Category Archives: Yachts

Classic Wooden Boat – Waiheke Island – Patio Bay Party – 50 Woody Photos And Video

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Classic Wooden Boat – Waiheke Island Party – 50 Woody Photos

At the weekend anyone thats serious about classic wooden boats headed to Patio Bay, Waiheke Island for the best event on the calendar – the Classic Yacht Association yacht race + Xmas party BBQ at Margaret and Bert Woolicott’s waterfront bach. Last year was cancelled due to bad weather, so we were all way overdue for this years gig.
As is almost always the case with woody events – the sun shone, the wind blow at the right time and everyone had a blast.
The race down saw an impressive mix of yachts – the numbers boosted by great support from the Townson fleet.
Lots of new faces and a healthy mix of ages. To those that think Patio Bay weekend is a ‘boys weekend’ – check out the photos, the movement is in good health 🙂
If someone could bottle the smell / taste of the Pohutukawa fired BBQ’s – I’d buy it – whether its bangers or venison steaks, everything gets equal status on the BBQ’s.
CLASSIC WOODY LAUNCHES IN THE BAY
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YACHT RACE FINISH
PARTY TIME
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MORNING CHAT
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HOME TIME
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See below another stunning video of the race / passage down by master camera man Roger Mills 
Patio Bay Race 2019 from Roger Mills on Vimeo.

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Wooden Boat Bureau – advice for buyers and sellers

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WOODEN BOAT BUREAU

OUR AIM: To inform and enthuse interest in the joys of owning and sailing traditional and classic wooden boats. Perhaps you have fallen out of love with your current boat, or are seeking to regain a childhood memory.

OUR GOAL: The promotion of partnerships between wooden boats and owners for the benefit of all.

ADVICE: You don’t have to know everything about the classic boat market. That’s what we specialize in. We are uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-date market information and objective advice to both sellers and buyers. So if you are looking for a wooden boat or considering selling – contact

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

To view a sample selection of classic woodys berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau dock, click this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/17/will-you-be-boating-this-summer/

We are currently accepting select new listings and are always glad to represent buyers who are beginning their search.

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OLEO + K1 + K CLASS BOOK LAUNCH

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OLEO
OLEO
Now the above photo has been sitting in my files for a little while and with all the varnish boys waking up at anchor in Patio Bay, with a dull head, post the CYA party, today could be a good day to get some help from the Work Boat woodys.
The photo of Oleo was sent in by Ray Morey, ex Dave Stanaway, showing her on the hard at Awanui earlier this year – can we learn more about her?
Harold Kidd Input – OLEO was built for R H Harnett of Whangarei by Tyler & Harvey in December 1910. Her original engine was a 20hp Union.
R H Harnett lived at Parua Bay and was a trader on the harbour. He sold OLEO to R B S Hogwood in 1915 and owned MOERANGI for passenger and mail work from 1912 until he died in 1936.

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K1

The photo above came to me as part of a selection of sailing photos, sent in by Mike McGehan. Nothing spectacular about the photo but its a good segue to remind you all to put a circle in the diary for Monday 9th December for the launch of Jenni Mence’s book named, no prizes here, K-Class.
Invitation below – but please if you are attending, to help with catering – RSVP to Jenni at jenni@kclass.co.nz
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Wellington Waterfront Happenings + Win Woody Gear @ Patio Bay

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Wellington Waterfront Happenings + Win Woody Gear @ Patio Bay
 

The above amateur film (20min) by Mr. Macalister, documents maritime scenes around Wellington harbour. Items of note include ships and yachts being christened and launched, a small motor boat burning on the open sea, footage of a Humpback Whale being taken ashore at the Perano whaling station in Fishing Bay.

Of note we see:
1. The launching of the motorboat – Marionjo
2. The launching of the motorsailer – Pelagin (some nice launches seen in the background)
3. The launching of the fishing boat – Sea Harvest
4. At 13:60 minutes – the ex Perano whale chaser – Rorqual makes a cameo appearance 
5. A rather large elephant seal making itself at home on the waterfront
 
Video reproduced via 2019 The New Zealand Archive of Film, Television and Sound Ngā Taonga Whitiāhua Me Ngā Taonga Kōrero
Input from John Wicks – One of the launches shown at both launchings is “Southern Maid”, built by Ernie Lane, and at that time owned by Bob Macalister, who shot the film.
“Pelagian” was/is a steel motor sailer designed and built by her first owner, Doug Catley. She was built in steel, and Doug built a model and sheathed it in plates cut from cigarette tins to ensure that the full size plates would fit properly. She was unique in several ways; her exhaust went up inside her mizzen mast, and after launching she was fitted with a Mustang fighter’s cockpit canopy on her wheelhouse. There was no exterior ventilation to her engine, but the boat’s interior was extensively ducted to the engine room which encouraged air circulation through the boat. Her engine room and galley were separated by a sliding fore and aft bulkhead, which when raised turned the area into a (nearly) full width engine room.
The sequence showing “Rorqual” is the mooring area just inside Tory Channel. The spotting station was just over the ridge on the seaward side; when whales were spotted out in the Strait, the chaser crews would come running down the path to board their chasers; it was a bit like a Battle Of Britain fighter scramble!
The X-class shown on the RPNYC hard and sailing in Evans Bay look like the new type that never really caught on. Javelins replaced them.
The elephant seal is NOT in Chafers Marina as the wording accompanying the film states (the marina didn’t even exist then) but in Evans Bay where there were quite a number of private boatsheds with their ramps and slipways on the Western side. I have some sympathy for the owner of the little motor boat the seal was trying to board; Owha the Leopard Seal tried to get into my skiff a few weeks ago, and managed to swamp it. No harm done though 🙂
 
