Category Archives: Working Boats

Classic Wooden Boat Cruise – 72 photos

Posted on by
4

IMG_6530

_1080561

P1080594

S/S Romany

IMG_6582

IMG_6576

IMG_6568

IMG_6631

Arohanui

P1080595

P1080597

Trinidad

P1080581

Matira

P1080602

Ann Michelle

P1080609

Arohanui

_1080619

_1080621

Lady Crossley

Raindance CCC trip Aug2020

Raindance

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT WEEKEND CRUISE TO CLEVEDON  – 72 Photos 

Lets be honest, a large chunk of 2020 has been very average – locked marina’s, no on-the-water boating and cancelled events. After spending the weekend on-board Raindance, cruising up the Clevedon river and over-nighting with 12 other woody boats at the Clevedon Cruising Club, I realised what I had missed the most was the sense of fraternity that comes with being in a space shared with people who love the same things as I do – woody boats. 
 
The trip up the Wairoa River revolves around a tide window, so it was a very early start for some of us, helped by coffee on-route, the smart ones left on Friday and were enjoying breakfast in a bay as we were sliding down the Tamaki Strait. We were meet at the river entrance by CCC member Barrie Abel who ‘piloted’ us up the river – no opps, so thank you Barrie.
 
Awaiting for us at the CCC wharf was Russell Ward with his steam boat – Romany. The gent deserves a medal – all day Saturday and Sunday morning he was taking the CCC members and families + the woodys for rides. Romany is coal fired and as Russell tells everyone getting aboard – “if its metal – its hot, if its varnished – its dirty 🙂 . I’m a big fan of Romany, but the star was Cooper the English springer spaniel – I could have taken him home.
 
After some wonderful ‘air-traffic control’ we managed to get everyone either alongside the wharf or rafted to another boat that was alongside – soft bumper fenders along the entire wharf makes for very civilized berthing. However – no names, but one woody had to leave the Saturday night BBQ to check that their diesel fired on-board central heating outlet wasn’t roasting the fenders 😉
 
The day was very leisurely with most people enjoying a dockside lunch and CCC members dropping down to view the boats and people having steam boat rides. One woody took the opportunity to buy some fuel from the club’s dockside bowser, seems he forgot to check the level before departing, staring to become a habit……….
In addition to the activities afloat we were treated to some eye-candy in the car park – a stunning 1947 Ford Coupe and a replica 1945 Fairliner Torpedo speed boat.
 
Come 4pm we invaded the CCC club house for the main event – as always amazing hospitality from the club and to use that old saying “a good time was had by all”. It was announced that our visit will be a compulsory event on the club’s annual calendar – so woodys – no excuses for missing out next year. Date to be advised.
 
Check out the outdoor heater – a piece of kiwiana and it worked a treat.
 
Overnight it was a tad nippy, with several re-filling the boat water bottles in the early hours of the morning. But we woke to a stunning day and departed at 10am for the trip home.
 
And the Clevedon Coast Oysters were divine – photo below was my lunch – another set were dispatched as a appetizer – 8.5/10 – not Bluff but on the day as good 🙂
Special note of thanks to David Cook (Trinidad) who is my sidekick pulling these events together 🙂
IMG_6567
 
 

Tides Out 🙂  (photo ex Alan Good)

CCC tide out

Pakawai

Posted on by
Reply

Screen Shot 2020-07-21 at 9.54.08 PM

PAKAWAI

I’m told its difficult to design a small boat that to the eye is proportionally right. Saying that Colin Wild didn’t have any problems – there are some stunning sub 35’ Col Wild launches afloat.

 
Today’s woody – Pakawai, pictured here on Lake Wakatipu in 2004, she ticks all my boxes, which is even more surprising when I learnt she was an ex work-boat. 
 
Parawai started life was as one of two work-boats aboard the Southland Harbour Board tug – Awarua. The tug was built by Lobnitz of Glasgow in 1931.
 
Pawawai started out as an open hull, carvel built, with no mast or engine. Unsure whether she was built in NZ or arrived in NZ on Awarua.
She was rebuilt and named Pakawai by Alistair Young of Invercargill. 
Thanks to David Neville for the above photo and details. Andrew commented that she resides in North Otago these days.

