Category Archives: Working Boats

CLASSIC WOODEN CLINKER – MISS MARAETAI – Where Is She

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CLASSIC WOODEB CLINKER – MISS MARAETAI – Where Is She

WW was recently contacted by Rowan Muir re Seacraft runabout named – MISS MARAETAI, read below

“We are compiling a history of sea rescue out of Maraetai as it has operated from 1975 and it will be fifty years in 2025. 
I am trying to locate the present owners of “MISS MARAETAI” the original rescue vessel that the Maraetai Beach Boating Club owned.

She was a 16 foot Seacraft clinker built runabout with a petrol inboard Falcon motor.
The last information I have is about 15 -20 years ago was that Rick and Viv who we think they lived in Manurewa somewhere owned her.Can we help Rowan and the MBBC track down what became of MISS MARAETAI.


NAME THE PENNANT – AND WIN A WW BURGEE In my recent travels around Auckland I spotted this on a club wall – I rather like the design ;-)First woody that can ID the pennant – wins a WW burgee. NOTE: entry via the WW comments section. Here’s a hint – not NZ, but not too far away………..

THE SAILING SCOW RIPPLE – CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT HER

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THE SAILING SCOW RIPPLE – CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT HER

WW has been contacted by James McLaren who recently was mooching around the riverside docks at Warkworth and noticed a scow named – RIPPLE keeping the JANE GIFFORD company.

James and myself were unaware of RIPPLE and would love to learn more.

So today  a question today for the Mahurangi River woodys – tell us what you know – old/new, wood?, builder, engine etc 🙂

INPUT FROM JOHN WICKS – Ralph Sewell’s Ripple. Not a scow – she has round bilges, though she has very shoal draft and a centreboard.

INPUT ex PETER MENCE – Ralph Sewell referred to her as a round bilge scow. Ralph designed and with Alison and Peter built her – launched on the beach at Okura in the 70s I think.
INPUT ex PAUL BARLOW – Ripple is a round bilge,drop centre board vessel.I owned her for several years when I was based in Coromandel town.She was built by Ralph Sewell (who also built the Breeze).Ralph used her as his family boat when he lived in Coromandel Town.Her shallow draft allowed her to be berthed in the creek at the end of the 309 road /Waiau river. Similarly,I had a jetty berth in Furey’s creek where she was berthed.
INPUT ex ROSS DAWSON – Yes, Ralph Sewell’s replica NZ trading ketch, according to Bill McCarthy little book “Blokes & Boats”, he notes..”built of Californian Redwood in just nine months, without any plans, by a guy who hated school and had no formal boat-building or engineering training, it’s a pretty impressive achievement.” He says that vessels like this were common at the turn of the century carting everything from livestock to gravel and timber all round the northern coastline. In later years Ralph built the brigantine Breeze now in the Maritime Museum…no plans, “a case of a great eye coupled with a natural talent.” “If it looks good from any angle, it’s a good boat, says Ralph.” (Ralph died 1999)

HISTORIC EX PILOT BOAT – ARAHINA – NEEDS SAVING

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HISTORIC EX PILOT BOAT – ARAHINA – NEEDS SAVING

Recently WW was contacted by ‘Wellington Waterfront’ regarding one of Wellington’s historic pilot boats – ARAHINA, that was available for purchase. Currently moored at Queens Wharf, the 66′ ARAHINA is a beautiful vessel constructed from Kauri wood and was originally delivered to Wellington in 1925.

In addition to its piloting duties, the Arahina played a heroic role in the rescue of dozens of passengers and three crew members from the sinking Wahine on April 10, 1968.

Wellington Waterfront are seeking a new owner who will cherish and preserve the ARAHINA for the next century. Ideally, they hope it remains in Wellington, as it represents a significant piece of the regions maritime heritage. The sale is via court order to pay mounting berth costs.

If you are interested in owning this remarkable vessel, please follow the link below for more details.

Tenders are welcome!

https://www.seaboats.net/19m-ex-pilot-launch-for-sale-by-tender-1586437
B/W photo courtesy of the Maritime Archaeological Association of NZ.

THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TAINUI RELOCATES NORTH

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THE CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TAINUI RELOCATES NORTH

As reported last week the 38’ 1968 ex work boat – TAINUI was heading north to Blair Boats in Kerikeri to bring to fruition owner John Sloane’s dream.

In the photos above we see TAINUI leaving the Whangateau traditional boat shed via the beach and then heading north to Kerikeri .

Third photo sees her resting on the lawn at the Blair yard, waiting her turn in the shed. 

