Category Archives: Tales & Yarns

KINGFISHER > VENGER > AVENGER

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KINGFISHER > VENGER > AVENGER

The John Lidgard built launch – Kingfisher* was built c.1965, her owners Noel / Thora and son Gary Sparnon finished the boat off at the Lidgard shed in Glen Eden. With Noel being a cabinetmaker the fit out was to a very high standard. When launched she was 43’, with a beam of 13’6” and drew 3’6”. Her hull is 3 skins kauri with the 2 inner skins on opposite diagonals and the outer skin full length fore and aft + f/glass. 

As launched she was named Avenger and kept at Te Atatu.The Sparnon family did not keep her long because by 1968, the family were living in Paihia, Bay of Islands.

Prior to Avenger there was Olympia II, also built to hull & decks stage by John Lidgard c.1962-63, with Noel S again fitting out the interior – link to previous WW story below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/15/olympia-ii-2/

Noel S also built the Avenger II after her, having bought a 42′ molded Cookson hull, onto which he added & completed all the varnished teak coamings & interior himself, at his daughter’s property in Avondale, Avenger II was later sold.

Noel S never actually kept any of his boats very long after they went in the water. Kingfisher was quite unique  when launched having a fly-bridge styled in to her coamings making it visually part of the boat i.e. not appearing to be an add on or afterthought.

There are still some gaps in her ownership records, Ken Rickets has established that she was bought c.2015 off a policeman who had been living aboard her for an unknown length of time up to 2015, at Westpark Marina, by Richard & Bernadette Schofield. During their ownership they re-conditioned her Ford 120hp diesel engine and Borg Warner gearbox. 
 She was sold c.2018 to her present owner, then Mangonui resident Brett Walford. Now retired Brett has moved to Great Barrier Island and has the boat for sale, still based at Mangonui. 

Brett W also changed her name to Kingfisher*, he commented to KR he made the change because as she cruises around 8 knots and this is an ideal trolling speed to catch kingfish.

Both of the last 2 owners have spent collectively large sums on maintenance and upgrading of the interior and equipment, hence she is in very good condition and more or less just as KR remembers her when launched.  Keen to fill in any ownership gaps, in particular Noel Sparnon’s son, Garry Sparnon, who may still be in NZ and hopefully he gets to view this story and might be able to embellish it more. (Update – have been in touch with Gary Sparnon , he is still in NZ, father Noel died 3 years ago aged 96. Gary was very happy to read todays story, but has nothing to add. He will however keep a look out for any old photos. AH)

(Thanks to Richard and Bernadette Schofield, and Brett Walford and wife for providing access to the data and images and Ken Ricketts for pulling this story together – edited a lot by Alan H)

Photos below are pre March 2017

WHAT IF

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WHAT IF

Yesterday I came across this amazing photo / plan on Lew Redwoods fb – it originally appeared in the NZ Herald on 7th December 1955.

Up there with the ‘how come we missed out on a waterfront sports arena a few years ago – probably see answer – stifled by small minded Auckland City Council bureaucrats.

In 1955, plans were being discussed to turn the Meola Reef, Westmere, Auckland area into, well, basically the Western Springs version of the Wynyard Quarter.

Shipbuilding firm Roy Lidgard Ltd proposed to the City Council and Auckland Harbour Board “a beautiful marine base in the Waitemata Harbour between Westmere and Pt Chevalier.

There would be no big boat building on the site, and buildings put up to service yachts and launches would be of pleasing design, surrounded by trees, shrubs and lawns.” There would have been American-style jetties, parking for 220 cars on the peninsula, at least six tennis courts, a club pavilion, and a small beach on the opposite side of the boat installations.

It fell through, of course, and has wound up in the collection of “Ideas that never quite made it off the drawing board” in Auckland’s history.

Inaugural Southern Lakes Classic & Historic Boat Gathering

Proud owners of proxy. 40 historic and classical boats from all over the South Island gathered in Queenstown at the weekend for the inaugural Southern Lakes Classic & Historic Boat Event, which included a mass cruise behind the TSS Earnslaw.Click out this ODT link to view / read a report on the day https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/boat-event-lake-wakatipu-%E2%80%98huge-success%E2%80%99

A Perfect Woody Start To The Day

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A Perfect Woody Start To The Day

After a very average summer, we are enjoying a stunning autumn – none more so than Mark Lever the owner of the 1927, 39’ J Jukes built launch – Nereides. Early in the week Mark was mooching around Kawau Island and sent me a couple of videos of life aboard. The freshly caught snapper for breakfast had me salivating. View the two videos at the instagram links below.

