KARAKIA
Karakia is another classic woody that Jason Prew recently spotted at Motuopa Marina, Lake Taupo. She was designed and built by Roy Parris in 1968, but as they say – has had some work 😉
24′ in length, powered by a Sole 34hp diesel engine. To have a peek down below , click this WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/10/01/karakia/
WAIMA
Over the long weekend Jason Prew was crisscrossing the middle of the north side burning up fossil fuel, one of the rest stops was the Motuoapa Marina at Lake Taupo. While stretching his legs Jason spotted the launch – Waima, docked at the marina.
A quick WW search reveals no mention of her, so hopefully one of the Drake Bros. will chip in with some details 🙂
INPUT EX PAUL DRAKE WAIMA arrived at Taupo more than 60 years ago in the 1950’s, when she was called WAIMEA and owned by Lloyd Cotton. She is said to have been built by Lanes, maybe in the 1930’s? All planking is full length (kauri) and she is 28′ by 8′ 6″. She had a Chrysler Crown back in the day. She has had a succession of owners over the years but has remained a Taupo boat. She has a lovely powerful hull and deserves a decent top hamper. Present owner unknown, but WAIMA has been neglected in recent times. No doubt her time will come again.
Photo below c.1988 shows her more or less as built – back as far as the dodger anyway.
MORE INPUT from Paul Drake – WAIMA below – perhaps 8 years ago and in great condition.
OTEHeI – 1970’s
Woody Dean Wright sent in the above photo of the launch – Otehei. Dean ‘found’ the photo when having a clean out – its tagged on the back ‘Ian Spedding, Otehei, 1926 vintage’.
Dean’s thoughts are that it may have been taken by Ian Spedding and maybe lated from the late 1970’s. The location of the photos is probably off the old Fullers slipway at Russell.
Back in a 2013 WW story on Otehai – Harold Kidd wrote – OTEHEI was a sister-ship to the Collings & Bell-built hard chine launches built for various operators in the Bay of Islands in 1926-7 to service the game-fishing sport which had grown rapidly after an exploratory trip north by Colonel W.H. Hazard in his VIRGINIA in 1918. The other 3 launches to the same pattern were LORNA DOONE, ZANE GREY (later ALMA G II) and MANAAKI. These launches were all equipped with Redwing engines and were capable of 16 knots. OTEHEI was built for Frank Elliott who painted her red. Like the others, and the later AVALON, she was based at Zane Grey’s camp at Otehei on Urupukapuka Island.
She spent some time on Lake Taupo as GRACE DARLING but is now in Russell/Opua restored for the last 20 years or so as OTEHEI. View that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/28/otehei/
In another WW story that featured lots of photos and reader chat. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/10/otehei-2/
07-06-2022 UPDATE ex Gavin Bradley (owner)
The photo below is from Gavin’s collection of Otehei and shows her being relaunched at Fuller’s in 1977 post her first big restoration after returning to BOI after 40 odd years on Lake Taupo. Gavin believes it was taken on the same day as the photo above.
Spring Launch – Cool Benjamin Mendlowitz Video
Regular WW readers will be familiar with the USA website – Off Center Harbor, Benjamin Mendlowitz who aside from being one of the world’s top marine photo journalists, is a co-founder of OCH – dropped me a note the other day re a video he shot for OCH last week. Its one of those feel good insights into what this classic woody boating gig is all about – Click the photo above to view – Enjoy 🙂
If you not a subscriber to OCH, you should be, neat stories and the back library is one of the best woody boating reference tool out there. In the link above there is a wee bonus – you can view 10 of the best OCH videos at no charge.
PELORUS JACK
On one of my road trips up north I spotted the launch – Pelorus Jack berthed at the Kerikeri Cruising Club marina. Aside from the s/s jungle gym she appears to be a smart looking woody.
Nice big cabin with tasteful window design and size. I suspect the tanks are empty as she is noticeably pointing downhill.
