Category Archives: Sub 28′

AN INSIGHT INTO NZ’S UNIQUE MARINE ENGINES – Part Six

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AN INSIGHT INTO NZ’S UNIQUE MARINE ENGINES – Part Six
Todays WW story follows on from earlier stories – link below to Part One, Two, Three, Four and Five 
As per pervious stories in the series the content has been pulled together by Ken Ricketts and ‘polished’ byPatrica and Ken’s daughter Corinne Pettersen. As always we have endeavoured to be as factual as possible but there will always by matters others will either know more about or be able to correct errors – so woodys do not hold back in commenting.

PART ONE – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/04/an-insight-into-nzs-unique-marine-engines-part-one/

PART TWO – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/12/an-insight-into-nzs-unique-marine-engines-part-two/

PART THREE – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/18/an-insight-into-nzs-unique-marine-engines-part-three/

PART FOUR – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/04/26/an-insight-into-nzs-unique-marine-engines-part-four/

PART FIVE – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/03/an-insight-into-nzs-unique-marine-engines-part-five/

BENZ DIESEL ENGINE – BENZ OM59 55HP 4CYL DIESEL ENGINE PROBABLY SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE MANUNUI

MANUNUI WITH HER 55HP 6 CYL BENZ DIESEL ENGINE DURING WWII

MANUNUI AS BUILT AT SPEED WITH HER BENZ DIESEL ENGINE 

The MANUNUI was built for Percy Colebrook in 1939 by Bill Couldrey and had a medium / slow revving 6 cylinder 55 hp Benz Diesel engine fitted when built, which she retained until 1963 when it was replaced by a 100 hp Perkins Diesel. 

CRUSADER V8 MARINE PETROL ENGINES

TWIN CRUSADER ORIGINAL V8 PETROL ENGINES HAVING SERVICING, FROM THE RIVA TRITONE “LOLA,” WHICH ARE STILL IN HER TODAY. 

Crusader engines, while major marine engine suppliers in America and other countries, have only made a cameo appearance in New Zealand, with only a handful of these lovely engines in use here, as far as I can ascertain.

Overview: The only craft I personally know of for certain is the stunning 1962 Italian-built Riva Tritone, LOLA.

However, WINSOME II may have had one, back around the 1950s when owned by Andy Donovan. I know her previous Chrysler 8-cylinder inline engine was replaced around that time by a V8, that was either a Crusader, Chris-Craft, or Flagship. However, the memory banks have failed me, making it impossible to determine which of the three it is, so come on, you WINSOME II experts, help me out here!

In the 1960s, Crusader Marine Engines was a prominent brand worldwide, providing inboard power for many boats, particularly cruisers and sport fishermen. They were known for their premium quality and reliability, used by leading boat manufacturers like Chris-Craft. 

Crusader engines were based on standard automotive engines, but were marinized for marine use, with many of them based on Ford engines, and later with Hercules and Chrysler base units.

LOLA WITH HER 2 X CRUSADER 270HP PETROL ENGINES 

LOLA, the 1962 Italian-built Riva Tritone Aperto, has a LOA of 27 ft and is one of only 15 in the world. 

It is believed to be the only original Riva in New Zealand and a stunning example of boat restoration, all completed in NZ. Only 3,000 Rivas were built between 1950 and 1966, and she still has her original engines. She lives, or did live, in her own, purpose built, fully air conditioned boat shed, on the banks of the Marlborough Sounds.

WINSOME II – MAY HAVE HAD A CRUSADER V8 PETROL ENGINE IN THE 1950s /60s ERA – POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES ARE FLAGSHIP & CHRIS CRAFT 

CHRIS CRAFT PETROL ENGINES.

CHRIS CRAFT 1950s 6 CYL FLATHEAD PETROL 135hp ENGINE SIMILAR TO THAT IN THE GLENIFFER IN THE 1950s

These are another brand of engine that is sold in huge numbers worldwide, particularly in America, where all genuine Chris-Craft boats are built. However, they have only made a cameo appearance in New Zealand, with most of them coming here in imported Chris-Craft boats.

There are a few New Zealand-built boats that have or have had them. I have only ever seen a petrol version, although naturally, they do produce diesel engines in their lineup. All the engines they produce are based on other major engine manufacturers’ base engine blocks and are marinized by them. Hercules is a major engine block supplier to them.

GLENIFFER WITH HER CHRISCRAFT 6 CYL FLAT HEAD PETROL ENGINE RUNNING ON KEROSENE IN THE 1950s – OWNER PERCY JENNINGS IS AT THE HELM.

Input copied from previous post, ex Harold Kidd.  – “Trevor Davis sold GLENIFER to P J Jennings of Paeroa in 1937 and he sold her to George Manktelow of Paeroa in about 1959. The Gleniffer was replaced by a 6-cyl Chris Craft (Hercules block) during the 50s, converted to run on power kerosene with a Model A Ford Zenith carb.”