CYA PATIO BAY WOODY PRIZES
As promised yesterday, below are the woody goodies up for grabs at tomorrows CYA Patio Bay Cruise / BBQ
 
• best presented motorboat (WW T-Shirt & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)
• best classic dinghy (WW T-Shirt & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)
• most embarrassing anchoring attempt (WW Cap & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)
• best attired (WW Cap & a bottle of Lawson’s Dry Hills wine)

 

Aurora

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Aurora

AURORA 

Now this has to be the coolest old woody I have seen. Aurora was built for Caesar Roose after he had sold the Waikato Shipping Company.
She was built in Auckland and railed down to Mercer, where he had her finished off.
In the photo, Ray Morey believes that its a very special occasion eg a Vice-Regal picnic. Sitting in the bow is Frank (Cappy) Charlton, whose father was a Raglan ship owner. Frank’s mother was a Maori of some rank in the Waingaro area. Frank had been a launchman employed by Caesar Roose for many years.
Input from Ray Morey – designed and built by Bailey & Lowe. Finished off by Willy’s father W.H.Oliver (also Willoughby but known as Bill) Willy was only 11 years at the launching. She was burnt one night by persons unknown about 100 yds from where she was completed and launched. engine was originally a 40 hp. Sterling
I could imagine Aurora at events like the Mahurangi Regatta – speaking of which, save a few dollars in your Xmas budget to buy a copy of the Mahurangi Year Book, Steve Horsley is back at the helm with the design and production and he assures me the ratio of yachts and launches is looking good. Should be in the shops (Boat Books) mid December 😉
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COOL PATIO BAY PRIZE
I have secured off the author / publisher – Brian Peet, a copy of the book ‘DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY’ – the winner of the handicap (mark-foy) yacht race e.g. 1st across the line – will collect the $80 book. DETAILS HERE  https://destownson.co.nz
Now relax launch owners, there will be some WW merchandise for you – details tomorrow 🙂
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Woody Project – Wai Lani

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WOODY PROJECT

I can not tell you much about the above launch other than she is 29’6”, her TME listing states she is a Lane, but to quote HDK – Lane = the default name for most wooden boats. The motor and box are out, but ‘complete’ (what ever that means).
At a guess her name appears to be Wai Lani, but the photos are too low res to blow up to read.
Bids are sitting at around $650 for even if you don’t want the boat, there are some good fittings to be had 🙂
Harold Kidd Input – WAI LANI was built in the winter of 1916 by Dick Lang for H T D Lloyd of 19 Ring Terrace, St Mary’s Bay.
WW T-SHIRTS & CAPS
If you are thinking about ordering some WW branded gear – might be best to get a wriggle on, getting tight on some sizes 🙂
AND REMEMBER WOODYS – ITS PATIO BAY THIS WEEKEND
Its a Mark-Foy start for the CYA yachts so we should be seeing another tight finish. Launches are encouraged to get there early to secure a good viewing anchorage – and less rowing when returning from the legendary party / BBQ ashore.
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Tall Ship Peking – Tackles Cape Horn

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Tall Ship Peking – Tackles Cape Horn
The movie below was shot and narrated by Captain Irving Johnson in 1929 and features the tall ship Peking on her outbound journey around Cape Horn. – Its 1/2 hr long but a good insight into when men were men 🙂
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For lovers of wooden boats – the 2020 Calendar of Wooden Boats, published by Ben Mendlowitz and Maynard Bray has just hit the shops. You can buy it on-line at the WoodenBoat Store – link below. Nice to see that our own Waitangi has mage an appearance – gracing the month of December.
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Whangarei Town Basin 1943

