Spindrift – A Short Movie – Sailing Sunday
http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/spindrift-1968
The NZ On Screen link to this 9 minute 1968 movie was sent to me by Hamish Stanaway.
Its a cracker with lots of familiar boats & faces – bare with the 1st 1:30 minutes, the sailing starts approx then. Enjoy
A Woody Weekend – CYA Patio Bay Invasion
As promised today’s post is a photo essay from the 2016 CYA Patio Bay weekend. I know by saying it I will put a curse on things but the big boy up in the sky must have been a fan of wooden boats because the fine weekend % for CYA events is very high. He must also have been a launchie because he tends to smile on us weather wise more than the yachties.
For the launch fleet Saturday was a pearler, but not so good for those in the yacht race – lots of sun-screen & H2O would have been the order of the day. The lack of wind meant a late arrival in the bay for the yachts but soon after the anchors dropped, crews were heading ashore for the BBQ at Margaret & Bert Woolicott’s bach. I apologize for the lack of BBQ / Prize giving photos, for once I was just enjoying the company of the classic wooden boating community. Nice to see so many new members & boats joining in the festivities.
The above photos are just a selection of the turn out – enjoy, I did 🙂
Lake Rotoiti Calendar Winner = Simon Smith with the correct answer of Grant Cossey as the commodore of the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association. Saturdays post featuring the calendar was huge in terms of viewing numbers, 2nd highest in the last 2 months so I hope that results in lots of calendars sold 😉
I’m a big fan of what they call ‘paying it forward’ – via ww I come across quite a lot of boats bit- some of these I have re-gifted to a woody that was undertaking a very hands on restoration. Over the weekend he gifted me the below – proof that paying it forward works 🙂
Update – lots more very good photos at the link below. These ones are from the camera of Chris Miller, who was aboard Raindance with me. The one below makes me laugh – you have to twist Chris’s arm to get him to photograph a yacht – this photo sees him using a yacht to frame the real photo – the launches 🙂 http://wp.me/p6Eld4-1is
A+B+C Class Yachts Racing To Rocky Bay
In the above photo we see, from left, Kotiri, Ladye Wilma, Waione, Rawene (race winner) & Ngatoa just after the start of the official opening race of the season (year unknown).
Photo ex the Mac Taylor collection.
Help Needed
ww has had a request from Gary Chaplin, who owns the yacht, Fidelity, see below & click photos to enlarge, based in Christchurch Gary has commented that she looks just like the Shiralee which featured on ww in October , (link below).
Gary would like to know if it is the same vessel or possibly a sister ship . Gary believes Fidelity was built in Milford Creek by Allen Williams in 1960 .
REMEMBER LOTS OF PATIO BAY WEEKEND PHOTOS ON WW TOMORROW
Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade
Good morning woodys – I’m as excited as a dog with two willies today, its the CYA annual trip to Patio Bay, Waiheke Island for the CYA Xmas BBQ, we have fleet of nearly 50 classic yachts racing down & based on past years they will be joined by the cream of the classic launch fleet. Its a magic setting & a fun night – check ww out on Monday for a photo gallery of the weekend.
Another great woody weekend is the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, an event myself & Chris Miller have attended for the last 3 years – check out the links to those ww stories & photos below.
2016 PARADE https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/02/09/lake-rotoiti-classic-and-wooden-boat-parade-2016-150-photos/
2015 PARADE https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/02/09/2015-lake-rotoiti-classic-wooden-boat-parade-photo-gallery/
2014 PARADE https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/02/11/2014-lake-rotoiti-nth-island-classic-wooden-boat-parade-snapshot/
Todays post is really a shout out from the Lake Rotoiti event organizers, 2017 is the 20th parade so will be special – the organizers are calling for any woodys interested in participating in the weekend to contact them – the crew keep things pretty simple e.g. if its wood & it floats – its eligible – so woodys start thinking about attending – I highly recommend it 😉 Date = Feb 3>5, thats Waitangi weekend. Contact details below.