Spindrift

Posted on by
2

Spindrift CCC Picnic

click to enlarge

Spindrift 1953 Waipu Landing

SPINDRIFT
Weather permitting as you read this we will be on-route up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club, so it seems fitting that today I feature a local boat.
In the above colour photo we see the launch Spindrift heading to the Clevedon Cruising Club picnic at Ponui Island, the ‘crew’ were the the McKenzie family, owners at the time. Read the page ex the CCC 75th Jubilee booklet for details, but quick headline – Gordon McKenzie purchase the 30’ 1934 Spindrift from Harry Morton in 1948 and owned her for 34 years, she sold in 1987 to the current owners, the Renall family.
The CCC Jubilee booklet was written by Merle McKenzie.
In her early years Spindrift had an interesting life as a work-boat, refer story.
The black and white photo, shows Spindrift  in 1953 alongside the Waipu Landing.
(Thanks to Barrie Abel, Colin McKenzie and Jess McKenzie for photos & input)
I love the poem below – very on the mark 🙂
IMG_1956

Southern Woodys – Work Boat Wednesday

Posted on by
2

IMG_0934

IMG_0829

Southern Woodys – Work Boat Wednesday
 

Iain Forsyth, owner of the 1961, 42’6″’, Miller & Tunnage built ex work boat – Meola, has recently returned from a trip to the other island. Ian commented that he stopped off at Carey’s Bay and saw Pakeha (recently featured on WW) on the slips after a large refit by Carey’s Marine and ready to launch.


Iain snapped the above gallery of workboats. It was opportune timing as the Bluff fleet were in port and getting ready for the season. Now I’m sure they aren’t all woodys but as per the NZ Classic Yacht Association rules (see below) metal is all good 🙂 
Screen Shot 2020-08-04 at 3.36.50 PM

Restoration of classic 1912 launch – Lion

Posted on by
7

Screen Shot 2020-07-27 at 6.45.59 PM

Screen Shot 2020-07-27 at 6.25.37 PM

 

Screen Shot 2020-07-27 at 6.45.18 PM

Screen Shot 2020-07-27 at 6.26.39 PM

Restoration of MV LION 

Lion was launched in late 1912 for use on Lake Wakaptipu for Hugh McKenzie of Lake Wakatipu, serving the family and owners of Walter Peak, Fernhill and Mt Nicholas Stations. When launched she was fitted with a 21hp, 3 cylinder Clifton engine.
Constructed from kauri planking to a canoe stern design, to handle the choppy and unpredictable conditions of Lake Wakatipu. Her specs are – Length: 38′,
Beam: 9′, Draft: 3′ & she is powered by a Yanmar 51hp. (Info ex Harold Kidd)
At one stage she operated as a charter vessel on Lake Wakatipu.

Lion has made a previous appearance on WW and can be viewed at the link below
The facebook link below shows Lion arriving at the boat yard prior to commencement of work.
In 2019 Lion changed hands and her new owners commissioned an extensive restoration / refit at the Graham Caird’s ‘Repair My Boat’ yard (formerly Southern Classic Boats) in Invercargill, South Island. All timber used in the project is either kauri or Burmese teak.
I understand that her new owners will be returning her to Queenstown and her new home will be the Frankton marina.
The gallery of photos above showcases the amazing work that some of New Zealand’s most talented shipwrights are doing – living in Auckland sometimes we get a tad myopic 🙂
Photos below – pre-restoration

Meola

Posted on by
3

IMG_0955

IMG_0956

Meola is at the launching of the Hikarangi
Meola is at the launching of the Hikarangi

Screen Shot 2020-07-30 at 8.25.23 PM

MEOLA 
Woody Iain Forsyth, owner of the 1961, 42’6″’, Miller & Tunnage built ex work boat – Meola is one of the most passionate wooden boating buffs you will meet, so when Iain got the opportunity to travel South to the birth place of Meola, there was no stopping him. Back in 1986 there was a major fire at the Miller & Tunnage yard and sadly their historical records / files of past builds was lost in the blaze.
The highlight of Iain’s trip was tracking down Mary Inglis, wife of Brian Inglis, who built many of the boats at Miller & Tunnage.
The black and white photos above are from Mary’s collection and show the construction of Meola and as launched. WW links below for more details
Below is a stunning photo of another Miller & Tunnage vessel, that Iain uncovered – this ones the 1960 built Deodar, which given the immaculate condition must have been at launching, prior to being commissioned as a Police launch. These days, a pleasure craft – WW links below.
IMG_0960

Help Needed Finding Doris / Miss Doris

Posted on by
1

Doris : Miss Doris

Help Needed Finding Doris / Miss Doris

Greg Philpott has asked for help in tracking down the 1910, A.T. Lane (Auckland) built launch – Doris / Miss Doris. She was launched as Doris but renamed Miss Doris in 1949. Her first owner was Albert Fuller for use in the Bay of Islands.