When not afloat Mark designs and makes beautiful homewares, furniture and light fittings from his workshop in Matakana. The pan the snapper is cooking in is one of his.

Check out Mark and his work here www.syml.co.nz

See / read more on Nereides here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/26/nereides-centenary-book/

Video links: (follow Mark on Instagram at thegoodshipnz

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cqlb7BSgIvP/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= https://www.instagram.com/reel/CqjTWMvg5Gm/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Pencarrow – Where Is She

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Post Re-build
As Launched
Original Engine
Wellinton 1940’s
Wellington WWII – Navy
Wellington – Navy
Pre Re-build

PENCARROW – Where Is She

WW was recently contacted by Dylan Saggers in regard to the 1916 built, 38’6″ vessel – Pencarrow. I’ll let Dylan tell the story

“The bridge-decker has been close to my heart and the history has been with many other happy owners. 95% of her life she has been called Pencarrow but when she was launched (as described In the paper article below) she was christened Valerie. Originally had a NZ made 4cyl. Twigg marine engine, then a 160hp petrol Kermath engine and I possibly believe she still has her 6 cyl. Ford diesel.Built In Auckland by Lanes (as I was told) not sure If this is correct . She has been many tops and 1 hull change In her lifetime, as described In the photos she has been many things. Many owners have had her. The Pencarrow spent time with the Pencarrow Sand Shingle company for a year in the mid 1930’s towing barges to Wellington for reclamation of the wharfs. In the 1940’s she was owned by the NZ Govt for Navy Patrol for Wellington. After that she went to the Dunn family who owned it from the early 1950’s to late 1960’s. 

But through the 1970’s > 1980’s unfortunately, I didn’t know who owned her. Early 1990’s my Dad had her and she did not have the extended top (as pictured with her reflection shining in the water) She was very beautiful to me In that configuration. She is my favourite boat of all the boats my father had. Then sold to the Macmorland family with partner family (It’s easily understandable why the top was extended including the wheelhouse being put forward for more room) as pictured the current top as it is now. Then the Coles family. Last sold In 2016 I think In Waikawa in Queen Charlotte Sound. After that I don’t have any Info.”

Dylan would like to locate the present owners, keep In touch with them and make an offer on it when he can. Dylan’s main outcome of all this is to buy her and restore her how Dylan remembers her when his father had her. Any current info or pictures Is very welcome.

Mystery Launch 01-04-2023

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Mystery Launch 01-04-2023

Todays woody photo comes to us from Brian Peet. Brian commented that the origin unknown as there came from the non-boating side of his mother’s family. So woodys can we ID the launch and location.


If the weather is good later today I’ll be mooching over to Islington Bay, Rangitoto Island for a cleansing ale and to see who won the ‘Round Rangitoto’ launch race and annual Cake Day competition.

UPDATE – CYA CANCELED THE EVENT (again) – Par for the course these days I was a week early with the cake – the below was afternoon tea on Raindance last Sunday – dark sticky ginger cake with lemon cream cheese icing & frosted walnuts. Based on taste feedback I might have won 🙂

PATHFINDER (Eunice. K)

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PATHFINDER (Eunice. K)

Today thanks to Ian McDonald’s eagle eye and a tme listing we get to have a gander at the 39’ bridge decker – Pathfinder. Constructed of kauri, single skin carvel, she is powered by a 130hp Ford diesel.

Back in Oct 2017 she made an appearance on WW under the name – Eunice K and we learned she had been renamed – Pathfinder. Link below. Check out the comments section, good chat on the vessel, don’t think we ever 100% identified her provenance.  Maybe today. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/10/17/eunice-k/

YESTERDAYS WOODY PUZZLE WINNER IS DANIEL THOMAS– WHO WON THE DRAW. THE CORRECT ANSWER WAS – ARETHUSA EX HEREWARD PICKMERE, NOW OWNED BY DEAN WRIGHT. The photos are by Winkelmann via the Auckland Library.

Valsan and Endeavour Update

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Valsan Re-Launched

Big day at the Milford Slipway yesterday – the 46’ 1938 built Lidgard launch – Valsan slid down the railway slip after being out for nearly 5 months. Lots of deferred maintenance was adhered to and she received a Jason Prew Paint Job (JPPJ). WW link below to previous Valsan stories.https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/01/a-woody-stranger-hauled-out-valsan/

UPDATE 30-06-2023 – At anchor, bottom end of Waiheke. Photo ex Angus Rogers.

