Category Archives: Working Boats

Happy New Year + Kewpie

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HAPPY NEW YEAR + KEWPIE

Well good riddance to 2020, while it was a great year for WW, most of us have been impacted in some way by CV-19 and the lock-downs.Fingers crossed that we do not see another wave hit our shores.Now putting all that to one side  – I hope you all saw the new year ‘in’ in-style and are not to dusty today.

We have been mooching around Waiheke Island tucking in out of the wind. Had some stunning days, so are very glad we made the call to head out, otherwise I’d be at home moaning about the weather – sometimes you just have to go 🙂


Todays woody story is the old workboat – Kewpie, did many years on the Waitemata Harbour as one of the legendary – Blue Boats, servicing the inner islands.These days you will find her on Tauranga Harbour doing day trips. So woodys if you are down that way – shop local and support kiwi businesses – take a tour.

Special thanks to Thomas Guthrie for the photos

Input and photos below from Cameron Pollard – KEWPIE was never one of Aucklands “blue boats”. She was part of the well known Fullers Bay of Islands fleet.
Did a stint as a charter boat operating out of Westhaven for a while and also Tauranga.

Boat Less These Holidays

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Boat Less These Holidays
Consider a cruise on board a very classic looking wee ship on Lake Taupo. The Ernest Kemp isn’t a true woody (steel hull, wooden super structure, she was designed by Bruce Askew and built in Whangarei in 1980. Named after Alfred Ernest Kemp, the last member of the Kemp family to live at Kemp House Kerikeri. She briefly earned a living transporting passengers down the Kerikeri inlet. She was then sold in 1981 to business interests in Taupo, where she remains to this day.

You can read more on her history here. https://ernestkemp.co.nz/about-us

Ernest Kemp is 47’ in length and has a 3’ draft, perfect for the sometimes swallow lake waters she operates in. Powered by twin 4 cyl. Ford 73hp diesel engines that give her a cruising speed of 9 knots. 
Ernest Kemp offers scenic cruises on Lake Taupo  during the day and an early evening cocktail cruise. Details here https://ernestkemp.co.nz
photo below ex Angus Rogers

RUSSELL , BAY OF ISLANDS – c. Late 1930 > Early 1940

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RUSSELL , BAY OF ISLANDS – c. Late 1930 > Early 1940

During a spot of spring cleaning Gary Stanborough came across the photos above taken by his late father, Gordon Stanborough in the late 1930’s or early 1940’s when visiting Russell. The top photo shows the game boat Alma G II in her early days.

Of particular interest to Gary was the car ferry on the Russell foreshore and presumably the original Knoxie. A great look back at the area 80>90 years ago.


The photo below was sent in yesterday of a Flemming 55 on fire at Opua, be careful these holidays accidents happen so easily on a boat. In the 2nd photo (NZH) there is a woody on the left, all that smoke would not have been pleasant i.e. melting plastic 😦

Cara Mia

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CARA MIA
In the photo above we see the game fishing launch – Cara Mia coming alongside  the wharf at Tutukaka. The photo is dated Feb 1963.  She was built by Ray Dinsdale on the shores of Whananaki. In the photo is is flag to peanuts, indicating that she had landed two game fish that day.
Cara Mia possibly makes a cameo appearance in this 2015 WW story on Aquila – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/06/aquila/


Do we know any more about the launch and what became of the boat?

27-12-2020 Input from Ian Creevey – I started my game fishing career on the Cara Mia in Paihia in 1976. Photo below.
At the time she was owned by Peter Rosoman who I recently ran into in Marsden Cove after 42 years!! Also met another guy who remembers her being built.

