Category Archives: Sub 28′

Ruahine > Whizzbang SOS

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RUAHINE SOS
Ruahine, previously named Whizzbang is in need of urgent help / saving. The Taupo Harbourmaster has put the 26’ woody up for disposal (landfill) if no one acquires her before 21st July.
Ruahine was previously berthed at Nukuhau Marina, Taupo – where she was abandoned. She can be viewed on the hard at Lake Taupo Marina.
She was appeared before on WW (2013) but sadly she has ’slipped’ in terms of maintenance / presentation – hopefully someone will save her and return her to her previous state. Make sure you read the comments section. https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Whizzbang&submit=Search
Powered by a 4 cya. Isuzu diesel.
There must be a woody looking for a low entry ($) project. Photo below of her in 2013, looking very smart.
If no one steps up and she is heading to the landfill – I want the forward cowl 😉

Update ex Paul Drake

The photo below shows RUAHINE  in happier times (c.1970’s) at Waihaha, Lake Taupo.
On her foredeck is Ray Perry who saved her the last time she was abandoned.
Paul commented that he wondered how many boats have the distinction of being abandoned twice in their lives, nearly 50 years apart?
She is certainly worthy of saving, and can get along quite quickly with her Isuzu.
Ruahine c.1970 ex Paul Drake
UPDATE 29-07-2019 GREAT NEWS !!!!

“Well, now I’m the new owner of ruahine formerly whizzbang.
She was delivered to my driveway last Saturday 27/7/19.
She seems to be in good nick. I plan to strip the hull, repair and repaint.
There is rot in the cockpit and a bit on the gunnal. So after hull it’ll be replace and rebuild the top. Inside will be a new refit.
Engine appears to be in working order, will give that an overhaul in time as well.
My go is to have her back in the lake by summer…..

I am very interested in any of her history, so if anyone can provide me with some leads on getting further info I’d really appreciate it.
I’ll keep you all updated with my progress.
George”

Edith

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EDITH

I was recently contacted by Vanessa Bailey in regard to her grandad parents displacement picnic boat Edith. Edith has been restored in a shed at Diary Flat by Arthur Nealy and Dominic Happe over the last 2+ years. Edith is a kauri clinker build and launched in 1925, 16’ in length.

During the restoration Edith her was paint stripped back to bare wood both internally and externally then coated with 5 coats of marine paint, a new Nanni diesel engine was fitted (est. speed 8 knots). In addition new fuel tank, new electrical, new propeller shaft and new propeller was fitted.

I have asked for some photos of the project, so hopefully we can see the work involved in bringing this beauty back to as launched (or better) condition. Congratulations to all involved.

Check out the very impressive trailer (below)

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Haku

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HAKU

I know very little about the above launch Haku but given she is reported as being a Bailey & Lowe and built in 1912, she with be on HDK’s radar for sure.
The photo is ex a gent by the name of John Lowe’s fb page and he commented that this photo was “after I had finished her”. I will try and find one (photo) of before I started”
Keen to learn more about Huku and lets hope John sees this WW story and emails more photos to  waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Input from Harold Kidd. –
Because HAKU = Kingfish , there have been many launches of that name.
1. HAKU built by Colley Bros of Devonport in 1909
2. HAKU built as DOREEN by Arch Logan in 1912 and renamed HAKU by H H Partridge in 1913
3. HAKU built by Bailey & Lowe in September 1914 for H W Hudson, a 28 footer with a canoe stern which is this boat. She went to the Manukau in 1920 and is now in Tauranga. Her upper works have been changed and reverted to an earlier style of dee-front cabin top.
Input from Dave Stanaway
Photo below is Haku 2008 before McCallums sold her. The Peter is alongside her and was also sold.
I think Pony More’s son bought Haku. The photo location was McCallum’s yard at Westhaven. The McCallum’s kept her down near Kawakawa Bay to use as transport to Karamaramu Island.
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Koura

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KOURA
The launch Koura was on trademe earlier this year – she measures 24’and was built by Ford (Sam Ford?) at Ellerslie in the 1930’s. 
Powered by a recently refurbished  30 hp Yanmar 3 cylinder diesel engine. 
From the above photos she appears to a well presented woody.
 
Do we know anymore about her past & whether she sold and if so where is she now?

Ngaru

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NGARU
Ngaru’s trademe listing (thanks Ian McDonald) states that she is an old Sounds launch that made her way across Cook Strait to Wellington 20 years ago.
She has had the same owner for most of that time, but changed hands 18 months ago. During this period her current owner has undertaken a lot of system upgrades and caught up on her maintenance. Changing circumstances are the reason for the sale.
Ngaru is 27’ in length and powered by a Nissan LD20 diesel, that’s sees her cruising at 6 knots.
With some TLC Ngaru would make a perfect boat to enjoy Wellington Harbour and beyond.
Does any of the Southern woodys know more about her past?

