Category Archives: Tales & Yarns

CLASSIC WOODEN DICK LANG LAUNCH – RUBY II

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CLASSIC WOODEN DICK LANG LAUNCH – RUBY II

This great photo and tale popped up recently on a post that Dennis Mansfield made on the NZ – Our Past Our Present fb page. Its a cracker read so I’ll hand thetiller over to Dennis today –

 “My grandfather, Edward Mansfield, who was born in Napier in 1878 , came to Auckland about 125 years ago. In due course he commissioned Dick Lang, one of St Mary’s Bay’s boat builders to construct the Ruby 2 for longlining. She was built of end to end kauri and I believe she was 34ft in length. Grandad paid £150 deposit, £150 at the halfway stage and £150 on completion.

She was converted to Danish seining eventually to make her more commercially viable but lost her visual appeal in the process. She was my dad’s first place of work when he was taken from school at the age of thirteen to become a full time fisherman. Grandad compensated Dad for limiting his formal education by presenting him with a brand new clinker built kauri sailing dinghy for his next birthday. Dad was certainly diligent. When they had unloaded the Ruby he would take the dinghy and row around to the Kauri Timber Company. The logs were held in a boom and would often break out if the sea got up. Dad got two bob a log to retrieve them. I thought it was quite a lot of money for those days but the size of the logs and the tide meant it could take an hour or two to effect a recovery. No wonder he was so damn strong.

In later years Dad was Master of an 86ft tugboat called the Odin. He would take a bit over seven hours to steam to the Blackjacks on the Eastern side of the Coromandel. The bulldozers would push the kauri logs down onto the beach and Dad would give his mate a leg up so he could run an auger through the log and chain it to the herringbone raft they were building out of the logs. In one raft they brought three quarters of a million feet of timber back to Auckland. It took them three and a half days to steam home.

During the war years dad would tow a scow up the Wairoa river to Clevedon. It was laden with McCallum’s red chip which was used as base metal for the airstrip at Ardmore, built primarily at the request of the US Air Force. The old man said the shrouds would twang like guitar strings as they got caught up in the the willows that overhung the riverbanks.”

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

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WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

Recently I was trolling the web and came across a youtube channel by Larry Eastwood from Pittwater Wooden Boats in Australia. Larry is restoring / rebuilding the Logan built gaff cutter named PETREL. Lots of video footage of the work in progress. Larry’s been in Auckland checking out our Logan fleet and getting ideas and most importantly inspiration. Link to Larrys channel here https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Larry+Eastwood

In one of the back stories was the photo above, these days we panic over the frig/freezer working, well back then you just grabbed a chock (I assume from a crate below) and you had fresh meat for dinner.

The photo reminds me of a tell that will not include names – of a yacht crew member doing something similar to turkey that he ‘liberated’ at Kawau Island………… the noise and mess was something else. Sadly the bird was despatched to the depths with a weight on it when the Ranger started searching the bay. My lips are sealed.

WOODYS ON TOUR – UK BROADS CLASSICS

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WOODYS ON TOUR – UK BROADS CLASSICS

Classic wooden boat (& car) fan Murray Deeble is currently enjoying summer in the UK and sent in todays photo gallery from an excursion on the Norfolk Broads. 

In a couple of the photos we see St Benets Abbey, founded in the 9th century and later rebuilt in 1022. 

Love the photo of the plastic boat, no one rushing re-float it 🙂

Sales of fenders must be good at the local chandlery , shades of Canada. 

1929 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SOUTHERN MAID SAVED

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1929 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SOUTHERN MAID SAVED

Lately too many WW stories have been about wooden craft that have an impending appointment with a back-hoe. Today is a feel good story – the 1929 classic 42′, Ernie Lane of Picton built wooden launch – SOUTHERN MAID has been saved.

Let’s back the truck up – back in June  2026 we ran an SOS story on SOUTHERN MAID, reaching out for someone to step up and save her. Link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/06/13/sos-southern-maid-classic-1929-motor-launch-needs-saving/

On Saturday I received an email from Jeff Giddens – reproduced below

“As you often post, of boats that are heading for an appointment with the back-hoe, this one brings joy. 
The vessel “Southern Maid” which had fallen into hard times, had been placed up for sale, was once owned by the McAllister family in the Marlborough Sounds for a very long time years ago, has now been purchased for $1 back to the family to be restored to her former gory. Such a fantastic outcome”.

We look forward to following the project.

04-09-2026 INPUT ex JOHN WICKS – In the  photo below of her under way is actually right in the middle of Blenheim, on the Opawa River, the other photo is at a wharf just inside the Wairau River bar. Date is c.1950, maybe a year either side.

A CLASSIC BOATING VENUE LOST FOREVER

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A CLASSIC BOATING VENUE LOST FOREVER

During the week the  media have been flagging the sale of the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron Kawau Island property (Lidgard House and property”) to Ngati Manuhiri. I have no issue with who bought it and I’m not going to enter into the debate around whether the property will be visually and physically respected by its new owner. 

