Leonardo

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LEONARDO
Leonardo started life in 1960 as a fishing trawler, last of Island Bay Italian fishing fleet. She has fished Cook Straight, Nelson, D’urville island and Marlborough Sounds. Has been moored in Purau for the last 20 years. Measuring 21′, carvel planked kauri and powered by a 20hp Ford diesel, Leonardo is a very pretty little ship that has had major work done on her & now is looking for an enthusiastic new owner.

Situated currently in Christchurch, at 21′ you could easily truck her anywhere in NZ. (Asking price is $6k)

Do we know any more about her? the work boat group must be able to chip in.

Nor’West

Nor'west Lochmara Bay 31 12 2007

Nor'west with [Te] Atatu (1919), Lochmara Lodge mooring 1 Jan 2008.

NOR’WEST

Nor’West is one of 2 identical boats built by Lane’s at Panmure circa 1948-50, Nor’West & Sou’East, given the year of their design, they had a very futuristic, low, sleek, appearance.
Both were used extensively for game fishing for many years. You can read more here in the comments section https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/27/nor-west/
I was sent the above photos dated 2007/2008 by Frank Stoks who crewed on her back them.
The photos below are from Brian Worthington.

Input from owner Daryl Brighouse – edited by AH
“I own Nor’West, when I bought her in Picton she was a little sad with very tired Ford diesels (two of the 1,000 units imported by Lees Marine ex Germany – and apparently the very first of the overhead cam diesels – now with no parts available world wide so magnificent anchor projects) I have recently replaced the engines with Nissans and at the same time replaced the vee drives that were well past use by date with decent American units. The rest of the vessel is absolutely solid and as good as the day she was built. Based in Havelock now she is still a very pretty and well founded much treasured vessel.  
The external fibreglassing on the cabin and some parts of the internal fine paint job had unfortunately covered up patches of dry rot / black water disintegration … in the extended coamings – looks as if, while the original coaming materials were kauri and in perfect condition, oregon or similar had been used to do the extension and end grain water ingress did the damage on the very course grain timber.  The silastic put into the hull instead of putty no doubt looked good when first completed however turned into a disaster after a season with all planks and joins showing badly and the silastic peeling out while under way.  With putty replacing the silastic and professionally painted she is starting to look as she should.  However I am really pleased to say that the heavy work is now done and only the cosmetic touch ups on the coamings and interior are left for me to play with this season / winter – which I do get a great deal of pleasure out of pottering around with, she is a fabulous vessel, handles magnificently and very comfortable. I remembered her as a child sailing in the Bay of Islands watching her thunder past with her nose in the air and stern well tucked down.
Any details from past owners would be well received.

NOR WEST (I) BY G LANE - 1951 EARLY DAYS

Taramea

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3, Down the hill

8, Taramea at Leasks

TARAMEA

Recently I was contacted by Sharon Beer who had seen a comment on ww concerning a fishing boat named Taramea and her wee mishap while steaming north from Auckland with her new owner Mr Rob Clarke.
Sharon suspected that this boat may well be the boat that her Grandfather built in his back yard in Riverton.  Sharon has been trying to contact Rob Clarke to get confirmation and maybe share with him launching photographs of her Grandfathers boat, (Sharon’s father has the original photo album). Also included are some photos of later reincarnations that I Sharon on-covered over the last three years.
Sharon is keen to link / confirm the Taramea connection with her grandfather boat. Any woodys able to help?

Below are some comments that have been placed on a facebook page Sharon started – I reproduce them only for reference as we are unable to confirm the content.

June 2014:
Allan Mcmillan ( Other wise known as ZZ ) purchased her from Timaru around about late 90″s. And gill netted out of Picton for a couple of years before the bank took it away. It had been fully refurbished from top to bottom, inside and out just before he bought her. (That picture may have taken when the work was being done ). After leaving Picton I saw it briefly up on the hard in Nelson. That is the last time I sew her.
 
April 2017:
From the man who sold it to Mr Clarke, the photos are his.
“She ended up in Auckland named Maureen Anne. I owned her briefly (about 2008) after she sunk at her mooring in a storm. My brothers and i got her running and called her Taramea again.
Was powered by a 6bd1 Isuzu. Sold her to the current owner Rob Clarke . He managed to hole and sink her on his way up north.
Shes mostly restored now and last i heard in his driveway, way up North…. Rangasomething or other harbour….”
 
And from the brother of the above – “Boy was she tender. Had hundreds and hundreds of lead ingots in her bilge from stem to stern. We took every one out to clean out her bilge and then re-stacked them. Could steam very well tho”.

