled enough boatman to ride her over it…scarily, looking back on the event, none of us were wearing lifejackets at the time.

Over time Dad had made various alterations such as replacing the windscreen with a more protective one and attaching alkathene – I assume left over from one of his farming jobs – around the bow as a protector, all the time keeping up with other necessary maintenance. A new motor was required when Mare-ee-an’s was stolen while moored overnight in the estuary at Mangawhai Heads. Roller doors were fitted – too late – to the garage under the house after a second motor was stolen from her.

During my teenage years in the 70s it came time for Mare-ee-an to have a repaint and I suggested to Dad that we change the colour to the more modern tone of the day, orange. Mare-ee-an remained this colour until we recently had her refurbished (by Brendon Driskel of Sea to Shore on East Coast Rd, Albany) and returned to her original turquoise, the windscreen made as close as possible to the original from what could be gleaned from various photos and the alkathene removed. It’s thanks to my husband Tim for encouraging the refurbishment rather than putting Mare-ee-an out to pasture even though it has used up my inheritance.

The varnished timber sections at the stern have remained. Dad loved the timber grain and could not bring himself to cover it all with paint so left this region as a feature.

It was so very special for Tim and I to relaunch Mare-ee-an 60 years to the day in the company of my brother and sister-in-law Graeme and Janet and our nephew Lee along with one of Dad’s favourite tipple – Velluto Rosso.

Mare-ee-an is ready for another 60 years of adventures! I know Dad would be pretty chuffed.”