Category Archives: Working Boats

CLASSIC EX WORKBOAT – WAIRANGI – Then and Now

Posted on by
Reply

CLASSIC EX WORKBOAT – WAIRANGI – Then and Now

The 1933 Miller & Tunnsge built ex workboat – WAIRANGI has made several appearances on WW, links below.

Now franks to a social media story by Rakiura Herzhoff we get to see her in her early configuration. We also learnt that when launched she had twin masts and was powered by a Thornycroft engine.This was replaced c.1948/9 with a Gardner 6L3, which she may still have.

WW October 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/01/1934-millar-tunnage/

WW March 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/03/05/wairangi-3/

WW April 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/18/wairangi-4/

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – OCEAN STAR

Posted on by
4

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – OCEAN STAR

Recently Graeme Shephard posted the above photo of OCEAN STAR on fb.  Graeme owned the boat in 2001 >2006. She was built in 1942 as a fishing vessel in New Zealand. 16.8 metres LOA.

In the late 1940’s the Government bought her for duties around Auckland and fitted the bigger deck house.

Her engine when Graeme owned her was a 4/71 GM.

Graeme commented that he placed 2 tonnes of lead ingots in the bilges which made her a lot stiffer and easier crossing Cook Strait etc.

Graeme circumnavigated the North Island of NZ in 2006 and then sold her.

Back in May 2023 OCEAN STAR appeared on WW (link below)  sporting a completely new house and residing in Tauranga, photo below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/10/ocean-star-a-floating-apartment/

She was 4sale at the time – did she sell?

A BOAT OR A BLOCK OF FLATS – YOU DECIDE

Posted on by
3

A BOAT OR A BLOCK OF FLATS – YOU DECIDE

Its only just March and we could be closing off this years competition to find the boat that most resembles a block of flats. The vessel above was sent in by an anonymous reader and has to be the winner, I can’t see it being bettered.

But in this PC world we will let you all decide – vote below.

The 2nd question today woodys is how far from the dock would you venture as a passenger? And to those that know the vessel – yes I know its not a woody – its a swimming pool eg concrete. On a serious note – its a liquidation sale – $1 reserve – cheapest man cave ever.

INPUT ex TONY SIMPSON – photo below of Kiwa around launching. Built in ’70s by the gentleman pictured, Dennis Twist. Built in his backyard. The whole superstructure was rebuilt 2003 for America Cup viewing. 


AFTER WONDERING WHAT THIS WEEKENDS TALKS AND TOURS HOSTED BY THE AUCKLAND MARITIME MUSEUM AND THE TEAM BEHIND THE AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL WAS ACTUALLY ABOUT – I DISCOVER AN INSIGHTFUL OVERVIEW ON ONE OF THE WOODEN BOAT SITES I FOLLOW – this one – Southern Wooden Boat Sailing – is based in Australia – click the logo below to view the overview 😉

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #2 THE PICNIC

Posted on by
1

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #2 THE PICNIC

Today again thanks to Scott Johnson we experience the post Parade picnic at Wairau Bay. Where after the formalities of the Parade, the skippers and crew get to relaxed and have a waterside party. 

The venue being a lake (no tide) means that the craft can all nudge into the bank and everyone gets to meet, chat and swap boating stories.

Enjoy the gallery of photos – if you missed Mondays story where we featured the Parade – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/24/lake-rotoiti-2025-classic-wooden-boat-parade-part-1-the-parade/

WOODY WEEKEND AT WAIHEKE ISLAND

Posted on by
1
CAPLIN
MANAPOURI
JUANITA
ONEROA BEACH

WOODY WEEKEND AT WAIHEKE ISLAND 

Seems life the weekend just gone was the best time this season for classic boating. 

Geoff Fiebig sent in the above photos from Oneroa Bay, Waiheke Island on Saturday late afternoon.

Nice to see MANAPOURI out and about after her extensive re-fit. And the sedan launch – JUANITA looking immaculate, as always.

The yacht CAPLIN is a very salty woody with a huge back story – read here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/15/caplin-a-once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity/

Can any one put a name to the rather large ex workboat – can not make out the name – maybe SEA XXXX? 

REMEMBER TO CHECK IN TOMORROW FOR PART #2 OF THE LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT WEEKEND.

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #1 THE PARADE

Posted on by
2

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #1 THE PARADE

Today thanks to Scott Johnson we get a look at the 2025 Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade — stunning, weather and photos that matched the wooden craft.

The day began with the traditional three cannon blasts, signaling the start of a flotilla of 80 classic and wooden boats gliding across the lake – lead out by Teheka Whaka.

Spectators gathered along the Okere arm shore, enjoying a live commentary from the commodore, who shared insights into the history and craftsmanship of these beautiful vessels. The weather was perfect, making for a truly memorable day on the water.

The parade concluded with a picnic and games at Wairau Bay, where the skippers and crew relaxed and celebrated another fantastic year of this cherished tradition.

