MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN WORKBOAT
I spotted the above (ex?) workboat last weekend in Bon Accord Harbour, KAWAU ISLAND during the Woodys Classic Launch Parade.
Keen to lean more about her past and present life.
ANYONE OWN A – J. A. Wheeler classic boat? I have come across the location of the builders name plate below, which is crying out to be re-connected to a suitable vessel.
Email me at waitematawoodys@gmail.com telling me why you are the most suitable reciprant.
CLASSIC WOODEN TOURIST LAUNCH – MISS PICTON (Mitre Peak / Anita Bay)
MISS PICTON the ex tourist launch was built by Collings & Bell and launched in December 1933. Her first owner was Captain M Steele of Picton, who motored MISS PICTON down the East Coast to Picton.
In 1953 her name was changed to MITRE PEAK and she ‘worked in the excursions & tourist services market.
MISS PICTON first appeared on WW in December 2013 and again in October 2015 – links below to those stories.
Dec 2013https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/12/14/miss-picton/
Oct 2015https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/10/28/mystery-launch-28-10-2015/
Todays photo was sent in by Roger Young who commented that the man standing on the foredeck is Aubrey Forster, NZ Airforce. Aubery was Roger’s partner Suzanne’s father.. The photo is thought to be dated early 1950’sInteresting mix of people aboard, appear to be all well attired, but that was the normal back then.
Any woody able to shed more light on the photo.
Photo below ex Richard Hockey – now named Anita Bay. Location is Riverton. The ’new’ superstructure was added c.1970’s.
(Early intel ex Harold Kidd)
31-10-2025 INPUT ex RICHARD HOCKEY (Brisbane, Aust) – photos below of ANITA BAY in Riverton + also one from 1976 when she was still Mitre Peak but had new superstructure.
CAN WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT – TAIMARINO
Woody John Dawson recently unearthed the top black-and-white photo of the classic wooden boat TAIMARINO. The image appeared in an old article on big game fishing and immediately caught his eye. John’s detective work led him to Paul Wilson, who kindly sent through the colour photograph above. Paul also mentioned that TAIMARINO was possibly built by Bill Visser in the late 1960s. And that, woodys, is where the trail currently ends. Can anyone help fill in the gaps in TAIMARINO’s story? Any background on her design, builder, or early adventures would be greatly appreciated.
A SAD NOTE – Yesterday I learned of the passing of Bruce Tantrum – a true enthusiast and long-time supporter of the New Zealand classic wooden boating movement.
R.I.P. Bruce — your passion and knowledge will be greatly missed on the waterfront.
2025 KAWAU ISLAND SPRING SPLASH REGATTA – A WOODY WEEKEND TO REMEMBER – 50+ PHOTOS
Pleased to report that the long weekend’s woody action at Kawau Island was an absolute triumph. Now in its second year, the Spring Splash Regatta — a joint venture between the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club, and Waitematawoodys — continues to grow in both size and spirit.
It’s still early days for what’s shaping up to be a great annual tradition, but this year’s event had an unmistakably upbeat, jaunty vibe. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling, swapping yarns, and clearly having a great time afloat and ashore.
I’ll apologise up front for being light on the yacht racing and prize-giving coverage — for reasons I won’t bore you with — but rest assured, the competition and camaraderie were both in full swing.
Sunday’s Woodys Classic Parade was the visual highlight of the weekend, showcasing a handsome flotilla of 17 classic launches for all those anchored in Bon Accord Harbour and watching from waterfront properties. Aside from a brief 10-minute burst of H₂O at the start, the weather came right and the parade looked spectacular.
A big thank you to the classic skippers and crews who took part — your efforts made for a great show.
Helming a boat among moored craft while trying to take photos is a fine line between “challenging” and “slightly reckless,” so I’m especially grateful to Dean Watchlin, Murray Deeble and Richard Bicknell for sharing their superb photos from the weekend.
Enjoy today’s gallery — loosely divided into two parts: the weekend’s happenings and the Sunday Parade. Sorry if the cameras missed your boat – some joined the parade midway and some departed midway. The crew of KAIKOURA below, correctly attired for the occasion 🙂
Today’s woody story features the beautifully built MARLINE — a 1949/50 ex-game boat crafted by Leon Warne, and remarkably, still in the same family after three generations.
Now owned by Leon’s son, Ken Warne, the custodianship torch has been passed to Ken’s son Kennedy Warne, who’s been spending countless hours alongside the skilled team at CMC Design Boatbuilders in Opua, giving MARLINE some well-earned TLC.
