Category Archives: Yachts

Manaia – Launch Day + Volvo Race Start

Posted on by
7

Unknown

 

Unknown-1

Unknown-4

Unknown-5

MANAIA – Launch Day

The above photos of Manaia were sent to me by Paul Drake – I’ll let Paul tell the story behind them.

“The first four I took on launching day. I was 15 and in the midst of School Certificate. No exam that day, so off I went on my bike from home in Balmoral, camera in my bag. 

In the second pic, Capt. Warwick Dunsford can be seen in charge on the foredeck (white boiler suit and black beret). 

In the third pic, Percy Vos himself is clearly recognizable just by the fore foot. 

The last two photos I have had since the 1960’s & most likely come from the camera of TW Collins. Great photos, especially the one from the port quarter, and show MANAIA at work.

MANAIA is certainly very original, but note that the stem now has an unattractive (to me) hook near the top. Much better straight in my view.  Also note unusual chine aft. Double ender but hard chine aft. That’s why she can do 15 knots if required!

MANAIA was about the last of the large wooden pilot vessels built for New Zealand ports. About the same time as AKARANA and 10 years after TIAKINA (Wellington – and also a Collings design). TIAKINA of course built in England and steamed out via Suez Canal.”

You can see photos of Manaia today, looking very smart & read extensive details on her past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/01/26/manaia/

 

Volvo Round-the-World Yacht Race -Auckland Start

P1020237

 

P1020254

P1020239

P1020248

 

P1020265

Photos Below In The Order They Passed North Head

P1020293

P1020283

P1020289

P1020291

P1020296

P1020299

P1020308

And a couple of Woodys amongst the sea of plastic boats

P1020307

Peter Boardman – Lady Margaret

P1020216

Angus Rogers – Mahanui

Nor’ East + Lipton Cup + CYA Events

Posted on by
4

Unknown

NOR’ EAST

The above photo of the launch Nor’ East appeared via Lew Redwood on the NZ Cars, Boats etc. face book page. Its thought the photo was taken in the 1970’s.

I could be very wrong but to my eyes she looks to be leaving Milford Creek, Auckland.

What do we know about Nor’ East?

Input from Kevin Cassidy – The photo of Nor ‘East is from the cover of Seaspray mag in early 60’s with the caption Nor ‘East maiden voyage. She was built by Allen Williams at Milford creek.

97th Lipton Cup

Popped over to Westhaven to get some fuel yesterday afternoon & by chance caught the end of the 97th Lipton Cup, Mullet boat race (details below*). Not sure of the winner so will leave that announcement to the host club – the ‘Royal’ Ponsonby Cruising Club. 

A nice breeze saw them scooting along at a good turn of speed.  A selection of the boats below (ex iphone & blown up, so a little grainy)

*The Lipton Cup is NZ yachting oldest competed for trophy that is sailed for in 22ft (6.7mt) L Class yachts which are commonly referred to as Mullet Boats. Some of the race fleet are now over 100 years old and are still very competitive.

FullSizeRender

FullSizeRender 2

FullSizeRender 3

 

FullSizeRender 4

A Message for CYA Members

Next weekend is a double banger for CYA launch owners – on Saturday (24th) there is the annual Cake Day & Round Rangi Yacht Race. The day ends with a raft-up in Islington Bay, where along with lots of refreshing fizzy drinks, there is a cake competition (not compulsory but a lot of fun). The gathering is a great opportunity for CYA launch owners to mix & mingle with the rag & stick boys.

Then on Sunday (25th) we have a lunch cruise up to the Riverhead Hotel – these days are brilliant classic outings – details on the CYA website http://classicyacht.org.nz

Unknown-1

 

If you are doing the trip (I will be) – be a good lad & follow the leader up the creek. The skipper of the plastic boat below, who shall remain nameless, but steers very big commercial vessels for a living, last weekend ignored the channel & spent a long night on the mud flats 🙂

Unknown-2

Unknown-3

Mermaid

Posted on by
4

Screen Shot 2018-03-13 at 8.11.54 am

Screen Shot 2018-03-13 at 8.13.07 am

Screen Shot 2018-03-13 at 8.12.27 am

MERMAID

Mermaid started life as a mullet boat (H14), built in 1914. At some stage she was converted to a launch & used for commercial fishing for many years.

She measures 28’ & is made of kauri carvel planked. Zoom zoom is via 1985 Ford Dover 80hp diesel.

With a little bit of work she would make a nice classic woody – winters coming up – a good project.

Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe listing heads up.

Any of the woodys able to tell us more about her past, including the days under sail?

