Category Archives: Trailer Boats

TANIWHA 1950’S QUEENSTOWN LAKE RUN-ABOUT

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TANIWHA 1950’S QUEENSTOWN LAKE RUN-ABOUT

Earlier in the week WW was contacted re the above c.1950’s wooden lake day boat – TANIWHA. Her owner was having to move the craft from Queenstown to Dunedin and had an insurance question.
They commented that she has been in a watertight garage since the late 1990s/early 2000s where the conditions are bone dry. 

It is believed that the craft hasn’t been near Lake Wakatipu since about the same era. The photo are all from the same period.

The run-about was home built by the owners grandfather and father.

It’s a long shot but do the photos ring any bells from the past. TANIWHA was quite a looker so should have been a memorable sight, so fingers crossed.

UPDATE – THEY SUCCESSFULLY REMOVED HER TODAY AFTER 20+ YEARS IN THE GARAGE

UPCOMING EVENTS – CIRCLE THE CALENDAR

CLASSIC 1955 WOODEN RUNABOUT – LITTLE HONEY UPDATE

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CLASSIC 1955 WOODEN RUNABOUT – LITTLE HONEY UPDATE

Back in March 2025 WW ran a story on a1955 17’ Mason Marlin runabout named LITTLE HONEY that owner James McConnell was restoring – link to that story here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/03/17/little-honey-1955-classic-wooden-runabout/

Over the xmas/ny break James sent in photos above and commented that after managing to dislodge the transom on the 2nd voyage after the initial rebuild, he had now completed the repair.

James pulled the transom back the 1/2 inch it had moved when the motor hit the submerged log.  Cut the buckled veneer off, cleaned it up and epoxied it back in place followed by 8 coats of varnish.

He then put 4 threaded rods from the transom to the next structural point as he felt the motor put a lot of load on the transom.  Lastly a layer of fibreglass tape along the bottom of the transom just in case.

In James words itt’s a goer now and the new perma-trim meant no need for a new prop” 

CLASSIC WOODEN DAY BOAT – RURU 

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CLASSIC WOODEN DAY BOAT – RURU 

I have photographed the very beautiful classic wooden launch RURU many times at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.

One of the woody gang spotted her recently on a trailer at the Outboard Boating Club hardstand in Tamaki Drive, Auckland. 

They commented that she’s obviously very well looked after and appears to have had recent work to bring her to mint condition. 

Well done to all involved in maintaining her to such high standards.

And speaking of the  Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, there is a LRC&WBP 2026 calendar to the first person that can correctly name her first owner. Clues – they were a knight (Sir). Entries via email ONLY to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN RUN-ABOUTS

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CLASSIC WOODEN RUN-ABOUTS

I rotate my laptop screen saver image most days but for the last week one photo has remained there – its the classic wooden run-about – LADY KAY, pictured above.

Recently WW was contacted by Jeff Norris who sent some photos of his grandfathers boat – LADY KAY. Jeff’s GF bought the boat about 1953 off a gent named Eric Such. During this time the family had a bach at Kawa Kawa Bay and it was moored there , the bach was sold around 1970 and the boat was sold about 1971 to a man in Mt Albert, Auckland.

LADY KAY, named after Jeff’s grandmother, started life as a speedboat (photos 2,3,4) which Jeff’s GF turned into a cabin cruiser (top photo), powered by a Willys engine. In my opinion the conversion to cabin cruiser was very well done, very hard to get the proportions right and still look good.

Back then it was kept at KawaKawa Bay. Jeff commented that he spent his holidays fishing with his GF. 

Jeff also sent in the photo of the boat below that was owned by a good friend of his grandfathers, Jack Bradstreat, a farmer from Pukekohe he also had a batch there, The boat was powered by a Ford Consul engine.

Any woodys know what became of these craft.

