CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH –BON VOYAGE – A Peek Down Below
The 34’ 4” classic launch – BON VOYAGE was built in 1962 by Dave Jackson. Her beam is 9’8” and she draws 2’6”. The go forward is from a 6 cyl. 120 hp Iveco diesel engine that sees her topping out at 9 knots. Her current owner has had her for 10 years and during this period undertaken a significant amount of maintenance and system upgrades.In the 2023>24 period the Brin Wilson yard were commissioned to strip the hull, garboard planks re-caulked, transom boarding platform completely rebuilt, part of cabin top replaced and glassed, complete hull repaint + new stainless steel hand rails.
Given the provenance of the builder and the owners preparedness to commit to regular maintenance , BON VOYAGE appears to be a very good woody, with the bonus of fitting into a 10.5m berth. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.
The top two photos came in late last night from woody John Dawson, who reported that the 26’ steam boat – KOTARE was on fire at the riverside dock in Warkworth, very sad images.
I took the photos below of her in May 2022 at the same location.
I have included below some intel on the vessel ex fellow steam boat owner John Olsen
Well that wasn’t the woody weekend I‘m sure we all planned, but it was still a magic weekend and just goes too prove that classic wooden boat enthusiasts don’t let a lot of wind and rain get in the way of a good time.
The trip up on Friday afternoon / evening as uneventful (unless your woodys named – TAWERA, who ‘lost’ 2.5m off the top of her mast) and most anchored in and around Scott’s Landing.
Then it went down hill on Saturday morning – confusion around the start time for the launch parade – 1/2 the boats thought 10am, now I’m told it did say 9.30 in the classic yacht club newsletter, but……. the % of launches there that were members would have been less than 20%, so the parade was very patchy with skippers joining at different times. Numbers were down and the loop of Sullivan’s Bay was embarrassing- less than 20 people on the beach and I suspect they had no idea what was going on. BUT – still good to get together. Parade aside there was an impressive number of classic wooden launches in the harbour, in terms of pure classic craft , launches would have out numbered yachts by 4:1Most turning up to just enjoy the weekends activity on the water.
As the morning wore on the wind and seas picked up – resulting in some spectacular sailing in the Mahurangi Regatta yacht race. Amazing that they was no carnage, that I’m aware of.
Below is a selection of photos that Jason Prew took from his launch – MY GIRL. I have several videos put have tech issues with uploading – will sort and add asap. I’m sure there will be more fleet coverage on social media.
Post the boating activities the weather turned ugly and the smart people left Scott’s Landing for Pukapuka Inlet. The shore based activities would have been dampened down by the weather but the true blue woodys partied on. Big ups to Nick Atkinson and mates who entertained the revellers from the back of a truck. The normal 20+ piece jazz band was absent this year but from everyone I spoke to – I think Nick has a permeant gig.
The forecast for Sunday was evil, anything that has 50 knots in it is a big red flag. Then the heavens opened up and we had everything- wind , rain, lightening all night. Not a lot of sleep was had that night. Woke to no rain and wind down a little but forecast wasn’t good so made the call to cancel heading to Kawau and waited in Pukapuka for the weather to improve enough for a dash (not sure 8 knts is worthy of that term on RAINDANCE) home. Which we did.
Sad I missed hanging out at the Kawau Boating Club on Sunday night, but the upside was I scored a ride on Jason Prew’s – MY GIRL in the anniversary day launch race – full report tomorrow. Enjoy the photo gallery 🙂 And remember to click on photos to enlarge.
SUNKEN CLASSIC LAUNCH & TWO CLASSIC YACHTS ON THE ROCKS
Woody Ian Gavin (MV FLORANCE DAWN) sent in the above photo of what appears to be a classic launch in serious trouble. The photo appeared in the NZ Herald, online Northland edition and the location was tagged ’Near Parua Bay jetty, Whangarei’ . The article appeared on 21-01-2025.
From what I can see it does have several Lidgard design events visible.
Can anyone ID the vessel and give us an update on what became of her – hopefully recovered.
Update ex Ian Gavin – didn’t sink below the waves and has been re floated.
UPDATE ex Paul Drake and Ken Ricketts – the ;launch is the 36′, 1958 Owen Woolley built – VACUNA. Which also sank in 2016 and is one of WW’s most revealing stories https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/11/25/vacuna-2/
SATURDAY NIGHT AT MAHURANGI WAS EVIL – To quote John Bertenshaw (EX FB) – “Last night at anchor was , let me search for a phrase which might best capture the experience…oh yeah, it was hell. Crowded anchorage, serious wind, nasty chop , wind against tide, etc etc. No one dragged on us though, choice.” ELSE WHERE NOT SO GOOD – 2 WOODYS ON THE ROCKS – I took the photo below of RANUI and CORONA at 6.15 am on Saturday morning. Post the yacht race they must have made the call to head to a ’safer’ anchorage , in this case – Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island. The storm was that bad that RANUI dragged anchor and both her and CORONA went onto the rocks. Dockside chat says the damage was superficial only.
