Category Archives: Non Waitemata

WHERE IS THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – ENDOLA  – AK313 – NOWADAYS

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WHERE IS THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – ENDOLA  – AK313 – NOWADAYS

After 48 hours solid boat porn its time to return to one of the best WW tools i.e. finding lost craft, so read on.

Todays photo originated ex the ‘Thames Historic Pictures’ fb and comes to us via Maurice Sharp post. It was commented that the photo appears to be from the early 1970’s and the location most likely the Shortland area (southern end of Thames township).

The vessel appears to be resting on the mudflats or a tidal berth, a common sight at low tide on the Thames foreshore, even today.
The AK313 number on her bow is a commercial fishing registration number –  the ‘AK’ prefix indicates it was registered in Auckland, which was standard for vessels operating in the Hauraki Gulf and Thames area during the 1970’s period.

A comment on the post indicated that the photo had been enhance (AI most likely) and I suspect the 2nd photo (afloat) is the enhanced image.

Next wee nugget is a Kaye Jamieson commented that her partner – Ron Pepper, acquired the vessel in 1972 via a tender process in the NZ Herald. Kaye advised it was called ENDOLA, so maybe thats where name came from on the enhanced version??? Kaye’s story has Ron hauling the boat out of the mud and transporting it to Hamilton where over the next 5 years he restored the boat. It was later relocated to Tauranga where she was used for leisure use for approx. 13 years. Next ownership period saw her sold to a commercial fisherman at Waiheke Island, and thats where the trail goes cold.

So woodys can we learn what became of the launch ENDOLA AK313.

WHAT BECAME OF THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – ADELA  + WW HITS 15 MILLION VIEWS

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WHAT BECAME OF THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – ADELA + WW HITS 15 MILLION VIEWS

Todays woody photo comes to us from the ’Thames Historic Pictures’ fb via Lew Redwood and features a launch named ADELA.  The photo is ex the Judd family album and the tag was ’The Judd’s at play on ADELA presumably on the firth’ (of Thames).

ADELA has not appeared on WW before so it would be nice to learn what became this rather smart looking classic wooden  launch.

On the THP site I found the two photos below – tagged ‘Fenton Bros of Turua 1960s carting some big logs’ – Could have built a few woodys from those logs, sadly probably went into the domestic housing market.

CLASSIC WOODEN CANOE STERN LAUNCH – NAOMI

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CLASSIC WOODEN CANOE STERN LAUNCH – NAOMI

Last week WW was contacted by Graeme Carr concerning a launch named – NAOMI, now back in the day that was a popular name and it pops up several times in the WW archives. In Graeme’s opening correspondence he referred to the launch as NAOMI II, but subsequently came to the view that this name came from his sighting the tender that was being used with the boat when afloat was labeled the NAOMI II. But the likelihood is that the main boat was just named NAOMI and the tender was named NAOMI II, as is the often the case.

Graeme commented that he first encountered NAOMI when it was on the hard located at Daimond Harbour, quite a ways from the sea and in a somewhat sad state, refer photos one and two above (dated c.1995/6).
His intention was to buy the boat and relaunch. There were many conversations with the young owner but no deal as he wished to keep it. Graeme lost touch with it after that only to find that he had planted the seed of its sale and that the owner had sold it to an older gentleman who had repaired and re-floated it. 

Graeme later (2015) came upon it again moored at Cass Bay close to Lyttelton. Refer bottom photo.

Can we learn more about NAOMI, Graeme is aware that there were sister ships built but unfortunately all records were lost in a fire at the boat builders (Bailey Bros.).

LAST WEEKEND AUCKLAND’s CLASSIC YACHTING ENTHUSIAST’S HELD THEIR ANNUAL REGATTA – woody John Dawson sent in a link to a brilliant you tube video filmed and edited by Roger Mills that showcases some of the cities best classic yachts. Enjoy

2026 NEW ZEALAND ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SHOW

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2026 NEW ZEALAND ANTIQUE & CLASSIC BOAT SHOW

In the first weekend of March we have one on NZ’s coolest wooden boating events – the NZ Antique & Classic Boatshow, hosted in Kerr Bay, Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park.

Todays coverage of the event is a perfect example of how the WW community works – I get an email from a friend (John Burland) living in Germany informing me a friend of his (Cam Rodgers) is attending the show this year and would I like some photos – short answer – YES.