Any northern woodys able to tell us more about Pelorus Jack?
Something for all the smaller classic woody boats – or crew that snore – a floating tent 😉
ATHENA – Next Caretaker Wanted
Whangaroa Harbour is a spot I spend a bit of time in/around – when waiting for pickup I mooch around the marina and there is one launch – Athena, that always catches my eye – its hard not too its just so perfect. Most designers were challenged when it came to getting the lines right on a sub 30’ boat, Athena is spot on.
Her measurements are 25’ x 8’ x 1’6” and her hull is 3/4” kauri carvel planked and the decks, coamings, cabin top and bridge have all been f/glassed for weather proofing and low maintenance. Both fuel and water tanks are s/s. Sleeps 4 in a double and 2 single berths.
Powered by a Perkins 40hp 4107 engine (new in 1972, rebuilt 1991) she cruises comfortably at 7 knots. Some history – originally designed and built by Cauldrey in c.1950’s, she was rebuilt (hull up, photos below) in 1991 by her owner as a family launch with game fishing characteristics. Based in the Bay of Islands the owners lost count of the game fish landed over the last 30 years. Athena is still fully game rigged.Owned by a seriously devoted boaty, Athena is fully equipped with all the safety gear for coastal cruising.
We have been tasked with finding a new owner for this very salty looking classic woody – for more details on Athena – contact the Wooden Boat Bureau c/o waitematawoodys@gmail.com
43’ Classic Yacht With Exemplary Provenance
Very very rarely do I put a price on a classic vessel that is for sale on WW, but today is an exception. After over 50 years of ownership Tuahine is for sale and her owner is keen to sell, but only to the right person/s -so woodys if you pass the test -Tuahine could be yours for $100k. That is a bargain for a 43’ yacht designed and built in 1957 by the Dickson family, lead by Roy Dickson’s father (grandfather to Chris Dickson). Modern engine, her needs are mostly cosmetic, so give her some TLC and you will have a very fetching classic that should blow the b_lls off most of Auckland’s classic fleet 🙂
More photos and details at this WW link.https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/04/classic-yacht-tuahine-for-sale/
Classic Tender or Art
You decide – she is sub 10’, built of kauri ply (est. 65kg) and after 6 years of storage, has just had a birthday. Overseas owner says sell – not cheap but a very fair price at $4,300
AMELIA
Todays woody has a very good pedigree in that she was built by Nelson master craftsman Peter Murton as his own boat. Peter’s business Murtons Timbercraft turn out stunning woodwork – from new boat builds and repairs, furniture and nautical art, a piece of which I have at home (photo below).
The launch is a 2018 Weston Farmer sea skiff, 28’ x 8’ x 2’ and is powered by a 60hp Yamaha outboard that cruises nicely at 7>8knots and tops out at 12 knots.
Her shallow draft and bilge keels allow her to navigate some interesting anchorages. An added bonus is the ability to haul out on a trailer for home storage.
The vessel recently popped up on tme so if you are looking for a salty looking, impeccably built spirit of tradition woody – Amelia could be the one.
We last saw the Coulthard built launch – Dawn on WW back in June 2019, link below. In summary she was built in 1936 and is approx. 28’ in length, with a very shallow draft of just over 2’, probably to suit the shallow harbours on Aucklands West Coast, where she was built.
A Ford 80hp Lees 4.2L diesel provides the forward motion. Thanks to a tme listing (c/o Ian MacDonald) we get to have a look down below.
ARGO
Earlier in the month Dave Stanaway sent in the above photos of the ex fishing vessel – Argos, docked at the Kaipara Boating Club berth in Dargaville. She was there for a couple of days. Dave later advised that Argo was owned by a young family that were cruising NZ waters in her.
Update ex Dean Wright – check out the owners travels here https://www.facebook.com/cruisingonargo
Back in June 2020 she was spotted in Te Kouma by Dennis MacConaghie, photo below.
Can we shed some more light on the history of Argo.
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