Harold Kidd Input – MERMAID was built by Alan Crossley for his father Capt. G P Crossley of Bayswater in 1914, a 28 footer, basically for cruising. She was ballasted with rocks. Her 1914-22 sail number was 120, her 1922 sail number was H14 (28 footers were lumped into the H Class for 26 footers); her registration as a fishing boat in the 1980s was AK1441. The only racing she did was the odd local race with Bayswater Boating Club during its brief existence. Crossley sold her to W. Oxley of Mercury Bay in 1936 where she had one side stove in when fishing. Later owners included Ron Bowman and Max Brown in the 1960s.

Yachts at Kawau Island – Sailing Sunday – Win A WW T-Shirt

Posted on by
6

Unknown

Yachts at Kawau Island – Sailing Sunday – Win A WW T-Shirt

This Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island photo from the ‘NZ Car, Boats, >>> Utes Pre’75’ FB page shows a great collection of classic yachts (& a few launches).

I’ll put up a WW t-shirt to the woody that can ID the most yachts – given my launch angle – I’ll get a yachty to verify the answers. To stop copy-catting, entries ONLY via email to

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

LIPTON CUP RACE – SATURDAY – MARCH 17th

Unknown

The 97th Lipton Cup race is set to take place on the 17th of March. 22 miles of blood, sweat and tears is to be raced by the 22ft L Class ‘mullet boats’ to see who will triumph as the winner of the esteemed Lipton Cup trophy. This is a highlight of the yachting calendar and this year it appears there will be fierce competition with a number of the mullet boats performing exceptionally well in recent racing. With only 3 years to go until the 100th you can expect there to be a lot more competition and boats coming out of the wood work to compete in following years. Previous crew and owners are always welcome to come down and watch with the club open all day with food and refreshments (with a lift for the weathered yachties).

The days events are as follows:

7am – Hot cooked breakfast (Prebooked)

9am – Race briefing

11am – Race commences

3pm approx – Race finishes

6pm approx – Prize giving and after party

Watch Video footage from last years race here https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=LAZotynoqiA

 

Woodys at Kawau Island

Posted on by
8

IMG_0967

Woodys at Kawau Island

The above photo of Kawau Island is ex Lew Redwoood via the facebook page ’New Zealand Cars,Boats,Motorbikes,Trucks,Vans,Utes,Pre 1975′  -the photo is tagged ‘ Pleasure craft at anchor in Mansion House Bay. 

How many woodys can we ID?, I know Nathan Herbert was a little excited to see the family launch Pacific in the shot (top right).

If you are on facebook – you should ‘follow’ this page, there are some very cool old woody photos that pop up from time to time.

Aussie Boat Porn

I have featured several times The Australian Wooden Boat Festival that happens very 2 years in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. The video below is a 100% publicity video for Tasmania & the event – but dam its good. Have look, you’ll be blown away by the number of stunning woodys. Thanks to the USA based on-line membership only video website –  offcenterharbour.com for making the video available. Its a great site, I’m a member.

https://www.offcenterharbor.com/videos/australian-wooden-boat-festival-tasmanias-warm-embrace/

Best Kiwi Woody Boating Photos Of Summer

Posted on by
3

Unknown

1307381B-F6A9-4F32-A9EE-0C4554CE0C84

Best Woody Boating Photos Of Summer

The above photos showing James & Michael Dreyer’s recently relaunched  33’ 1949 Luders designed motorboat – Laughing Lady & Jason Prew’s 1904 Arch Logan gaff rigger- Wairaki – are my 2 favourite photos from this summer. They capture what classic kiwi wooden boating is all about – fun, friendship & fraternity. 

The rebirth of these woodys would not have happened without people like Jason & James & the dozens of talented, enthusiastic craftspeople & helpers that rubbed up against the projects. And amazingly both of the guys have other classic woody projects on the go – Jason is restoring (rebuilding) the 1925 Dick Lang motor launch – My Girl. And James has a Rhodes 33 sloop in restoration in the USA, that hopefully will makes its way down under one day. In the meantime he gets his sailing fix from a 1937, 31’ Yankee One Design – made of kauri here in NZ, that he co-owns with his dad, Barry.

If your interested in viewing the restoration of LL or Wairiki, just search they name in the WW search box. 

  At the other end of the scale below is a short video on the 1910 Camper & Nicholson 162’ classic super yacht – Orion of the Seas, for sale in Italy. It is just magnificent but her maintenance budget would be bigger than the GDP of a lot of African nations. Enjoy the varnish porn. Tomorrow I’ll share with you my trip aboard Trinidad from Whangaroa, down the west coast of NZ to Queen Charlotte Sound, Picton.

http://www.classicyacht.tv/classic-yachts-for-sale/?utm_source=Subscribe+to+CLASSIC+YACHT+TV&utm_campaign=2ca530097f-Orion&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fe7f446382-2ca530097f-56204649#classic-yacht-tv-featured-classic-boat-for-sale

CYA Classic Yacht Regatta 2018 – 50+ Photos

Posted on by
4

P1010934

P1010961

P1010964

P1010977

P1020001

P1020009

P1020021

P1020035

P1020042

P1020052

P1020062

P1020076

P1020068

P1020078

P1020083

P1020087

P1020105

P1020103

P1020109

P1020115

CYA Classic Yacht Regatta 2018 – Day Two – Race 2 – 50+ Photos

Popped out early on Raindance to catch the start of the regatta – not much of a day for photos, overcast………. but the stick & rag boys would have been happy with the breeze.

