CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT – CELOX H8 – A Look Back In Time
I’m constantly sent via email and post details on classic boats that people have owned or rubbed up against – which is great.
Yesterday was different, one of the gents, Bruce Buccanan, that frequents my regular coffee shop, handed me a USB data stick with the gallery of photos above, all centred around the 26’ mullet boat – CELOX H8, built by Logan Bros and launched in 1908
I think the old school term jaunty best describes the gents that sailed or crewed on CELOX back them. Bruce’s father (a part owner or owner) is the gent in the last 2 photos , and thats all son Bruce knows about the photos.
CELOX has made several appearances on WW and the yacht had an eventful life, which may have ended in 2015 – WW would love to learn what finally happened to the yacht, we know she or parts of were salvaged but thats where the story stopped.
Todays woody isn’t really a project because all the hard work had been done, a buyer just need to decide on the finishing touches and they would be sailing this spring.The yacht was designed by Denis Brown and according to the plans is tagged a ’10.6m Ocean Cruiser Cutter’ and is a sister ship to – TAMARA that has been on WW, link here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/04/tamara-sailing-sunday/ (photo also below of TAMARA) FYI – TAMARA was built by Denis in the Bay of Islands and launched in 1990. He then sailed her to the States and returned a couple of years later.Her cruising pedigree is undeniable and there is a very interesting article in Wooden Boat November/December 1994 regarding Tamara’s trip, “The Evolution of an Ocean Cruiser”. Denis now lives just outside Hikurangi and is still sharp as a tack aged 90 years, what a life of experiences he has lived.
Todays yacht was built in a barn just outside Kaikohe over a period of 40 years by engineer Bruce Edge. Built from treated 28mm kahikatea, strip planked, concave-convex epoxy edge glued. Her deck is laminated timber. Unfortunately Bruce Edge passed away without seeing his yacht touch the ocean. She is beautifully finished and there really is only cosmetic work, external paint, some internal paint, as well as a mast and rigging needed to complete her.Included is;
main mast extrusion for the gaff rig
a steel keel and three ton of available lead for pouring before the keel is bolted to the Keelson
a Yanmar motor (condition unknown)
four brand new sails made by Willis sails –
lots of miscellaneous hardware
two Murray winches for the inner headsail already fitted to the boat
a set of plans which Denis has kindly supplied.
Her current owner (an experienced boat builder) acquired the yacht just over a year ago with the intention of completing her but life circumstances changed and how she is for sale.Her owner had two experienced boat builders check her over and they both commented she is very well built
The location of the boat is just outside KeriKeri and has good access for transportation. In terms of price, the owner is only seeking to recover costs to date and mentioned that $13,000 will see her change ownership. That woodys is a very fair price, so do not bother looking if you think a low ball offer will get the boat. Initial enquires to Hamish at vcstcere83@gmail.com
Had a few mystery launches on WW high and dry recently so seems fair that we feature a yacht today.
For once I know the answer, so lets make it a quiz – all correct answers emailed to waitematawoodys@gmail.com before 6pm 29-06-24 go into the draw for a WW Burgee.
So correct boat name = one chance in the draw, correct boat name and location = two chances in the draw.Hint > location is Auckland area.
Thanks also to input from Gavin Pascoe we learnt that the 22’6” NOMAD was built in 1914 by Edwin Bailey in Wellington.
Hopefully she wasn’t too baby damaged and can be repaired.
(Photos supplied by John Dawson via the Mapua Community Group ex Angelika Gebhard)
UPDATE 21-06-2024 ex TOM FAHEY – “Hi I was gobsmacked yesterday to read about Nomad on fire in Nelson very sad. My Dad owned Nomad from about 1970 to circa 1995 l am 71 now and the dates are rough. I would have been 15 or 16 when my brother and i would go down to the boat sheds in Evan’s bay with dad. There we would crawl all over Nomad and talk to all the old salts from the other sheds while dad helped a man called Jock Arthur refasten the little ship. Jock worked with Dad at McEwans Machinery in Wellington and he was a builder (not a boat builder). Hard to remember timing but Jock got cancer not long after relaunching and offered the boat to Dad. Dad have admired Nomad since he was 15 or so him self, as she lived in the Hutt river mouth with some others and some small fishing boats and of course boat sheds. We used to put her on the slip there until we got the lowery bay yacht club up and running. Prior to Jock getting Nomad and old guy who had her would cross Cook straight in the most appalling weather but I can assure you that half as wide as she was long she was like a cork. We would have crossed the straight may be 25 times but as my brother and got a bit older Nomad seemed to get slower 😜. We had amazing holidays in The sounds mainly in Ruakākā Bay, for many years. Nomad never had a thing out of place or a paint chip all that time she was all ways in show room condition. Three quarters of her way through life with us I remember helping re-engine her . Pretty sure we took out a Navigator petrol and replaced it with a Nissan diesel that made my Dad real happy. When our parents retired to Picton Nomad went with them and lived out side their unit in the Picton marina. Their unit was a footpath width from the water what a spot up in under the coathanger. Finally the day came to let her go as looking after her was a tough job. It was not to long after that when my bro and I caught up with Nomad we could see the love was no longer as before. I do hope a rebuild happens but you would be a special person/ team to take it from here. We still have the big wooden boat hook with a bronze fitting all in as new restored condition I did it for Pip a couple of years ago for his launch in Whaitanga, it was so good it never got on the boat it is hanging in is garage. May be they could be reunited if she ever gets restored.
