Category Archives: Working Boats

Glen-Lee

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GLEN-LEE

The above photo was taken from Grove Arm Jetty, Queen Charlotte Sound, South Island by John Burland. As John commented she is very New England lobster boat – ish. (John would know; he has spent a lot of time there)

Can we ID her?  I would also be interested to know more about the open sail boat in the background.

Input from Dick Hall – Vessel is ‘Glen-Lee’ built in 1911-12 at Crail Bay in the Marlborough Sounds.
Set up by the owner G McNabb but completed by Claude Wells of Wakatahuri.
Owned by the Orchard family of Kenepuru Sound for many years and was used as a mail launch and general passengers.
First engine was two Union petrol engines bolted together and in later years, a Regal petrol, Lister Blackstone, then a 3/71 GM. She now has a 120hp Ford and is fairly slippery.
Current owner is Lex Wells who is a relation of the Wakatahui Wells family.
A good write-up about her and other Wells vessels in the book ‘Boats For A Lifetime’ by Yvonne Fell, nee Wells.
Cutter in the back-round is wooden ex Outward Bound now in private ownership .

Input from Harold Kidd – She was at the Moetapu Regatta in December 1910 owned by G McNab so she’s a tiny bit earlier than Dick says. Once described as “the workhorse of the Sounds”.

Kaiwaka

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KAIWAKA

Yesterday there was some confusion around vessels with name/s – Kaiwaka / Kaiwhaka, thanks to Harold Kidd this has been resolved & today’s story is on the seine boat named Kaiwaka.

Kaiwaka was launched with a 36hp 3 cylinder National diesel and went to Fiji for towing in 1942 as W54. Her length is 45’ & she is most likely the boat that Colin Silby did the recent restoration work on (featured above in Andy Winters photos).

Andy Winter (The Engine Room) has advised that she is owned by Vianney Jones & is powered by a magnificent 8 cyl Gardner – photos below.

What more can we uncover on her?

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23-02-2018. Pre-restoration photos ex Colin Silby. I have to say that this was one major project well done Colin & also the owner Vinney Jones for having the vision & deep pockets 🙂

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Kaiwaka

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KAIWAKA – Work Boat Wednesday

Kaiwaka was launched in 1937, by W G Lowe, Auckland & was used as a lighter to overseas ships at the port of Wanganui. She was taken over in March 1941 after the last meat loading at the port, which with other smaller ports was closed to overseas shipping as a wartime measure. She sailed to Auckland with a naval crew, converted to a Danlayer, with some mine sweeping gear fitted & commissioned 21/5/41 & given the pennant No T14.

She went to Fiji in March 1942 & worked with the flotilla there laying defensive minefields, until returning to Auckland six weeks later. She made several visits to Wellington, working as a Danlayer there till June 1941, then worked as a minesweeper in Hauraki Gulf to May 1944 when clearing the defensive fields began. Her war service as a Danlayer ended in Sept 1945.

She was handed back to the Marine Department in Nov 1945 & refitted, completing this in March 1946. There were wrangles over compensation as it was claimed substandard kauri was used in her construction and she had a poor hull condition. The matter went to Cabinet and a payment of 50,000 pounds in full settlement was approved July 1947 & she did not return to Wanganui, instead becoming a lighter at Gisborne in 1949, but not sold to them till Oct 1953. The new port there made her redundant in 1967, sold in March 1968 to Tauranga for private use. Sold again, had a helicopter pad fitted at the stern and used in Fiordland venison recovery 1973. To Oamaru in 1974, Auckland 1977, and last heard of in Matauwhi Bay, Bay of Islands in 1986.

Ken Ricketts feels the photo above was taken off Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island. The wartime minesweeping fleet regularly used the island as an anchorage.

Geoff Brebner commented that In the latter part of the 1970’s, she was moored in the upper Tamaki River, with her mast drastically shortened in order to navigate the Panmure Bridges. She was later taken north, and he believes she may have been taken to sea and scuttled.

Can anyone confirm the fate of Kaiwaka?

Thanks to Geoff Brebner, Chris Rabey & Ken Ricketts for the detailed intel & photo

12-11-2019 Input from Peter Grant – While looking through my old negative library, I came across the pictures below,  taken up north in about 2000 of the original “Kaiwaka”.