Enjoy the gallery of photos & remember – click on photos to enlarge ;-)- On Wednesday we will have part two – the lake side picnic.

CLASSIC Ex WORKBOAT – MYSTERY GIRL 

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC Ex WORKBOAT – MYSTERY GIRL 

The 20’ c.100 yrs old ex workboat – MYSTERY GIRL last popped up on WW back in 2015, link below, since then she has had a wheelhouse added and is now back on the market. Thanks Ian McDonald for the tme heads up. Lots of intel and chat here – check out the comments section https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/06/06/mystery-girl/

You have to love the sellers comments, so upfront and honest, “ window framing in topside has rot and falling apart, needs attention. Old 4 cylinder Ford diesel is not running. Unknown hours and details” 🙂

With some TLC she has the makings of a cool little woody.

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – HINEMOA

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – HINEMOA

Todays woody made a brief appearance on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) and disappeared before I could record the details. So either sold in a flash or seller got cold feet.

So other than being located somewhere in the South Island and having a canoe-stern WW knows little about her, so keen to learn more.

KELVIN R4 75hp Engine – Needs A Home – Message below from Russell Ward
“It is time to place the R4 Kelvin with you to find a new owner.
It is 75 hp at 1500 rpm. I bought it from Sanfords -had been briefly the generator on Sea Harvester. Low hours. 

So I’ve had it in the mancave for most of my life awaiting a boat. I got Athol Burns to design me a 40′ MS for it – his last design ever. It was great fun but I knew I could never afford to build new. But I wanted Athol’s last design and it was well worth the effort just to have the exchange of letters. I will always treasure his sage advice. “No hysterics with old time practices” was his best.

Conrad Bergius who was related to the Kelvin makers Bergius had a similar dream and I gave it to him when we left Bayswater. He took it apart and got many new parts for it from the company.

When I took over St Antonio, I bought it from him – it had been on display in Moon Engines foyer.  I got a Niigata gearbox with a 3:1 reduction. I had it professionally fitted by Watts Engineering. 

It went briefly in the river at Warkworth and has been rebuilt since. When I sold St Antonio, the new owner had an Isuzu in preference to the Kelvin so I kept it.

Very easy engine to live with and will see any of us out. I have a vid of the last time it ran. Interested buyer contact Russell” mrward@steam.co.nz

RESTORATION OF CLASSIC LAUNCH – TAINUI – UPDATES – RELAUNCHED

Posted on by
10

RESTORATION OF CLASSIC LAUNCH – TAINUI – UPDATES – RELAUNCHED

Very pleased to be able to report that the restoration of the 38′ classic wooden launch – TAINUI , built c.1967 is progressing well – recently Blair Boats provided via fb the above images. TAINUI is kauri carvel planked and has a beam of 9’3″.

TAINUI was originally named KAIPARA and was a pilot vessel on the Kaipara Harbour. From that role she was converted to a commercial fishing vessel and then went off to Great Barrier Island, GBI more often than not ends up a grave yard for wooden boats but she was saved by John Sloane who and bought back to the main land. After 8+ years at the boat shed at Whangateau TAINU was moved to Blair Boats for fitting out and re-powering prior to launching.

Recent work has seen the ‘new’ Gardner engine fitted and aligned on reenforced engine beds. The photos show that the head and anchor locker work is almost complete. 

As is becoming the normal these days a jet bow thruster is also being installed 🙂

Read more on TAINUI here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/08/27/the-classic-wooden-launch-tainui-relocates-north/

11-04-2025 UPDATE ex Blair Boats – new floorboard have been fitted and varnished

24-08-2025 UPDATE ex Blair Boats – the work continues – teak hand rails and anchor roller, engine box undercoated.

10-09-2025 UPDATE – First coat of varnish on the hand rails and teak capping going on the toenail. 

22-09-2025 UPDATE – work continues with bonding and screwing on the laminated teak capping on the toe rail.

01-10-2025 UPDATE – Varnish going on the trim and toe rail

07-10-2025 UPDATE

UPDATE 10-10-2025 – Tainui was moved the outside shelter to free up some space in the shed. Latest work includes – installing custom built bifold doors, bronze potholes and engine vent.

01-11-2025 UPDATE – Bow rails receiving final coat + installed.

UPDATE 30-11-2025

SPLASH DAY HAS ARRIVED

PARADE OF SAIL – 2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

Posted on by
Reply
©️AWBF2025

PARADE OF SAIL – 2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL

One of the big events during the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, Tasmania is the ‘Parade of Sail’ – the offical opening event. Conditions allowing they get 11 Tall Sailing Ships and over 200 craft sailing up the Derwent River and into Sullivan Cove to mark the start of the festival. 

Today you get to experience the spectacle from about the media boat – a rather large twin hulled motorboat that was perfect for the task. Conditions were a tad challenging for the smaller craft but everyone was well behaved and followed the marshals instructions. 

Enjoy the gallery – only a selection – could only capture what the skipper deemed of most interest 🙂