Category Archives: Working Boats

CAN WE DATE & ID THESE CLASSIC BAY OF ISLANDS GAME BOATS

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CAN WE DATE & ID THESE CLASSIC BAY OF ISLANDS GAME BOATS

Today’s very cool photo has been rattling around in the “too good not to share” tray for a few months now… and frustratingly, I can’t recall where it came from — so apologies upfront for not crediting the source.

The photo is tagged – ‘Bay of Islands Game Fleet’ and first two boats are the legendary Collings & Bell built launches – Alma G II, followed by Alma G.These launches were part of the original wave of purpose-built game boats that helped put the Bay of Islands on the world big game fishing map.

Can any BOI game fishing launchmen ID the other boats for us, would be great to bring the fleet to life again. 

INPUT ex GREG PHILPOTT

Was working recently on IDing these launches in a similar photo and with the help of Hylton Edmonds and Brett & Shelley Arlidge the occasion was identified as the “funeral” procession for the scattering of the ashes of veteran gamefishing boatman HW (universally known as Peter) Williams who died on 9th August, 1949.

The launches in that procession were Alma G II” (Mervyn) , “Alma G” (Francis), “Idolon” (Fred Baker), “Marline” – Leon Warne ??, “Reliance” (Les Blomfield)??,  “Pirate” (Jimmy Whitelaw / Otto Summers) and possibly given he was of that era – George Warne and the “Rosemary”?.

The general consensus is that the photo was likely taken from the stern of William’s boat “Avalon”.

CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN WORKBOATS 

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CLASSIC SOUTHERN WOODEN WORKBOATS 

Earlier in the month Glenn Martin was mooching around the South Island on a bike  (I assume motorbike) and sent in todays gallery of woody workboat photos from Bluff. 

Not all capable of heading out to sea but wonderful to see them still intact, if that was Auckland they would have made a oneway trip to the landfill years ago.

MYSTERY COROMANDEL CLASSIC LAUNCH

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MYSTERY COROMANDEL CLASSIC  LAUNCH

Todays woody photo was sent in late last year by Ian McDonald – it originated ex the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection and the photographer was probably a Stapley Farmer and its dated c.1960’s.

Ian commented at the time that there had been some commented re a possible name/s – TARA / REGARDLESS.

The location appears to be the upper reaches of the Coromandel township harbour.

Anyone able to confirm the name supply more details.

The photo below was sent in by Ken Ricketts, vessel hauled out at Te Atatu BC in 2025

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.