Category Archives: Spirit of Tradition

AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL LAUNCHES ACROSS THE PACIFIC

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AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL LAUNCHES ACROSS THE PACIFIC

A Big Plug Today For The Biggest & Best Wooden Boating Event In The World – I encourage anyone with an interest in classic wooden boating to make this a bucket list item. Link below to a peek back at the 2021 Festival to give you a taste. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/02/12/woodys-on-tour-hobart-australian-wooden-boat-festival-day-3/

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival (AWBF) is excited to launch its 2025 Festival Program, proudly presenting “The Pacific” as its central theme. The festival will showcase this vast ocean region’s cultural and historical significance, featuring content from New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti, New Caledonia, Japan, the US West Coast and other Pacific locales. 

Tasmania’s largest free event and the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the Southern Hemisphere will be held 7–10 February 2025. Over four days, Hobart’s waterfront will reach its fullest potential and become a place of pilgrimage for 400+ boats and tens of thousands of visitors from across Australia and the world.

Highlights of the 2025 Pacific-themed program include the Pacific Seafarers Precinct presenting navigators, artists, curators, and maritime artisans who embody the ancient and ongoing traditions of the region, feature vessels such as the recently restored 1896 New Zealand built yacht Te Uira—one of the first racing yachts to make it to Australia—and the Australian debut of the Kumundar Gujo Project, a giant Japanese-inspired jungle gym that kids build themselves.

AWBF General Manager and Festival Director Paul Stephanus said, “The AWBF is a celebration of our collective heritage. The 2025 theme allows us to explore our connection with the Pacific like never before, bringing visitors face-to-face with historic vessels and remarkable people from across the ocean. We hope to create a festival experience that feels both grand in its spectacle and intimate in its sense of community.”

Festival favourites are back but with a Pacific twist. The ever-popular Wooden Boat Symposium will dive deep into stories of (mis)adventure and tackle hot-button issues, the Shipwrights Village and Noisy Boatyard will deliver demonstrations and workshops by master craftspeople, and the bustling Maritime Marketplace will offer unique wares. The Little Sailors Village and Constitution Dock will engage young hearts and minds with activities for all ages, culminating in the thrilling Quick & Dirty Boatbuilding Challenge and Race.

The 2025 AWBF program is available online now at awbf2025.org.au/.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – CAPTAIN BANJO + WW merchandise

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – CAPTAIN BANJO

CAPTAIN BANJO is another woody that I spotted recently at Sandspit marina. Her stern shows her home port as Whangarei so maybe she is a visitor.

At first glance she has a southern gal look to her and that exhaust / comms stack is very robust for her size.

Can we learn more about CAPTAIN BANJO

19-11-2024 UPDATE ex Greg Lees – Built approx. 30 years ago by Lidgards, strip planked – powered by a Gardner 6LXB. Sadly her owner passed away last week.

XMAS WW MERCHANDISE – ORDER NOW

DETAILS HERE – https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/09/waitematawoodys-gear-limited-summer-offering-romance-ii-update/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARISTOS 

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2015

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARISTOS 

Back in 2015 I took the top photo of the 36′ launch – ARISTOS at the  Classic Launch & Yacht exhibition, she is a very fine looking woody but with her probably being the only Des Townson designed launch to be built, we would not expect anything less. Built by Noel May and launched in 1985.

Over the weekend I had cause to be mooching around the Sandspit Marina and I spied ARISTOS, nice to see she is still presented in grand condition. The davits on the stern are an unusual design, with the ability to swing back. Wouldn’t suit a lot of classics but ARISTOS carries it well.

See and read more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/10/03/the-des-townson-story-aristos/

And here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/03/09/aristos/

Photo below that I’m sure Des Townson would feel more comfortable with 🙂

CLASSIC EX GAME BOAT – SAPPHIRE – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC EX GAME BOAT – SAPPHIRE – A Peek Down Below

Back in August thanks to Dean Wright uncovering a launch day photo (see below) of the 48’ Oliver & Gilpin built ex game boat – SAPPHIRE, we got an insightcintohow she looked back in 1972 and we also uncovered a recent out-of-water photo.

How thanks to Ian McDonalds hawk eyes searching tme we get to have a gander below. Enjoy.

