Category Archives: Working Boats

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL- Day 1

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DAY ONE – BULLETIN – Thursday 6th

Hello woodys

I’m now in wooden boat heaven – attending the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Arrived yesterday mid morning and to use that wonderful Aussie saying – ‘ I’m as happy as a dog with two tails. I attended the 2023 festival and quickly became hooked – search Australian Wooden Boat Festival in the WW search box to view that trip.

I’m adopting a different reporting style this festival – rather than doing massive photo posts each day – there will be some narrative on what we have been up to and some BOATS of THE DAY photos, then at the end of the trip there will be one big story. Why you may ask – well last trip I spent 1/2 my time bent over my laptop editing photos and loading up via very average hotel internet services.

This year I will be trying to enjoy the occasion more and meet more woodys and visit their craft dockside.

Each year the festival has a theme – The 2025 festival celebrates Australia’s deep maritime connections across the Tasman Sea, featuring the debut of Te Karangatahi, the Māori waka taua, and a lineup of NZ vessels including NGATAKI, LADY GAY and TE RAPUNGA. There will be talks, open to the public, on the restoration of NGATAKI and the saving of the DEEMING. These vessels are well known to the followers of WW, so the cameras will be mainly focusing on the hundreds of stunning Australian wooden craft that make up the festival – so I apologise in advance to the connections of these Kiwi boats. 🙂

Lots of activity down at the waterfront as all the festival crew are setting up.

Tomorrow I’m out on the water for the event that marks the start of the festival – the Sail In’ – it’s very spectacular.

WORLDWIDE CLASSIC BOAT SHOW- FREE ACCESS TICKET

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WORLDWIDE CLASSIC BOAT SHOW- FREE ACCESS TICKET FOR WW READERS

As you read this I’ll be winging my way to Hobart for the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. There will be daily posts of the best thats on display so check in each day.

Readers of WW will be familiar with my addiction to the USA based v-blog OFF CENTER HARBOR, one of the super cool gigs these guys pull together is the annual WORLDWIDE CLASS BOAT SHOW, which waitematawoodys is co-sponsoring this year. The online show kicks off on February 14th – and as a WW reader you get a Free Ticket to the Worldwide Classic Boat Show

See over 1,200 of the world’s best wooden boats at the show. The show is 100% online/virtual, February 14 to March 2nd, so you’ll get free access to everything from your favorite lounge chair at home.
You can CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE TICKET/PASS.

WHAT’S AT THE SHOW? 

  • World Map – Everything related to classic boats on one interactive world map
  • Boats – Beautiful photos and details of 1,200+ of the world’s best classic boats
  • Organizations – Explore festivals, boatbuilders, clubs, museums, schools, etc.
  • Live Presentations – Inspiring presentations featuring experts on a variety of topics
  • People – Connect with other attendees anywhere in the world (right on the map)

Your free ticket will get you into all of these presentations:

  • Arctic Solo Sailor Veronica Skotnes
  • Yacht Restoration w/ Dave Snediker
  • Indigenous and African Maritime Legacies w/ Akeia de Barros Gomes
  • Why Are These the Best Boat Festivals? w/ Port Townsend, France, and Australia
  • Two-Tim Race to Alaska Winner Jeanne Goussev
  • Marine Systems w/ Kevin Ritz from NWSWB
  • Small Boat Design w/ John Welsford, Clint Chase, and Ross Lillistone

+ SUBMIT YOUR OWN BOAT:
They’re still accepting boat submissions too, so you can CLICK HERE to submit your own boat to be in the show.
Enjoy the show

2025 ANNIVERSARY DAY INNER HARBOUR MOTORBOAT RACING

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ONLY TWO THROTTLE SETTING ON MY GIRL – IDLE AND FULL CHAT

Some woodys are pure speed demons eg MY GIRL (#51) below and others with the help of a heart transplant can still lift up their skirts and show a good turn of speed – NGAIO (blue boat) and PACIFIC (white) two good example below.

