Our friends across the ditch in Tasmania that pull together the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, commission some wonderful short films that provide an insight into the people and vessels that help make the AWBF so special.
We have featured several in the past and todays one is just such a cool, warm, feel good story. We meet Matt and Iefke – a young couple that were drawn together by a shared passion for wooden boats and are now building the boat of their dreams – Tarkine.
Both Matt and Iefke take us on the journey of how they meet, and express in words the reason why we do what we do and why we love wooden boats.
If today is anything weather wise like yesterday – find that spot x in the house and sit back and enjoy this short film.
Its always a a challenge to squeeze the bits that make boating enjoyable into anything sub 20’, the owners of Tawa (previously Matariki) have managed to do it in a 16’ boat – so well done.
Built in 1958 by a A. Westrupp from double diagonal kauri (+f/glass) and presented in a very high finish – in fact she has won numerous awards at both the north & South Island Lake Rotoiti classic boating events.
The diesel heads amongst us would struggle to ID the 30hp engine – its a German MTU from an old WWII German submarine.
The bonus of Tawa is that she resides on a trailer so no marina fees and your boating locations are almost unlimited. (Thanks Ian McDonald for the tme listing heads up)
ATHENA – The Woody Buy Of The Year – $30,000 ono
Without going into details – the owner of the woody Athena has told me to find the right buyer and sell her – there’s even a B.O.I. marina on offer (extra)
The 1926 Charles Robinson built, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland launch – Aloha has appeared twice on WW but we have never been up close. Yesterday she came into the Slipway Milford for some TLC. A resident of Bayswater Marina, her bottom would have to be the worst I’ve seen ex there.
Interesting point – as Aloha came up the Milford Creek , she slipped past the launch Aumoe, the two boats had been regular cruising buddies in the mid 1960’s > 1970’s – and were always rafted up together. They even had side-by-side boat sheds in the Whangarei Town Basin. Powered these days by a Yanmar 125hp engine. Hopefully we can get a few more details on her e.g. length etc
Woody Bruce Ryrie has taken on a project – a c.1960’s Couldrey classic launch that he acquired from the Firth of Thames. Unfortunately no name, so the first ask is does anyone know more about the boat?
The second ask is a little bigger, as you can see in the above photos there are a few planks that need replacing and Bruce would really appreciate a hand with the work, or even some guidance.
The launch is hauled out at Clevedon.
WE ARE LOSING OUR WATERFRONT – Okahu Bay Haul Out
It has recently been brought to my attention that our friends at Auckland Council are very anti boating – read below a summary of what’s been happening –
It’s not only the government that thinks it knows best. Auckland City has determined that the Haulout at Okahu bay, known as the Orakei Landing, will be shut down and the area will become a park reserve! The local board, despite overwhelming submissions against any change, decided in its woke way that the Landing haulout facilities, which have been a part of Auckland since the year dot, should be closed to provide another park. The haulout has and is being used by many owners of traditional wooden boats where owners as well as professionals work on them near to their homes. With the closure of this there will be no inner harbour haulouts on the Southern side of the harbour. There are also a number of professionals who will be out of a job or whose businesses will be reduced because of losing this facility. Auckland once touted itself as the city of sails. It seems it no longer thinks this is part of its makeup.In credibly the committee of the RAYC sent out an email to its members encouraging them to vote to close the Landing. That was done in a way which unless you read it carefully and understood what was happening would have led to many members completing the form supplied to submit for closure! It all smells a bit.
If you are even slightly motivated to voice your concern re the closure of the Okahu Bay haul out area – I suggest to use the channel I find works best with local politicians – they hate negative publicity – contact the chairman of the Orakei Local Board – Scott Milne direct via Facebook and leave a message – link here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007006489029
AND TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS SEE BELOW
Local Board members that voted in favour of closing the hardstand*:
The 1953 Lane built woody – Ngapuhi started life as a towing launch for Lane & Sons (Timber Millers) at their premises in Totara North, Whangaoa Harbour. Originally named Waihou. Purchased by Northland Port Corporation in 1963 her name was changed to Ngapuhi & she served as the pilot boat for the Whangarei Harbour Board for 35 years.