Merryweather

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MERRYWEATHER
 

I was recently contacted by Lionel Sands of ‘Sea Craft’ fame – as most of you will know, Lionel’s late father, Sandy Sands, started Sea Craft Ltd in 1946 building clinker boats. Today they build the Haines Hunter range of fibreglass boats and are still based in Ellerslie. 

Lionel was contacted by one of his dealers in Gore in regard to an old Sea Craft boat that they had come across. Lionel commented that looking at the photos supplied the boat appears to be in very good original condition including the Ford 10 motor that is also original. Lionel contacted WW to see if there was any interest in the boat.
 
The story goes like this – the Gore dealer, Brad Inder from Inder Marine, was asked to price a re-power on a larger glass boat and the customer is wanting to sell some of his old cars and boats. The vessel that the dealer thought might spark some interest almost the classic wooden boat movement was a 1955 Seacraft powered by a Ford Prefect motor, pictured above.
 
So Woodys my question today is – any interest in this iconic woody? and what do we think she is worth? A nice winter project for one of the lake boys 😉
 
BOB SALTHOUSE RIP
Sadly today I have to advise that boat designer / builder Bob Salthouse passed away peacefully yesterday morning. While he had not been in good health for a long time and his passing was not unexpected, the event marks another milestone in the Salthouse boatbuilding dynasty. I read several years ago that Bob had designed over 750 boats – I would doubt if anyone in NZ has come even close to that, ever, and even more impressive – most are still afloat.
A sad day for the expended families given the recent death of brother John.
 

The Launching of Margaret A

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The Launching of Margaret A

The photos above show the motor boat Margaret A being launched at the Whangateau boat yard. The caption states that Rose Aitken is the one breaking the bottle over her bow.
The photos are ex L Sisson’s ‘Leigh historical photos’ via Lew redwood’s fb.
Can we expand more on MA in terms of year launched, her length etc and what became of her?

Mahurangi Regatta 2019 – Classic Wooden Boat Movie

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Mahurangi Regatta 2019 – Classic Wooden Boat Movie

The weather forecast is for a very average day today so I decided to share some serious eye candy with you. The video above comes to us from the very talented Roger Mills via his drone camera.
Once again Roger was out and about over the regatta weekend and captured some amazing classic woody footage.
I have to comment that it was very pleasing to see the classic woody launches featured, thank you Roger. All to often people forget there are more wooden motorboats afloat on the day than the stick and rag boys 🙂
Enjoy the video – its a goodie.
To view a high res / quality version of the movie – us the link below.

Double End Clinker Launch

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Double End Clinker Launch
 
The above 21’ ex crayfishing clinker launch recently popped up on trademe (thanks Ian McDonald). Her age is little deceptive, she was in fact built in 1980 and is for sale by boat builder Robert Priest, who built the current cabin and installed the 18hp Yanmar diesel, thats pushes her along at a comfortable 6 knots. Robert has owned her for 35 years. 
Her listing states that she is very well built and currently berth at Mana Marina, Wellington. Comes with what’s described as a beach trailer. 
 
She looks a very salty craft and would be perfect to someone with a bach looking for safe, reliable transport and a spot of fishing. Anyone able to put a name to the vessel and who might have built her?
 
Looking For Info On Kiw Boat Builder – Rex Wright

Kaipara based woody – Greg Schultz is trying to track down info on a kiwi boatbuilder. He doesn’t have much to go by except the name Rex Wright and that he worked in Auckland post WW1, before moving to Cairns where he was reasonably well know around the yards.

Rex was born in 1888 and died in 1990. Can anyone help Greg with info on Rex’s past e.g. where he worked, the vessels he built etc?

Kotare

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KOTARE

Last weekend Angus and Jenny Rogers sneaked away from OBC of a spot of Autumn cruising. The destination was Rakino Island and Angus reports it was perfect.

While there he spotted the launch Kotare at anchor in West Bay. Kotare is 25’ and built by Kingfisher Boats in 1951, they are still in business but these days they build aluminium boats down in Tauranga. Angus understands she started life as a crabber.

Angus commented that in his eyes Kotare is beautifully proportioned and an example of a reverse sheer that works.

Anyone able to tell us more about the launch and whether others were built .  Fyi – Kingfisher in Maori is Kotare

Now each to their own taste – but I would be keen to see some colour introduced to the cabin sides – something like the boat below.

Input from Brian Worthington – The Kingfisher boats that build alloy boats now days has nothing to do with Bill Vissor that was original Kingfisher Boats building handcrafted
wooden boats in Tauranga.

Paint topsides example