Category Archives: Working Boats

WHERE IS THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – ENDOLA  – AK313 – NOWADAYS

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WHERE IS THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – ENDOLA  – AK313 – NOWADAYS

After 48 hours solid boat porn its time to return to one of the best WW tools i.e. finding lost craft, so read on.

Todays photo originated ex the ‘Thames Historic Pictures’ fb and comes to us via Maurice Sharp post. It was commented that the photo appears to be from the early 1970’s and the location most likely the Shortland area (southern end of Thames township).

The vessel appears to be resting on the mudflats or a tidal berth, a common sight at low tide on the Thames foreshore, even today.
The AK313 number on her bow is a commercial fishing registration number –  the ‘AK’ prefix indicates it was registered in Auckland, which was standard for vessels operating in the Hauraki Gulf and Thames area during the 1970’s period.

A comment on the post indicated that the photo had been enhance (AI most likely) and I suspect the 2nd photo (afloat) is the enhanced image.

Next wee nugget is a Kaye Jamieson commented that her partner – Ron Pepper, acquired the vessel in 1972 via a tender process in the NZ Herald. Kaye advised it was called ENDOLA, so maybe thats where name came from on the enhanced version??? Kaye’s story has Ron hauling the boat out of the mud and transporting it to Hamilton where over the next 5 years he restored the boat. It was later relocated to Tauranga where she was used for leisure use for approx. 13 years. Next ownership period saw her sold to a commercial fisherman at Waiheke Island, and thats where the trail goes cold.

So woodys can we learn what became of the launch ENDOLA AK313.

DOCKSIDE WITH THE WOODYS – Auckland’s Wooden Boat Festival 2026

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DOCKSIDE WITH THE WOODYS – Auckland’s Wooden Boat Festival 2026

(CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

Yesterday’s WW post focused on the undercover displays and the surrounding shore-side activity (scroll down if you missed it). Today’s instalment is a gallery from two days spent wandering the floating docks. Why two days?

The simple answer — there were just too many woody folk to catch up with for a quick chat. Every few metres another familiar face appeared, and before you knew it ten minutes had disappeared talking boats, projects and plans.

On the weather front the forecasters got it spot-on. Sunday turned out to be the pick of the two-and-a-half day festival, with warm sunshine and a welcome cooling breeze.

Between dockside wanderings I managed to sneak into a couple of the speaking seminars. One featured designer supremo John Welsford, the other Paul Stephanus, director of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart. Both presentations were knowledgeable, insightful and — most importantly — highly entertaining.

Because Auckland’s greater boating community is spread across a wide geography — marinas, rivers and estuaries scattered from the inner harbour to the outer reaches — the public rarely gets to see our classic wooden boat fleet gathered together in one place. That’s what makes an event like this so special. Seeing so many woodys together is a reminder of just how strong and diverse the fleet really is.

Of course none of it happens without the owners. They put an enormous amount of time — and more than a few dollars — into getting their boats “show ready”. Beyond the camaraderie shared with fellow woody owners, the real reward comes from the reactions of the public. Owners might shrug off the compliments, but the praise, smiles and pats on the back certainly help offset the many hours spent sanding, polishing and crawling around the bilge.

Now, I know it’s not a beauty contest… but if I had to pick a few personal favourites from the docks they would be:

SAIL — RANUI
The 1936 ex-workboat designed by Korinius Larsen. Looking at her today, the standard of presentation is closer to a superyacht than a working boat.

MOTOR — REHIA
The 1938 Colin Wild designed and built motor launch. Over the last five years she’s been undergoing a rolling restoration, and every time I see her she looks better than the last.

TRAILER BOAT — LADY MAREE
A circa-1950 Cresta Craft classic runabout — pure period charm on a trailer.

TRAILER YACHT – I missed the detailers, has the look of a John Welsford design – can someone supply details ✔️ thanks. ‘Mystery’ solved – its a Welsford Navigator ✔️

As mentioned yesterday, events of this size don’t just happen. They require the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, organisers, exhibitors and supporters.

