Viveen @ Te Komua Raira @ Te KoumaTamureAltairOlive Rose @ Waiheke IslandAlma G @ Russel Wharf
A Pot-Pourri Of Woodys
Today’s collection of classic launches come to use from a collective of woodys photographers that are cruising the Hauraki Gulf and outer waters – thanks to Angus Rogers, Murray Deeble, Colin Pawson and Lindsay McMorran.
LANAI Back in early December 2021 Dean Wright spotted the 1949, Lanes built launch – Lanai hauled out at Rangitane, where she she had been for a little while, getting some love.Lanai first appeared on WW back in July 2014 and that story was updated in Sept 2016 with new photos – link here to the story https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/04/lanai/ Lots of photos and debate to ingest.
I have to say she looks very kosher without the hothouse 😉
As promised yesterday, today we get a close look, ex the camera of John Burland, at Lady Karita – the 1934, Sam Ford designed and built 43′ launch.
Lady K has been the lucky recipient of a rolling restoration over the last few years, and reviewing John’s photos, all the hard work and $$ has really paid off. She needs to home to the Waitemata ………………..
One of my southern spies (in the summer months) John Burland sent in the above gallery of woodys that he spotted while patrolling the docks. From top to bottom we have Katoa – all spruced up, then Kelvin and then two unknowns. Finally the very regal Lady Karita, who is looking very well turned out these days, more on her tomorrow.
BOI woody and pro photographer Dean Wright sent in the above photos of Miss Brett, Arcturus and Ranoni loitering in the bay on Christmas Day.
Meanwhile closer to home island life is a little bit more ‘family’ focused – the paddle board xmas present was a hit, I’ll say it before Jason Prew does – its a 1/3 the size of Raindance 🙂 If you’re on Waiheke, check out the new establishment named HEKE, very relaxed dining, great food and for Waiheke, well priced. Just down the road from Stonyridge.
Today’s gallery of photos comes to us from Glenn Martin who was mooching around the haul out yard at Coromandel township last week – some have made quest appearances on WW before and some are newbies. If you know anything about them – chirp in at the WW comments section.
Thank heavens the 25th has been and gone – we do we do it, too much of everything. A special day this year, first time all the tribe where in country and under one roof. The weather is ace on Waiheke Island so we slipped an early swim in before the present stampede, you would think we would be more civilised as we get older – yeah right. Then a long lunch.
We featured Lady Margaret on WW when she relocated north to Whangarei , now in the talented hands of Alistair McRae, Lady Margaret is looking very smart after some lock-down maintenance and recently getting her top sides painted and new antifoul – all set for summer cruising.
The 38′ Lady Margaret was built in 1955 by L. Beacon of Mt Albert. Lady Margaret has had more name changes than most woodys and shares the LM tag with a lot of classic woodys – so a little birdie tells me another could be on the way – hopefully they won’t stray too far from the previous – maybe Happy Lady, second thoughts maybe not – sounds like a ‘lady of the night 🙂 Lots more to read and view herehttps://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/31/lady-margaret-happy-wanderer-lady-mary-gets-some-tlc/
The photo above of the launch – Koanui popped up recently on Lew Redwood’s fb and is tagged ‘Cyclone Bola, 1988. Kohanui in Red Cliffs’ (Great Barrier Island). It might be a bit hard to see in the photo, but she has an anchor down. I bet there was no sleep aboard that night.
FYI – Cyclone Bola created some of the largest rainfall totals for a single storm in the history of NZ. Some locations receiving more than half their annual rainfall totals from the storm. WW knows nothing more on the launch Koanui, so we would love to hear from anyone that can enlighten us. Only 2 sleeps till the jolly fat man arrives – fingers crossed he found all the hints I left around the house 🙂
UPDATE 28-12-2021 Ant Smit sent in the photo below, showing Koanui berthed at OBC marina in Auckland. Looking very smart.
The 24’ Lake Rotoiti based woody – Rambler was built by Joseph Anderson in the Big Omaha Valley near Matakana and launched in 1913. It took 3 years to build the boat and she was one of the first boats to be built with a kauri strip plank construction. Rambler was used to travel to Auckland as it was easier by boat than by road. After returning from World War 1, George Anderson, Joseph’s son, used Rambler to travel to Kawau Island for cray fishing, trapping possums and hunting deer. These trips also became the delivery for mail and provisions to those living on Kawau.
In the mid 1930’s, Rambler was sold to the local cobbler in Matakana and the boat was used for fishing trips but later was left in the mud in a sorry state. In the 1970’s Rambler was sold and given a major refit including having a top cabin added.
Rambler was discovered in Howick in 2000 and was brought to Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua by her current owners, where she was refitted with a revamped interior, hand made cedar mast, bronze and brass fittings and a number of other improvements. Approx. 1990 her engine was changed from a petrol Chev 4 to a two cylinder 20hp Chinese diesel. This still goes but needs to be replaced. Amazingly Rambler has had only four owners in her 108 year old life, and now is on the market, awaiting her next custodian. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.
During the week Hugh Gladwell gave me the heads up on a woody project that was nearing completion. The ex navy 3-in-1 whaler, Hauiti, also known as a motor sea-boat, was built at the Naval Dockyard in 1962 out of double diagonal kauri. She has been converted by Peter Thompson (who was the project manager on the Jane Gifford restoration) to a river boat to operate in survey on the Mahurangi River. Hauiti is powered by an Elco electric motor which will run for about 7 hours and is charged by a bank of solar panels on the cabin top with no shore charging. Peter Sewell has designed the propellor. Hugh commented that the river is now dredged along 3 quarters of its length to a depth of 1.5 metres at low water and they have about a year to go to complete the project. Once complete, the upper basin area will be a great overnight cruising destination for swallow(ish) vessels. Watch this space for a woodys weekend cruise.
Looking For Santa Sack Fillers
For what seems a very long time (25 years in fact), Rotorua woody – Ronald Wattam has been beavering away pulling together a book on the boat building dynasty – C.J.and A.J. Collings. Ron is linked via marriage to the family. The book covers the period 1896 > 1967. Yesterday a package arrived with some advance copies – I am so manic on the work front I haven’t had a chance to read, but at 153 pages its a very extensive collection of photos, data and insights into 70 years of New Zealand maritime history. I have two copies to give away – the question is – approximately how many boats did the Collings & Bell company build?. All close answers will go into the draw for one of two copies. Entry is by email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com closes 9pm 17-12-2021 If you miss the draw – copies are available at $55+p&p, direct from Ronald Watttam at olivine@xtra.co.nz
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