Category Archives: Sub 28′

WEKA  – Anyone Know More About The Boat

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WEKA  – Anyone Know More About The Boat

Recently contacted by Trish James who has just purchased classic 13’ motor boat – Weka. Trish commented that Weka’s previous owners used her around the river estuaries south of Dunedin for awhile but she hasn’t been used for the last five years, but she was kept under cover. The only intel on her past life is that her she was built in Taupo around the 1950’s.

Trish is hoping one of the WW readers can shed some light on Weka’s past, possibly a name change at some stage.
When in the water her forward motion is via a Vire 7 hp engine, helped out by a small outboard motor. Her new home is at Trish’s Roxburgh home in Central Otago.

REMEMBER SATURDAYS BOAT BOOT SALE – Even if your not a buyer, pop down for a catch-up/chat. Kicks off at 11am. And if you are a buyer – bring cash $$$

Stormbird + Boat Boot Sale

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STORMBIRD + Boat Boot Sale

The 26′ Roy Paris c.1960 clinker built launch – Stormbird recently popped up on tme , thanks Ian McDonald, and to a brave buyer could be a great gulf cruiser. By brave I mean having the courage to get out the tungsten tipped chainsaw and dropping the cockpit top down some, if you want full headroom and good looks , there is only one solution – buy bigger 🙂

Stormbird is powered by a 60hp Isuzu desel engine that gets her along at 5 knots.                 

Home is the inner estuary at Sandspit and she comes with a swing mooring, which probably justifies the buy price of $12k alone.

Anyone know more about her past.

NEXT SATURDAYS BOAT BOOT SALE AT THE SLIPWAY MILFORD – so we can ensure there are enough bangers on the BBQ, if you are intending coming – seller or buyer – can you give us a heads up email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

AND I WILL BRING ALONG SOME WW CAPS AND BURGEES FOR SALE – SAVE ON POSTAGE. If you are an out-of-towner – shop on line https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

Elsinore

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ELSINORE

Todays photo is from the Tauranga Library collection (but is tagged Nelson) and comes to us via Dean Wright.

It would be nice if we could learn more about Elsinore but the main reason for posting the photo is that it is just such a cool photo.

it has all the feel good vibes written all over it – clinker / motorboat > sail / gaff rig/  beach railway haul-out and everything in proportion, even the name plate is perfect. Maybe a small porthole on the cabin side, but that is just me being OTT.

Enjoy the photo and weekend 🙂

INPUT ex John Burland – excerpt below from the NZ Gazette 1944 wherein a J. Chapman applied for (declined) a fishing license for Elsinore. The location being Motuka supports the ‘Nelson tag on the photo. Where is she currently?

Creme Brûlée – Classic Lidgard Day Boat

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Creme Brûlée – Classic Lidgard Day Boat

Todays 19’ woody run-about just popped up on tme but isn’t for sale there, the craft is going to auction at Webbs auction house later this month. The price indication is $25>$35k and then on top of that there is 15% buyers premium + 15% gst to pay so it will be interesting to see what price it sells for, if it sells.

Interested in the WW brains trusts thoughts on the Arch Logan design and 1933 Lidgard build claim. Has to have been a name change at some stage, Creme Brûlée doesn’t sit well with the build date 🙂

She made an appearance on WW back iin April 2019 as a project boat – well spotted by Angus Rogers – link https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/10/woody-lake-boat-project/

The sales blurb says kauri carvel construction, pohutukawa trim and carbon fibre reinforced hull, again interesting.

The boat spent most of its early life on Lake Tawawera with one family, then she passed thru several owners before being uncovered in Rotorua. Her original engine, a 7hp marinised Austin 7 Thetis, was found near Okere Falls, Lake Rotoiti and then fully reconditioned.

From Rotorua she was taken to Kawhia for restoration which was completed in Whangarei by the current owner.