(L) Sapphire, (R) Lady Lynn


WOODEN LAUNCH – DESIREE + Free Boating Magazine Access

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WOODEN LAUNCH – DESIREE

Last year WW was contacted by Darren Critchley regarding the launch. – DESIREE, which Darren had acquired and was undertaking a ‘rebuild’, Darrens words.

He purchased the boat a couple of years ago in Tauranga and knows very little about her. Does the top photo spring anyones memory, would be nice to learn more about her.

Input from Nathan Herbert – Amatuer built cabin on most likely a Shipbuilders hard chine kit set hull, although the sheer line aft looks a bit unusual in that angle

A HEADS UP – DO YOU OWN AN AUCKLAND LIBRARIES CARD? If so do you know via their online hub you can access and read most of the boating magazines in the world – AND ITS FREE – CLASSIC BOAT,  PRACTICAL BOAT OWNER, SAILING WORLD,  SAIING TODAY, POWER & MOTORYACHT, TRADEABOAT, SUPERYACHT, PASSAGEMAKER and even BOATING NZ

No need to pay the big $$ for these magazines and they appear on the day they are released overseas e.g. I’m currently reading the November issue of Classic Boat – see below as to how it appears on screen – no gutter join spacing ✔️

WOODEN LAUNCH – AMANDA LEE – A Peek Down Below

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WOODEN LAUNCH – AMANDA LEE – A Peek Down Below

Todays wooden launch – AMANDA LEE fits into the spirit of tradition category by way of her 1978 launch date. Built at Greg Lees Boatbuilder, Sandspit to a Lidgard design.

30’ in length, carvel planked and powered by a 120hp Perkins diesel engine.

And that woodys is all we have learnt from her tme story (thanks Ian McDonald)

The marine canopy company that did her canopies and solar tower didn’t do the boat any favours or maybe her owner is 7’ tall ………… 🙂

Can we learn more about her past

RSVP TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THE BEST WOODY DAY OUT OF THE SEASON – just need – your name, boat name & approx # crew – email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA REVIEW – 70+ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS

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KBC Spring Splash Launch Parade Start
PRIZE GIVING
AGM
Sunday Race Pre-Start
Sunday Race Start
TAWERA Finish Line

KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA REVIEW – 70+ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS

 WoW what a long weekend – our first long weekend as we slide out of winter into summer. The on-the-water boating season kicked off this year with a new event on the calendar – the ‘Labour Weekend Spring Splash Regatta’ at Kawau Island, in the Hauraki Gulf. Going forward the hosts – Kawau Boating Club and race organisers – Ponsonby Cruising Club intend to ran the regatta every year. The weather gods were against us at times – but the weekend was a winner with everyone that attended.

Firstly I’d like to thank all the skippers, family  and crew that took the leap of faith and pointed their craft north in conditions on both Friday and Saturday morning that can best described as character building for the skippers and testing for the craft.

I went north at mid day on Friday and all I saw in terms of other craft afloat was a procession of yachts returning to Auckland after pulling out of the Coastal Classic race to Russell. Big ups to the yachts that pushed on and completed the race, I’m sure most skippers will have trouble rounding up crew for next years race 🙂

Fridays race to Kawau was light on numbers due to the weather but the fleet pushed on and most made it to KBC to swap stories. Mike Mahoney commented that his majestic 1935 Logan built classic – TAWERA spent more time going thru the waves than on top of them.

Saturday’s around the island race was cancelled due to high winds, but the KBC turnover was the winner. A great night ,with a DJ on hand.

Sunday we had the Waitematawoodys classic parade and 15 woodys (one yacht) did a lap of BON ACCORD Harbour – a brilliant turnout for the opening year. Those participating were recorded with stunning weather.

Post the parade, the yacht race got away, check out the video below of TAWERA coming in hot to the finish line – perfect timing by skipper Mike and crew, Only problem it was to decide 3 and 4 place 🙂

Sunday nights prize giving was a hoot and most people left with a prize and a smile.

Other activities over the weekend were a children’s lolly scramble and the KBC AGM on Sunday morning. Brilliant turnout at the AGM and very positive vibes.