TUGBOAT RACE START

2025 ANNIVERSARY DAY INNER HARBOUR MOTORBOAT RACING

Due to the weather on the weekend I was able to attend the anniversary day regatta motor boat events on board Jason Prew’s launch – MY GIRL.

The two gigs are the Tug & Workboat Race and the Classic Launch Race – known around the waterfront as as the Tug Off and the Drag Race.

The commercial boats were first away and are always a sight to behold – so much horse power – and great to a mix of very old – WILLIAM C DALBY and current working waterfront tugs.

The main event for me is the launch race, pulled together each year by Jason Prew – it is a handicap race but the adrenalin kicks in and the launch skippers are going at full throttle most of the race. Race results below.

I wouldn’t be true to my DNA if I didn’t comment about the continuing demise of the regatta – each year less and less vessels turning out – aside from small beach launched yachts, the motor boats would have to be the two biggest categories in the regatta. And a very concerning sign – no Navy ship in the harbour as the VIP grandstand………. just saying.

Enjoy the photo / video gallery.

NOTE – AFTER A TECH ISSUE UPLOADING VIDEOS YESTERDAY – WE HAVE RESOLVED THE FAULT AND HAVE ADDED SOME GREAT SAILING FOOTAGE TO YESTERDAYS MAHURANGI REGATTA STORY – SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW.

2025 MAHURANGI REGATTA WEEKEND – 75+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

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2025 MAHURANGI REGATTA WEEKEND – 75+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

Well that wasn’t the woody weekend I‘m sure we all planned, but it was still a magic weekend and just goes too prove that classic wooden boat enthusiasts don’t let a lot of wind and rain get in the way of a good time. 

The trip up on Friday afternoon / evening as uneventful (unless your woodys named – TAWERA, who ‘lost’ 2.5m off the top of her mast) and most anchored in and around Scott’s Landing.

Then it went down hill on Saturday morning – confusion around the start time for the launch parade – 1/2 the boats thought 10am, now I’m told it did say 9.30 in the classic yacht club newsletter, but……. the % of launches there that were members would have been less than 20%, so the parade was very patchy with skippers joining at different times. Numbers were down and the loop of Sullivan’s Bay was embarrassing- less than 20 people on the beach and I suspect they had no idea what was going on. BUT – still good to get together.  Parade aside there was an impressive number of classic wooden launches in the harbour, in terms of pure classic craft , launches would have out numbered yachts by 4:1Most turning up to just enjoy the weekends activity on the water.

As the morning wore on the wind and seas picked up – resulting in some spectacular sailing in the Mahurangi Regatta yacht race. Amazing that they was no carnage, that I’m aware of. 

Below is a selection of photos that Jason Prew took from his launch – MY GIRL. I have several videos put have tech issues with uploading – will sort and add asap. I’m sure there will be more fleet coverage on social media. 

Post the boating activities the weather turned ugly and the smart people left Scott’s Landing for Pukapuka Inlet. The shore based activities would have been dampened down by the weather but the true blue woodys partied on. Big ups to Nick Atkinson and mates who entertained the revellers from the back of a truck. The normal 20+ piece jazz band was absent this year but from everyone I spoke to – I think Nick has a permeant gig. 

The forecast for Sunday was evil, anything that has 50 knots in it is a big red flag. Then the heavens opened up and we had everything- wind , rain, lightening all night. Not a lot of sleep was had that night. Woke to no rain and wind down a little but forecast wasn’t good so made the call to cancel heading to Kawau and waited in Pukapuka for the weather to improve enough for a dash (not sure 8 knts is worthy of that term on RAINDANCE) home. Which we did.

Sad I missed hanging out at the Kawau Boating Club on Sunday night, but the upside was I scored a ride on Jason Prew’s – MY GIRL in the anniversary day launch race – full report tomorrow.
Enjoy the photo gallery 🙂 And remember to click on photos to enlarge.