OLLIE IRENE- with covers removed, catches her breath in Port Macquarie for a couple of years
Splined hull and repaired bow …and installed 5 new laminated ring frames to secure shape
Repaired garboard and glassed under waterline rolling the glass into a rebate and glued a “spline” into it secure the transition at water line.
Installed self draining front cocktail cockpit through front hatch carlings, including provision for ice bucket to chill the “ bubbles Also allowing safer working space for anchoring. Storage for 3 piece hard deck cover when cockpit not in use and spare anchor in locker under seat…
Fabricate and fit keel extension for rudder and install new prop shaft tube
New rudder
After removal of a number of previous era bearers New engine bearers install to take 80HP Vetus, new prop shaft and drip less seal
The tank!…..out, modified to fit and be removable in future increased baffling, water sump and inspection plate which now sits below the cockpit engine hatch…Cockpit sole and structure remained in tact
Engine pan fabricated and installed
Engine in position for installation
Front engine cover/ companion way with storage bins in each step for oils , spare belts, filters etc
About this time I decided to put Ollie out in my back paddock
OLLIE IRENE
Over the past couple of weeks I have been chatting online with woody from over the ditch – Keith Glover is well known to some of us in the classic wooden boat community having competed in several Auckland classic yachting regattas as crew on Auckland classics. Unlike most Keith has even gone as far as to sail his 1949/50 Alden ketch ‘WRAITH OF ODIN’ (photo below) from Brisbane to Auckland to compete in the 2010/11 regatta.
Todays WW story is based on Keith’s launch – OLLIE IRENE, that Keith has been restoring/rebuilding//recommissioning/rebirthing (multi-choice) for the last few years as he says “out in the back paddock’Probably best if I let Keith tell us about OLLIE IRENE:
* LOA 32’x Beam 9.3″‘x Draft est 3’ x Displacement est 5.5 Ton
* Original Iron bark keel, Spotted gum frames and hull planking, new sheathed ply deck, house, and laid teak cockpit sole
* Little is known of history or providence (long story of how it finished in my hands) other than to say it was a completely stripped-out mildly hogged hull, with a rebuilt deck, and bare house structure. No engine, gearbox, drive train, prop or rudder, although you could see from remaining engine beds it would appear at least 3 different power plants had made an appearance over time! However there was a fuel tank of unknown age or condition totally built-in positioned aft between floor plates and captured by custom deck beams prior to the teak cockpit sole being laid BONUS!!….it was sport but suffice to say it turned out to be new SS which now has better baffles, removable and the cockpit structure remains intact!
* De hogged (adjustable steel cradle) and Splined hull, installed a 80HP motor with hydraulic box ,bow thruster pressure hot water, head etc etc etc
*The complete fit-out has been built, dry fitted, finish coated including upholstery ,basic electrical systems and switchboard etc etc and are in storage awaiting installation whilst we finish painting stuff.
* Limited research suggests Ollie was built in Brisbane during the 1920s as a spec (launched as Irene) built by a yard long since gone and appears to have a close design reference to Blanchard Lake Union Dream Boats of the 1920s from the NW coast USA.
Along the way, I have managed to repurpose many orphan genuine classic bronze bibs and bobs boat bits including some from my original restoration of Wraith of Odin, and targeting a Wooden Boat show in Pittwater November this year.
The purpose of Ollie is to explore some Australian East Coast river systems for which Wraith is unsuitable.
HELP NEEDED IDENTIFYING THESE WOODEN BOATS – Lady Eileen As mentioned on Tuesday WW has been contacted by Ted Armitage in regard to a collection of glass plate negatives he inherited. Ted had the photos digitised and has sent them thru to WW in the hope that we can identify the location / boats. Today we have two woodys alongside a wharf, the launch looks familiar, if my life depended on it, I would say it is VALSAN, the 46’ Bridgedecker built in 1948 by Lidgard.
As to the sail boat behind – that is too hard for me, may be an early scow. So woodys can we put names and a location to the boats in the photo.
UPDATE ex RUSSELL WARD – No question of it, its Lady Eileen (confirmed also by Nath Herbert). Look at the launching pic (below) – even got the drop down canvas cover side of the aft dodger. Question of the day – How is Hylton getting on with her restoration?