The weekend report wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the recently refurbished KBC clubroom / bar / bistro – the presentation of the interior is a perfect fit for a boating club of the KBC’s standing.

And the food and staff…………… 10/10 – the food photos tell their own story.

The winner of the major prize for parade participants – SPONSORED BY THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – was Jill Hetherington and her 1939 C. Bailey built launch – TUNA.  Jill’s prize is a haulout and 3 days hardstand at the classic friendly railway slip.

I have to sign off now, I’m falling asleep at the keyboard.

Enjoy the photo gallery & videos, several people clicking the camera (phone) over the weekend, so thanks for everyones contribution.

SeaLegs A Popular Mode Of Transport On The Island

READY TO UNWIND THIS SUMMER – CLASSIC MOTORBOAT – VANESSA TICKS ALL THE BOXES 

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READY TO UNWIND THIS SUMMER – CLASSIC MOTORBOAT – VANESSA TICKS ALL THE BOXES 

Get first glance you would think that the 49’ motorboat -VANESSA , falls into the converted ex-workboat group. But not this girl, she is a purpose built spirit of tradition woody. Designed and built in 2005 by Devonport boat builder – Rob Roberts as a custom passage maker. Her hull has two layers of 15mm ply over 150×150 mahogany ribs, and laminated kauri stringers, then glassed .

 Powered by a Caterpillar 3160, 210hp diesel engine that was reconditioned in 2005, the Cat will see her comfortably cruising at 8+ knots and she slips 8L an hour, very impressive for a 20 ton wooden craft. Combine that with 3,200L of fuel tankage + 1,600L water, she really lives up to the passage maker tag. 

In the interests for low maintenance , long haul cruising – her systems are very ‘old school’ i.e. no turbo, no ‘blackbox’ engine electronics etc. But no money has been spared on her navigation and house systems.

VANESSA has just returned to the water after her annual maintenance work (photos below) and is now for sale and presents in hop on > sail away condition. 

A wonderful craft that visually has all the feel good vibes of a classic boat but with the low maintenance benefits of a 2005 build date utilising the best materials and construction methods.

Interested parties to initial contact the Wooden Boat Bureau at waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details 

09-11-2024 UPDATE – Video below of VANESSA docking at Sandspit Yacht Club today

VANESSA 09-11-2024

SOUTHERN WOODY MASON MARLIN RUNABOUT + Riverhead Tavern Lunch Cruise Details

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SOUTHERN WOODY MASON MARLIN RUNABOUT

I was contacted about todays woody earlier in the year, at the time the boat was based in Queenstown and was looking for a new owner.

Her then owner had spent a lot of money on her, the Honda 50 hp 4-stroke would have broken most peoples budget.

No name visible – keen to learn if she sold and where she ended up.

EXCITED ABOUT THE UPCOMING LABOUR WEEKEND WOODY SPRING SPLASH AT KAWAU ISLAND. Below are details on the next woody event after Kawau – circle the calendar. 

RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

IF I WON LOTTO – WHAT CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WOULD I OWN

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Deal Island 50

IF I WON LOTTO – WHAT CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WOULD I OWN

Well woodys the first thing I would do is jump on a plane and fly to Melbourne , Australia and go and see Tim Phillips at The WoodenBoat Shop in Sorrento. I met Tim in Feb 2023 aboard his 100 year old ’cruising smack’ – STORM BAY at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, Tasmania. Tim, family and cruising buddies had sailed over for the festival. Fresh crew attire was supplied via the waitematawoodys merch bag. (Photo below of Tim aboard STORM BAY)

At the time I just thought Tim was a genuine good bugger but unbeknown to me Tim is the powerhouse behind Australis’s leading wooden boat yard – The WoodenBoat Shop. And that woodys is who I would trust to build me my dream boat. Visit the website here to view / read more about them www.woodenboatshop.com.au

The TWBS team have just launched their latest creation – WINTER COVE, the Deal Island 50, on display this weekend at the Melbourne International Boat Show at Docklands Marina.

As well as building and restoring wooden boats, the WBS have their own custom range of bronze chandlery.

In the photo gallery above, most of the photos are of the WINTER COVE the Deal Island 50, but I have included a few workshop and other TWBS craft images to help set the scene.