Can we confirm / add to any of the above. She is a honey and would fit what I’ll be looking for in a few years, with a heart transplant (the boat not me)

MARE-EE-AN

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MARE-EE-AN

Last week WW was contacted by Tim Munro enquiring about a 16’ run-about that his father-in-law, Bryan McLeod,  built early 1960’s. The vessel was to a design by Carl Augustin and built in his farm wool shed. Bryan used the run-about regularly into the 2000’s, particularly on the Kaipara Harbour which his farm backed onto but he also took it into a few events on the Waitemata Harbour, as seen in the photo above.

Bryan passed away last year in his mid 90s and the family are getting the boat refurbished.

The reason for Tim’s email to WW and todays question is – does anyone have a copy the Carl Augustin plans that Bryan will have used for the build. And /or is there anyone that has an interest in the designer that Tim could chat to.

UPDATE 10-08-2023 – WW Rocks – Cam Malcolm at The Slipway Milford has a set off full plans and build instructions- photos below just to show the detail included.

2023 Thames Traditional Boat Festival + Woody Kawau Weekend

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2023 Thames Traditional Boat Festival + Woody Kawau Long Weekend

Following on from Sundays story on Olaf Wiig’s slipper launch – Vega, todays photos comes to us from Olaf who attended the Thames traditional boat festival in his slipper launch.

There is an awful lot of varnish on display and the attention to detail is spot on. The festival is on my bucket list. Olaf commented that this years festival didn’t have the usual sparkling weather but there was still plenty of varnish on display. He focused the camera on some of the interesting smaller boats.  

Links below to previous festivals:

2019 (photos ex Ian Gavin)  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/11/04/2019-thames-traditional-boat-festival-100-classic-wooden-boats/

2020 (photos ex Olaf Wiig)  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/06/thames-traditional-boat-festival-2021/
2021  (photos ex the ‘Cruising The Cut’ weblog)  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/29/2022-thames-traditional-boat-festival/

There are a few woody events coming up as we enter spring > summer, but I wanted to highlight the plan for Labour weekend (October 21>23). If your anything like me this year has been a non event in terms of over nighting on the boat, so lets all try and make Labour weekend special.

As a bonus the Kawau Boating Club will be re-opening that weekend after a refurbishment, if your not a member I encourage you to join, the club needs help to continue to operate as a haven in the gulf.

Ps you don’t have to be a KBC to enjoy the weekend.

More details closer and pre-xmas event dates below.

Woodys Abroad

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WOODYs ABROAD

One of our most passionate and talented woodys – Olaf Wiig is currently based in the UK but still owns back in NZ the stunning 48’ 1953 Lidgard built launch – Ngaro (photo below) which the family cruises on in the NZ summer (when we have one).

After returning this time to the UK Olaf quickly found a woody project to keep his hand in.

The photos above are of Olaf’s 1930’s Andrews slipper launch named – Vega. This is a style of launch which is unique to the upper Thames.  The first of its type was a boat called “merc” it is part of the national Maritime museum’s collection https://nmmc.co.uk/object/boats/slipper-launch-merk-from-1912/

Olaf commented that the boat had been out of the water for some time so the main job was to address the dried out bottom planks and re caulk her seams. The more enjoyable bit was to re-varnish her. Some 14 odd coats of traditional yacht varnish and some 24ct gold leaf she was ready for the water. Just in time for the Thames traditional boat festival, and that will be tomorrows story 😉

Ngaro

KA-IWI Only Read If You Own A Petrol Station

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KA-IWI Only Read If You Own A Petrol Station

Todays woody appeared in WW back in 2016 (link below) since then   she has been re-powered with twin 350 Chef V8’s that give her a top speed of 30 knots – as they say if you have to ask what the consumption is – its not the boat for you 🙂 The re-power was more a de-power, the previous engines saw her topping out at 45 knots.

On WW June 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/06/04/ka-iwa/comment-page-1/#comment-64552

Ka-iwi is a 26’ Mason Clipper, built in 1968 and possibly the first twin engined one. Originally owned by the Stevenson family and used up north at their family bach. Has also done some powerboat racing in her early days. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up

29-06-2023 UPDATE ex Hamish Moore – Hamish spotted the article below in the May 1968 edition of Sea Spray magazine

Mystery Lake Rotorua Launch

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MYSTERY LAKE ROTORUA LAUNCH

We know a lot about todays woody – but no name, builder or what became of her.

