When my phone rings and the ID says John Wright I always answer – why? Aside from the fact he is a great guy. John has a great eye for our classic craft and if he tells me to get my A into gear and do a yard / dockside visit, I know it will be a goody.
This time the woody was the semi-ex 24’ workboat MARISSA, a 100+ years old and owned by the Monaghan family for a very large chunk of that time.
Home port is Great Barrier Island and after her re-launch at Te Atatu Boating Club she will be heading back to the barrier.
Some of her history – at one change when she was a cray boat she went ashore at GB and was abandoned on the beach. I may get this wrong, someone correct me if I do – either Don Armitage or the Monaghan family saved the wreck and concerted here to something along the lines of what we see today.
Photos below of her post the wreck / rebuild. These days she is powered by a 4 cyl. Isuzu diesel engine.
INPUT ex KERIN QWEN – Don Milne rebuilt her and crayfished from Wairahi. Then to Whangapara as support vessel for the lodge, then to Monahan’s I believe. That’s from about 1980 on. I would like to know more of her earlier history. I believe she was converted from a launch configuration.
WW has been contacted by Ulf Uchida who advised that recently friends of his had bought a little wooden keeler named OSLO. Ulf commented that he had looked at her 12 years ago when she was on the hard on a property Long Beach on Dunedin’s northern coastline.
The story goes that she is somehow connected with Jack Crooks of Invercargill, the same one who sailed TUARANGI around the world a long time ago now. Ulf’s friends are enthusiastic beginner sailors and do not know a lot about the yacht but are keen to find out more. They are facing a major repair job but are keen to put in the time and effort required. The photos above show her hauled out at the OYC recently.
So woodys can we provide anymore backland on OSLO
16-12-2024 INPUT ex KEN GOA _ I worked on Oslo in the late ’80’s in Auckland as a boatbuilding apprentice. Oslo had broken free of it’s mooring, and holed the starboard side of her hull and topsides. Double diagonal planking and ribs repaired by John Rea Boatbuilders on Archers Rd Glenfield. I have a few hard copy photos of the damage repairs.
A HEADS UP TO THE PETROL HEADS
If you aren’t relaxing at Kawau Island on Sunday / Monday of anniversary weekend – and like to open the throttle up on your woody launch / workboat – the anniversary day regatta drag race (ok, there is handicapping) might be your gig on Monday 27th – dockside chat tells me registering on line is a serious challenge, so if you are considering entering – drop Jason Prew an email and he will talk you thru things. jason@slipway.co.nz
Last month we featured a smart looking woody launched that was under a ’tent’ near Greg Lees Boat Yard. At the time we learnt from Greg that in another life he was named POLLY and spent time around Kawau Island.
We can report that the launch has moved into the yards slipway / boathouse and work is underway to complete the rebuild.
WW has been contacted by Martin Orme regarding a small launch that interests him as a restoration project. Martin came across it under a tree in Wainuiomata, Wellington.
Martin commented that he thinks he can just make out the name MARETOSA on the stern, or something close to that , and not sure if that name is the original. So woodys can anyone help Martin out with intel on the vessel.
PERFECT XMAS SANTA SACK ADDITION – Classic Woody Calendar
Once again the team at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association have produced a stunning 2025 calendar – probably the best ever, but I’m biased as I snapped a lot of the photos :-)A bargain at $15 – order here https://form.jotform.com/233366600330850
2024 CENTREBOARD CUP – Traditional Centreboard Classic Yachts
A cancelled happening had an upside – I pointed the car to Marine Parade in Herne Bay Auckland to see the start of the 2024 Centreboard Cup.
The race started back in 2013 and is based at what the locals call ’Sloane Beach’ – one of Aucklands hidden gems.
The traditional centreboard yachts do two laps of a course that takes in Watchman Island and the Chelsea Buoy (off the Chelsea sugar works).
Numbers were done this year but that seems to be the norm of late – but on the plus side, the fleet was 300% up on Fridays CYA Classic Weekend Rally turnout 😦
I’ll hand over to Andrew Mason who supplied the results.
“The winner Scullet L56 finished in 52:20. Rangi Manu L52 was 2nd just 48s later. Melita L28 withdraw on leg one. All boats had a most enjoyable day on the water.”
Beach / Clubrooms below
CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC YACHT – MANURUA Recently WW was contacted by a gent considering purchasing a Bob Stewart designed 1965 yacht (Camelot design) named MANURUA. The craft is currently in Opua, Northland but the story goes that she was apparently built by Oliver and Gillpin in Tauranga, and possibly operated as a dive charter vessel in Bay of Plenty. The current owner doesn’t have much history, so woodys can we confirm / expend on the above.
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.
Now if you haven’t managed to get afloat this Labour weekend, I hope you are at least close to the water.
One of my overseas based progeny sent me the top photo recently, it popped up on her Devonport residents fb feed.
The location is Cheltenham Beach, Devonport and was taken by A H Jones in 1913. Source is the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection. Obviously the image has been colourised, a common habit back in the old days.
I sent back the 2nd photo that I took earlier in the week – same beach and one of the reasons I live in Devonport. The other reason is Cafe Santini (63 Lake Rd), owner and barista Alessandro makes the best coffee in Auckland and if you ask nicely he will sell you the legendary TONI’s pizza dough – perfect for the home pizza oven (photo below – its been a while since I did a food photo 🙂
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.
CLASSIC WOODY BOAT FESTIVAL AT THE WHANGAREI TOWN BASIN – 48 Photos & Videos
The weekends weather in Auckland certainly wasn’t conducive to boating so on early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and headed to Whangarei for the 2024 Maritime Festival at the Town Basin.
Year two and a quick overview, – more tie-dyed tee shirt vendors and food trucks, a lot more general public – less launches, more large cruising yachts. Steam boat rides were the most popular offering – long queues of kids that probably walked away with a life time memory – well done to all the steam boat skippers and crew.
Nice to see a couple of woodys from the Waitemata make the trip north – RAWHITI and JOHN DORY.
As always when she makes an appearance anywhere Dick and Colleen Fisher’s ex pilot boat – AKARANA was the start of the show.
THE AUCKLAND WOODYS HAD AN INTERESTING TRIP HOME ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON 🙂
Recently on Lew Redwood’s fb he posted the above photos of the Rawene, Hokianga Harbour runabout MISS BUBB:ES. Lew commented the the gent on the right (bow) was Andrew Stone.
The Lanes Ferry booking office is on the left and the Hotel is seen in the background. No concerns about lifejackets in those days…….
WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL – THIS WEEKEND
If you are looking for a great day out, point the car north this weekend and check out the 2024 Whangarei Maritime Festival. I went last year and it was brilliant , something for everyone and the dockside display of classic woodys is a must see.Full details here https://www.whangareimaritimefestival.co.nz/boatshow