What concerns me is the loss of access to a resource that all boat owners had access to. Sure the RNZYS owned it, but no one ever stopped a boat owner stretching their legs or exercising the family dog. And if you were a squadron member, you had access to an all tide wharf/pontoon where you could tie up the dinghy. 

If you think it will be business as normal re access, you are wrong. I quote from the RNZYS advice to members –  “In recognition of the Squadron’s long stewardship of the property, Ngati Manuhiri has warmly invited RNZYS to continue to enjoy use of the beachfront, jetty, pontoon and lawn area TWICE annually….. for an initial period of 20 years”.

Sadly I suspect the real loser from this sale will be the Kawau Boating Club, there will be fewer ‘walk up’ customers frequenting the club and less fuel sales. The only winner out of all this is Waiheke Island retailers, and when you factor in high fuel costs – I predict boats will be dropping anchor closer to home this summer. 

NORTHWIND – NOT LONG OF THIS WORLD

The 33’ wooden motorsailer NORTHWIND is very close to an appointment with a back hoe. In the words of the wellington Harbour Master – “this is a serious project for a classic boat and not for the faint hearted” – that would be the understatement of the year.

In my eyes probably best viewed as a donor boat for someone wanting some fittings. Searchable on tme. (thanks Ian McDonald)

CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN WOODEN MOTOR BOAT – SILVER CLOUD

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CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN WOODEN MOTOR BOAT – SILVER CLOUD

Today we hop across the Tasman to see and read about one of Australians most beautiful classic wooden craft – SILVER CLOUD, there is a good Kiwi connection in her build materials. The photos and detail come to us via Australian Classic Boats fb.

SILVER CLOUD was built by Lars Halvorsen Sons Pty Ltd and launched in 1939, she began life as elegant 65′ luxury motor cruiser for prominent yachtsman Jack Bruce, a vice commodore of the Royal Motor Yacht Club and cousin of former Prime Minister Stanley Bruce.

She was the third Halvorsen vessel of Mr Bruce’s to be called “SILVER CLOUD”. (Later, the Halvorsen launched “Kanahoee” was also renamed “SILVER CLOUD II”).

Constructed from spotted gum frames, New Zealand kauri planking, and a beautifully finished Queensland maple superstructure, SILVER CLOUD represented the high end of pre-war Australian yacht building.

Her accommodation included multiple cabins, dining and deck saloons, a galley, shower and electric refrigeration, with power coming from twin Buda 100hp petrol engines with reduction gears, made in Illinois USA.

Requisitioned by the Royal Australian Navy in 1941 for WW2, she was commissioned as HMAS SILVER CLOUD, becoming part of Sydney’s famous “Hollywood Fleet” of converted pleasure craft and motor yachts used for patrol and harbour defence duties.

Armed with Vickers machine guns and depth charges, she patrolled Sydney Harbour during some of Australia’s most uncertain wartime years and was present during the period surrounding the 1942 Japanese midget submarine attack on Sydney Harbour.

In July 1943 a catastrophic engine-room fire engulfed the vessel. Official reports described much of the hull as burnt beyond repair and the Navy subsequently decommissioned her.

Lars Halvorsen Sons ultimately purchased the damaged hull for 700 pounds and undertook an extensive rebuild, returning SILVER CLOUD to her former glory.

Since then, subsequent owners have done amazing restorative work and enhancements. She has passed through the hands of the Hannan family, Bob Ibbottsen, Gary Rothwell and Dr Derek Freeman — who altered the bow and added the flying bridge to replace the bridge deck style.

Current owner, Robert Hunter undertook an extensive restoration that returned SILVER CLOUD to magnificent condition, ensuring this extraordinary survivor remains one of the most important and beautifully preserved examples of Australia’s classic boating heritage.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Builder: Lars Halvorsen Sons • Year: 1939

• Length: 65 ft (19.8m) • Beam: 14 ft 9 in (4.5m)

• Construction: Spotted Gum, New Zealand Kauri and Queensland Maple

• Current Engines: 2 x Cummins 6B diesels, 120 hp

• Naval Service: HMAS Silver Cloud (1941–1943)

• Class: Channel Patrol Boat (“Hollywood Fleet”)

To Read More On The Craft Built By Halvorsen’s click this link https://youtu.be/HyNO9qUgXew?si=D3Dq1PXIwwYvhCcf

My all time favourite is the 60’ TOORONGA, owned these days by yachtsman – Iain Murray – photo below

Also a WW story on the yard here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/04/the-halvorsen-story/

MAHAKI – 1895 LOGAN YACHT SEEKS A NEW CUSTODIAN 

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RESTORATION – 1980’s

LAUNCH DAY

2026 SHED PHOTOS 

MAHAKI – 1895 LOGAN YACHT SEEKS A NEW CUSTODIAN 

Back in October 2024 the 1895 Jack Logan built yacht – MAHAKI came onto the WW radar via a request from Chris Leech from the Devonport Yacht Club re the yachts current owners. DYC had received a gift of the ‘NZ Yachtsman Cup’ that MAHAKI won in 1910. (below b/w photos from her past)

Some history that we have learned – MAHAKI was owned by Harry Upton, and his friends Geoff Clark and Dick Wilson (later his brother in law) during the 1930s. Owned by Russell Going an Auckland architect in the early/mid 1980’s.