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Bonus Story Today – Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta – 2018 Tug Boat Race Video

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Bonus Story Today – Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta – 2018 Tug Boat Race Video

The video below was taken by CYA member Brett Evans, lots of footage of Te Haurakei, but hang in there, there is footage of the ‘wall’ of tug boats behind Te Haurakei.

Enjoy 🙂

Lake Rotoiti 2018 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 240+ photos

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Lake Rotoiti 2018 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade – 240+ photos

Last weekend marked the 21st birthday of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.

The parade is one of the icon wooden boating events in New Zealand, with each year between 70 & 100+ classics on display. The LRC&WB Association are very active & hold many events thru-out the year, but the parade is the highlight. You would struggle to find a more inclusive, welcoming group of people that each year open the parade & picnic to anyone with a classic or woody boat – sail, power, big, small.

On the day we ‘enjoyed’ a mix of weather from fine > light drizzle > rain > fine, this didn’t stop everyone having a blast but taking photos was a challenge at times – a little bit of editing hopefully has help out 🙂 The photos of the ‘speed’ boats doing a demonstration run (health & safety red tape means it can not be called a race) were shot with a very long lens, so a little soft focus.

Post the picnic, several boats headed off to the Manupirua thermal pools, which are only accessible via boat. To an Auckland boaty the concept of pulling up at a jetty, tying up, & enjoying a soak in a hot thermal pool is rather special + its licensed, so one can enjoy a refreshing beverage, very civilised. 

I would like to thank LRC&WB Association past commodore – Fraser Wilson, for the generous loan of his RIB, sure makes getting around & taking photos easy. 

Each year my LRC&WBP experience is extended & 2018 saw Robyn & I hosted at Florence & Rod Prosser’s waterfront property. Berthed at Rod’s jetty is the 1882, 25’ counter stern day launch – Firefly, which now has a playmate in the recently acquired 1930, 23’ Chas Robinson built motor-launch – Rainbow. There are several more boats in the stable but I won’t out Rob on the exact number 🙂 

In addition to their holiday home, Rod & Florence run a very funky, cool lakeside bach called ‘The Love Shack’ – its available for rent (via BookaBach, see link below). If you a ever looking for accommodation in the Rotorua area I would highly recommend it – see photos below – AND its got WiFi !!!!!      https://www.bookabach.co.nz/baches-and-holiday-homes/view/2381

I hope you enjoy the photo gallery as much as I do attending the event. 

AS ALWAYS – CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

THE LOVE SHACK

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Mahurangi Regatta 2018 – Classic Woodys Weekend – 100+ photos

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Mahurangi Regatta 2018 – Classic Woodys Weekend – 100+ photos

For the first time in yonks I missed the regatta, my excuse – I was boating elsewhere. Today’s photo gallery comes to you from numerous sources – but special mention to Jason Prew, Peter Loughlin & Nathan Herbert for sharing their cameras with us. Stunning photos guys. Mixed in with their photos are ones from – James Dreyer, Nick Davidson, Ken Ricketts, & John Bertenshaw.

The Classic Launch Parade had a great mix of familiar favourites & some new CYA members & a few who have not seen the light & joined the CYA yet 🙂 . From all reports, the sailing on Saturday was a challenge with wind / no wind / wind & very hot conditions – but as always with Mahurangi a good time was had by all.

As always – click photos to enlarge 😉

Great Video Footage below – the launch parade starts at approx. the 3min stage.

 

Mollie Lyt

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MOLLIE LYT

Just back from my slide around the upper North Island & down the west coast aboard Trinidad to Picton. Amazing trip, I will do a separate story on the trip soon. 

While berthed in – Waikawa Bay marina, Picton, I spotted Mollie Lyt – If she had, had a 4sale sign on her, she would be sold now. 

A perfect work boat conversation (I suspect?) that sticks all my boxes + a wood stove & a great name. So many nice touches, just needs a little TLC. 

Any Southern – able to tell us more about her ?

