Todays woody story is proof that there is a buyer for everything, all that matters is the price.
The boat SOUTH WIND appeared recently on tme and was sold for +/- $1,400, it had a $1 reserve and all we learnt from the listing was she is is 39’ long, steering is tight and the diesel engine runs well + needs some TLC ( thats an understatement). Looking at the anchor winch, it was a good buy.
Personally with that ‘cabin’ I wouldn’t like to be out is anything more than 10 knots………. I think the Haines Hunter runabout is looking for its missing bow rail.
As the photos will quickly confirm, Saturday 7 February delivered near-perfect conditions for the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association’s annual gathering. While the event unfolds over four days, it’s the Saturday on-the-water get-together that remains the undisputed highlight.
From a photographer’s point of view, wall-to-wall sunshine and tricky angles don’t always play nicely with timber and varnish. So, if I’ve missed your boat or the images aren’t quite showroom-perfect, my apologies — I was doing my best to keep up with a lot of very good-looking boats.
The day naturally divides into two acts: the Parade, followed by the Picnic. A few familiar regulars were absent this year, but they were more than ably replaced by some truly stunning “new” additions to the fleet, making for an impressive and varied lineup on the water.
Sit back, enjoy the gallery, and soak up a little Lake Rotoiti magic. As always click photos to enlarge.
Special thanks to David & Glenys Wilson for the generous loan of a boat for the day 🙂
MYSTERY WOODEN YACHT ALONGSIDE KERIKERI STONE STORE
Last year Ross Dawson shared the above photo (ex postcard), at the time Ross commented that he suspected the photo was dated c.1900.
The location is the upper reaches of the Kerikeri Inlet and we see a yacht alongside the wharf at the Stone Store. The store is still standing today as is the timber building to the right – Kemp House.
The yacht has what appears to be a registration number on her bow so maybe a commercial fishing craft. Can we ID the yacht.
The clinker dinghy in the foreground is very salty looking.
Following on from the location above, I believe a group of Kerikeri / BOI classic wooden launch owners traveled up the Inlet yesterday for a gathering at the Plough & Feather Pub, near the Stone Store. Hopefully we will have a report + photos next week.
Check out WW on Monday for a photo gallery / parade report from the 2026 Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – my pick for best boat below – LADY BETH
The 44’ launch TOKATEA started life back in 1959 as a Government fishing patrol and lighthouse tender, built by WG Lowe. TOKATEA was ‘retired’ in 1987 and converted to pleasure use.
While still retaining her workboat roots the interior fit out is rather smart, certainly providing a home away from home afloat.
Forward motion is from a 100hp Gardner 6LW engine.
Recently Glen Martin was riding through Helensville on his bike and stopped at the cruising club for a beer and pulled the camera out. Given that some are daytime and some night it must have been a few beers – hopefully not riding the bike post.
Recently on WW Grant MacKinnon posted the comment below (edited), Grant has just supplied photos of the items – so big ask but maybe someone can help confirm or end Grant’s speculation.
“We are doing a long walk around the South Island by beach and coastline and come across all sorts of things washed up. Recently we found an old ships spar or something, washed up on the beach between Fortrose and Tiwai Point, Southland. It has old style wooden pegs and lashed-lugs(?).
We need some help with its identification, if anyone knows who and how to find out please? It is very old. I went back and got it as my family were Meiklejohns and the first boat they built on arrival at Omaha was the “Pioneer” which wrecked at Fortrose in 1883. It would be exciting if it was off that. Thank you, any pointers would be very much appreciated.”
PERFECT WEATHER, PERFECT WEEKEND FOR WOODEN BOATING
Today’s story is a potpourri from the weekend. A good forecast had a lot of woodys slipping the dock lines and heading out. Some were at Kawau for the sailing activity there and a lot dropped anchor at Rakino Island. Because I’m sure I was spotted – I’ll own up to my worst anchoring exhibition in Woody Bay, just couldn’t get it to dig in. Made worse by the number of craft. Gave up and retreated to West Bay- less boats and a better % of woodys at anchor. BUT – I made a novice mistake – anchored close to a large plastic US import with a petrol genset. I quote the owner “everyone tells me it sounds like a Massey Ferguson tractor “ – IT DID 😦 Experienced a stunning Rakino sunset on Saturday night.
VISITING USA WOODY
Over the last 2 weeks we have had one of the USA’s nicest wooden boating ambassadors – Bob Yaro visiting NZ Aside from being a great guy, Bob has some serious tags to his name – Chairman of the Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, Rhode Island.
We had big plans to host Bob and friends aboard Angus Rogers – CENTAURUS for the Mahurangi Regatta but the weather gods dealt to that plan – so Bob’s been lunched on CENTAURUS in Auckland and had a day cruise on Margo and Jamie Hudson’s – LADY CROSSLEY up in the Bay of Island. The woody web is world wide 🙂
Recently WW was contacted by Jeff Giddens concerning the launch NGATEA – best if I let Jeff tell the story
“Have attached a few photos of my good friend Alan’s boat – Ngatea.History……builder unknown apparently. Rumour has it, way back in the day she may have been some sort of mail boat to Kapiti Island. Ngatea is over 100 years old and was owned for a long time by well known boat builder Reg Saunders of Paremata. She was his prideand joy.
For the last 15 or so years she has been owned by another well-known Paremata identity, and ex fisherman Alan Codyre. As much as she needs a good clean up and TLC in her paint work, she is in outstanding condition for her age.We recently removed the old Perkins and refitted her with a wee Yanmar diesel. It would be great if anyone out there knows more about her history and where she was built and by whom.She is currently on a swing mooring in Ivy Bay Paremata.”
So woodyscan we help Jeff and Alan out and fill in the gaps re NGATEA’s back story.
CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOAT RACING ON THE WAITEMATA HARBOUR – Auckland Anniversary Regatta
After the disappointment of a cancelled Mahurangi Regatta weekend I was chafing at the bit to get out on the water.
Being Auckland Anniversary Day yesterday , I secured a spot aboard Jason Prew’s classic launch MY GIRL – WW readers will be aware that MY GIRL holds the title of fastest classic wooden launch on the Waitemata.
So at 11am we were on the start line for the classic launch inner harbour race – start off RNZYS > down to Orakei Bouy > across to Devonport area > back up the harbour to the finish line (aka the start line). Conditions were best described as ok, certainly better than the previous 4 days, overcast, the occasional shower and westerly >20 knots.
This year we were lacking a few of real quick woodys so Mr Prew had the race in hand after 10 seconds. Some close racing with the ‘recently’ re-powered woodies – NGAIO and LUCINDA. Do not have the handicap results but line honours went to MY GIRL / NGAIO / LUCINDA. All serviced at The Slipway Milford yard so a nice trifecta.
Earlier in the morning the tug/workboats put on their normal spectacular performance – see below.
The parade of sail was bolstered by several classic woodys that did not race – parade photos second group above.
Enjoy the photo gallery, light on the winning boat, always is when the bloke with the camera is aboard the favourite 😉
As always – photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
RACE RESULTS – MY GIRL collects line and handicap honours
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