Bought by Eric Wing (McMullan & Wing) in the mid 1980’s. Partially restored by Wing and then on his passing in 1994 was purchased by Peter Blundell who finished the project in Clevedon.

Todays photos are in three parts – firstly photos from the 1980’s restoration, then as seen at her relaunching after Peter completed the restoration project And lastly as MAHAKI is today, back in Peter’s shed part way thru a refresh. 

Aside from showcasing this wonderful 130 year old artefact, the purpose of todays WW story is to help Peter Blundell secure MAHAKI’s next chapter. A very common thread in my conversations with owners is that who the next custodian is and their commitment to the vessel is more important than the sale price. I do not want to scare people off but if you think you or someone you know are fitting of adding their name to the list of people that have rubbed up against MAHAKI, be prepared for a robust ‘interview’

Interested parties to initially contact Peter at pblundell2270@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN FROSTBITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE NZ TRADITIONAL BOATBUILDING SCHOOL 

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CLASSIC WOODEN FROSTBITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE NZ TRADITIONAL BOATBUILDING SCHOOL 

The long term WW followers will be familiar with The New Zealand Traditional Boat Building School, I have attended several courses over the years and it was a sad day when it went into hibernation. After YEARS! of procrastination around getting access to the Vos Shed on Auckland’s waterfront its so good that the school has a permanent home and is up and running again.

Some background, NZTBS is a volunteer run charitable trust started in 2005 that has been providing education, skills development, personal growth, community support, youth development and plays an active part in maintaining New Zealand’s valuable maritime history. Check out the website and learn how you can help this worthy group survive. Money is always nice – https://givealittle.co.nz/org/nztbs  but how about you or a couple of friends enrolling in one of the many hands on courses –https://nztbs.org.nz/

Currently the NZTBS team have been commissioned to build a classic wooden Frostbite sailing dinghy(hull #313) as seen above in todays gallery.

Frostbite History and Design

  • Designed by Jack Brooke in 1937 as a stable, versatile father-and-son boat that could handle general use and fishing.
  • Became the premier class for the Wakatere Boating Club and achieved national status in 1946.
  • Served as the official secondary school sailing trainer in New Zealand from 1951 until 1975.
  • Built with traditional clinker (lapstrake) wooden construction.

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SIGNATURE (BELUGA)

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SIGNATURE (BELUGA)

Today again thanks for Robyn Kellian and Tobias Forsyth we get to see another launch from the Leigh region. No name is visible but the photo is tagged – Gav Perry. The photo was taken on 31-01-1994.                                                                                                  

The shed / yard appears to be at Whangateau, back when it was a public facility controlled by Russell Ward and used by the local boating community. 

Can we learn more about the vessel, has a slight workboat look to her.

INPUT ex MARK MCLAUGHLIN – This is SIGNATURE (Beluga), a  late Miller and Tunnage build. Featured on WW in November 2016. Lots of details and photos here. https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/11/08/signature-beluga/

WHY CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS BECOME AN OBSESSION

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WHY CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS BECOME AN OBSESSION

There have been several magic bullet moments in the history of waitematawoodys, actions that had significant impacts on the readership numbers. The most significant was an international phone call, now I tend to ignore these calls as normally it is some self titled investment guru wanting to share a once in a lifetime investment opportunity with me. For some unknown reason I took the call  and it was a gent named Carl Cramer, who introduced himself as the Publisher of WoodenBoat magazine in the USA, that got my attention pretty quick. 

Carl told me he and the founding publisher / owner of WB – Jon Wilson, had been chatting on the phone, bored senseless after being snowed in for 3 days. As they were talking Jon Wilson was trolling the web looking for sunny wooden boating content – bingo Jon hit on the waitematawoodys site and the story of the day was my coverage of the  3 day Mahurangi Regatta weekend. Over 200 photos and videos, Carl told me Jon suggested he make contact – which led to our telephone call.  Back then WB was print only and a very popular on-line forum, so he was impressed with this new-ish blog format. Carl used to send a short, chatty weekly email out to the WB magazine subscribers, we talking 50,000+ – he asked if he could do a story on waitematawoodys. The story was a cracker and started with being snowed in and getting an infusion of summer boating that cured his cabin fever. He finished by saying.“This website is truely great”
Overnight the WW viewing numbers went into orbit, from around the world and we still retain a high % of them. In fact the USA is number 2 on the readers list.

Sorry for the long lead in to todays WW story. Over the years I have read several features on how Jon Wilson founded the WB  group but over the weekend I stumbled on a YouTube channel named ‘LIFE ON THE WATER’ – one of the featured videos is titled ‘Jon Wilson – The Restorer’s Journey’. In their words it is is a cinematic portrait of the man who took on a monumental task to change the course of wooden boat history. I haven’t come across a better insight, explanation on this bug we all suffer from. Read it, I promise afterwards you’ll feel better about life and your classic wooden boat.