So a big salute to everyone involved in bringing the 2026 Auckland Wooden Boat Festival together. It was an impressive celebration of our classic wooden boating movement.

AUCKLAND’S 2026 WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Show Tour Part #1

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AUCKLAND’S 2026 WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – Show Tour Part #1

Currently underway down on Auckland’s waterfront is the 2026 Auckland wooden boat festival. The event kicked off late Friday afternoon and runs through until 5pm Sunday.

I dropped down on Friday hoping to grab a few photos before the predicted weather turned sour. Thankfully we were treated to a few welcome bursts of sunshine, which made for some great viewing and photography. As it turns out, today (Sunday) is shaping up as the best day to get along and soak it all in.

Today’s woody story focuses on the undercover displays and surrounding shore-side areas. Tomorrow we’ll bring you Part #2 — a full dockside walk-through featuring the boats afloat.

The festival is a visually stunning showcase, with around 80+ classic wooden craft on display along the docks. In an era where most marinas are locked away from the public 24/7, events like this provide a rare opportunity to get up close to these beautiful wooden boats and chat with the passionate owners and crews who keep them alive.

Pulling together an event of this scale doesn’t happen by accident. It takes hundreds of volunteers, organisers, exhibitors and supporters working behind the scenes to make it all happen.

Hats off to everyone involved — it’s a fantastic celebration of our wooden boating heritage.

WOODYS GALORE AT AUCKLAND’S WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

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Woodys Galore At Auckland’s Wooden Boat Festival

If you’ve got even a hint of salt in your veins, make your way down to Auckland’s Viaduct (Jellicoe Harbour) this weekend for the Auckland wooden boat festival.

The festival is a true celebration of everything that makes the classic wooden boat community special.

Expect a visual spectacle of beautifully crafted wooden boats both afloat and on display ashore, alongside undercover exhibitions and a series of engaging talks and seminars from people who live and breathe wooden boats.

From elegant launches and yachts to working classics, it’s a weekend that showcases the craftsmanship, heritage, and camaraderie that define the woody boat world.

Best of all — Entry Is Completely FREE.

Check out the full festival programme here:
https://www.aucklandwoodenboatfestival.co.nz/festival-programme

SHOW STARTS FRIDAY 13th > 15th 

FRIDAY 4PM>8PM – SATURDAY & SUNDAY 10AM > 5PM

▽A FESTIVAL MUST DO▽

Regular WW readers will be familiar with my frustration around the plight of the Vos Boat Yard on Aucklands waterfront, well I’m pleased to advice that its now once again a working boatyard and home to the NZ Traditional Boatbuilding School. To celebrate the yard will be open to the public during this weekends Auckland wooden boat festival and the team from NZTBS will give visitors the chance to see traditional clinker construction and repair skills up close, demonstrating a live build of a kauri clinker Frostbite dinghy in the shed.  
DETAILS: Saturday, 14 and Sunday, 15 March, 10am-5pm  Percy Vos Boat Yard, 34 Hamer Street Wynyard Quarter Auckland CBD Free entry.   Find out more at: https://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/events/percy-vos-boat-shed-open-day

CLASSIC BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MISS BRETT

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CLASSIC BAY OF ISLANDS LAUNCH – MISS BRETT

Back in August 2018 , the ex workboat MISS BRETT was looking for a new owner, WW link below, not sure she found one given the circumstances thats assume she did. https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/08/25/miss-brett-needs-a-new-woody-owner/

Then last week Dean Wright sent in todays photo of MISS BRETT in Deep Water Cove, Bay of Islands.

MISS BRETT was launched in 1927 & built by Dick Lang at Russell  for the Bay of Islands famous Fullers Cream Trip. She measures 40’ x 10’9” x 2’11” draft. 

Looking at todays photo and the WW 2018 photos, does not appear as if she has been getting the TLC on a regular basis.