MARLINE arrived at the CMC Design workshop in late April 2025. As Sian Steward from CMC Design explains, Leon’s master craftsmanship remains front of mind in every decision as they carefully upgrade and refresh her. While she was in impressive condition on arrival, she’ll leave looking that little bit sharper — the perfect birthday present as she celebrates 75 years afloat.
Relaunch is set for December 2025 — just in time for a well-deserved Bay of Islands summer.
1912 WOODEN EX WHALE CHASER BALAENA – GETS A REVAMP
BACK IN AUGUST 2022 WW ran a story on the classic ex whale chaser – BALAENA, built in 1912. The 2022 story, linked below, featured a Country Calendar programme profiling the Marlborough family that had owned the vessel for 64+ years. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/08/20/balaena-110-year-old-ex-whale-chaser/
Fast forward to yesterday and Steve from {the} Cafe Cart in Waikawa sent in today gallery of photos of the classic wooden launch.
BALAENA is looking very well cared for and great to see her kept in very close to as built presentation.
Anyone able to tell us who did the work and what’s she is powered by these days.
Full weekend details in the downloadable PDF file below, which includes the entry (free) form for the sailing events.
CLASSIC LAUNCH – GUNNER – A Peek Down Below
Back in Dec 2023 we ran a story on the 1940 Erine Lane built 43’ launch GUNNER, where we saw her dockside. Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/28/mv-gunner-update/
Today we get a peek down below. She is a solid old girl, 1-1/4” kauri carvel planked and powered by a 6 cyl. 100hp Ford Lees D series that give her a cruise speed of 7 knots. As Ian McDonald commented “crying out for a Gardner” 🙂
GUNNER was originally intended for work and fishing in the Marlborough Sounds. However, she was requisitioned by the Crown during wartime and transported to the Devonport Naval Base in Auckland for final fitting out. After the war, Gunner was sold and began commercial fishing out of Leigh Harbour. During this time, she also operated a mail run to Great Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf. Around 1957, Gunner changed hands again and continued her commercial fishing career from Port Ohope. In 1973, she underwent a 3-year conversion from a working vessel into a pleasure craft. This transformation included extending the wheelhouse and adding an aft cabin.
Each to their own but she appeals to me, a very comfortable boat that could easily do laps on NZ.
CAN WE ID THIS1930’s SAILING CRAFT AGROUND AT SULPUR BEACH – The Portland
Today’s woody photo comes to us from Owen Aspden. All we know for certain is the location — Sulphur Beach, Northcote, Auckland — and the era, circa 1930s.
The yacht appears to be deliberately ‘on the hard’, likely for a bit of maintenance or perhaps loading or unloading stores. But what’s her name — and can anyone identify her?
A short and sweet post today — I’m busy doing a little boat maintenance of my own.
20-10-2025 INPUT ex TOM ROWLING – The vessel is ‘The Portland’. Tom did his boys time in her in 1959. She is now lying derelick in Owaka River South Otago.
The the first picture below is her entering Port Motueka 1959, and the second one is taken at Awanui probably about 1920. In the third photo we see the vessel as of recent times.
Today’s WW story has a nice twist – usually, we post old photos and hope that, if we’re lucky, a few more recent ones turn up later. This time, it’s the other way around.
The 39’ RARANGI, a 1951 Lane Motor Boat Co. build, first appeared on WW back in December 2021, when a tme listing gave us a rare peek below decks and a look at her on her marina berth. Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/12/12/rarangi-a-peek-down-below/
Fast-forward to last week – woody John Dawson sent in the photos above, finally completing the circle. Always great when a classic like RARANGI resurfaces to remind us how enduring these classic launches really are.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE EX WORKBOAT SEAFURY
WW has recently been contacted by Reeces Monkeey regarding his ex workboat (fishing) – SEAFURY.
Home port is Nelson and Reeces is keen to learn more about the vessel, so woodys anyone able to shed some light on SEAFURY.
Earlier in the week Murray Deeble sent me a link to a great article titled ‘As An Alternative to white plastic, wooden boatbuilders are witnessing an exciting time ‘ that ran in the UK trade newsletter – MARINE INDUSTRY NEWS – link below. marineindustrynews.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c9215b9be10a68a687ecd8e6b&id=2931d36142&e=5c6f570446
Fingers crossed we see an upturn in the profession in NZ. The UK are facing the same challenges we are eg an ageing workforce resulting in the numbers of traditional boatbuilders declining, plus the people who haul boats, step masts and carry out seasonal servicing – the skilled hands who keep the yards working year-round – are becoming fewer, older and harder to replace.
Full weekend details in the downloadable PDF file below, which includes the entry (free) form for the sailing events.
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