Category Archives: Non Waitemata

DANCER – 30’ STEAM LAUNCH 

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DANCER – 30’ STEAM LAUNCH 

Todays wooden is the 30’ steam powered launch – DANCER, designed by Peter Sewell and built by owner John Olsen. DANCER is strip planked cedar (+ f/glass) and has a beam of 6’ and draws 2’6”.

The short video of DANCER on the Waikato River was filmed (drone) by Wesley Harcourt. The steam engine is diesel powered – more details in the video narrative.

DANCER is a frequent visitor to the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade and appearance in a lot of my post event coverage on WW.

Back in Feb 2021 DANCER appeared on WW – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/02/20/ss-dancer/

One of John’s many talents is making traditional rope fenders. John very kindly made a pair for my launch RAINDANCE – see below. + link to how to make the fenders https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/05/01/classic-rope-fenders-how-to/

CAN ANYONE HELP OUT WITH A WOODY STORAGE PROBLEM 

Paul Hinton is considering acquiring a 1903 W.H.B. ex pilot boat that is currently hauled out in Diary Flat – she appeared on WW – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/31/mystery-1902-pilot-boat/

The problem is Paul is currently finishing another project and needs to temporally ‘park’ the pilot boat for >6 mths. 

Paul can be contacted at pm.hinton@gmail.com

A tip sign an agreement re max time frame, and state that if exceeded Paul will be responsible for any removal / disposal costs 😉

MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY + Xmas Presents Sorted

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MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY

WW has been contacted by Martin Orme regarding a small launch that interests him as a restoration project. Martin came across it under a tree in Wainuiomata, Wellington. 

Martin commented that he thinks he can just make out the name MARETOSA on the stern, or something close to that ,  and not sure if that name is the original. So woodys can anyone help Martin out with intel on the vessel.


PERFECT XMAS SANTA SACK ADDITION – Classic Woody Calendar


Once again the team at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association have produced a stunning 2025 calendar – probably the best ever, but I’m biased as I snapped a lot of the photos :-)A bargain at $15 – order here https://form.jotform.com/233366600330850

CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – MINAMOOKLA

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CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC LAUNCH – MINAMOOKLA

Todays woody photos come to us from the camera of Alan Sexton and show the launch – MINAMOOKLA hauled out at the Sandspit Yacht Club yard.

Alan commented that he believes MINAMOOKLA  is one of Dave Jackson’s builds and that woodys is all we know

More details would be nice, so if you are familiar with the boat, let WW know.

CRUISING UP THE UPPER HARBOUR TODAY FOR THE WOODYS RIVERHEAD PUB LUNCH CRUISE. TRIP REPORT NEXT WEEK

WAIWHARE – MAYBE A WOODY, MAYBE A TUPPERWARE – BUT STILL A CLASSIC 

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WAIWHARE – MAYBE A WOODY, MAYBE A TUPPERWARE – BUT STILL A CLASSIC 

Yesterday was another journey on the ‘Holiday Highway’ to Sandspit, spotted a classic craft on the marina that caught my eye – wasn’t sure if its a woody of plastic, or a combination of both.

These ‘Grand Banks’ designs offers lot of boat for the money. A friend once owned one and he always impressed visitors by asking if they would like a bath – technically more a shubb but it was a good break the ice line.

Todays craft is named WAIWHARE, my pigeon Maori tells me the name probably translate to Water House, which is probably a very appropriate name.

WAIWHARE is presented in very good condition – we like that, when an owners cares for their pride and joy.

Can we confirm the vessels breeding and build.

INPUT ex Brian Fulton – “I thought WAIWHARE meant WHY WORRY” 🙂

INPUT ex NIXON FRYER – she’s my grandads launch, Dennis Craig, Ex owner of the 28ft Couldrey Pirimanu. Waiwhare is a 34ft CHB built in Taiwan to the design of a grand banks. Power is by a 120hp Leemans Ford. And yes she is fibreglass hull and topsides but absolutely covered in teak inside and out. Next time aboard I can get some photos for a peak down below.

MAKE LIFE EASY FOR YOUR KINSFOLK THIS XMAS – Tell them to buy you a copy of the 2025 Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book. Always value for money and choker full of great tales and amazing photos of our classic wooden craft. It will be in store next week at the retailers shown below – $20 well spent. Edited / crafted by design guru Steve Horsley, who has promised me that they is a fair division of yacht / motorboat photos. I know there is a least one launch article – I wrote it 😉

MYSTERY WELLINGTON WOODEN LAUNCH

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MYSTERY WELLINGTON WOODEN LAUNCH

Todays woody made an appearance on Bob Jones fb, thank you John Dawson for the link. The location and identity of the launch / motorsailer hauled out created some debate. General consensus was the Wellington region, with potential being – Petone foreshore, Balaena Bay / Evans Bay. Would be nice to confirm the location.

As to the vessel – my monies on VAGABOND – photo below and previous WW story links. VAGABOND was built / launched by Joe Jukes in 1926. A ’sister’ ship to NEREIDES.  Jukes yard was located in Balaena Bay, which adds weight to the photos location.

WW Jan 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/10/vagabond-sailing-sunday/

WW Feb 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/02/08/vagabond/

⬇THIS SATURDAY ⬇

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – FLORENCE – Getting Some TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – FLORENCE – Getting Some TLC

The classic wooden launch – FLORENCE has made several cameo appearance on WW, mainly via Dean Wrights camera as he has been cruising the Bay of Island.