Mahurangi Regatta

Just waiting on my spotters to send me photos & we will have some coverage. I hear the Launch Parade was down on numbers – if you believe the MCC Year book, 50+ last year & 15’ish this year. For the first time in a long time, I missed the regatta 😦

MV Takitimu

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MV TAKITIMU

The above photo of Takitimu were taken by Adam Leyden while on-route from Picton to Marsden Point during the Manaia’s delivery trip. Manaia was featured yesterday on WW so scroll down to view.

Takitimu was built in 1921 by Bailey & Lowe, Auckland. Commissioned by the Gisborne Harbour Board as both a tug & pilot vessel. She measures 45’ in length, with a 11’ beam & a draft of 5’.

Originally powered by a 40hp Twigg petrol engine, this was replaced after 1 year by a 70hp Twigg. In 1945 this was replaced by a 100hp Vivian & then in 1970 with a Gardner 6LX, which continues to power her today.

The vessel these days is ‘owned’ by a charitable trust (The Gisborne MV Takitimu Charitable Trust) & is available for excursions, tourism & conservation work. You can find the trust on facebook. Check them out, maybe even make a donation 😉

09-05-2018 Update photo ex Tim Anderson – nice to see the bow 🙂

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Update 15-03-2019, photo ex Mike Mahoney

MV Takitimu Mar2019

Update 27-03-2019 showing Takitimu in a previous working life – in Gisborne. Photo ex Bruce Pullman

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Manaia

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MANAIA

I was recently contacted by Adam Leyden who approx. 4 months ago purchased the ex Northland Harbour Board Pilot launch Manaia & is looking for any info the woodys may be able to provide on her past. Adam commented that there is a huge amount of history onboard the vessel e.g. log books etc. even a weekly stock take of the onboard bar from when she was a working boat, those boys knew how to party! What Adam would really like is some older photos and details of her many (10+ I believe) trips up to the Pacific Islands. 

Adam purchased Manaia out of Picton & has returned her to her home port of Marsden Point & is in the early stages of planing her restoration. Structurally, she is still in fantastic condition, as is the machinery, drive lines, steering gear etc. Cosmetically she has been let go a little and the priority is to get the decks resealed and re varnish (Uroxsys) the teak wheel house and main cabin. Below is some background that Adam supplied.

“She is an A.J Collings design, built in Auckland by P. Vos and launched November 1963. She was built as a pilot boat for the then Northland Harbour Board. Although she was built as a work boat, the spec and fit-out was more at the super yacht end of the scale, launched with a bar, game chairs etc. she had a bit of a reputation as a party boat back then too! She was with the Harbour Board from 1963 to around 1990 and has spent much of her life in Wellington and the Marlborough Sounds since then. She has completed seven trips to Noumea as a support vessel for the Whangarei – Noumea yacht races, the first in 1967 and the last in 1984. Looking through the log books still onboard, she has been on several other adventures through the Pacific too.  

Her hull, machinery, drive lines, steering gear etc. are all in great condition still, probably because of the quality of materials and gear used when she was constructed. Sadly she has not had a lot of maintenance or use over the last ten odd years and there is a bit of cosmetic stuff to get on top of, fortunately she is still quite original and a chainsaw won’t be necessary to get her looking good again. The two 16L straight 8 Rolls Royce diesels performed flawlessly on our trip from Picton to Marsden Point and were surprisingly economical, we averaged 3.9L per NM at 10.5kns on the trip. She cruises at 10 knots happily doing 1800rpm. We did get a touch over 15knots out of her on a short burst, however that destroyed the fuel consumption and the wake was huge!

It would be great to find some photos of her back in her working days when her hull was painted royal blue! It would also be great to hear from anyone who has spent time aboard her or been off shore on her.”

