TELL US YOUR VIEW – Should Auckland’s new waterfront Heritage Basin marina be: A. By invitation only for YACHTS alone that are pre WWII, NZ designed and built, and preferably gaff rigged, A Class. Or B. Be open to All CYA vessels VOTING CLOSED RESULTS BELOW – 85% SUPPORT THE MARINA BEING OPEN TO ALL CYA VESSELS
ELDON
The launch Eldon was built in 1971 by Tauranga Boat Builders, so slips into the spirit of tradition woody category. The original owner was Eldon Jepson – thence the name.
Her specs are 48’ long and built with single skin kauri. It is believed that during construction, Tauranga boat builder Ted Gilpin, was often on hand, to assist in various ways, adding, the ”Gilpin touch,” which is very evident in her design & styling. When launched she was powered with twin Perkins 6-354 6 cyl. 130hp diesels.
Jepson sold her to an unknown person, not too long after she was built, who in turn, sold her to John Mayson, around the mid 1980’s. During John Mayson’s stewardship, of around 20+years, she was kept at Pine Harbour and used extensively for game fishing, from Tutukaka, up to North Cape, as well as general cruising, around the Hauraki Gulf.
She changed hands again (06-05-2008), to Dean Pollock, who continued to keep her at Pine Harbour and later sold her (22-07-2010) to her present owner, Peter Flood. She was transported by road to the Kaipara Harbour, where she was initially moored at Pahi, but they had a major bird mess problem there, so she was moved to Tinopai, where she presently lives.
In 2015 Peter Flood replaced the original 6-354 Perkins,130 hp with 2 x 6-354T, artificially aspirated 6 cyl. 1978 model Perkins, rated at 185 hp each. These had come out of 2 Commer fire engines, which had only done around 50,000Km., & having been in fire engines, had naturally been fastidiously maintained. Being a farmer and very handy, Peter marinized them himself. The engines were matched to the original Borg Warner gearboxes and heat exchangers off the original engines. He left the new engines with uncooled exhaust manifolds, which whilst they get warm, have created, no problems, in any way, as her engine room, under the bridge-deck floor, is apparently very well ventilated. The engines are mated up with a truck type silencer on each exhaust, with wet stainless steel exhausts for the last 4 feet, before they reached the hull skin fittings, so they are almost completely silent.
Peter Flood commented to Ken Ricketts that Eldon is an important part of his family and she is used all the time. In the last photo above of Peter at her helm, on the Kaipara Harbour that Eldon appears to be in excellent condition.
Thanks to Ken Ricketts for pulling the core of this story together and special thanks to the following gents for sharing details and photos – Harold Kidd, Brian Worthington, John Mayson, Dean Pollock and Peter Flood.
CARAVEL
Back in May 2020 the launch Caravel made an appearance on WW (link below) thanks to Dean Wright. At the time we new nothing about her and only covered that she was built in Picton approx 20 years ago. Built of wood, possibly strip planked, but using an unusual timber – poplar? https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/05/20/caravel-och-video/
Approximately 10 years ago Southern Ocean Marine in Tauranga did a ’number on her’ to address a leak issue – they re-skinned the hull with double diagonal NZ kauri, sheathed in glass. The boat builder, Alan Craig commented that she was now built like a brick out-house. In the photos above of Caravel, taken by Douglas Owens, we see her recently hauled out at Tauranga for some TLC.
WW would still like to know more about Caravel, so if anyone knows the owners – would you give them a gentle nudge and ask that they share some background on this rather appealing woody.
Chris-Craft Runabout – Almost
The above ‘woody’ is the latest from the workshop of John Bullivant and is based on a USA Chris-Craft small runabout design. John scaled the model up from 18” to 33” using an old late 1950’s plan. It’s made of balsa with a ply deck, and the hull is f/glassed. It has twin motors and the same smoke and water system he installed in his models of the W1, Jaguar and Hartley.