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Whangarei Town Basin 1943


Todays photo, ex the Navy Museum, is captioned  ‘ Outer Patrol Launches Whangarei c.1943’. We have an interesting mix of vessels tied up.
The two on the right should be easy to ID – being Q Class patrol vessels i.e. motor launches built in the 1930s and used by the NZ Navy during WW2. John Clarke has supplied ex this site, a listing – Amakura Q04, Lady Gay Q00, Lady Margaret Q08, Lady Shirley Q11 later Q12, Maristella Q02, Movarie Q05 , Rawea Q06, Shenandoah Q03, Te Rauparaha Q07, Wirihana Q01. All navy inner and outer patrol vessels. John commented that if the WW list is correct, the vessels moored at the head of the line in the photo would be Maristella (Q02) and Lady Shirley (Q12). Maristella was a 40 footer, built by Sam Ford in December 1936 for Mr R.W. Wills of Epsom and fitted with a 50hp Ailsa Craig diesel. During WW2 RNZN patrol service she was fitted with a Gray for spares rationalization purposes. Lady Shirley was a 36 footer, built for Mr C Sinel of Auckland by C Bailey & Son in 1938. Both are still afloat and well-loved launches, search their names in the WW search panel for more photos / info.
 
Are we able to ID the launches astern of the Q Class boats?
 
I was contacted last week by Whangarei boatbuilder, Mike Hughes with a heads up that the little Harrison Butler ‘Omicron’ (below) was back in Mike’s workshop for a little regular maintenance.

She is a rather pretty looking yacht – but she should be given she was built by Percy Voss in 1945.
Omicron is kept at Parua Bay, Whangarei.
 
annual maintenance

Marguerite + Patio Bay Party

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MARGUERITE
Earlier this year woody Nathan Herbert was mooching around Whitianga and spotted the 1920 Collings & Bell built launch – Marguerite, hauled out getting some serious TLC.
As you can see from the b/w photo, also ex Nathan, she has always been a very pretty woody. Association
Read / see more of Marguerite at the link below

WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN THE NZ CLASSIC YACHT ASSOCIATION………..

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…….the answer is simple – so you can attend the best classic woody boating party of the year.
The CYA Patio Bay BBQ / Xmas Party is the jewel in the crown on the CYA calendar and its happening next weekend – November 30th > Dec 1st. at the bottom end of Waiheke Island. Check out the montage below from previous years.
More details here https://classicyacht.org.nz.  The bun fight ashore kicks off around 4pm, but woodys – get to the bay early to secure a good anchoring spot in close 😉 then watch the stick and rag boys finish their race.
I could be in a festive mood – so there might be some WW merchandise up for grabs.

Woody Classics Weekend BBQ Cruise to Clevedon Cruising Club – 60+ photos

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Liberty

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Impressive Haul Out Area

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Heading Home

Woody Classics Weekend BBQ Cruise to Clevedon Cruising Club – 60+ photos

Morning woodys, as you will see from the above photo gallery the weekend woodys cruise up the Wairau River to the Clevedon Cruising Club was a great trip – had the 3 F’s that always make for good times – Fun, Friendship & Fraternity.
To hit the right tide window it was a very early start for most i.e. 6am at the marina – the smart ones, left Friday night.
We assembled at the river mouth around 9.30am and were met / piloted up the river by Barrie Abel, and woodys I have to say – just as well Barrie volunteered, because if you believed Navionics at times we were traveling over dry land, when in fact we had 3m of water under us. So a big thank you Barrie. Barry owns the 1912 woody – Matira, I will do a WW story on her on Wednesday.
Several boats missed the rendezvous but still safely made their way up the river.
After arriving at the clubs jetty late morning, the group split up – some went walking, some snoozed, and the rest hopped in the dinghies and ventured to the upper reaches of the river. We got very close to the Clevedon township before the fuel starting running out. Luckily a few had spare fuel so it was passed around like a good wine and everyone took a slip. I was aboard Dave Gidden’s dinghy and we had about 1cm in the tank when we switched off. Spotted a few interesting woodys along the way – Nathan Herbert and I would love to hear more about the launch – Liberty (tagged below).
Some wowser decided that 5pm would be drinks time, so a few of us had to retire to Dave Giddens floating man bach – Allergy for a cup of tea…..
The evening centred around a BBQ at the CCC, which is a fantastic set up and the members hospitality was first rate.
As a thank you for hosting us, we presented a donation to the club and rewarded Barrie Adel for his services with a bottle of Appletons finest Jamaican Estate golden rum. Club Commodore – Bruce Robson also now sports a WW T-Shirt 🙂
In return we have a CCC burgee for our virtual clubhouse.
On a personal note I would like to thank all the woody boat owners for ‘opening’ your boats up for the club members to inspect thru-out the day. Good chat was had.
We must have behaved ourselves, as we have been invited back – so woodys, more details to follow, but we will be repeating the cruise early 2020 e.g. April.
🙂 a visit to the GENTS was amusing – the uninitiated were in for a foot wash – the system was good old kiwi DIY at its finest 🙂 I can report that the LADIES was Regent Hotel standard.
Photos: myself and Nathan Herbert
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Now I’ll bore some of you with the below video of my Raindance, taken by Nathan Herbert aboard Jas Prew’s launch – My Girl. I think it’s the only time Jason has ever let me pass him 🙂

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