CLEONA MAE – A Peek Down Below

CLEONA MAE – A Peek Down Below

The classic wooden launch – CLEONA MAE last made an appearance on WW back in June 2017, link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/19/cleona-mae/

In the 2017 story thanks to a previous owner – Nigel Drake, we received a wonderful insight into the vessels past. 

Today thanks to a Ian McDonal and tme we get to have gander below decks.

Some intel – designed and built in 1962 by Brin Wilson, 39’ in length, built from kauri, carvel construction. Forward motion is by the ever popular Ford 120hp, 6 cyl, diesel engine.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH-  LADY CAROLE – A Peek At Stage II

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH-  LADY CAROLE – A Peek At Stage II
Over the last few months we have been following the restoration the classic launch – LADY CAROLE and as seen in Wednesdays WW story LC is now back in the water.Whilst the exterior work has almost been completed and we will not be getting any updates for a while, we asked o-owner Patrick Crawshaw to share with us what’s inshore for Phase II (interior). Patrick commented that she originally had a beautiful kauri trimmed interior and the original configuration will be restored along with the fine timber work she once had.  A few modern additions will bring her into the 21st century, but these will be hidden, or discreetly placed.
The thinking / plans are shown in the drawings below  
Forward Cabin with four berth bunks. Toilet through the mirror in the bow. 

FORWARD CABIN – with 4 berths/bunks – toilet thru the mirror/door > bow

BOW TOILET

COCKPIT

MAIN CABIN – STARBOARD

MYSTERY TUTUKAKA CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MERLIN

MYSTERY TUTUKAKA CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHMERLIN

Todays woody story is the last from my recent trip to Tutukaka marina. The woody seen in the above photos looks a tad familiar but my brain search mode is a somewhat slow these days 🙂 Not sure if she is midway thru a varnish job or just crying out for some TLC, hopefully the first.

Can we put a name to the vessel and anymore intel on her. – Its MERLIN, but we still know very little about her.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENIFFER – A Peek Down Below

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – GLENIFFER – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody is the 39’ classic wooden Bridgedecker – GLENIFFER. A recent addition to tme (thanks Ian McDonald) – as always seems to be the case a few factual discrepancies, so in the interests of getting right on WW , we will go with what Harold Kidd advised in a previous WW story (linked below – great b/w photo there) that she was built by Chas Bailey & Sons and launched in October 1930.

GLENIFFER also made a cameo WW appearance in April 2017 (linked below)

WW April 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/11/glenifer/

WW April 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/13/woody-on-tour-havelock-marina/

Her name came from her original engine make -a Gleniffer. These days her forward motion is via Ford D series 6 cyl engine.

Home is Port Tarakohe, Tasman, Sth Island.

COULD THIS BE THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MANU-ITI

COULD THIS BE THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MANU-ITI

Last weekend one of the woodys that we past on the Wairoa River was the launch – MANU-ITI, a rather striking small classic launch that was crying out for some TLC.

During the week WW was contacted by Kerry Alexander who posed the question – could the launch seen in the top photo above be MANU-ITI ?

Kerry commented that he I did not remember the build name but i think it may have been for Mr Yates sen , of the seed company. The builder Keith Atkinson is seen in the doorway. 

A possible date for the photo is c.1965 and the boat maybe a Bill Couldrey design.

So woodys can anyone comment / added to this mystery boat in the shed photo.

INOUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – yes, designed 1964 for Yates and one for Birkenhead and Northcote Yacht Club. Only the Yates boat built.

02-10-2024 UPDATE ex Chloe Salthouse – photo below of Manu-iti crossing Parekura Bay up in the Bay of Islands, with Norman Yates at the helm. Date probably not long after her launch in 1965.

LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #7

LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #7

Today we have the latest update on the restoration of LADY CAROLE, as previously co-owner Patrick Crawshaw will walk us thru it – Patrick commented that there were a few things still to do like put the non skid on the decks and the mast and some more fittings. But LC is days away from touching the water – hopefully tomorrow ✔️

The last couple of weeks has been spent finishing the painting, getting the mast made, and trims fabricated for the aft deck curve. Next year the rub rails will be changed to stainless steel, but we used the existing ones for now. Most of the chrome fittings are on. Hull with anti-foul, prop speed, etc.  

Starting to come together with the chrome going on. 

Spring Equinox – The cover gets removed and we see her for the first time from a distance. 

REEL THING / REAL TIME / MARY ANN + 2025 TALL SHIPS REGATTA 

REEL THING / REAL TIME / MARY ANN + 2025 TALL SHIPS REGATTA 

Not often I start with an apology but todays craft wouldn’t normally be a lead WW story, a tad too much happening up top but I spotted REAL THING berthed in the Tutukaka Marina recently and the there is a very smart hull under the additions. I’m sure the addition would pass the Auckland Council Unitary Plan re height of new dealings 😉

Can any of th northern woodys tell us more about REEL THING.

INPUT ex ERIC SANDERSON – the boat featured on WW back in 2023 under the name REAL Time (also once named MARY ANN) built in 1962 by ‘Tauranga Boatbuilders’ See/read more at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/15/reel-time-mary-ann/

TALL SHIPS REGATTA 2025 – RUSSELL BOATING CLUB

Learn more here russellboatingclub.org.nz

CLASSIC MASON MARLIN WOODEN RUNABOUT MORPHS INTO A SPEEDBOAT

CLASSIC MASON MARLIN WOODEN RUNABOUT MORPHS INTO A SPEEDBOAT

During the woodys trip to the Clevedon Cruising Club last weekend, one of the members brought along a recent project.

The speedboat SUZI Q started life as a Mason Marlin but her cabin top was toast so the call was made to start from scratch and the end result is what we see above.

Quite an impressive conversion and no doubt a flyer, did not get a chance to talk to the owner but it would be interesting to learn how she performs / handles at speed. I image a windscreen will be on the shopping list 🙂

THIS WOULD HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE STRANGEST COMMENTS ON THE WW SITE

CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT ON THE WAIROA RIVER

WE ARE OFF

CLASSIC WOODEN CRAFT ON THE WAIROA RIVER

Following on from yesterdays (scroll down to view) story on the woodys cruise up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club, today we have a gallery of craft that both Jason Prew and myself photographed on-route, some old favourites there, most looking a little worse for the lack of TLC over winter, but a few newbies.

Enjoy the journey – we did 🙂 (remember to click photos to enlarge)

#3 PONSONBY CC CLUB NIGHT – FEATURED VESSEL – Rainbow II

This Thursday – 26th – 4pm >> – Refer below

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – VOI

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – VOI

On my recent trip to Tutukaka marina one of the classic craft that caught my eye was – VOI.

A modern-ish hull and a small apartment on top but VOI is set up for game fishing so gets away with it nicely.

My brains trust have suggested its design starts with a V,  as in vindex, with a possible spot of lengthening. Dam if it is thats another one thats slipped under the WW radar 😦

Anyone familiar with the vessel and can enlighten us more on her design / builder.

Hopefully today I’ll be enjoying the company of fellow classic woodys tied up at the Clevedon Cruising Club for our annual (ish) overnight BBQ cruise up the Wairoa River 🙂 Lots of photos on Monday.