Last photo is of the Gardner 5LW installed. John commented previously that there is no intention to have an engine box – the mighty Gardner will be centre stage – as per MY GIRL, photo below – we like that 🙂

15-11-2024 UPDATE – to quote owner John Sloane ’The journey begins’ at Blair Boats

18-01-2025 UPDATE – work underway in the Blair Boats shed – we like that 🙂

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SOUTHERN WOODEN LAKE BOAT – TAWERA

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SOUTHERN WOODEN LAKE BOAT – TORA VERA TAWERA
Earlier in the month Shamus Fairhead (MV SEQUIA) wrote in concerning the vessel – TORA VERA seen above. I’ll hand over to Shamus to tell the story – 

“I was recently down in Christchurch catching up with my 91 year old Father, Jim Fairhall who has been a keen deer stalker all his life. Amongst his photos is this photo from a 1956 hunting trip up the Glaisnoch River that flows into Lake Wakatipu. 
The rear of the photo names the boat as the ‘Tora Vera’ and Dad tells me she was normally moored on the Frankton arm. ( opposite side ? ) Just curious if this is a later life Thelma – Vera that I sent a photo of earlier and your site has a great write up on ? (Link to that story below)I understood from your article that the Lake Whau Lodge owners were after any images.”


Any of the WW readers able to tell us more about the vessel – TORA WERA
WW Oct 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/03/18/thelma-vera/

23-08-2024 UPDATE ex Paul Newell – the photos below ex Paul confirm that the vessel is named TAWERA,  and the location of both photos is Te Anau.

Lake Te Anau tourist steamer Tawera. _ Otago Witness, 16.5.1922


CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

Wednesdays WW story on the ex game launch – ALMA G II, gave woody Gavin Bradley a nudge to send the above photos of his wooden classic – OTEHEI.

Gavin commented that the date was 29 years ago (1995) and Craig McInnes was doing the work of 5 men.OTEHEI was designed and built c.1927/8 by Collings & Bell and had several ’sister’ ships, ALMA G II being one of them. Her first owner was a Frank Elliott and she worked out of Zane Grey’s camp at Otehei on Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands. 

OTEHEI spent some time on Lake Taupo before returning home to the far north, where she residues today.

Lots of photos and intel in the two WW story links below – particularly the 2017 story.
WW Aug 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/28/otehei/ WW Jan 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/10/otehei-2/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAINUI – On The Move Again

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAINUI – On The Move Again

Back in early Feb 2016 we reported that John Sloane had recently purchased the 1967 38’ ex workboat – TAINUI and had transported her to the Whangateau traditional boat yard for a major refit – well woodys fast forward 8 years and the decision has obviously been made to relocate TAINUI to another yard. 

My spies tell me that Blair Boats in Kerikeri will be taking over the project, so we look forward to regular updates and photos.

At one stage there was a mint Gardner engine (see below) waiting to go in, keen to learn what became of that engine – hopefully still in storage.

In a previous WW story we learnt from Phil Saunders that TAINUI was the (then) Marine Department fisheries protection launch based at Russell during the 1950s and 1960s and was skippered by Jake Saunders and Inspector Anderson. She is a great sea boat and when in service she was kept in immaculate order. She sailed weekly to provision Cape Brett Lighthouse, often in inclement weather and also oversaw the harvesting of rock oysters up Kerikeri inlet.

UPDATE ex JOHN SLOANE – The 3LW was traded and we upgraded to 5LW . Which is sitting in her . Dave Shaw the grandmaster has done all the work as I wanted the engine to be a show piece with open engine room,  including move hydraulic gear box . Will keep you posted as things progress . 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALMA G II Restoration Updates #3 & #4

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALMA G II Restoration Updates #3 & #4

We have been following the refit / rebuild of the1927 Collings & Bell classic wooden launch – ALMA G II for a while now, the last WW story was back in December 2023 Dec 2023 and I have a confession to make – Update #3 slipped between the WW cracks so today you get a two-4- one 🙂

UPDATE #3 from Sian Steward at CMC Design below – 

“So much has been going on in the last few months, the team have been working very hard and things are looking great.

After the long long months of initial work of bringing all the bones of the Alma G II back together and many coats of white paint in the hull interior we moved onto the next phase.

The hull has been double skinned with kauri planks, filled, fared and prepped for fiberglass. It was a shame to say goodbye to seeing all the beautiful original timber underneath, but a boat that floats is the ultimate goal.

It’s good to have all hands available for this aspect of the build, working together makes the tough job of glassing much more streamlined and quicker. No one wants to draw out glassing for too long and we are grateful it isn’t a regular part of our day-to-day job..

More full suited days in the hot hot heat bogging and readying for paint. This is where the restoration really looks like it is getting somewhere. We have been going since last April and these milestones are meaningful to both the workers and the boat owners.

The Alma G II has been carefully rolled once more and the whole process starts again on the port side.

From there, back to upright and some more detailed discussions on the interior finishes and fixtures. The owners are keen to honor the traditional elements of the boat and have been sourcing some really lovely items from navigation lights to the bench top surfaces.