Herne Bay Cruising Club + Help Needed ID’ing Some Woodys

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Sloanes Beach Regatta and Centreboard Cup

If you are wondering where Sloanes Beach is – google it. It is one of Aucklands hidden gems in the suburb of Herne Bay. The regatta is very low key, almost secret hand shake low key. Each year I try and drop in and grab a few photos to help promote the club (Herne Bay Cruising Club) http://hbcc.net.nz/

I had a full dance card yesterday, so only stayed for the start of the ‘bigger’ boats race. A little overcast but as I was leaving the sun came out and the wind picked up.Spotted an original burgee from the Auckland Motorboat Club handing from the rafters – you do not see many of those around these days.


Mahurangi Cruising Club / Regatta Year Book

The perfect stocking stuffer – available now at Boatbooks in Westhaven (or on-line) + at usual outlets around Warkworth.


Looking For Something Bigger

Grab a copy of Brian Peets book – Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy. A must for every kiwi yachtie and even launch owners 🙂 Also available from Boatbooks or https://destownson.co.nz/

WW Xmas Quiz Winners

Matthew Drake, Ken Goa, Simon Smith, Nick Voerman, Jason Prew – prizes on the way to you, if you have supplied your postal details.


Help Needed – Yacht Sojurn

WW has been contacted by Zoe Hawkins in regard to the yacht – Sojourn.Zoe is writing a story on the Northern Manukau Harbour and is looking for intel in regards to the keeler. She was built by the Davis Brother in Titirangi in the 1950’s. Zoe believes that It was put on the road and sold after one of the brothers became too sick to finish it and go sailing, most likely this was the 1960’s. An help very much appreciated. Two photos below.  


And More Help – Yacht Hawk V67

Yesterdays WW story featured small boat builder – John Maxwell – recently when John was cleaning out his parents home, he came across the hand coloured old print, below, of the yacht Hawk V67. John told me that if the boat is still around, then maybe the current owners may like this photo. It isn’t large but is better condition than the photo shows. 

Ngapuhi (Waihou)

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NGAPUHI ( > WAIHOU)

DOES ANYONE KNOW A ROSS DIXON (or Michael Adams) previous owners of the launch Menai – if so could you ask that they contact me on waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Ngapuhi was built by Brian Lane in 1952-3 as a towing launch for Lane & Sons (Timber Millers) at their premises in Totara North, Whangaoa Harbour. Originally named Waihou. Purchased by Northland Port Corporation in 1963 her name was changed to Ngapuhi & she served as the pilot boat for the Whangarei Harbour Board for 35 years.

During 1983-4 an extensive refit was carried out when a larger aluminium wheelhouse was added. The original 2x GM471 engines were replaced with new 6LXB Gardners, propshaft angles modified, and larger rudders made to suit the new engine installations.

Has been in current ownership since 1998 during which time was chartered back to Northland Port until 2000 & kept in SSM survey for 16 passengers until late 2013 when the SSM regulations were changed.

While based in Whangaroa her owners have completed numerous trips to the Three Kings, Waitemata, Gt Barrier, & also used to view the racing the last time Team NZ hosted the America’s Cup in Auckland.

Details below:

Length 13.84m Beam 3.70m. Draft 1.07m. Reg tons 22.

Engines 2x 6LXBM52 Gardner 1984. Diesel Engines governed to 1500RPM, 127 HP continuous rating.

Gear boxes Twin Disk 1.45-1

Fuel Capacity 1400 litres Water capacity 200 litres

Max speed 11 knots at governed rpm. . Cruising speed 8-11 knots. . Fuel consumption approx. 25 l/h @ 11 knots, approx. 18 l/h @ 8 knots.

Hull construction. Carvel plank Kauri over laminated frames of 70x40mm @ 250mm centres.

Other features. Icom VHF, Furuno GPS plotter/sounder, walk in engine room with fan forced ventilation. F’ward and aft cabins, galley, separate toilet with holding tank, wash down pump, 2x sets of fixed manual & electric bilge pumps & other safety equipment to meet previous survey requirements. Currently 3-4 berths, easily expandable to 6-8.

Thanks to Ian McDonald for bring the tme listing to the attention of WW.