The 2nd shout out is to promote the events calendar (see below) – this year its twice the size (A3) & packed with over 35 of mine & Chris’s photos. Perfect xmas gift for any woodys office, shed or kitchen (if you are brave). The calendars cost $15 or $40 for 3 – order via Rachel at zea.rachel@gmail.com or on the parade website http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/
WIN A COPY
And folks ww has a few to give away – so a wee quiz – all woodys that email the correct answer to the question below – go into the draw to win a calendar – email address = waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: Name the current Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association commodore.
Draw closes 5pm Sunday 4th Dec 2016 & winner notified on ww on 5th Dec 2016
I Have Just Solved The “what do you want for xmas” Problem For You.
Morning woodys – Sorry no classic boat today, I had a story lined up & then last night I started to read a copy of the latest woody boat book to be published – its called ‘Thoughts On Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction’ by Peter Peal. The editor is Baden Pascoe & the book design is by Steve Horsley.
Without a doubt this is the most interesting woody book I have started to read, now I say started to, because after a quick power skim I decided it was too good to read at home – it’s a on the boat read. If you have any interest in wooden boats & the Kiwi boat building scene this is a must have.
To quote Chris McMullen who penned the forward – “this book is more than ‘just another book’ about how to build one of these boats the quick & easy way with the aid of modern glue – it is a book that takes you back in time & puts you in the mode of becoming an artisan who uses the characteristics of wood to his benefit. This lies at the heart of the boat-builders art & is something of which New Zealanders can be proud”.
WIN A Copy: all woodys that correctly answer the question below will go into the draw to win a copy of the book. Entries must be emailed to me (address below). The draw will take place on or near 10pm 28/11/2016. Winners name will be published in Tuesdays ww post. waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Q: What was the class of yacht first built by Peter Peal for his own use?
REMEMBER ENTRY IS VIA EMAIL ONLY – If you post your answer on ww, you tell everyone the answer, that’s if its right 😉
Below is a review of the book by the editor Baden Pascoe.
Book Review:
Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction – By Peter Peal, editor Baden Pascoe, book design Steve Horsley.
There are a few good books on this subject from various authors around the world. As materials and power tools have progressed so has the content of these books explaining how to go about building a clinker / lapstrake boat that one can still call it “a wooden boat”. And to add to this the term a wooden boat is now more associated with art form and a thing you own because of the experiences, stories and history attached to it. Recent books on this subject all use the upside down method of construction and the use of high tech adhesives with super gap filling abilities. A good example is Ian Outhtred’s “Clinker Plywood Boat Building Manual” this book is in a class of its own and the results are stunning.
Here in New Zealand we have Peter Peal’s book hot off the press. From the outset he has set out to offer the reader and potential builder more than just an outcome. In the first section of the book he takes you back in time to the late 1930’s via a story line were you can almost feel the day to day atmosphere of the Percy Vos boat yard. A time when young men were immersed in knowledge and exposed to an experience were they got to know what a nice shear line or lay of a plank should to look like. A place where they learnt to touch a piece of timber and instantly know it’s capably of strength and durability. Working with wood was what they loved to do and they played with the results of their work during their weekends sailing, rowing and steaming their floating works of art that were so kind on the eye. The method used to build these boats without the aid of moulds or temporary frames made the task even more challenging but once mastered it elevated these young men to go on to be the legends of our marine industry that are now the cornerstones of the world class marine industry we now have.
The second part of his book his based on much the same principles as in the first section but ply planking can be employed instead of timber. Laminates can be used instead of natural crocks and to make it easier and moulds or temporary frames are recommended to control exact shape. May I remind you as I have been reminded by the few men left standing today who were taught this method, men who regularly built these boats without moulds could build more boats to near exact shape, something not recommended to the one off enthusiast builder. During the process the builder can experience all the aspects and challenges of the artisans of yester year.