Can we learn what’s been happening in her life these past 8 years.

LAST REMINDER RE THE AUCKLAND BOAT SHOW – STARTING TOMORROW

LOCATION IS DOCKSIDE AT THE VIADUCT EVENTS CENTRE – DETAILS HERE https://www.auckland-boatshow.com

CLASSIC WOODEN STEAM LAUNCH PUKE

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CLASSIC WOODEN STEAM LAUNCH PUKE

Today we have another great photo from the ‘Thames Historic Pictures’ fb via Lew Redwood.

On the left is the steam launch PUKE, standing off the sunken paddle steamer KOPU. The location is the top end of the dead end channel, Puke Wharf, Paeroa (I assume).

Question of the day for the steam heads – is this the same steam launch that I photographed at the 2025 Whangarei Maritime Festival or a replica? Photos below.

CLASSIC WOODEN BRIDGE- DECKER – VICTORY

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CLASSIC WOODEN BRIDGE- DECKER – VICTORY

Woody Angus Rogers sent the photos above of the 40’ Kinlock Marina based classic wooden launch – VICTORY. Designed and built by Jack Taylor in Taupo in 1939. She spent time as a charter boat.

Lots of interior photos in the WW Sept 2021 story –  link herehttps://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/16/victory-a-peek-down-below/

I like the port hole eyebrows a lot, very clever.

Always nice to get updates on the woodys that we do not see a lot of.

A 1900’s WOODEN SETTLERS LAUNCH AT PAEROA

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A 1900’s WOODEN SETTLERS LAUNCH AT PAEROA

Todays very cool photo comes to us from Lew Redwood via the ’Thames Historic Pictures’ fb page.

The location Is the Junction Wharf, Paeroa and its dated 1907.

I hope I’m correct when a say the small motorboat in the foreground is what was back then referred to as a ’Settlers Launch’. Todays equivalent would be a Toyota HiLux Ute.

Harold Kidd once told me an approx. figure for the number of these Settler Launches built in the 1900>1930 period, the exact number has slipped thru the cracks in my grey matter but it was I think (starting to sound like Ken Ricketts…..) +/- 5,000.

EX WOODEN WORKBOAT – BELFAST – WHERE IS SHE NOW

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2023

EX WOODEN WORKBOAT – BELFAST – WHERE IS SHE NOW
Back in Feb 2023 the 32’ BELFAST made an appearance on WW via a tme listing (via Ian McDonald), at the time she was looking rather sad and needed some serious TLC. Link below to that story. WW Feb 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/02/04/belfast/
At the time it was commented that she was built by Jack Guard in 1940 and has spent time in survey, 

Fast forward to last week and Ian  McD spotted BELFAST again, this time on a FB group page titled ‘Ex NZ Post Office Construction Staff’, from the photo she looks to be loading/unloading goods, or maybe it is just a person transfer. Can we get an update on what happen with the tme listing – did she sell, where is she now and the current status / condition of the vessel.

25-02-2026 INPUT ex HYLTON EDMONDS – Photos below of Belfast at Matauwhi Bay as of 24-02-2026


UPCOMING AUCKLAND ON-THE-WATER BOAT SHOW – 5>8 MARCH
If your looking for classic wooden boats you will looking for a long time but if you need a new – tender, outboard, safety gear, bbq, electronics, VHF etc – this is the boat show for you. Personally I always seem to find something I didn’t know I needed for the boat 🙂 Its a very professional run show and a great opportunity to see the latest and greatest marine related goods – just do not buy a white plastic boat 🙂

LOCATION IS DOCKSIDE AT THE VIADUCT EVENTS CENTRE – DETAILS HERE https://www.auckland-boatshow.com

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – TE KAWAU RE-LAUNCHED

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CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – TE KAWAU RE-LAUNCHED

During the second half of 2025 Sven Wiig was undertaking in Wellington a major refit on the ex work boat ARIANA , previously named GLENROWAN and TE KAWAU. WW covered the project in three parts – links below. Last week Sven updated WW on the final push to getting her back in the water.. As we learnt previously Sven has reverted back to the original name – TE KAWAU, we like that 🙂

As previously I will hand over to Sven to tell the story. Enjoy – its a great read.