Top coat paint colour choices are being made and we keep moving on…”

UPDATE #4

“Further updates on the Alma G II. We have layers of paint going on!   More hard work has been done in these last few months with the Lees engine going in, fiberglassing, long board sanding and bogging and fairing.  Real backbreaking stuff. Onward we go with paintwork and then the interior fit out. “   

LINKs TO PREVIOUS STORIES FOLLOWING THE PROJECT

WW May 2023 Story https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/01/restoration-of-alma-g-ii-begins/

WW Dec 2023 Story  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/06/alma-g-ii-restoration-update-2/

MYSTERY WOODEN BOAT – 09-08-2024 – REO

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MYSTERY WOODEN BOAT – 09-08-2024 – REO

Todays photo comes to us from the Tauranga City Library collection and is tagged ’the-rio’. Doing a WW search on the word rio doesn’t show any vessels that look like todays woody.

Can we learn more, the stern set-up says workboat, so maybe converted to pleasure use at some stage and a name change.

INPUT ex RAY MOREY – Its “REO” built as line boat for the Reotahi Freezing works in Whangarei harbour. This view after a massive rebuild and re-power by Tauranga H.B. engine was a Detroit 4-53 and the gantry frame for servicing moorings

INPUT ex HAROLD KIDD  – Ray is right, it’s REO run by the Tauranga Harbour Board for many years from 1923 as a pilot boat. Built by Bailey & Lowe 1903. Was in Whangarei until 1923. More recently in Tutukaka.

WOODYS CLEVEDON OVERNIGHT BBQ CRUISE – DOCK SPACE FILLING UP – ASVP TO SECURE YOUR SPACE waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC GAME FISHING BOAT – PETER JOHN

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CLASSIC GAME FISHING BOAT – PETER JOHN


Back in Nov 2023 we ran a very brief story with the above photo of PETER JOHN – other than ID’ing the location (THC Hotel, Waitangi, Bay of Islands ) we learnt no more about the vessel – then out of the blue we received a note from Col Skudder with a raft of intel to share so I’ll hand over to Col to pass on his memories of PETER JOHN –

 “Early 1961 / 62 K John Humphrey (logging contractor Rotorua) purchased the launch and kept it , moored in Pilot Bay, Mt Maunganui. John used the vessel frequently through out the Bay of Plenty, mainly Mayor Is and Motiti Is areas with his close diver friend Mick Claude , also of Rotorua. I spent lots of hours in my youth, fishing with John and Mick and both my father (Bob Skudder – owner of Naomi- game fish launch) and John were close friends.

From memory just after the MaCherie (built by Visa Ship Yards, Mt Maunganui for Don Shattock – approx. 1963) the PETER JOHN was hauled out at Visa slipway for major refitting. John replaced the twin petrol engines with twin diesel engines plus had an enclosed pilot house fitted above the engine room. The rebuild was very much in keeping with your pictured vessel lines, change making the vessel more family friendly for Johns family, rather than the day boat it had been originally.

Not long after – approx. 1963 – John sold PETER JOHN & purchased the Oliver & Giplin built game fisher MARGARET ANNE, which John chartered out of Tauranga. Again, I spent time as decky with John H. on his new game fisher. I understood PETER JOHN then moved to Whangamata with a new owner.

Late 1970’s  I moved back to Tauranga with my family and skippered several Game Fishing vessels out of Tauranga, namely WAIMARIE II (after Max Caruthers sold it to Malcom Sarten of New Plymouth – continuing with Malcom until his passing and Bill Ebdale – boat broker – sold it for Malcom’s estate.

Also skippered NORTHERN STAR (owner Ron Kusabs) plus managed Faulkner Bros Ferries (after Company was purchased by Leo Dromgol – North Shore ferries/ Tauranga – Mt bus Co) – vessels WAITERE / MISS RUSSELL / SHAMROCK. Late 1970′ I had the pleasure of skippering DUVAUCHELLE – game fisher (owned by Jim Hunt -Hamilton) and managed the conversion of  DUVAUCHELLE from twin Volvo stern drives to twin Yanmar vee drives along with Reg  Hodson- boat builder, and Len Gilbert – Gilbert Marine. End result was and I believe still is, a fuel efficient well balance high speed vessel.
I then moved to Malaysia – Super Yachts , then USA and operated private SUPER YACHTS both West and East Coasts , before returning, Charter game fishing Moreton Bay/ Gold Coast and owing my own 16m high speed sport fisher.Age having to be accepted, retiring in Cairns Far Nth Queensland.

Trust this will fill in some gaps, myself having been brought up to Game Fishing in Bay Of Plenty during the Mayor Island era and under  Willy Oliver / Russel Poole/ Bob Gray and laterly Jill Gray/ The Shattocks/  Jack Stevens – Balsona etc. not forgetting Charlie Waterworth on NERIDES (for Bob Owens)”