Category Archives: Spirit of Tradition

CLASSIC MASON CLIPPER – CAPRI V – Check Out The Trailer

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CLASSIC MASON CLIPPER – CAPRI V – Check Out The Trailer

Todays story is more about the amazing trailer that we see in the video of the Mason Clipper- CAPRI V launching at the recent Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade. It’s believed that there is only one other trailer left working like it. Considering the design of the trailer is nearly 50 years old it must have been something back then. I wonder why it never took off else where.

Owner Phil Davidson commented that CAPRI V was built in 1978 and her original owner was Graham Lincoln. In the last photo ex the Mason Clipper FB page we see the craft at the Auckland Boat Show. Graham Lincoln’s son told Phil that she won some award at the show.

CAPRI V is powered by a 1996 350hp Chev V8 with Volvo Penta gear drive.

Phil is the seventh owner and she mainly spends her time on Taupo Tarawera and Lake Rotoiti. In the 2nd photo above CAPRI V is seen in Honeymoon Bay on Lake Rotoiti.

CLASSIC IAN OUGHTRED WOODEN CLINKER DINGHY NEEDS A NEW HOME

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CLASSIC IAN OUGHTRED WOODEN CLINKER DINGHY NEEDS A NEW HOME

WW doesn’t normally do stories like this but the owner of this stunning clinker dinghy is a good friend and a long time passionate classic wooden boat owner. So here goes, in the owner words. 

“It’s an Auklet designed by Iain Oughtred (was one of the worlds leading small boat designers, now deceased).  7ft2in long. It was built in the South Island I think in Nelson. There is a builders plate, that says Walker boatbuilder. There is a boatbuilder Richard Walker at Brightwater just out of Nelson who has done some beautiful restoration work on Elray (see https://boatingnz.co.nz/2018/05/restoring-elray-iii/). I don’t know when it was built.  I bought it from a bloke in Blenheim who had too many boats and had to make room at home.  It had hardly been used.  I revarnished it with Altex Timbercoat. I’ve had it under cover for 3 or 4 years and used it for a sail when the urge took me and also for grandchildren.

Comes complete with all sailing gear, oars and US alloy beach tailer that comes apart for stowing.  Also the custom cradles for onboard deck mounting.

Selling as I’m getting older so with some regret I’m selling this bit of furniture”.

So woodys what ever the reason – embellishing your existing classic wooden vessel / rewarding the grand children or just treating yourself – this is the best opportunity to own what is probably NZ’s finest spirit of tradition clinker dinghy – and the price is a steal at $5,500

I dont like publishing personal contact details so if interested drop WW an email at waitematawoodys@gmail.com and I’ll join the dots.

TANDARRA – A Peek Down Below

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TANDARRA – A Peek Down Below

The Lidgard built 42’ launch – TANDARRA has made several appearance on WW , links below, lots of chat so be sure to read the comments sections.

Today thanks to Ian McDonald and Alan Sexton we get to have an updated look at her.

Quick overview – 42’ x 12’5”,  built from triple skin kauri (+f/glassed), currently powered by twin 300hp 6 cyl Ford Sabre engines. 

With a build date of 1976 and those varnished coaming she sneaks into the spirit of tradition category. Her original owners were the  Opperman brothers.

Sure to get a rise from the Lidgard fan club but its been commented that there is some Salthouse influence in her profile, she looks very similar to a Corsair 😉

WW Aug 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/30/tandarra/ WW Jan 2023  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/19/tandarra-2/

ARTEMIS – A Peek Down Below

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ARTEMIS – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody is ARTEMIS, built by Orams in 1971 though some elements of her do look older than 1971 and some look newer than 1971.

Her specs ar 40’ x 11’3” x 2’11”, forward motion is via Perkins 120hp diesel engine.

Home has been Picton, Marlborough but the craft hs recently sold and will be heading north to the Bay of Islands, don’t they all these days 🙂

Keen to learn more about ARTEMIS’S past life and how and when she ended out a southern gal.