Like the Hartley it is built-in bluetooth stereo, lights and engine sound. Runs very nicely and looks quite scale like on the water. Motors are hidden under the rear seat with the air pump and smoke system, and the water pump and batteries are under the hatches in the stern. Below are two YouTube videos – sound quality average, but you get the idea 🙂 Photos sent in by K Ricketts
Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade
Nice to see the north island event getting a good plug in the latest issue of Boating NZ magazine. I provided the photos below to help the lake team get some exposure for the 2022 event – the 25th Anniversary – well worth a trip – details here https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz
HOW MANY MORE SUMMERS WILL YOU LET SLIP BY WITHOUT A BOAT ………
Waitematawoodys has a sister – its called the Wooden Boat Bureau and we sell classic wooden boats – launches, yachts, big and small. We like to fly under the radar, as do most of our clients. Someone asked me what I did the other day – below sums it up (sounds a bit fluffy, in reality I just sell boats.
Inform and enthuse interest in the joys of owning and sailing traditional and classic wooden boats. And we do this by promoting partnerships between the boats, the sellers and the buyers, for the benefit of all. At the end of the day – its all about the boats, as most will out live their current owners.
To view a sample selection of classic woodys berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau dock, click this link – https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/17/buying-or-selling-a-classic-boat/
Myself and David Cooke (MV Trinidad) are almost always available to offer advice to sellers and buyers – in the interests of marital harmony – in the first instance email to the below
The Wooden Boat Centre – A Peek Behind The Door
Today we have a short video, narrated by Paul D’Olier from The Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, Tasmania. The video #2 in a series is titled ‘The Boat Builders’ and show cases the courses being run at the centre. I have listed below a link to the another in the series – wonderful images and words, do check them out.
The videos are bought to us by the good folks at The Australian Wooden Boat Festival, if you haven’t already , put a line in the diary for 10>13 Feb 2023, this event is a serious bucket list item for all woodys.
Wilson’s Boat Yard.
Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 2021
The Thames Traditional Boat Festival is one of the woody events on my bucket list and today thanks to Olaf Wiig we get to vicariously check out last weekends event.
Olaf commented that as long as it is made of wood or riveted steel it is welcome at the festival. No 1950 cut off here 🙂
Olaf’s highlight was – Islanda, see spec sheet on her below.
Enjoy the varnish 🙂
FLARELINE – A Perfect Lock-Down Project
We have had examples of ’small’ boat builder John Bullivant’s work on WW before, I use the term small because to tag John a model maker would be very inappropriate – the man is very talented.
Today’s boat – Flareline was built by John over a 12 month period, based on his memories and photos of a full size sister ship that he owned a number of years ago. She measures 31’ LOA and is powered by a jet propulsion unit, check out the electronics.
Part of her set up sees her emitting engine smoke and water from the stern drive + she is wired for sound – engine starting & running noise. There is full interior lighting, working nav lights and even illuminated instrument dials on the dash.
Check out the link below to view a pre launching video of her being towed by an SUV https://youtu.be/hs6-DmBKRHM
(photos, video and details ex John Bullivant and Ken Ricketts)
Most of you are now aware that there could be something fishy (smelly) going on behind the scenes in terms of the negotiations concerning what classic CYA vessels can (or will be invited) to berth at the new Heritage Basin on Auckland’s Waterfront.
The link (below) to the original WW story has been clicked on 27,538 times – + we have had dozens of emails and calls of support – and only 2 negative comments.
The Classic Yacht Association is at a cross road and the decision the executive committee and its sub-committee, who are currently negotiating on behalf of (supposedly) all members will determine the future of the CYA. The wrong decision i.e. one of segregation, could propel the CYA back 12 years to when there were two clear fractions – sail and power, and both pursued their on path.
Strong action is needed to gain the attention of the CYA executive committee – so woodys I ask you to consider two options.
(A) Email the CYA Chairperson – Rachel Orr – and ask this question “ Hello, Will access to the new Heritage Basin marina be open to all CYA registered boats, yes or no?” email address chair@classicyacht.org.nz
(B) If you are a member of the CYA, in the last 24hrs you will have received your annual subscription renewal email – consider holding off payment until as members we receive confirmation that when and if the new Heritage Basin marina goes ahead – all CYA registered vessels will be eligible to apply for access and while there will be standards and contractual terms to be met, these should be based on the likes of standard of presentation, not by method of propulsion or length or age.
Thank you for reading today’s post, I’m sorry there is no boat story – I’ll make it up 🙂
Remember – it is all about the boats, not the people.
Ps – there is some urgency to this story, due to the Covid lock-down the next CYA Executive Committee meeting could be differed (scheduled for 7-09-2021) and that might just be too late………………..