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CAN YOU HAVE A LOOK IN YOUR TREASURE BOX As mentioned in a story on June 2nd, the launch – LADY CAROLE has just started a refit. I’ll cover stage one on Friday.The owner has a big favour to ask WW readers – they are looking for the following – so check the ‘maybe one day’ box. MUSHROOM VENTS – x2 – vents are 6cm from the top of the deck to the top of the mushroom when closed. Diameter of the outer flange is 115cm
COWL 1/2 VENTS x4 – (2 portside / 2 starboard) ideally between 200 and 300 high. (photos below reference example only)
NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCHNew Owners – She IS Coming Back To Auckland
That might be the case but there are free boats.
Today we showcase the classic yacht – JANET, designed and built by Chas Bailey Jnr and launched in 1902
Back in 2013 the yacht was purchased by a Hawkes Bay syndicate and transported to Napier where a restoration was undertaken by co-owner Michael O’Dwyer.
JANET was relaunched in 2015 and as you can see from the above photos has been very well maintained.
Her owners are just not using the boat so have made the decision to pass her onto a new owner – BUT not any old owner, you will need to have a good % of kauri sawdust in your veins to be selected.
So woodys for the cost transporting her to her new home – this iconic classic vessel could be tours.
14-06-2024 UPDATE – New Auckland owners , all classic launch owners (ex yachties) dipping their toes into a wee bit of rag and stick boating 🙂 Well done. And all Ex Classic yacht Association members 😉
During the week WW was contacted Kevin Uptown regard to the Mullet Boat MATARIKI N10.Kevin’s brother John had discovered reference to the boat in a Oct 2020 WW story (linked here) https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/02/classic-wooden-boats-bin-diving/ The yacht featured in a NZ Herald photo from Dec 1931, the photo is below.
I’ll let Kevin tell the story: “My brother John Upton recently sent me a link to this web site and I noticed the Mullet Boat Matariki. (NZ Herald 1931) Our Dad Murray Upton bought Matariki in Tauranga in the early 60’s and sailed her to Gisborne I think in about 1963/64. At that time the Harbour basin was being dredged so Dad had no mooring. Being the type of boat she was, it had to stay in the water. Anyway long story, short we striped her down an took her Lake Waikaremoana and used her as a house boat for many years. Matariki is still on the lake at Waikaremoana I must say she is looking a bit tired. I have attached some photos which may be of interest to you.”
Being a professional photographer, BOI woody Dean Wright is seldom without a camera near by, which is a bonus for us. Over last weekend (Kings Birthday) Dean was out enjoying the bay on his classic woody – ARETHUSA and took the above photos.
First up is a stunning open day boat that Mike mentioned that he had seen out a few times on the Kerikeri River and at last got close enough to take a photo.
The Gladden yacht – is WINTERLUDE, owned by Bram Cone. I’m told she is as impressive down below as what we see in the photo.
Lastly the very smart Salthouse launch – TAPUI, owned by Mike and Robi Quilter. Mike is a life member of my good bastards woody club, having taken a chainsaw to the flying bridge that was on TAPUI when purchased . See and read more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/09/04/tapui/
MULLET BOAT ON THE WAITEMATA – SPINDRIFT Recently I discovered (thanks to Lew Redwood) a reference source that wasn’t on my radar – the Auckland Research Centre, which appears to be part of the Auckland Libraries offering. Most of the content will put you to sleep but an article this week on MULLET boats I think is worthy of reproducing. Reproduced below. The photo above shows an open cockpit mullet boat, commercial fishing boat # AK89, off North Head, Auckland. Can we match a name to the commercial number?The image comes to us via Auckland Libraries Heritage collection 37-173 and may possibly have been taken by Henry Winkelmann.
It started off as a fishing boat for the working class man that became a cult classic – the mullet boat (aka the mullety). The mullet boat was developed in the 1860s for fishermen unused to the estuaries and tides of the Manukau and the Waitematā Harbours, to get their haul of fresh mullet, snapper or tarakihi back to Queens Wharf or Devonport as soon as possible. Included was a covered but cramped foredeck if the fishermen needed to spend a night out on the water.
By the early 1900s, the days of fishing for mullet on sailboat were coming to an end as steam powered boats took over, but sailing the mulleties as a pastime was booming. They competed for the Lipton Cup which was donated to the Ponsonby Cruising Club by Sir Thomas Lipton, who had raced in the America’s Cup five times but never won. In fact, the trophy itself was made by the same silversmith who made the America’s Cup, is New Zealand’s oldest yachting trophy, and is still raced today.
HAROLD KIDD INPUT – This is the 26ft mullet boat SPINDRIFT owned by H. Parker of Devonport in 1908. She was built at Devonport in 1904 by R.O. Farquhar. Later went north (Whangaruru, Whisk Martinengo thought) and wrecked.
The Best Sub 35’ Owen Woolley – AWARIKI – Now Offered 4sale At Reduced Price One of the best presented woodys 4sale with the Wooden Boat Bureau is the 32’ Owen Woolley built launch – AWARIKI Link below to more details and photos/
WBB has been advised that her owner wants her sold asap and has agreed to a significant price reduction – NOW $48,000 ono
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