Big WW day tomorrow – a photo gallery from the Mahurangi Regatta and happenings around Kawau Island. Enjoy the last day of the long weekend and if in Auckland check out the classic boating activity on the harbour for the anniversary day regatta.
Todays woody is one of the many classic wooden craft from Picton that have recently appeared on tme for sale (thanks Ian McDonald) – must be something in the water down there…….
There is no mention of a launch date, but its safe to assume that being named – SCUFFY, that she has had a name change along the way.
What we know is that she is approx 24’ 6” in length, built from wood and s powered by a 30hp Yanmar 3 cyl diesel engine.
It’s commented that she was the vessel featured in the NZ story ‘ Herbert The Brave Sea Dog’.
Her Picton marina berth (pole) is available for $210 a month – that figure will make most Auckland boaties weep.
Can we learn more about SCUFFY.
26-05-2025 UPDATE ex Joel Gillespie (new owner) – Earlier this year I purchased Scuffy – I’m keen to learn more about this boat. Approximate build date? Boat builder? Photos prior to 2016? Where she started life?
I purchased her in pile birth in Picton, but this past week had her relocated to Duncan Bay, Tennyson Inlet. She handled the 12 hour trip around Cape Jackson & Aligator Head very well, commented the commercial skipper that drove her. She seems to cut through chop well, though she doesn’t have much of a chine so does tend to feel a fraction tender, especially at rest. I’m keen to hear from those that know how I can reduce her inclination to be tender, some lead has been added to the bottom of the hull but isn’t solid.
She presently sleeps 2 in the fore birth, I plan to slat her aft bench seats to sleep 4 total. She has a basic galley, portable gas stove, 3 way fridge, sink. Stainless diesel and fuel tanks with baffles. Capstan, plotter VHF, etc . Still has her Yanmar 3QM30 running well. I intend to use her as a cruiser through Pelourus sound, a weekend at a time.
I stumbled across todays woody photo during a search of the the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection – the photos is ‘credited’ to the McLeod Collection, date and photographer unknown. The location is probably – Kopu Wharf, Thames.
What we do know from previous WW stories on ARAB (links below), that she is 32’ in length and built / launched in 1913 bu boatbuilders Collings & Bell.
Lots more re past owners and photos in the links .
Todays woody is the Lanes (Picton) built double ender – GEMINI. Built in 1932, kauri carvel construction , her specs are 33’ x 8’6” x 4’. GEMINI is powered by a 75hp Perkins Sabre diesel engine that gives her a 7>8 knot cruising speed.
Home port is Picton. Marlborough and like most ’Sounds’ boats GEMINI is well fitted out for year round cruising.
Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up. Anyone able to tell us more about GEMINI.
IS ANYONE BUILDING REAL WOODEN BOATS IN NEW ZEALAND
I’m a big fan of The Wooden Boatshop in Sorrento, Melbourne, Australia.Tim Phillips OAM and his team turn out the most amazing craft – both traditional and spirit of tradition.If you haven’t already checked out their website, do it now. Every post is classic boat porn. Link below + sign up for their e-newsletter and follow on fbook.https://woodenboatshop.com.au
Back to todays headline – I hope I’m wrong but is anyone (professionally) working to this standard? We kill Australia when it comes to the size of your classic movement both in terms of numbers and boats on the water, but sadly we have a very small number of artisans doing mainly restorations and repairs.
Today on WW we showcase the recent (late 2024) launching of – BETTY , a Couta boat built by The Wooden Boatshop.Read more on Couta boats and TWBS at this link https://woodenboatshop.com.au/Couta-Boat
Tim Phillips is even a fan of WW (photo below es 2023 AWBF) – or maybe he just needed a clean, dry shirt after crossing the Bass Straight on his 1925 built ex workboat – STORM BAY Check out the 10 year conversion / restoration here https://woodenboatshop.com.au/Storm-Bay
MOLLYMAWK – CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT Today thanks to tme and Ian McDonald we get to view the Wellington based canoe stern wooden boat – MOLLYMAWK, built in c.1930 in Nelson by Jack Guard. Her original name was – VALETTA.Built from kauri her specs are 31’6” x 8’4” x 3’. Powered by a 20hp Hupeh engine.Current owner has had her for 25 years and commented that he has made 50+ Cook Straight crossing in the boat.
A PRODUCT PLUG – (I bought it, no trade bribes) Recently discovered a great boat wax, called ‘Meguiars Flagship Marine Wax’. Not cheap $85 for 475ml but so easy to apply and no residue white marks on fittings etc. The photos tell the story. Just had my boat out for some TLC at the Slipway Milford, her bottom was the worst ever, a sad reflection on the amount of use in 2024 ……….
AND SPEAKING OF PAINT JOBS / SHINE – check out the Couldrey clinker dinghy in the shed at the Slipway Milford, in the final stages of a high-end refurb – soon to be paired up with her Couldrey mother ship 😉
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