MOOCHING AROUND WEST-PARK HAUL OUT 

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RANUI
MANAPOURI
STERLING

MOOCHING AROUND WEST-PARK HAUL OUT 

Earlier in the week I had a good excuse to visit the West-park Marina, so I took the opportunity to do a lap of the hardstand area. Very few boats out, but given we are in the height of summer, there shouldn’t be many there.

It was great to see the 48’ classic cruiser – RANUI – built in 1948 by Lidgard out for some TLC. Read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/07/08/ranui-a-peek-down-below/

The second woody in the line was the 43’ – MANAPOURI, built by Hector Parks. She is on the down hill run of a 2+ year restoration – read more on the project at the link below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/11/28/manapouri-refit/

Update ex the Mahurangi Regatta – MANAPOURI did a sneaky launching and made it to the regatta – photo below

Lastly the 1909 Bailey & Lowe built woody – STERLING, out it appeared for a shave in anticipation of her appearance in Mondays anniversary regatta tug & work boat race. This old girls is very quick, I suspect the handicappers will have a good memory and she might struggle to win on handicap, but always a contender for line honours 😉

IF YOU ARE AT A LOOSE END TOMORROW MORNING (MONDAY) GET DOWN TO WESTHAVEN / WATERFRONT – there will be some spectacular motorboat action on the water

10am The Tug & Workboats start their race from off Westhaven / RNZYS

11am The Jason Prew celebratory classic launch race starts also off Westnhaven / RNZYS

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ROSELLA 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ROSELLA 

Todays woody is the launch – ROSELLA.  I was sent the above photo by John Dawson who saw it in a classic yachting newsletter. Accompanying the photo was an update on the craft from her current owner – Danvers Devereux.

“We rescued ROSELLA a few years ago due to our connection with Great Barrier Island, producing the Great Barrier Island Bee Co range of body care products. We were fascinated with the island’s history as well as classic boats.

ROSELLA was built in 1928 by the Voss boat builders at Westhaven for the Blackwell family. She became well known for carrying the Barrier Island honey and produce back to the wharfs in Auckland to be traded. Because of this she became known as “the honey boat”

She also made many mercy missions with Adam Blackwell to help the sick or injured off the “Barrier”. She was like the Westpac helicopter back in her day!

We found her by chance and luck, high in the Coromandel ranges, ironically next to some beehives! No trucking company could assist due to 4WD access, so it was down to some Kiwi DIY, a long trailer and a Land Rover, followed by a 7-hour drive back to Matakana. She is now parked outside our Great Barrier Island honey gallery/museum.We hope to explore opportunities this year on how we can go about possibly restoring her.”

Back in Oct 2022 W ran a story on a launch also named ROSELLA,, as seen in the photo below. At the time we were trying to learn more about her – ex a Lew Redwood fb story we learnt that the photo was from the Auckland Library Heritage collection and was tagged 1930>1939. The location was Falls Park, Henderson, West Auckland. Sadly we learnt no more.
So woodys – todays question is – are these two craft the same or just share the same name.

24-01-2025 input EX HAROLD KIDD – I think that the Falls Park launch is the 24 footer ROSELLE (not ROSELLA) built in May 1914 by/for Peter A Smith of St Mary’s Bay for Reeves Currie with an Alpha engine.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – GEMINI – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – GEMINI – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody is the Lanes (Picton) built double ender – GEMINI. Built in 1932, kauri carvel construction , her specs are 33’ x 8’6” x 4’. GEMINI is powered by a 75hp Perkins Sabre diesel engine that gives her a 7>8 knot cruising speed.

Home port is Picton. Marlborough and like most ’Sounds’ boats GEMINI is well fitted out for year round cruising.

Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up. Anyone able to tell us more about GEMINI.