From Sharon’s father:
“Taramea was her original name . Power was from a O/e engine, then a  2 cyl Bolinder, followed by a 3 cyl National, and next a 4 cyl Fordson, were there any others ?
 Had a name change to ‘Gail I’ and kept at Leasks Bay , Stewart Is. “Hurricane ” John Leask. Powered by Fordson then.”
 
April 2017
From a fisherman – “Last that I can remember the Gail she had a black painted hull and at Moeraki. Was leaking badly and had a 4 cylinder Ford diesel engine.”

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Kenya (Mataroa) Ready For Launch

Launch Kenya (2)

Launch Kenya (3)

Doorway Joe Slattery's Shed

Launch Kenya (4)

Launch Kenya

Kenya (Mataroa) Ready For Launch

I was contacted yesterday by Rob Ulvel, the owner of Mataroa, (Mataroa was previously named Kenya). Rob sent me the above amazing photos of Kenya outside the Judges Bay, Parnell, shed of her builder, Joe Slattery. The photos & details were sent to Rob by Peter Midgley, whose father Eric Midgley was an apprentice at the Slattery yard from 1923 to 1929, Eric along with Billy Rogers is pictured with Joe Slattery in the doorway of Joe’s shed. Billy is on the left & Eric on the right.
In the photo that shows two men inspecting the launch, they areprobably the Heards. Peter Midgley commented that these photos would have been taken late November 1928 as she was launched 1st December 1928.

To view photos of Mataroa being relaunched recently (Jan. 2017) in Wellington after a refit / make over, click this link’s https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/27/mataroa-re-launched/
Compare the 1928 & 2017 photos & see how remarkably original she is, from what I’ve seen of Rob’s work, I’m confident that when he moves onto Mataroa’s interior, he will ensure that the work is sympathetically done, commensurate with her vintage 😉 You can view & read a lot more about the boat by searching Mataroa in the ww search box.

Gay Rambler

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GAY RAMBLER

Reading the latest issue of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Associations newsletter, I came across the above photos of the c.1960’s 15ft Hartley run-about ‘Gay Rambler’, owned by Gavin Finch. Gavin purchased her in 1972 from her builder, Allan Hall of Ngongataha. Gay Rambler is powered by a 50hp  Johnston that Gavin purchased new in 1974. Trolling power comes from a 2010 Yamaha 3hp.
After 44 years of ownership, 82 year old,  Gavin would like to sell the boat & see her enjoyed by another family.
To discuss & view – contact Gavin on (07) 888 8182.

How To Build A Half Model
The link below is to another of Ian Smith’s short videos, this one is on how to make a half model. Thanks to Robin Elliott for sharing the link 🙂

Lady Karen

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LADY KAREN
Lady Karen was built in 1957 by Oliver & Gilpin & measures approx 41′. Power comes from 2 x Ford diesels of 80hp each giving her a cruise speed of 8kts.
Based in the Marlborogh Sounds & in MOSS survey her fit out & condition is very well presented for sale & could provide her purchaser with the ultimate boating / working lifestyle.

Do we know anything more about Lady Karen’s past?

28-03-2017 Some information on ‘Lady Karen’ ex Gordon Low
I am the current owner and have had Lady K for around 20 years. I purchased the boat from a Nelson boat builder and his wife, Dale & Jenny Pomeroy. They had owned the vessel for around 9 years after purchasing her from a Wairapa farmer, Hugh Beatham. He was the second owner.
She was built in Kauri & Mahogany near Tauranga and launched in 1957. I believe that she was the first of the larger launches built by Oliver & Gilpin primarily for game fishing out of Tauranga.
When we purchased Lady K, the idea was to develop a small boutique style charter business in Queen Charlotte Sound. We placed her in survey and have built up a successful business taking small groups of tourists on a stunning Sounds experience. She continues to be maintained to a high standard and received her new MOSS survey in December 2016.
I reluctantly placed Lady K on the market in February and hope that any prospective new owner will get as much pleasure out of her that I have.
I had the great fortune some years ago of being visited by one of the original builders, John Oliver. He had prepared for me a photographic history from Kauri tree to launching. This valuable piece of history takes pride of place in the wheelhouse and offers an insight into the effort that goes into building a classic timber launch.

WAITOA – Sailing Sunday

WAITOA

WAITOA – Sailing Sunday

Waitoa is a yacht from Ken Ricketts childhood,the  photo above was taken by him in Islington Bay, during a night stopover on route to Kawau Island pre Christmas 1952.Ken recalls she was an F class but is unsure of the designer / builder. She may have been a Woollacott, but she doesn’t show on the Woollacott list.
When Ken knew the yacht (1955-60’s) she was owned by Fred McGehan of Mt Albert. Ken sailed to Kawau on her once at Christmas c1953-55, to catch up with his parents on the family launch Juliana.
Any of the woodys able to advise more details on Waitoa & what became of her?