She was a hard working launch and undertook all manner of work for AE Fullers and Sons but she was eventually sold out of the Fullers fleet in 1969 to Doug Nankervis for use as a fishing boat. She was subsequently sold in 1974 to Ashley Synnott and relocated to Mangawhai. That is where the trail goes cold, and Greg would love to find out what happened to her and where she ended up.

We do know some history of her propulsion :- No intel on what engine was in her when launch but in 1917 it was replaced with a Scripps – then in 1920 a Regal G E Coy – then in 1929 a Studebaker, 1933 saw a Alisa Craig went in – 1954 in went a Ford and lastly some time in the 1960’s a Caterpillar was shoe honed in – rumour has it, it nearly took up 1/2 the cabin 🙂

She has appeared on WW before https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/15/9233/

A WOODY QUIZ – Win A WW Bucket Hat

Guess the most searched word on the waitematawoodys site (after waitemata woodys) and you go into the draw to win a WW bucket hat. (model not included). Entries close off at 8pm 29-07-2020. ENTER ONLY VIA EMAIL to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Zephyr

Posted on by
3

Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.15.32 PM

Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.15.57 PM

Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.17.09 PM

ZEPHYR
 
Last week I was contacted by Barry Robinson of Thames re his launch Zephyr which has  made a few cameo appearances on WW. Barry has owned Zephyr for the last 30 years and she is currently stored in his shed, at the tail end of a restoration and should be relaunched soon. 
Barry commented (in his words) that he was getting on new and probably it would be good for someone else to take her on.
 
The photos above give us a glimpse of the boats evolution during Barry’s ownership. 
The first one shows her up the Waihou River and then at Whangamata in 1994. The ones on the slipway are dated 1999 and shows cabin Barry added.
 
The last three photos record a sad day up the Waihou River. Barry tied Zephyr to pole at full  tide to go floundering. Out going tide, boat sat on under water old Pier poles. Two  speared  through the hull. With tides getting bigger Barry was able to fill cabin with 10  200 litre drums and got enough flotation to clear poles and drag her to shore with two 4  wheel drive vehicles. Pulled her onto the shore with a 17 tonne digger. Patched two  pole holes and towed her to Puke bridge (Maritime Park Paeroa). Then put her on road trailer  and with a tractor, towed her to the farm at Puriri.
 
Below are copies of an article on Zephyr written by Robert and Caroline Teixeira when she was owned by well known Bay of Islands commercial sports fisherman – Joe Miller (painting)
Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.33.47 PM
Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.24.05 PM
Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.23.30 PM
Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.22.29 PM

Screen Shot 2020-07-26 at 10.18.08 PM

29-07-2020 Harold Kidd Input – The first 3 paragraphs of the text of “Legends in Our Lifetime” sound like a waterfront yarn. . “Collins and Bell” and the “site of the Bridgeway Tavern” don’t go together.but there”s a kernel of fact in there I guess. The”Negro Minister” intrigues me. I’ve heard it before and wonder if it’s a conflation of Rev, Jasper Calder, but will check out this interesting angle and see if it has legs (mixed metaphors, anyone?)

Previous WW Zephyr stories

Zephyr

Zephyr

 

03-10-2022 ex Barry Robinson – Thanks  Alan.  Yes  still  have  the  Zephyr  tucked  away  in  the  shed  at  Puriri.  It  has  remained  under  cover  for  many  years  now.  Its like an  old  friend.Most  days  when  I  go  out to  the  farm I look  at  her ,  I get  a  pang of guilt  for  not  finishing the  finale  touches to  put  her  back  into  the  water. My  son  Sean  intends  to  take  over Zephyr. 