If there appears to be a high degree of repetition with the photos – thats because there were not a lot of classics competing. A-division had a good turn out but you could count the rest with out having to take our shoes & socks off.

Maybe everyone sleep in & they turned up for the afternoons race ?

Numbers aside – bloody impressive sight when they are all powered up. Things got a little tense at the start – some very un- corthinthian yachting language was heard, more often then not, the worst culprits always seem to flying a small blue burgee…… 😦

Below – My Pick For Best Photo (not mine, ex Jason Prew’s FB page)

When you arrive 5 mins late for the start you have to do whatever it takes to get into the race – it’s not often you see Jason out of the cockpit, let alone on Wairiki’s rail 🙂

1307381B-F6A9-4F32-A9EE-0C4554CE0C84

Tusitala > Peri C6 SOS

Posted on by
4

Unknown

 

TUSITALA – PERI C6   SOS

I was recently contacted by Jason Prew in regard to the yacht Tusitala > Peri with an urgent call out for someone to rescue the craft from a potential death at the end of a chainsaw.

Normal story, no idea of a price, no photos……….. but woodys, sometimes we have to step in & help save these old girls, its not the yachts fault that her owner has decided to move on.

A quick call to Harold Kidd & I have the above photos. The owner is of the belief the she is a Logan but Harold commented that the protruding stem post is unlike any other Logan of the period but quite like some Baileys and Le Huquet’s early yachts. Harold also commented that her real claim to fame is that the hero of Chunuk Bair, Cyril Bassett VC 1914-1919, owned her before he bought Ladye Wilma.

The yacht is located in Tauranga & the owner Ken Anderson can be contacted on 027 425 5102.

If we cannot find someone to restore her, can someone with some undercover storage look after her?

Harold Kidd Input – PERI was built by Charles Robinson and her owner George Murphy at St Mary’s Bay in late 1897. The “Logan” attribution is an old wives’ tale. Robinson had built the little keel yacht MAHOE in 1894. Late he was building at Rotorua with Percy McIntosh. He built the 40ft launch ALOHA at St Mary’s Bay in 1926, probably at Sam Ford’s yard.

10-07-2018 Owner Update:

Tusi Tala/ Peri has been stored in my yard for the past 6 or so years.  The lease for the yard has been taken from me so she needs to go to another owner. She is at the stage of her life that a full restoration to her original splendour is needed, which is beyond me.
Should there be any interest by any WW readers they can contact me by phone on 027 425 5102.  Any reasonable offer will secure her.
14-08-2018   FINAL SOS NOTICE
Ken Anderson has advised that he has abandoned Tusi Tala in a yard at Mount Maunganui. Unfortunately he was left with no other choice. The yard is owned by a Hadyn Wall whose lawyer is Ged Fitzgerald, email: ged@fitzlaw.co.nz.
The vessel needs to be moved and is in danger of destruction. She is FREE to a good home, please note that the cradle is not on offer as it is owned by Tauranga Bridge Marina Travel Lift. Please contact Ged Fitzgerald if you or anyone you know are interested in saving her.

Spotted In Nelson

Posted on by
4

Unknown-1

Unknown

Spotted in Nelson

While Trinidad has been sitting in Nelson waiting for a weather window to start the 2nd leg of their circumnavigation Nelson > Milford Sound), Barbara Cooke has been sniffing around the marina with her phone camera. The two small woodys above are an interesting mix – one would like to think the clinker motorboat does not venture too far from port. The deflated dinghy along side is a worry 🙂

The canoe stern yacht on the other hand looks very salty.

Anyone able to ID these two woodys?

 

REVOCET – Sailing Sunday

Posted on by
4

P1260539

P1260547

REVOCET – Sailing Sunday

Another classic from my travels down south & mooching around the Queen Charlotte Sounds,  I spotted Revocet berthed at the Waikawa Bay Marina.

A very smartly presented yacht – can anyone tells as about her ? I’m assuming she is wood 🙂

A Question From Mike Forth Relating to the Photo Below

“I have been emptying my father’s house and in the loft came across my grandfather’s photographic gear 1900- 1920’s, along with a number of glass slides and some framed photos.

One was of a regatta, which I am guessing would have been in the Solent or perhaps the Thames estuary. There was no description on the photo or frame and I would like to add one – for posterity.

I tried to identify the yachts using images online, and the closest I came was some 1925 yachts, however the line of the bow did not match. I would be delighted if your readers could shed some light.”

DSC_0018[1]