Endeavour – the 1958 A Couldrey designed, Brin Wilson built launch, is part way thru her re-fresh. Fingers crossed the coamings get the Uroxsys treatment 🙂

Love the helm wheel. Read more on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/27/endeavour-gets-a-birthday/

Southern Woodys at Motueka + Bulldozed Boat Yard

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Southern Woodys at Motueka

Earlier in the month, Kenny West was visiting the South Island for the Lake Rotoiti 2023 Antique & Classic Boat Show and ventured up to Motueka and had a mooch around the marina. The above two woodys caught his eye and today we get to share them.

THE BIGGEST LOAD OF HORSE MANURE HAPPENING ON YOUR WATERFRONT


By now I’m sure most of you will have caught up with the ‘developments’ taking place at what these days is known as ’The Landing’ on Aucklands Waterfront. One of our cities few remaining marine haul out / hard stand areas, will be closed and bulldozed. I encourage you to read the ‘STUFF” article that appeared in the weekends newspaper. You would think it was about a project in Colombia, thats how underhand things are. Link Below https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300820274/bulldozed-boatyard-yachties-face-off-with-wealthy-club-over-axing-of-public-hardstand

Sadly I think its too late to change things but lets record our frustration with the people that supported the project. Firstly the commodore and committee at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club should hang their heads in shame. On the RAYC website there is no individual contact details but they do have a Facebook page – so please go on there and record your anger – link below
https://www.facebook.com/royalakarana

Lastly one of driving forces from the Auckland Council / Local Board is a weasel named – Scott Milne, his DNA is all over this project. FB link below, record your anger and promise not to vote for him again if he is in your local board (Orakei). Now if he has blocked new comments, just add you comment to one of his exisiting unrelated stories 😉

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007006489029

Or try email scott.milne@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Lastly the Spencer family (Howard Spencer) – a bad smell will follow you around for a long time after this – lets vote with our wallet and not support their new haul out venture – Tamaki Maine Park in Mt Wellington.

LOVING YOUR BOAT TO DEATH – Electro-chemical Destruction / Underwater Rot

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LOVING YOUR BOAT TO DEATH – Electro-chemical Destruction / Underwater Rot

The subject of electrochemical destruction and wooden boats has been covered extensively on WW – in fact the Chris McMullen articles are the most referenced stories on the site. At the end of todays story I have listed links to these stories.

Today thanks to Chris McMullen and Baden Pascoe we get to share an article they penned for the 2023 Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book*, this article succinctly backgrounds the topic and suggests what as a wooden boat owner you should be looking out for and what to do to protect your wooden boat. READ IT. But if you are lazy – let me spell stout for you – DO NOT FIT ANODES or BOND YOUR WOODEN BOAT.

Note: PDF version below for easier viewing for the visually challenged – i.e. most of us 🙂

MCC YB 2023-Loving Your Boat to DeathDownload

(*Article reproduction with the permission of the Mahurangi Cruising Club©️)

LINKS TO PREVIOUS WW STORIES

https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/11/20/what-does-electrochemical-deterioration-in-a-wooden-boat-look-like/

https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/12/30/electro-chemical-damage-in-wooden-boats-update-revisited/

https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/03/28/the-most-referenced-viewed-story-on-waitematawoodys/

https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/11/08/want-to-see-what-in-a-wooden-boat-looks-like/

Lady Gillian – Flashback

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Lady Gillian – Flashback 

The launch – Lady Gillian (Gillian) has made numerous appearances on WW, starting back in 2014 when we were trying to track down her whereabouts and lasting in 2020 when she had just undergone some enhancements to her appearance – see 2nd photo.

The b/w photo above comes to us from Gillian Lander who contacted WW regarding the vessel. I have reproduced Gillian’s note below :- 

“I have just discovered a whole lot of pics online of what was my grandfather’s launch c.1942ish  ‘Lady Gillian’ – named after me, born 1942.  My grandfather, Augustus [Gus] Seymour Henshaw was an Auckland business man. There was also the Lady Sarah…. I think belonging to the Heard family [Heards Sweets] The boat was sold in ? 1960s and went to Wellington I understand. Presumed it long gone. I see it is now painted white and in the South Island. Many years at Westhaven. Somewhere I have a photo of her with its numbering required during WWII. Wonderful childhood memories. Its’ previous life I understand was as a trader in the islands, the old girl has certainly been about”

In the photo of Lady Gillian with her wartime ID lettering – the location is the Waitemata Harbour.  Possibly somewhere near the Birkenhead headland, with the Chelsea Sugar Works in the distance. No Harbour Bridge in those days.

PREVIOUS WW STORIES
WW 2014  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/14/lady-gillian/

WW 2016  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/12/13/lady-gillian-2/

WW 2020  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/01/15/lady-gillian-3/