ROMANCE JUNIOR – AUCKLAND’S FIRST IDLE ALONG CLASSIC YACHT

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ROMANCE JUNIOR – AUCKLAND’S FIRST IDLE ALONG CLASSIC YACHT

During the week WW was contacted by Brian Peet regarding ROMANCE JUNIOR, the first Idle Along yacht to appear in Auckland. Brian commented that ‘Romance Junior’ was built by Sam Ford for Master Len Hodgkinson and was launched 3 April 1937. It was initially registered in the Y class as #18 and also carried the class name on its sail  – presumably for promotion purposes. By 1937 the class was already strong in Wellington.

The photographer that took the above photo was AW Powell, a professional photographer of Eden Terrace, Auckland.

Before his death, he passed the photo to his neighbour’s son who’s now passed it to Brian.

WORSER BAY BOATING CLUB – 100TH BIRTHDAY – 2026

Worser Bay Boating Club are celebrating their 100th Birth Day in 2026 and are looking for classic , old school sailing dinghies that were associated with Worser Bay in the early years, as static displays for the special weekend events  30 Jan 2026 to 1 Feb 2026.   As part of the celebrations the club is searching for a functioning ” Idle Along”  and a ”  Zeddie ” and other classic dinghies ( or even old launches used as pickup boats )  associated with Worser Bay for a rigged up static display.

There are lunches, dinners, book launching and club day sailing events for young and old and especially visitors and a classic boat club BBQ.

Our idea is that the sight of these old boats will trigger lots of stories and reminiscences. More Details Below 

  1. The events for the weekend registration. https://www.wbbc.org.nz/events/worser-bay-centenary-weekend
  2. Buy the book ” The Worser Way”.  100 years of dinghy racing at Worser Bay https://www.wbbc.org.nz/shop

HIGH PERFORMANCE AFFORDABLE CLASSIC SAILING 

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HIGH PERFORMANCE AFFORDABLE CLASSIC SAILING 

Very rarely woodys will you see the above words together, but today they perfectly described the classic 29’ yacht – AOTEAROA.

Let me explain – Affordable # because the asking price is only $14,750 and that includes the trailer, which is probably worth more than the yacht #  no marina fees, keep at home or in low cost out-of-water storage

High Performance – # the Dragon classic yacht is a pure racing thoroughbred with the added bonus of drop dead good looks thanks to her sleek, graceful lines and its generous overhangs. # Her powerful rig delivers supreme on-the-water performance.

Classic Sailing – # built in 1967 AOTEAROA is registered with the NZ Classic Yacht fleet and regularly outperforms many larger classic keelers of a similar era, regardless of their size.

AOTEAROA IS COMPLETE AND READY TO BE SAILING THIS SUMMER HOLIDAYS – Treat yourself or the family this Christmas.  Whist it would be nice to see AOTEAROA back on the Waitemata Harbour she would be a very cool sight on Lake Taupo.

For a copy of the maintenance history, race results and inventory – contact Tim Hooson on 021 623 225 or via email thooson@outlook.co.nz

SAVING A CLASSIC SEACRAFT RUNABOUT 

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SAVING A CLASSIC SEACRAFT RUNABOUT 

If todays woody was a car the all most blue blood link would double its value. Read below the story sent in by Philip Wilson. 

Philip is keen to talk to anyone with additional info about this boats history.

“Back in the 1962 this boat was commissioned as a new build by the Govt Internal Affairs Dept as one of 4-5 Seacraft boats to be used for a visit by the Queen Mother and her party to Lake Taupo. She was to have arrived by Sunderland flying boat and taken ashore in one of these boats and later taken out trout fishing. This visit was unfortunately cancelled I understand due to a health problem

The boat however was a new build, delivered to Taupo and was under the charge of the Head Ranger, Don Maine.

The boat was unique as it was the first hull built to a new modified design with a double skin bottom, a diagonal inner and a fore and aft outer skin rather than the original clinker bottom of the previous boats. This was to give the bottom additional strength to take the power of twin Ford Consul inboard engines.  This info has been confirmed in an email communication to me from Lionel Sands CEO of Seacraft.