FLAGSHIP MARINE ENGINES

FLAGSHIP 1958 250HP V8 PETROL MARINE ENGINE – BASED ON A CHEV BLOCK

There were a number of these engines that found their way to NZ in the 1950s/60s era and this is one of the possibilities for the V8 engine that was installed in the WINSOME II in that era by Andy Donovan who may also have had an agency for them, around that time.

WOODEN LAUNCH – RANGATIRA + I BOUGHT A YACHT

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WOODEN LAUNCH – RANGATIRA + I BOUGHT A YACHT

The wooden launch RANGATIRA recently popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and reading the listing it sounds like an abandoned vessel forced sale.

34’, kauri hull, Perkins 6 cyl. engine (not working) – that is about all we know other than a $1 reserve. 

Possibly beyond a restoration but surely someone needs some kauri for a project……

I BOUGHT A YACHT

Well a small one, very small eg vintage pond yacht. Another one for the collection. Very good condition.

On the centre cockpit there is a cover (to keep water out – this one actually sails) on the top are the letters ‘RMYC 1923” and two burgees / pennants – refer photo below. My initial thought was ‘Royal Melbourne Yacht Club’ but can’t find any reference to that other than a Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron and they have no reference on their website to those two ‘flags’. Anyone ablate help ID the graphics / yacht.

IS THIS WOODEN LAUNCH – RANUI / EL ALAMEIN

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IS THIS WOODEN LAUNCH – RANUI / EL ALAMEIN

Yesterday Liz France posted on fb asking for help ID’ing the above launch pictured in the top photo in Western Bay, Lake Taupo c.1950’s.

The smaller vessel in the photo was built by Liz’s father and uncle in 1954, and has recently been restored and was re-launched last weekend. This craft is named STINGRAY and seen in the photo gallery above.

Several people commented that the bigger launch could be RANUI / EL ALAMEIN.

Link below to a previous WW story on RANUI / EL ALAMEIN  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/19/el-alamein-ranui-on-lake-taupo/

Can we confirm that the launch Liz has referenced is in fact RANUI / EL ALAMEIN.

INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – EL ALAMEIN continued to be EL ALAMEIN for many years when she was in private ownership at Taupo. When put into survey (not sure of date) and operated commercially by Jim Storey, she became RANUI. This photo is interesting, and I think it shows RANUI in the eastern corner of Waihora Bay.

MILFORD MARINA MOOCHING

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MILFORD MARINA MOOCHING

Given all the recent upgrades in the marina it seems wrong to refer to it as Milford Creek. Maybe the areas now fitting of the name that some of the mud berth dwellers use – ‘Wairau Cove’.

I spent some time there yesterday helping with the relaunch of Angus Rogers 1968 Bailey & Son built launch – CENTAURUS that had been out at the Slipway Milford railway slip for some TLC and a JPPJ (Jason Prew Paint Job) – a minor opps – flat batteries………. meant a delayed start, so plenty of time to pull the camera (phone) out. A 3.5m tide equalled a lot of activity at the Slipway and the adjacent Milford Cruising Club hard stand.

The standard of the woodys in the marina seems to be improving in the last few years , probably a combination of the new bridge , upgraded MCC yard and the big crew working at the Slipway Milford. 

Nice to see that the small berths along the roadside have almost exclusively been taken over by the Pied Piper fleet. The MCC yard was home to some out for early winter TLC.

I won’t disclose how many berthing attempts we had back at CENTAURUS’s marina but while Angus blamed the out going tide and wind – me thinks the new JPPJ was the reason i.e. skipper was a tad gun shy and didn’t want to mark the boat on the first outing 😉

CLASSIC CLINKER RUNABOUT – IN THE MEANTIME

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CLASSIC CLINKER RUNABOUT – IN THE MEANTIME

Back in April 2022 we ran a brief story ex Rob Bark in regard to a clinker run-about he had purchased named – IN THE MEANTIME. Back then Rob was hoping to learn more about the craft.

The photos above are recent ex Rob and are a vast improvement on what we saw back in 2022, those photos are below – the first one dated c.2015,  shows the boat as purchased by the previous owner (who was based in Rotoiti, Lake Rotorua). They removed the cabin and hot-house.

The second & third photos below show her as a work-in-progress. 

WW was unable to unable to uncover any intel in 2022 , so today we ask again – the WW readership numbers have move than doubled in the last few years so maybe some fresh eyes and minds might help. Any intel , even possible build date would be appreciated.
Rob is currently in the process of deciding how he should power her (inboard, outboard etc) – any advice.

HOW DO THESE WOODEN BOATS STAY AFLOAT

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HOW DO THESE WOODEN BOATS STAY AFLOAT

Recently Alistair Rowe sent in the two photos above of wooden vessels berthed at Westport marina.