Harold Kidd Input – 28 footer WAITOA F10 des. Bob Stewart built by Phil Barton 1947-8, so she’s a good ‘un. I saw her in 2005 at Nelson.

GOING TOPLESS

I was recently sent the photos below from Bob Cofer who resides in Bellingham, Washington, USA. Bob pro-formed a top chop on his 1972 Grand Banks ‘Ebbtide’ – if you ever need proof that going topless is the cool thing to do – check out the before & after shots 😉

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MELODY – A CLASSIC PROJECT

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MELODY – A CLASSIC PROJECT

Melody was built by the legendary John Lidgard in the 1950’s on Kawau Island & used as a Govt service vessel. She measures 11.5m & is powered by a 100hp Ford.

Despite the hull being in excellent condition, the 1930’s plywood that was used on her superstructure, de-laminated due to bonding failure.  Approx. 20>30 years ago she was completely stripped (decks and superstructure) to a her heart kauri bare hull and stored in a dry shed under cover. Recently the property where she was stored was sold to developers and contractors needed to clear the site. On inspection, despite being covered in litter, the hull proved to be perfectly sound and true. No doubt due to efficient storage preserving the quality of materials and excellence of design and construction.
Following negotiations, the vessel was offered, generously, to the Kerikeri Steam Trust and duly accepted by the Trustees.

The Trust shifted her to the TSS Minerva’s restoration site in the centre of Kerikeri, the hull was stripped, steam-cleaned and covered. Machinery and fitments were removed, ready for detailed inspection and refurbishment.
It is anticipated that all proceeds from the sale of Melody will go to the continued restoration of the engineering requirements for TSS The Minerva.

So woodys – anyone looking for a project or a quick start on a build should consider her.

03-05-2020 Update ex Nathan Herbert – Nathan sent in the press clipping below that show Melody, it that  popped up on the Kerikeri fb page. The date  of ’The Kerikeri Chronicle’ – Vol 8, No.2 is 30 May, 1981

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Joy Belle + Maka2

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Joy Belle – 16 ft Clinker Open Launch

Joy Belle was built in 1954 by G C Hayter at Picton & was first used in Queen Charlotte Sounds as a commuter vessel, at some point it was sold as a fishing boat out of Akaroa, then returned to Nelson and held in storage until 2014 when the restoration project commenced & completed in 2017.

Her planking is American cedar, the rebuild timbers include macrocarpa and elm. The restoration included being re-ribbed, stem post rebuilt, new transom installed, new framing and deck laid.

Zoom zoom comes from a  20hp Farymann twin cylinder diesel, that gives her a cruising speed of 6 knots.

Joy Belle is for sale on trademe with an asking price of $9500 ono – making her in my eyes a steal 😉

Grace Isn’t Grace – She is Maka2

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Back on March 10th we talked on ww about a small launch that had sunk off Devonport, initially it was thought she may have been named Grace but subsequent intel from Paul Beachman & Nathan Nathan has confirmed that the launch is actually Maka2. Nathan sent in a photo of Maka2 taken several years ago looking very neglected & down in the bow. In the recent weekend storm it all got too much for her & she sank on her mooring.

Fast forward two weeks & I can report that walking the dog last night I came across a recovery job underway off the Windsor Reserve Beach in Devonport. Seems a Genesis was beached last night & re-floated tonight at high water. The good news factor was that already on the barge was Maka2 looking in pretty good shape given she spent two weeks sitting on the bottom. Lets hope someone breaths some life/love/$$ on her 🙂

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Photo below ex Jason Prew of the Genesis showing the bite mark………..

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04-05-2017 An update on AKA2 ex Adrian Pawson
This fine craft was delivered to the Henderson dump shop over the weekend. According to the dump shop manager, she had sunk on her mooring during the weather bomb the other week. She was subsequently raised by the harbour master and deposited at the dump.  Someone had bought her and she looks to be on her way to a new home. (That is good news 🙂 Alan H)

ps if the new owner is looking for the other cabin door & a few of the floorboards, try the Devonport Yacht Club, I saw it alongside the slipway, obviously washed ashore 😉 AH

Maka2 b

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Maka2 a

Elsie May II

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Pre – repaint below

ELSIE MAY II

Back in early January Paul Drake sent in the above photos of Elsie May II. She had ‘appeared’ at a berth near Paul’s ROMANCE a few months before, having been on a mooring on the Lake Taupo for several years.

She is very original, and Paul commented that whoever owns her did a great paint job on her in December.

Paul believes she came from Napier, but knows nothing else. Possibly a 1950’s Chris Craft design NZ built ? & 28>30′ in length

Can any woody supply any details on Elsie May II?

Harold Kidd Input – ELSE MAY (I) was owned by L.G. & W.E. Mair of Connells Bay in 1973 (my pennyworth).