So thanks to Cam today we get to have a gander at the show. Looks like the weather gods were smiling.

Remember – click to enlarge photos and enjoy the gallery 🙂

SPIRIT OF TRADITION CANOE STERN LAUNCH – ZOET

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SPIRIT OF TRADITION CANOE STERN LAUNCH – ZOET

Todayswoody story bends the WW rules eg probably ply and f/glass and an American design, but there are some redeeming features – ZOET was built at the Auckland UNITEC Boatbuilding School in the 1980’s, its got a canoe stern + she is a good looker.

Some background – 28’ in length, built c.1980’s to a Ted Brewer (USA) design, powered by Nissan SD22 inboard diesel. Shallow (28”) draft = great inner harbour / lake boat.

(thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)

NAPIER CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – BETTINA – GETS A SECOND LIFE

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BETTINA

NAPIER CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – BETTINA – GETS A SECOND LIFE

Recently Sam Avison acquired a berth in Napier, but there was a slight problem, the berth included a 1950’s kauri built launch. The launch named BETTINA wasn’t  / isn’t in good shape, in fact at the time of purchase she was taking on water (sinking).                               Sam couldn’t bring himself to call in the back-hoe boys so decided to take on the challenge. 

First job was to sort out the leak, that’s done and he’s currently getting his head around where to start next. 

The primary reason for Sam contacting WW to see how f he can learn more about the vessels past. All he knows is 26’ long, built in Napier and probably had a name change in the 1990’s.

Anyone able to help with IDing the boat. 

CLASSIC BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MISS BRETT

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CLASSIC BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MISS BRETT

Back in August 2018 , the ex workboat MISS BRETT was looking for a new owner, WW link below, not sure she found one given the circumstances thats assume she did. https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/08/25/miss-brett-needs-a-new-woody-owner/

Then last week Dean Wright sent in todays photo of MISS BRETT in Deep Water Cove, Bay of Islands.

MISS BRETT was launched in 1927 & built by Dick Lang at Russell  for the Bay of Islands famous Fullers Cream Trip. She measures 40’ x 10’9” x 2’11” draft. 

Looking at todays photo and the WW 2018 photos, does not appear as if she has been getting the TLC on a regular basis.

Can we learn what’s been happening in her life these past 8 years.

LAST REMINDER RE THE AUCKLAND BOAT SHOW – STARTING TOMORROW

LOCATION IS DOCKSIDE AT THE VIADUCT EVENTS CENTRE – DETAILS HERE https://www.auckland-boatshow.com

CLASSIC WOODEN STEAM LAUNCH PUKE

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CLASSIC WOODEN STEAM LAUNCH PUKE

Today we have another great photo from the ‘Thames Historic Pictures’ fb via Lew Redwood.

On the left is the steam launch PUKE, standing off the sunken paddle steamer KOPU. The location is the top end of the dead end channel, Puke Wharf, Paeroa (I assume).

Question of the day for the steam heads – is this the same steam launch that I photographed at the 2025 Whangarei Maritime Festival or a replica? Photos below.

MYSTERY NORTHLAND WOODEN KAURI LAUNCH

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MYSTERY NORTHLAND WOODEN KAURI LAUNCH

Todays woody popped up on tme late last year (thanks Ian McDonald), at the time the starting bid was $300, sadly it didn’t sell.

What we learnt was she was 18’ in length, built from kauri carvel planking, and there was a Lees Marine Ford engine in her. Her fittings must have been worth the asking price, but the location – Maungaturoto, Northland, would have put people off + no trailer in the sale.

Anyone know more about the launch and what became of her.

CLASSIC WOODEN BRIDGE- DECKER – VICTORY

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CLASSIC WOODEN BRIDGE- DECKER – VICTORY

Woody Angus Rogers sent the photos above of the 40’ Kinlock Marina based classic wooden launch – VICTORY. Designed and built by Jack Taylor in Taupo in 1939. She spent time as a charter boat.

Lots of interior photos in the WW Sept 2021 story –  link herehttps://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/16/victory-a-peek-down-below/

I like the port hole eyebrows a lot, very clever.

Always nice to get updates on the woodys that we do not see a lot of.