Back 2013 we had a peek down below and then in2014 we had a wonderful insight into her past – links to this two stories below

Oct 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/29/florence-3/

April 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/09/florence-1910-hn-burgess-motor-launch/

Last week while in Opua for the re-launch of ALMA G II, I spotted FLORENCE hauled out. 

Florence was designed and built in 1910 by H N Burgess, Parnell Auckland – as was yesterdays woody ALBERTA – that man had a very good eye for designing good looking craft.

The question of the day – what’s happening on the bow with this two small section cut out, both port and starboard sides.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALBERTA – 4sale

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LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALBERTA – 4sale

The classic 1913 wooden launch – ALBERTA was designed and built by H N Burgess, in Parnell, Auckland.

Alberta is a woody that I have always admired when visiting Lake Rotoiti, she has a rather prominent waterfront berth and is one of those lucky craft that looks dam near perfect from any angle. 

Her specs are 28’ in length and has a beam that would make her a trailerable classic – given the cost of a marina berth in most NZ cities thats a serious bonus.

Powered by a 30hp Lombardini, new in the boat approx. 5 years ago, with 138 hours on the clock – not a lot of places to go to on the lake 😉

Configured currently as a day / picnic boat she is all good for overnight / weekend cruising.

Fresh from a visit to one our best classic boat yards (Craig Marine) where she had a refresh to paint and varnish work.

Starting to sound like a woody 4sale advertisement – well she is. And probably the buy of 2024, even allowing for transporting her back to the Waitemata and setting her free again 🙂

Link here to a 2022 WW story – lots more photos and links to previous ALBERTA stories https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/09/15/alberta-a-peek-down-below/

Interested parties contact her owner Jon Dustin for more details – honedustin@gmail.com

INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE  – I came across the photo below of ALBERTA which I took in 2006 at North Harbour Marina. Pre Rotoiti days and without a dodger.

LOOKING FOR HELP IDENTIFYING THIS WOODEN BOAT

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LOOKING FOR HELP IDENTIFYING THIS WOODEN BOAT

Todays woody story could be a long reach – but the woody universe is longer, so fingers crossedHarold Kidd was recently counted by Lindsay Woodward regarding the launch – MINERVA, that Lindsay believed was once her grandfathers (Charlie Woodward).    

Harold commented that he was pretty sure the launch in the photo supplied by Lindsay is not her grandfather’s MINERVA. Records show that the grandfather’s  launch was a 30 footer built c.1912 by Miller & Tunnage in Port Chalmers. The vessel pictured above is much bigger and a later build. Harold also is of the belief that the location of the photo may be Port Levy, Banks Peninsula, South Island.

So woodys can we put a name to the above launch and possibly learn more about her.

Input From John Gander: The photo looks like the Claud Wells boat “Noeline’ 45’ x 11’ 1932 and built for the French Pass D’Urvile island mail run


NOT TO LATE TO RSVP FOR NEXT SATURDAYS WOODY CRUISE TO THE RIVERHEAD PUB FOR LUNCH

RSVP – TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC GAME BOAT – ALMA G II – RE-LAUNCHING CEREMONY 

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CLASSIC GAME BOAT – ALMA G II – RE-LAUNCHING CEREMONY 

Yesterday we covered the relaunching of the 1927, Collings & Bell built game boat – ALMA G II.

Co owners (brother & sister) Shelly and Brett Arlidge, grand children of the original owner – E C Arlidge, hosted a very proper ceremony, with a welcome, a history of the boat, a Waiata and formal blessing. With the restarts of a working boat yard in the background and large crowd I have attempted to record the ‘formal’ parts of the ceremony – TURN YOUR VOLUME UP.

One of the missions of waitematawoodys is to archive this content for future review and reference. I encourage you to spend a few minutes and take in the wisdom being shared. 

THE WELCOME

HISTORY OF ALMA G II

WAIATA

BLESSING

CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN GAME BOAT – ALMA G II RE-LAUNCHED – 45 Photos & Videos

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CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN GAME BOAT – ALMA G II RE-LAUNCHED 

For the last 18+ months WW has been following closely the refit / restoration of the 1927, Collings & Bell built game boat – ALMA G II.

On Wednesday I pointed the car north and attended the re-launching celebration at Opua, in the Bay of Islands.

Today is about sharing the day with all the WW readers – In previous WW stories (links below) we have extensively covered her past and how she progressed to what we are viewing today.

Tomorrow on WW we will run the videos I recored of the speeches, Waiata and blessing.

Co owners (brother & sister) Shelly and Brett Arlidge, grand children of the original owner – E C Arlidge, are to be commended for ensuring ALMA G II will still be cruising the Bay of Island waters in 100 years time.

I really like the interior fit out, its a take on the old school look and she even sports a reconditioned Ford Lees 130hp diesel engine, no ‘black box’ electronics connected to this engine.

Boatbuilder Craig McInnes and the team at CMC Design have excelled themselves with this project.

The game chair and salon table are original 1927 items.

The gallery of photos comes to us from the cameras of yours truely  and professional B.O.I. photographer Dean Wright. As always click on photos to enlarge 😉

Restoration #1 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/01/restoration-of-alma-g-ii-begins/

Restoration #2 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/06/alma-g-ii-restoration-update-2/

Restoration #3 & #4 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/08/14/classic-wooden-launch-alma-g-ii-restoration-updates-3-4/

THE PEOPLE – A fantastic number of people turned out to celebrate the re-launch, seems anyone and everyone with a link to the boat or game fishing in the Bay of Islands was there.