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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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 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.
And up pops another work boat conversation for sale on tme (thanks Ian McDonal). Virgo was built in 1963 from kauri by Jorgensen & Son in Picton and started life as a commercial fishing boat before being converted to pleasure use. Virgo is 39’3’ in length and powered by a 130hp Gardner 6LXB Diesel engine. Current home port is Waikawa marina, Picton, South Island.
Interested to learn when and who did the conversion and any other intel on the vessel.
REMEMBER WOODYS – CYA PATIO BAY PARTY THIS WEEKEND
LUANA Luana is a very special woody, in a lot of people eyes, the best looking afloat, sadly these days she calls the Bay of Islands home so we do not get to she in the flesh. Recently woody – Glenn Martin snapped the two yard photos above of Luana hauled out for some TLC at Opua – nice to see you are looking after my boat Rick 🙂 She has made numerous appearances on WW, just type her name in the search box to be wowed, but if you are lazy, this link will give you a gander. Enjoy. https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/22/luana/
Woody Weekend at Patio Bay – This Saturday – Be There
If classic wooden boats are part of your life, you will know the significance of the 1st weekend in December – its Patio Bay Weekend – the CYA celebrate the end of the year with yacht and launch racing down to Patio Bay, Waiheke Island. This year we also have a twist to the launch event – included is a ‘Poker Run’ – where entrants collect playing cards at 5 locations on route and later, ashore, play a game of cards to win cool prizes. Post racing, the real fun begins – the best old school boatie BBQ ever happens ashore. Probably 2nd only to Mahurangi Regatta weekend for the number of classic wooden boats anchored in a bay. Also back this years is the cake day competition – two prizes – looks & taste. If you have just arrived from another plant – click this link to see last years gig. https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/02/classic-wooden-boat-waiheke-island-party-50-woody-photos/
If racing is your thing – check out the CYA events calendar for details. https://classicyacht.org.nz/events/patio-bay-cake-day-race/ If you are a cruiser– just slide down to the bay anytime after 2pm-ish. The BBQ (everything BYO) normally kicks off around 4.30pm. BBQ’s for cooking available ashore. Note: to be eligible for the prizes you must be a paid up member of the CYA. If you are not, don’t let that stop you attending 😉
The Perfect Woody Stocking Stuffer
Every year the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat (Nth Is.) crew produce a very cool calendar showcasing some of the woodys that attended that years event – I have had a sneak peek at the 2021 edition and its very sharp + only $15 – a steal 🙂 Copies available here, but be quick, they sell out every year zea.rachel@gmail.com
Today’s photo is another from the lens of Dean Wright, taken on a Napier marina walk-about. Looks familiar but I can not put a name to her – anyone able to help out?
Input from Michael O’Dwyer – This boat was called the Graham John when first purchased by the current owner Mark Parvin. Talking to his father Peter, he was told the boat was built by a farmer in Motueka around 1947. Originally 36 feet long it was extended aft to 43 feet when converted to a scallop dredger, hence the appearance of a somewhat droopy stern. Currently powered by a 170 hp Isuzu. Mark has completely overlaid the hull with a ply and glass.
Woodys On The Catwalk
Well almost – Karen Walker in a collaboration with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has just launched a range of merchandise celebrating this extra special season – A-Cup and 150th RNZYS Anniversary. WW have supplied woody items – clinker dinghies, model yachts etc to support the collection in Karen Walker stores.
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