PICTON AND CLASSIC BOAT CLUB 

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PICTON AND CLASSIC BOAT CLUB 

One of the highlights each month is getting a copy of ‘DEADWOOD’ the newsletter the Picton Clinker & Classic Boat Club, in my email inbox. Its edited / pulled together by Roysie, sorry I do not know the surname. Each issue is a reminder to me that classic wooden boating isn’t all about launch and yachts kept on marinas. There is as much or probably more fun messing around in small clinker craft. 
In the latest issue Roysie reports on the clubs recent ‘Ngakuta Run’ on Saturday 15th. February .  I’ll let Roysie tell the story – 

“The day dawned fine & clear with light winds and nine boats arrived at the Ngakuta ramp including Ruru recently repaired by Dick. Unfortunately she stopped again on the trip and had to accept a tow from Riff Raff, Roy’s new boat, but came right and finished the run under her own steam.

It was a good turnout with 17 members on the water in 9 boats. The fleet motored from Ngakuta across the Sound to Umugnata Bay and along the northern shore to Bottle Bay, Houhou Point then back across to Iwirua Point and westward in and out of the bays back to Ngakuta.

The boats were retrieved and the barbecue set up in the shade of an oak tree. The weather was glorious and the setting perfect, we needed that shade from the sun which we’ve not really seen enough of this summer. Several club members arrived for the sausage sizzle and a very pleasant social occasion was enjoyed by all. “

CLASSIC SPIRIT OF TRADITION YACHT – ZACA 4sale

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CLASSIC SPIRIT OF TRADITION YACHT – ZACA

Todays woody – ZACA was built by the legendary Cal Crooks as his own boat. Launched in 1986 she is cold moulded 3 skin kauri.

It has been commented that her lines take cues from Herreshoff but below the water she is fin keel with a spade rudder. So woodys you have the classic look with agility and pace. Her approx. specs are 42’6″ LOL and 39’44″ on deck. ZACA has been graced with good owners who undertaken both annual maintenance and system upgrades – A new Yammer 40hp was installed in 2020 + new exhaust system, new shaft, new 3 blade feathering prop. You will see from photos that numerous other enhancements have been commissioned.
Her interior fit out is very special and matches her classic looks.

Video link for sailing footage https://youtu.be/3JjhERxZVtk?si=eE6RDPCEVqV1GsjT

Interested parties should initially contact Paul at villas@araroa.nz for more details .

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #2 THE PICNIC

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LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #2 THE PICNIC

Today again thanks to Scott Johnson we experience the post Parade picnic at Wairau Bay. Where after the formalities of the Parade, the skippers and crew get to relaxed and have a waterside party. 

The venue being a lake (no tide) means that the craft can all nudge into the bank and everyone gets to meet, chat and swap boating stories.

Enjoy the gallery of photos – if you missed Mondays story where we featured the Parade – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/24/lake-rotoiti-2025-classic-wooden-boat-parade-part-1-the-parade/

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #1 THE PARADE

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LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #1 THE PARADE

Today thanks to Scott Johnson we get a look at the 2025 Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade — stunning, weather and photos that matched the wooden craft.

The day began with the traditional three cannon blasts, signaling the start of a flotilla of 80 classic and wooden boats gliding across the lake – lead out by Teheka Whaka.

Spectators gathered along the Okere arm shore, enjoying a live commentary from the commodore, who shared insights into the history and craftsmanship of these beautiful vessels. The weather was perfect, making for a truly memorable day on the water.

The parade concluded with a picnic and games at Wairau Bay, where the skippers and crew relaxed and celebrated another fantastic year of this cherished tradition.

Enjoy the gallery of photos & remember – click on photos to enlarge ;-)- On Wednesday we will have part two – the lake side picnic.

PARADE OF SAIL – 2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

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©️AWBF2025

PARADE OF SAIL – 2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

One of the big events during the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, Tasmania is the ‘Parade of Sail’ – the offical opening event. Conditions allowing they get 11 Tall Sailing Ships and over 200 craft sailing up the Derwent River and into Sullivan Cove to mark the start of the festival. 

Today you get to experience the spectacle from about the media boat – a rather large twin hulled motorboat that was perfect for the task. Conditions were a tad challenging for the smaller craft but everyone was well behaved and followed the marshals instructions. 

Enjoy the gallery – only a selection – could only capture what the skipper deemed of most interest 🙂

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – DAY 6

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DAY SIX – BULLETIN – TUES 11TH

On the big silver bird today heading back to Auckland. Today we have a glimpse at a rather fine speed boat – MISS JAMAR that caught both my self and Angus Rogers eye.

Powered by a 383 ci Chev V8.