Opua Marina / Hardstand Mooching

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Luana
Florence
Ngapuhi
Typee
Sea Mate
Unknown

OPUA MARINA / HARDSTAND MOOCHING
Woody Dean Wright snapped the above selection of woodys that he spotted at Opua at the weekend.I have supplied links to previous WW stories below. I know I’m a broken record, but Luana …………. 🙂
Luana    https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/01/luana-4/

Ngapuhi – Ex pilot boat, more on this one later in the week

Florence.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/12/28/florence-6/

Typee.   No details known

Sea Mate (Birdsail 52 on the marina) – No details known 


Dean didn’t catch the name of the ‘long’ keeled yacht in the last photo above – any one able to supply details?

Input from Neil Chalmers – Could be ‘Restless’  – Lou Tercel  / John Alden   April 1920.

Input from Simon Smith – The long keeled yacht is indeed the Tercel yacht Restless. 100 years old and owned by Russell resident Tim Beattie who being a master painter has her in beautiful condition. Always sails in the Tall Ships Race but with her ocean cruising rig needs a strong breeze to show her mettle.

Arawa – What Do We Know About This Woody

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ARAWA – WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THIS WOODY


Recently I was contacted by Manuel Cunha, advising he had purchased an ex 38’ crayfish boat named Arawa, which he believes was built in 1956 in Whangaroa. For the last 20 odd years Arawa has been standing on a farm in Auckland. Can any of the work boat crew enlighten us / Manuel as to her past.


LADY KAY – WHERE IS SHE. I have been contacted about the launch – Lady Kay, a twin screw motor cruiser built by Elkins and Son in 1938. If it still exists a previous owner has various bits including the compass binnacle that he would like to pass on to the currant owner.

Hokianga Mystery Wooden Boat

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Hokianga Mystery Wooden Boat – Seabird


WW was sent the above photo by Alistair Rowe, who took the photo earlier in the week from the deck of the Boathouse Cafe in Rawene. As we see her above, there is an interesting mix of lines and styles – and one would have to assume she started life as a work boat. Her colour scheme indicates that someone loves and cares for her.


Keen to learn more about this old girl.

Input & photos below from Cameron Pollard – SEABIRD. Been on Hokianga for eternity. Powered by a 100hp Hino noise maker.

11-12-2020 Harold Kidd Input – SEABIRD was built at Motukaraka by Kelsey Bros to their own design for their own use in April 1912 with a 6hp Automatic engine. Another clone of Chas. Bailey’s MILKMAID.

WAITEMATAWOODY CHRISTMAS PRESENTS
Just a heads up, we have almost sold out of WW merchandise, orders have been coming in think and fast over the last month, even without any promotion – on Monday we sold 16 t-shirts to a very big visiting yacht – seems all the crew are getting one in their Santa sack 🙂


The WW cupboard as of today looks like this:
Mens short sleeve dark blue – size 2XL – 8 in stock
Mens short sleeve dark blue – size 4XL – 1 in stock
Mens short sleeve dark blue – size 5XL – 2 in stock
Mens short sleeve orange – size 2XL – 1 in stock
Mens short sleeve dark brown – size L –   8 in stock
Mens short sleeve dark brown – size XL – 4 in stock
SOLD OUT of hats
T-shirts are $34.95 + $5 p&p. Email me the size / colour you are after and I’ll get back to you with availability and payment details. waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Ranui Rejoins The Work Force

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RANUI BACK IN WORK
While woody Glenn Martin was mooching around Northland, he came across the 32’ launch Ranui in Kohukohu on the Hokianga Harbour. Readers may recall that Ranui was originally from Lake Taupo and built as a boat to ferry post war veterans in recovery. Originally named El Alamein, she was built by McGeady in 1944/45.

These days she plies her trade as an inner harbour charter boat.  Glenn commented she has been freshened up with new paint and a Volvo engine. Owned by the local flounder fisherman and builder she is in good hands with steady trade servicing people on a gravel bike tour.

You can read / see more on Ranui’s past here.   https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/03/el-alamein-ranui/