IS ANYONE BUILDING REAL WOODEN BOATS IN NEW ZEALAND

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IS ANYONE BUILDING REAL WOODEN BOATS IN NEW ZEALAND

I’m a big fan of The Wooden Boatshop in Sorrento, Melbourne, Australia.Tim Phillips OAM and his team turn out the most amazing craft – both traditional and spirit of tradition.If you haven’t already checked out their website, do it now. Every post is classic boat porn. Link below + sign up for their e-newsletter and follow on fbook.https://woodenboatshop.com.au

Back to todays headline – I hope I’m wrong but is anyone (professionally) working to this standard? We kill Australia when it comes to the size of your classic movement both in terms of numbers and boats on the water, but sadly we have a very small number of artisans doing mainly restorations and repairs.

Today on WW we showcase the recent (late 2024) launching of – BETTY , a Couta boat built by The Wooden Boatshop.Read more on Couta boats and TWBS at this link  https://woodenboatshop.com.au/Couta-Boat

Tim Phillips is even a fan of WW (photo below es 2023 AWBF) – or maybe he just needed a clean, dry shirt after crossing the Bass Straight on his 1925 built ex workboat – STORM BAY
Check out the 10 year conversion / restoration here https://woodenboatshop.com.au/Storm-Bay

CLASSIC 1948 WOODEN LAUNCH – MAKURA

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Ex Sea Spray Magazine

CLASSIC 1948 WOODEN LAUNCH – MAKURA

In late November 2024 WW attended the relaunch of the very salty 24’, 100 year old ex workboat named  – MARISSA at the Te Atatu Boating club. While there her owners, the Monaghan family, very generously shared an old photo album. One the woody craft included in the album was the Collings & Bell built bridge-decker – MAKURA. Seen in the first two photos above.

MAKURA last made a cameo appearance on WW back in 2013 when Harold Kidd and Russell Ward contributed to a WW story titled ’The Collings & Bell Bridge-deckers’ – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/09/the-collings-and-bell-bridgedeckers/

In the story we learnt that MAKURA was built in 1949 for W D C  & C H Leighton and fitted with a 6 cylinder Chrysler Crown. They sold her to Phil Seabrook of Seabrook & Fowlds in 1957. He fitted the Nordberg a year or so later. Phil Seabrook had Billy Rogers design and build LADY DIANA for him in 1950 and fitted her with the Austin Skipper from new, replacing it with a 155hp Nordberg sleeve-valve engine in 1956 shortly before he sold LADY DIANA to Monte Winter and bought MAKURA. 

Later owners were V F Adams (1966) and W G Boughtwood (1973). Back in 2013 she was in Picton.The photo of MAKURA above was taken by Russell in 1961. Russell commented at the time that she was a fine looking ship. Also shown is a photo of MAKURA as built from the July 1951 edition of Sea Spray magazine.

MOLLYMAWK – CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT

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MOLLYMAWK – CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT
Today thanks to tme and Ian McDonald we get to view the Wellington based canoe stern wooden boat – MOLLYMAWK, built in c.1930 in Nelson by Jack Guard.  Her original name was  – VALETTA.Built from kauri her specs are 31’6” x 8’4” x 3’. Powered by a 20hp Hupeh engine.Current owner has had her for 25 years and commented that he has made 50+ Cook Straight crossing in the boat.

A PRODUCT PLUG – (I bought it, no trade bribes) Recently discovered a great boat wax, called ‘Meguiars Flagship Marine Wax’. Not cheap $85 for 475ml but so easy to apply and no residue white marks on fittings etc. The photos tell the story. Just had my boat out for some TLC at the Slipway Milford, her bottom was the worst ever, a sad reflection on the amount of use in 2024 ……….

AND SPEAKING OF PAINT JOBS / SHINE – check out the Couldrey clinker dinghy in the shed at the Slipway Milford, in the final stages of a high-end refurb – soon to be paired up with her Couldrey mother ship 😉