Category Archives: Non Waitemata

Karamana II

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Karamana II

KARAMANA II

I have always known her as just Karamana, but I guess she has to be Karamana II, as I’ve now read this morning, the original one, which was built for the Cadman family in the 1920s. has been created before her. The name, I read also, is, to quote, a “pig Maori,” interpretation of the name “Cadman.” — lovely name anyway, sounds good.

KARAMANA II is a WW II 105 ft Fairmile converted to a pleasure craft circa 1945-46 by the Cadman family powered by 2 x 6-71 GM Detroit diesels, or the Graymarine version of them, & was undoubtedly, the very best pleasure craft Fairmile conversion, I ever saw. From the outside she was, in my view, aesthetically lovely. I took this pic circa1948 on her moorings in Hobson Bay. She was always immaculate & hardly used, Disappeared from there in the early 1950s, & I never saw her again — I think perhaps she may have gone to the Pacific Islands.
Any news anyone has would be great, just email me at kenpat@ihug.co.nz

story & pic ex Ken Ricketts

Harold Kidd Update

Andy Ryland was my uncle. This Fairmile was sold to his mate Cadman after Andy was killed in the NAC Lodestar crash at Paraparaumu. Bob McDougall’s book tells the story about Fairmiles more than adequately.

Nor West

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NOR WEST Port Side AUGUST 2012 Nor West

NOR WEST
One of 2 identical boats built by Garth Lane at Panmure circa 1948-50 both had 2 x Ford V8s originally. Both were used extensively for game fishing for many years. No info on ownership, but always admired there futuristic, low, sleek, appearance. Both had the engines in the stern, with V drives a la LADY SANDRA.
 Marina photo (ex trademe) was taken in the Sounds where she has been living.

Sou East

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Sou East

SOU EAST

Identical sister ship to NOR WEST & used extensively at Mayor Island, for many years for game fishing both boats now have diesels — Nor West has 2 x Fords.
Ken Ricketts took this photo of Sou East in Mansion House Bay Kawau Island Christmas 1949

Mystery Launch no more – Tawaki

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Ok train spotters, questions of the day – 1. where 2. name 3. design / builder ?? We have a winner – Zach Matich – see below

“Pahi (Kaipara) -Dems Road to be exact, ‘Kawiti’ (think that’s how you spell it) owned by Tim Cant, pass on the builder, was told she was used as a ‘school bus’ somewhere on the east coast.Had a BMC engine.

09-04-2016 – Input from Pat Shanks (nee Simons)

My son wondered what had happened to Tawaki as he had spent holidays on her with his grandfather, and found her on waitematawoodys
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Tawaki was originally named Penguin. She was owned by the Hansens of Purerua in the Bay of Islands. Mr Hansen used her as a charter for deep sea fishing. Mrs Hansen was a teacher. Penguin was used to ferry children to school in the Bay of Islands. I don’t know if she had a previous owner.
My father, Edgar (Nobby) Simons bought her in 1967 or 68 and rebuilt her as a launch. He and my mother, Bertie, had 25 years of sailing and fishing in her, based in the Whangarei Harbour.

09-10-2016 Updated photos ex Peter Mence

 

29-04-2024 UPDATE ex HAROLD KIDD – TAWAKI/PENGUIN was built by Dick Lang for the Hansen brothers of Russell and launched in August 1927 with a Hill 24hp diesel engine.