Alistair described them as crusty old work boats, but I think he was being overly nice. If they were up any of the rivers, creeks in and around Auckland I think it would be a pretty safe bet that the Harbour Master would have removed them.

The boat in the top photo appears to have an oil/fuel boom around her, but the boom looks as old as the boat….

Forecast for the long Easter weekend is evil so leaving the marina will be a challenge – have already cancelled my mooring booking at Kawau Island.

You have to feel sorry for the Kawau Boating Club, seems of late every long weekend sees an unfavourable weather forecast . Fingers crossed things improve for the legendary ANZAC Day dawn service at KBC.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SEAFARER – A Peek Down Below + 4sale – SOLD

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SEAFARER – A Peek Down Below + 4sale SOLD

Todays woody is very familiar to me having hauled out alongside her at Devonport Yacht Club on several occasions. Several times I contemplated asking to be not postponed alongside her – why? Well her owner is one of those people that can do just about anything on a boat and to a standard thats 10/10. I would be embarrassed with my efforts but her owner was very generous with his advice. 

Seafarer is for sale on tme and at $25k, is a bargain, if I was in the market I’d buy it without a survey, she’s that good.

Some background – SEAFARER has impeccable genes – was designed by John Brook and built by Walter Deeming of Deeming Bros. boat builders in Opua, Northland, using local kauri for its carvel construction. 27’6” in length she was launched as a motor sailor in 1963. Her owner has had her since 2012 and over the next several winters major restoration and overhaul was undertaken. This included the stripping of all internal and external paintwork and re-caulking the hull where needed. She was completely rewired with 2 new AGM house batteries and a new start battery. A new Beta 43 engine, new shaft, thrust bearing and prop were installed. A new toilet, holding tank and small refrigeration unit were put in.

SEAFARER has been used every summer to cruise the Hauraki Gulf and been on the hard every winter for ongoing projects to be undertaken.

If you’re in the market for smaller classic wooden launch- act quick, she will be gone very quickly. SOLD – IN A RECORD TIME- BUT I EXPECTED THAT ✔️

PIT-a-PAT – 1928 WOODEN RACE BOAT

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PIT-a-PAT – 1928 WOODEN RACE BOAT

Todays woody would normally struggle to make the cut for a WW story – but there is one huge item that gets her over the line  – her helm wheel – OMG – I want it……

Now putting aside my Model T Ford wheel fixation – what we know about PIT-a-PAT is she was built in 1928 by J.N. Robinson and is described as a ’single step vintage racing hull’.
Built from spruce with kaikawaka gunnels. She won numerous races in the 1929 > 1934 period including  the Teichelmann Cup in 1932, 33, and 34. The cup remains with the boat today and will be passed onto her next owner. (thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MANDALAY

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MANDALAY

Todays woody the 23’ MANDALAY just ticks so many boxes – Its built of full length kauri carvel planks in 1932 – Kauri backbone – copper fastened on steam bent ribs – it has a modern engine >Yammer 3GMD 23 hp – 4 berths – standing headroom in the wheelhouse – easily driven by an auxiliary outboard.
AND – the real bonus – it comes with a purpose built legal road trailer that allows her to be easily taken ashore for routine upkeep and changing cruising location.

With todays spiralling marina costs these smaller, transportable woodys will be the future, or at least what keeps a lot of people in the classic wooden boating game.

Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up. She has appeared on WW before where we learnt from Harold Kidd that she was built by Ralph Shepherd in Auckland. – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/11/13/mandalay-2/

LITTLE HONEY – 1955 CLASSIC WOODEN RUNABOUT.

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LITTLE HONEY – 1955 CLASSIC WOODEN RUNABOUT.

Back inlet Dec 2024 James McConnell won one of the WW quiz’s and in correspondence commented that he owned a 1955 17’ Mason Marlin, named LITTLE HONEY (not her original name). 

He also mentioned that he was restoring her for the 2nd time in 12mths, now that pricked my ears up, there had to be a good (or sad) story there – so woodys it goes like this, told by James –

“I’ll send a link to some pics of ‘Little Honey’.  No indication of her original name. I believe. I bought the runabout in secret as a surprise for my wife and family in Feb 2024 and had put hundreds of hours into a functional referb to make her a family run about for delivery at Christmas.

It’s not a boat builder quality job but a labour of love with a hard timeline and a fantastic learning curve assisted by the professional English and American wooden boat builders on youtube. It’s all International Yacht Paint products, 5 coats of colour on the hull and roof + 1 coat of varnish and every other varnished surface has 8 coats of Gold Spar original. At some stage in her past life she was converted to outboard power.

All was going well until on her 2nd voyage on the Rangataiki River I hit a submerged log and dislodged the transom.  Good news is I get to tinker for longer and can now engage my 3 boys in the task.

We’ll refresh the engine (Johnson 90 V4 2 stroke), glass the hull and repaint now that I can flip it over and work in daylight and change the prop to suit her better.”

We look forward to seeing photos of the repaired woody.