In the third section Peter offers three of his designs with full lines off sets and construction drawings. Boat 1 being a traditional launch or yacht tender, boat 2 a small rowing or pulling boat and boat 3 a clinker large enough to be a small out board run-a-bout. He also recommends designing your own boat.
Section four is a short glossary of the terms and slang used in the Auckland boat yards during his time in the trade. This is something very special and possibly unique to the Auckland area.
Yes, there are many fine tradesmen in Auckland and around the New Zealand coastline who have built what I would be proud enough to say, some of the best clinker boats in the world, but very few of them could explain how this is done via the detailed sketches and drawings from Peters very own pencil. Peter never held knowledge close to his chest, his first love was the parting of knowledge and this fact is reinforced in the forward written by one of his early students, Chris McMullen. This book is a life time treasure and a reminder of Peter’s values and high standards.
A huge thanks to a wonderful man who I have worked with to produce ‘Thoughts on Clinker Lapstrake Dinghy Construction”.
Sadly Peter passed way this year aged 95 – this book is a perfect testament to the man & his trade. – Enjoy
Note: This book is a very limited edition. It is at this time not available in bookshops.
Retail $60 + $7 post and packaging
For orders. Email Chris Peal: chrispeal8@gmail.com
Bank Account no: 01-0210-0030056-47 please include your name as reference.
NOTE: bank a/c number is now correct.
WINDHAVEN II
Yachting Developments have just completed a major refit & restoration on the Colin Wild ketch Windhaven.
Her relaunch was a little more dignified than when she was first launched at her builders, Colin Wild, Stanley Point, Devonport yard. Ngatiringa Bay lacks H2O, even at high water 🙂
Wonderful to see one of your iconic classics returned to her former glory. In fact, the team at YD have delivered her in better than ‘as-new’ condition. As further proof of the work YD do on classics see the photos below of Ranger, also returning to the water after some TLC in the YD shed. Thanks to Paige Cook/facebook for the images. Launch day photo ex John Salthouse collection via Mike Drummond.
KOWAI
Kowai was spotted on the hard at Half Moon Bay las week by Alan McDonald. She lives up the Tamaki River at Panmure, on piles.
Thats all we know about her – so can any woody supply more details? One of the river rats must know the boat.
Input from Peter Morton (ex Ken Ricketts)
Help needed – I have been contacted by Kerry Costello with a question. I’ll let Kerry tell it.
“Recently I found a small wooden sailing dinghy (below) at an op shop – unintentionally – and now I’m trying to piece her together and get her in the water. I really want to find out what the make and model is. My partner and I are taking the paint off and want to fix her up nice – figure out the correct paint, put fiber glass on the seams and a of couple dents, and find a mast for her!
It seems that knowing the make and model would be helpful in finding the right mast. I’ve looked on trade me and someone told me that the lumber yard might mill one for me? But it seems that finding a used one would be more appropriate than anything else; using something made by a boat builder rather than milled by someone who doesn’t know boats. So as I said before any advice that you can give me would be so so appreciated.”
So woodys, can we ID the yacht design & any chance someone as an old mast in the garage rafters ?
JADE – A Herreshoff style weekend/daysailer
Jade fits into the classic category that we call ‘spirit of tradition’ – a gaff-rigger that not only sails well but also has none of the maintenance headaches that other wooden boats have.
Specifications: LOA: 7m, Beam: 2m, Draft: Centerboard up: 650mm, CB down: 1.5m Sail area: 20sqm, Ballast: 300kg, Displacement: 1300kg.
She is 4sale on trademe. With her custom trailer & cover + being a center-boarder she would make a great lake boat. You could even troll for a trout with the 8hp outboard 😉
Art That Floats
You could buy the 10m yacht above for less than the price of a decent piece on NZ art & the bonus is that come the weekend & you pop it in the harbour & go can get a serious blast of high performance sailing.