Part one https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/07/07/the-restoration-of-the-classic-wooden-ex-workboat-ariana-te-kawau-part-one/

Part two https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/07/14/the-restoration-of-the-classic-wooden-ex-workboat-ariana-te-kawau-part-two/

Part three https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/07/16/the-restoration-of-the-classic-wooden-ex-workboat-ariana-te-kawau-part-three/

MORE HISTORY HERE https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/07/04/classic-wooden-ex-workboat-ariana-glenrowan-te-kawa/

“Time for an update on the Te Kawau project. Winter had me up in Auckland with work. Returning to Wellington in the early spring I got back into the project with fresh energy. First up was the wheelhouse sole. I built a new structure and cut out hardwood ply to line it. Pretty basic but a vast improvement on what had been there.  The small cabin I had created out of the old fish hold got the same treatment.

Time to move outside. First up I fitted a hardwood seat to the stern. This was a request from Jessica. She has visions of lunches out on the rear deck. 

With these projects out of the way and summer rapidly approaching it was time to get started on the hull. 

I started scraping the old antifoul off. Two or three days passed and I had less than a third of the starboard side stripped. Was definitely going to need to find a more efficient process. I experimented with a heat gun and various sanders no luck the old paint was rock solid. Eventually I settled on burning the paint off with a LPG torch. Much more efficient but slightly terrifying. In the space of a couple of weeks I had the whole hull back to bare timber. I raked all the seams out discovering that the whole garboard had previously been filled with mortar. Apparently, this was quite common on old work boats. It had however really damaged the edges of the seam. I decided that it needed some repair and most of it was tidied up and I glued Kauri splines onto the plank edge. There were several other areas that needed a similar treatment. I also removed all the old skin fittings and through-hulls. All seams were given a coat of red lead paint.

I then got a lesson in caulking from one of the old boat builders who is often around the yard. With this new knowledge I set about re-caulking the boat. This is a task that I had been dreading as it had seemed like a dark art, with people warning me it was hard. As it turns out I quickly got a feel for it and fortunately my brother arrived for his summer visit just in time to finish the caulking and get the seams puttied. The putty proved to be much harder work than the caulking. As my boat builder friend advised me “If your hands aren’t aching at the end of the day you are doing it wrong.” A couple of weeks later I had the first coats of primer on and Te Kawau was looking better than she had in a long time. 

The race was now on to get her in the water before my next work project started. The systems all needed sorting out. I spent a couple of weeks plumbing the new tanks sorting out wiring, installing a new hydraulic steering system, etc, etc. Antifouling and propspeed were applied and finally she was ready for launch. Couldn’t quite believe that I had got to this point. There were plenty of times along the journey that I thought she was never going back it the water. One fine Sunday in early February with little drama she was put back in the water. I was expecting that she would have water gushing in but as it turns out the water ingress was not too dramatic and slowly she is taking up. 

There is still plenty to do. The interior has to go back in and both sleeping cabins will need fitting out but in the mean time we can get out and enjoy her. 

PAIHIA – BAY of ISLAND – PLEASANTLY SURPRISED
I haven’t been to Paihia in a very long time, like 35+ years, tend to dodge it when driving north + I do not have good memories having nearly bleed out in an encounter between  a plate glass door and an artery.  We traveled north to perform babysitting duties while daughter was doing bridesmaid duties at a wedding. 
While still a tab OTT touristy / Rotovegas, I was impressed. Won’t bore you with too much but Sunday breakfast at Zane Grey’s, over the water was very good on all fronts – location, setting, service, food and price. Only spotted one woody at anchor.