The two below photos are from the beginning and end of her trip from Picton to Marsden Cove Marina

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30-01-2018 Input from Richard Morgan

Manaia was certainly a striking vessel when painted navy blue and looked more like an Admiral’s Barge, or a Royal Barge than a Harbour Board work-boat. I presume she was built at the order of the late Ralph Trimmer, Chairman of the Northland Harbour Board, a prominent local lawyer, and strong advocate for Whangarei and its port. Without Ralph Trimmer the refinery would probably have been located at Picton or somewhere. Built ostensibly as a working vessel Manaia was at the same time a pilot launch, a floating board room, a pleasure boat, and a nautical sales office and tourist ship for visiting dignitaries. VIPs entertained on board would have been from other Port Authorities, shipping companies, oil company executives, and representatives from many organisations and governments that the Port Company wanted to influence. As noted, the “Grog Cabinet’ was legendary and we can be sure many well-lubricated lobbying sessions and deal-signing sessions were held on board. RK Trimmer was later prosecuted for various financial mis-managements, but no Whangarei resident felt he was guilty of these as the city and port had benefitted more under his leadership than from any council or board before or since.

In a discussion I had with the late Capt. Peter Wavish, a former Pilot and Harbourmaster for Northland Port, we discussed Manaia, and if I remember correctly, he said she was a beautiful ship, but rolled like a drunken sailor in sea-boots! So those trips into the Pacific Ocean must have been an experience never to forget for those with a land-lubber’s tummy.

Hubert Levey

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HUBERT LEVEY

I was sent the above photos Hubert Levey by Peter Kelly. In the photos she is moored at Weymouth. Peter understands that the Hubert Levey was purpose built for the Marine Department for use on the Manukau Harbour.

She was launched in Auckland and sailed around the North Cape to the Manukau.

What more do we know about the vessel & her working life?

Input from Harold Kidd – The correct name is HUBERT LEVEY (updated), named after the respected designer who carried out many of W.G Lowe & Sons commercial designs. He was a influential on other Auckland designers including Tim Windsor. Hubert was born in 1890 and died in 1955. He served his time with Bailey & Lowe. He set up as a boatbuilder in Gisborne in 1910 then in Devonport a couple of years later.

30-01-2018 Ian McDonald’s recollections from his ownership:

Hubert Levey was tendered in 1985 by the Government Stores Board and the successful tenderers were me, (Ian McDonald) & Rodger Edwards , from Tokoroa.

Hubert Levey was built/launched in 1957/58 by WG Lowe & Sons for the Ministry of Fisheries, and primarily spent much of her service on the Manukau harbour. She was specifically constructed with a shallow draft with a bilge keel each side to “take the ground” as she lived in Onehunga and was aground on the mud at low tides.

Power was a Gardner 4LW with a manual 2UC gear box. I can’t recall what ratio the gearbox was.

Subsequently she was trucked to the Waitemata, how long she spent there I don’t know but with her flush deck aft, and reasonable sized hold, we were told that she spent a bit of time around the gulf and in Coromandel waters being used around the then experimental mussel & oyster leases.

She then turned up in Tauranga (another harbour where shallow draft was necessary) and, in 1985 was put up for tender. We got her for around $26,000 from memory.

The hull/ cabin colours on the attached photo are as we bought her and, the additions of the canopy ( NZR tarp from memory) and dive ladder were added by me & Rodger. Later we added a 2’6” “Tauranga board” extension to the aft deck with seating all round and side-mounted the ladder. Accommodation was all up the sharp end with two built-in bunks & two pipe berths. The toilet was forárd of those again.

We were told that Hubert Levey (the man) worked for WG Lowe & sons and was the designer/ builder. He was reputedly from the North East coast of the USA and her Lines are reminiscent of lots of boats I’ve seen in that part of the world.

The last time I saw her was at the Barrier, circa 2003/2004 and the then owner (from Tairua) had committed the ultimate sacrilege and replaced the Gardner with a Ford; he told me the gearbox had blown up & he couldn’t afford to replace it. He’d obviously never heard of the Pollard boys (eh Cameron ?) Not only that, he’d added the most frightful wheelhouse on the aft deck which even Heath Robinson couldn’t have dreamed up.

In 1988 we sold her (in Auckland through Ian Walker who was the Panmure Launch & Yacht sales) as we had successfully tendered for the “Tokatea” also built by WG Lowe & sons ( very similar lines). Hubert also had a hand in the design of Tokatea and the boat Hubert was named after him, as he died either just before or, just after she was launched.

29-09-2024 UPDATE ex Ian McDonald – HUBERT LEVY broke her Tairua mooring during Cyclone Gabriel and came ashore. In the photo below we see Tairua locals helping to keep her afloat.