Restoration of Pakeha

Posted on by
2

Screen Shot 2020-07-24 at 8.37.11 AM

Screen Shot 2020-07-24 at 8.37.29 AM

Nancy & Beaven Burrows

RESTORATION OF PAKEHA
 
One of the great things about provincial New Zealand is that cool human interest stories still make the front page of the newspaper. On Friday (24th July) Jacob McSweeny ran a story in the Otago Daily Times on the ex workboat – Pakeha.
Built in 1925, Pakeha is the pride and joy of Beaven Burrows, whose connection to the boat goes back to his youth when he used to get rides on Pakeha off the coast of Kaikoura, where his family resided at the time.
I’ll let Jacob tell the story – At 16 Beaven was intent on becoming a commercial fisherman like his father, but that was not to be.’No, I want you to stay and work on the farm. It’s my wish’, his dad said to him. Beaven has been a dairy farmer ever since but his love of boats and the sea has never ceased.

Then four years ago, a friend pointed out Pakeha was for sale. ‘I’d always loved that boat . . .so I decided to buy it.’

The old fishing boat is a true survivor. Beaven believes it may the only one from Kaikoura at that time still around. ‘It’s been washed up on the beach . . .five, six times in its life and survived.’

There was quite a bit of rot in it and so when it was brought to Careys Bay Marine Services in October 2018 it had to be stripped down and rebuilt.

The boat builders were able to rebuild Pakeha referencing old photos and Beavans’ memory of how it was. ‘It’s always been one of the nicest, tidiest boats as a fishing boat,’ Beaven said. The boat is about a week away from completion, with just electric work to be done.

Beaven and wife Nancy are planning a big trip to the top of the South Island this summer, including a visit to the daughter of the first owner of Pakeha, who lives in Waimate, and to the boat’s old home of Kaikoura.

Video link below ex the Otago Daily Times digital edition
 
Would be nice if we can add to this story with some details on the builder and what see got up to over the years?
Photos below ex Careys Bay Marine Services fb page. Thanks Lindsay Grenfell for the heads up 🙂
Screen Shot 2020-07-24 at 8.23.01 PM

Ika

Posted on by
3

da22583d-cb42-42fb-9ca9-9cd1546fbcf4 2AH

 

IMG_1195 2

IMG_1673

IMG_1183 2

IKA
Back in mid March 2020 I was contacted by Matt Hodgson who had just purchased Ika and was berthed in Pine Harbour Marina, Auckland waiting for a weather window to take her south to Mana Marina, Wellington. Ika had been recently returned to the water and was a little thirsty e.g taking on water. As tends to happen, after a little while she quenched her thirst and Matt successfully headed south.
I asked Matt to send in some photos and details on Ika – below is what he knows –
Matt believes she was designed in the late 1920’s and was used as a commercial long liner in the Cook Strait from 1933. She’s a Lanes 42ft kauri launch and was modified and revamped by Bob Sinclair in 1996. Sinclair reconditioned the Gardner 5L3 engine in 1996 and added / rebuilt the saloon. You can see in the photos that Ika’s galley has a diesel oven, complete with a wet back.
Matt is currently working away on Ika, so far he has painted the cabinetry white and will redo the inside by sanding, polishing and vanishing the main beams in the saloon and replacing the old carpet with a high quality veneer.
Anyone able to enlighten Matt and myself more on Ika’s past?
Photos below ex Cameron Pollard
FB_IMG_1595016789846
FB_IMG_1595016779924
19-07-2020 Input from Don Robertson –
Ika was owned for a while by the legendary Island Bay fisherman Johnny Cataldo.
Johnny knew Cook Strait like no other, so piloted the early Cook Strait swimmers.
He was also the Cook Strait rescue service before the Coastgaurd, and a capable police launch.
I was witness to one of his rescues in Cook Strait, in 1968, as an 18 year old when on the legendary 1912 yacht Nanette we we lost both forestays with our bowsprit in an unforecast severe northerly off Sinclair Head. By waving a tablecloth we attracted Ika passing by and as she took us in tow, we noticed the crew of Hugh Barton’s, of Barton Marine, Shiralee waving for assistance, being overpowered by the conditions and not being able to make progress upwind. So Ika manoeuvred Nanette into a position that we were able to pass a second tow line and proceeded into Island Bay directly under the seagulls feeding off the remains of impressive Groper.
I remember Ika being moored just upstream of the Mana bridge with a much more substantial cabin around the 1980’s
Woody Classics Weekend Clevedon #2 copy