What we know – possibly built in 1927, 27’ in length with a beam of 7>8’. When launched powered by a 4 cyl. Ailsa Craig engine.

Initially a family launch, she was later moved to Lake Rotorua The photo above is dated March 1932 and is when her then owner Ted Fenton obtained a license to carry fishing parties.

The photo is ex the Don Stafford collection at the Rotorua Museum and is tagged ‘ Dads Boat’. Photo and details shared by Greg Philpott.

Can we put a name and builder to her and discover what became of her.

WW Caps – low profile, 6 panel, canvas caps in the new camel colour topped with dark brown WW embroidered logo has a dash of understated style.

just click the email link here and tell me your name, postal address and number of caps required. I’ll come back to you with payment details – $38 + $6 p&p. waitematawoodys@gmail.com

LADY GLAD – Electric Conversion

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LADY GLAD – Electric Conversion

Todays story was written by Richard Amery on of the Lake Rotoiti woodys. Richard has pulled together the background on the launch – Lady Glad, owned by Marcus and Jan Wilkins, and her conversion from diesel power electric – I’ll hand over to Richard now – note: slightly different layout today with the photos in the story text.

“The keel was laid in 1981 by Mr. Bill Visser attached boat builder who had settled in Tauranga and started building boats under the name Kingfisher Boats limited, in a shed where the present oil terminal at the Mount is today before moving to Omokoroa. Bill was asked by Mr. Marshall Lee to build a small tug for him to tow a barge between Matakana Island and Omokoroa for his farming operations and it was to be named “Lady Glad” after his mother.

The tug was to have a gas stove and two bunks in it. The bunks had been beautifully painted with scenes by local young artist Alice Blakely, but unfortunately they were pulled out and lost.    Bill Visser was an artist with wood, and he carved the name along with the scroll and the tiller handle and also built the steering wheel which in itself is a work of art. The back deck was to have a bollard for towing mounted in the middle with the underneath area to be able to hold a farm bike and tools. This was all removed and Bill made the rear cockpit as it is now.   The motor was a Yanmar 32HP diesel.

However, before her completion Mr. Lee sold the property and we purchased the Lady Glad, and Bill Visser completed her at his home workshop, hence she never got to sea, and was launched on Lake Rotoiti in 1985.

In 2022 by age 87 Marcus with Jan 86 were sick of climbing over the motor and made the decision to bite the bullet and fit her with a more compact electric motor and batteries.              With the expertise of Tony Whiting, marine engineer of note from Auckland, Alan Craig boat builder and his team, Miles Harnett on boat electrics and local electrician Simon Andrew to sort out the mains electric charging system, the task provided quite a challenge for them.

The power comes from eight 6 Volt batteries weighing 400kg coupled in line to produce 48 volts. This was a little more weight than was removed, and the charging unit for these and the house battery which looks after lights, radio, auto bilge pumps etc are fitted up in the bow.                                                                                                                                                             The shaft thrust bearing, special coupling to motor and mounting bracket etc central and the redesign of rudder, keel and propellor are all part of the team’s combined thoughts and expertise that went into this conversion.

                                                                                                                                                  The shaft thrust bearing, special coupling to motor and mounting bracket etc central and the redesign of rudder, keel and propellor are all part of the team’s combined thoughts and expertise that went into this conversion.

Lady Glad’s heart transplant is now completed with the Combi inboard 10kw electric motor with a Combi Inboard 10 kW electric motor made in Holland, the home country of her designer and builder.

We are delighted with the result, and along with a new cockpit and cabin layout has transformed Lady Glad into a lovely comfortable easy to use craft.

Marcus and Jan say thanks to ‘the Team’. “

Note: Available now for sale in excellent condition: The 32hp Yanmar Diesel engine, hydraulic gearbox, heat exchanger, flexible shaft coupling, bilge blower, hand & electric bilge pumps plus gauges and wiring loom- a great unit in excellent condition. Phone or Text Marcus to view 027 955 2213.