UPDATE 16-08-2022
BIGOTRY – ALIVE & KICKING AT THE NZ CLASSIC YACHT ASSOCIATION If you’re a CYA member, you probably like me received a membership invoice over the weekend. Even if your are not a member and you have a passion for classic wooden boats, you also need to read this.
By now some of you will be bored to death with my crusade to get equal status for all CYA members, regardless of what type of classic vessel you own. The CYA had a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a world class waterfront display of New Zealand traditional wooden vessels on the waterfront – to be known as the Heritage Basin. Sadly depending on who you believe either one of the two things below has happened:
1. The CYA committee let Panuku dictate that only yachts were to be berthed in the new marina – if this is the case someone needs to ask Panuku why they have such a narrow view of NZ’s maritime heritage.
2. If the above is incorrect, then a small group of narrow minded individuals are acting on behalf of approx. 5% of CYA members. – how can this be?
At last months AGM, the out going chairperson – Rachel Orr said the following about the vessel selection:
“We won’t fulfil the needs and desires of all our members. Not all vessels will be able to be there, but really as an association we never promised that to you. We are just an association of members and sometimes we do have to look after your premium vessels” Well woodys there it is – proof that the CYA doesn’t treat all members the same and if your vessels deemed ‘premium’ you could receive substantial preferential treatment.
Also at the AGM Chad Thomson told the meeting that “there was always an intention to have launches accommodated else where” i.e. at Hobson Wharf, sorry Mr Thompson, at the 2021 AGM you told the meeting in regard to the new Heritage Basin marina – “the intention was to have NZ designed yachts and launches that fitted the dimensional requirements included”.
The reality is if you own a classic – launch, cruising yacht or work boat, the majority of your membership fees are used against classic YACHT racing for a very small number of CYA members.
Where do I sit – post the AGM I’m just tired of banging against a closed door. The NZ classic YACHT association can do what ever it likes, but if you think as a classic – launch, cruising yacht or work boat owner that they have your interests at heart – read Rachel Orr’s comments again.
The first question of the day is – does the incoming CYA committee have the motivation and ability to address the historical neglect that launch, cruising yacht, work boat and non boat owner members have received or will they continue to overlook the wants and needs of approx. 80% of the membership?
The second question of the day is – is there a desire, a passion – to be an inclusive classic boating group where all members are treated as equals in terms of opportunities to participate and funds spent or is the reality that there isn’t the resource (people) and/or funds to achieve this.
Going forward there is a world-wide shift to classic boat ownership and usage – the big growth in numbers is in motor vessels and cruising yachts – we have already seen it here. So is the CYA equipped to capitalise on this, or will it become an association that organises yacht races for classic sailing yachts, mostly owned by trusts? Eg OGA – the UK based Old Gaff Association – whose mission statement is “to promote the use of the Gaff rig.
All food for thought – how the new CYA committee navigate the next 12 months will ultimately determine its destiny.
Shalom – A Peek Down Below B4 She Is Sold
If you blinked and looked again you would think that Shalom the 48’ Atkinson designed and 1973 built classic sport cruiser was a Ray Hunt designed craft. Hunt was one of world’s leading marine designers – from motor boats to Americas Cup yachts. So we can safely assume Atkinson was a good reader of USA boating magazines 🙂
Shalom has been very lucky in terms of owners, built by T K Atkinson as his own personal boat, her next owner kept her for approx. 30 years and these days she is owned by a renowned NZ boat building family.
Yes she is for sale – and as you can see above – superbly presented and professionally maintained. In recent years her owner has refitted Shalom for extended family cruising, she comfortably sleeps five. The work includes – new deck (2016), master cabin refit (2017), new saloon and galley (2018), new paint job (2019), new rudder tubes + drip-less seals (2021), new steering cylinder (2021), new batteries (2021). As presented the vessel is ready for immediate enjoyment. And the X factor – twin Yanmar 370hp engines – giving a top speed of 25 knots and cruising speed of 17 knots. With a beam of 14’6″ she has an abundance of living space across five zones – cabins, saloon, cockpit, fore deck and flying bridge. Construction is kauri double skin and finished (glassed) to require minimal ongoing upkeep.
To view – call David Cooke – 027 478 1877 – For a spec sheet email – david@ibg.co.nz
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