She was built in the Ukraine and rigged in NZ for a Russian billionaire, no expense spared, its rumored that the hull & deck cost over $220k to build).
She has only been sailed at a one week regatta & has all new sails (1 main, 3 jibs, 2 spinnakers.) & equipment.
Construction is mahogany on oak frames with teak decks & epoxy coatings & an aluminum tapered rig.
This Dragon is probably the finest trailer-able classic yacht in the country, pristine in every way. Thanks to Colin Pawson for the trademe tip off.
Now woodys who’s got a $66k & maybe a glassed walled garage 🙂
Below is fine example of what we call ‘spirit of tradition’, the Robert C Seamans is a regular visitor to NZ & hails from the US. She’s used for sail training and research and will be in local and Northland waters until December. She’s currently berthed at Princes Wharf. (photos ex Rod Marler)
What Is Electrolysis?
I have published Chris McMullen’s comments below for 3 reasons:
1. Out of the blue, today I was sent the above 2 photos by a woody owner who has just discovered they have a time bomb ticking away. Bomb is a good analogy to use as the green wires in the bottom photo are the detonator 😦
2. The subject of electrolysis & wooden boats is topical at the moment
3. I’m passionate about saving our old wooden ladies.
You can read more on the subject here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/28/electro-chemical-damage-in-wooden-boats/
To quote the dictionary – Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and hydrogen gas (H2) due to an electric current being passed through the water. Electrolysis of salt water or Brine – electrolysis turns NaCl + H2O in electrolysis will produce separated hydrogen gas, chlorine gas and sodium hydroxide*. *Sodium Hydroxide is also called Caustic Soda. It is used for pulping wood in the paper industry and on a boat it forms around any anode protected metal (Cathode) and softens the wood.
Lets check again in the dictionary – “The cause of Electrolysis?”
Electrolysis is due to an electric current being passed through the water or Brine. Surely, the way to prevent electrolysis on a wood boat is by eliminating any electric current passing through the wet wood.
There are two sources of electrical current on most boats.
1. The DC battery used for starting the engine and services. Stray currents are common,(can be very damaging) and hard to find on wooden boats. Any connected dissimilar underwater metals including anodes will create a galvanic current 24 hours a day. There should be no connected dissimilar metals underwater and keep the ships DC system isolated from any metal connected to the sea.
2. Bonding makes a circuit and encourages stray and galvanic currents; the result will be electrolysis and degradation of the wood around metal hardware.
Protecting marine metals (bronze or copper) with an anode is pointless and sets up a current and causes electrolysis that again produces sodium hydroxide that pulps the timber in a wooden hull. If you have brass or manganese bronze underwater, an anode may help protect the metal but set up a galvanic current with resultant damage to the wood surrounding the cathode or protected metal.
See on Google – graphic descriptions of exactly what happens on our boats if we create an anode and a cathode. Chlorine gas is produced at the anode and hydrogen gas at the cathode.
Whether we like it or not, the brine around any cathode or protected metal converts to sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) and this is fatal to a wooden boat.
The solution is very simple – you should not use anodes on a wooden boat.
Anodes are necessary / desirable on steel structures where there is no wood. To use them on a wooden boat is a relatively new idea or myth designed as a solution looking for a problem. On wooden boats it has been proved worldwide to be a disaster but some in the NZ marine industry refuse to admit they have been wrong and continue to promote this profitable business.
The Logan’s, Baileys and Colin Wild never used anodes or bonding and neither should anyone who cares for their wooden boat.
Read http://mgduff.co.uk/support/knowledge-base/questions/what-is-electrochemical-decay-in-wooden-vessels
If you would like some more technical evidence read. http://www.mcclavemarine.com/text%20pdfs/Corrosion.and.Corrosion.Protection.Wooden.Boats.pdf
P.S. Chris would like to advise that he has had no input or involvement in any organised discussions on the topic of electrolysis & wooden boats.