How long the boat was in the care of the Ranger, I don’t know or its history until I acquired it.

I acquired this boat via Trade Me after a couple of year’s research to find it in 2005.

The actual structural restoration took 7 years of part time work with a lot of periods of nothing.

The original cabin and deck were too far gone to be reused but the parts made excellent pattens for the new cabin in Sappele Mahogany.    

Seacraft interiors were very spartan in the day so I adopted a configuration from my days at Fleetcraft Marine in Palmerston North.

The Ford Consul’s no longer existed so I decided to go out on a limb and after extensive research I opted for Toyota Starlet 1300 cc Fuel injected/computer controlled engines of 1996 vintage. These engines are coupled to Hurth 150 V drive boxes. 

Many hours were taken to marinize the engines and custom make all the necessary components to get this installation together.

However the end result is a craft that looks good, retains its original classic lines and is functional and has reliable engineering. The engines have been professionally tuned and adapted for marine use.

Late Nov 2025 I completed to final sea trial with the engines running very quietly and achieving 27 kns at 4500 rpm which is the planned max cruising speed.”

UPDATE ex ALAN CRAIG (Craig Marine) Alan has the other two boats referred to above. 

CLASSIC 21’ LAKE SPEED BOAT 

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CLASSIC 21’ LAKE SPEED BOAT 

Todays woody is a tad left field for WW, would be interesting to see what see looked like on launch day. For a longish time its been a lake boat and thats probably the best home for her. 

Lots of ‘upgrades’ but still a looker and would fly with that 140hp Yamaha hanging off the stern. Must have been a beast when she had the twin 350hp V8’s ✔️

Built in 1957 by Jack Cropp she is 21’4” in length. A few areas that need some TLC but reflected in the price – $9k. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up.

And woodys, as I have said many times – trailerable classics are the future of our movement.

CLASSIC 1950’s WOODEN SPEEDBOAT 

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CLASSIC 1950’s WOODEN SPEEDBOAT 

Todays woody is looking for a new home and I suspect someone with deep pockets. The c.1950’s speedboat is 16’6” in length and built with triple kauri plank and mahogany plank deck. From the photos the hull appears to be in good condition, probably due to being in storage for the last 30 years.

Currently powered by a Ford flathead V8 engine (not running). Its stated that ‘in her day’ she was capable of towing skiers at 40mph.

So woodys – anyone looking for a project – has Lake Rotoiti written all over her 🙂
(Thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up)

WOODEN CLASSICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL – 60+ photos & videos

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WOODEN CLASSICS TAKE CENTRE STAGE AT THE 2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL

Early Saturday morning I pointed the car north and arrived in Whangārei just in time to catch the soft early light — perfect for photography and well before the dockside crowds arrived.

Whangārei’s Town Basin really is the ideal setting for a maritime festival — easy dock access, great viewing angles, and plenty of nearby cafés and attractions. Add in the buzz of the Saturday markets and you’ve got all the ingredients for a standout event.

Wooden boat numbers were a little down on last year, but a few visiting commercial vessels — including Customs, Pilot boats, fishing craft and a pair of Waka — helped round out the fleet. From a public point of view, it was still an impressive line-up. Given the number of classic boats that have migrated north in recent years, it would be great to see more of the region’s wooden heritage on display next time around.

It was great to catch up with so many familiar faces — clearly the new highway was busy with Aucklanders heading north for the weekend.

All up, a thoroughly enjoyable day. Hopefully today’s photo gallery will inspire a few more of you to make the trip in 2026.

And there is always a few foody pix – hands down the best two seafood fritters ever – one mussel and the star – one whitebait. And a free KOWHAI coffee because she liked my WW t-shirt.

FYI – when I’m at an event I point the camera at what catches my eye , sometimes I miss a few boats but I like to think the photos are more like someone strolling the docks rather than someone trying to capture the whole caboodle 🙂