Brief over view – 45’5″ in length, 12’ beam and draws 3’6”. Kauri carvel planked. Powered by twin Gardner 6LXBM52- 127hp that has her governed at 11 knots max speed.
Given her ex commercial work and being in survey Ngapuhi is very well spec’ed.
Other than the occasional cruise to Auckland and the outer islands, home has been the Far North.
Fast forward to mid 2022, sees Ngapuhi residing in Auckland and getting a birthday – like a lot of ex work boats there was a degree of deferred maintenance that her new owners are addressing. The new paint job is rather swish. Looking forward to her joining in on some of the woody events coming up this summer.
Photos below per-purchase at Opua
UPDATE 18-08-2022 – Ex Ray Morey – Ngapuhi ex Waihoa was designed and built by Brian Lane himself at the old Lane property in Totara North. Original engines were a handed pair of GM 4-71 @ 115 hp. N.H.B replaced these with Detroit 4-71N series engines after several years of service.
Did a dash to Opua yesterday – up and back – long drive. Stopped in at Whangarei on the way back to check out the Town Basin wharf area – Always good for a few woodys.
The above launch was on a pile mooring and looks familiar but the brain came back with a – ’no match’ – I’m sure someone will ID her, very well cared for.
UPDATE 15-08-2022 – Its Fantasy
UPDATE 28-08-2022 – photos below ex Shaughan Anderson
The 19’ Sutton and Mason 1966 built Marlin Marauder – Marlin Monroe made a very brief appearance recently on tme, probably brief because the asking price was $10k.
On face value that is a lot of classic boat for the money.
Built with double diagonal kauri and powered by Mercruiser inboard + stern leg that sees her topping out at 35mph.
The 43’ 1920’s built launch – Estrela has made a few appearances on tme over the areas and has sadly slipped into the ‘Live-Aboard’ category these days. Its being promoted as the cheapest home you can buy in Auckland.
She was built by Joe Fell, is a double-ender built from triple skin kauri and powered by a Hino H07C 158hp diesel.
Her Panmure River berth is available for rent – so woodys – a waterfront home or rescue her and set her free on the Waitemata again 🙂
(Thanks Ian McDonald for the listing heads up)
She appeared on WW back in 2018 and there was some discussion re her provenance – possibly not a 1920 Joe Fell boat, read this link for more info. Remember to also read the comments section 😉 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/10/03/estrela/
Bay of Islands woody, Dean Wright snapped the above gallery of photos on his iPhone in early August whilst mooching around the Kerikeri Inlet.
From the top down, left > right we have – Alma G > Shalom > Te Honu > Dareen > Tranquila > Pearl Diver > Westerly > and the very salty looking yacht – Cameo
Input ex Belinda Moss – Cameo is Eric Cox design built by Lionel Jeffcoate for himself. He sailed her with his family in the Pacific, and to the Chathams and Auckland Islands. Sister ship to Encore (sloop rig) which he built after selling Cameo. These are two of the 57 boats Lionel built on his own.
Job opportunities in the marine industry are few and far between even in the current times, particularly in the better companies. Regular WW readers will know I’m a big fan of the crew at Moon Engines, so when James Mobberley mentioned that he was on the hunt for mechanic to join the team, I volunteered to help the search – So woodys if you or someone you know is considering a change of scenery – give James a call, you will have to leave a message, we all do – too busy on-the-job, to take calls- thence this ad 🙂
More details below.
We are still trying to find an enthusiastic, experienced mechanic to join our great team at Moon’s.
We are prepared to pay good money + additional benefits for a good, experienced mechanic who wishes to work in the Marine industry or one who is willing to be trained in marine gearbox and/or marine engine work.
If you are the “Mechanic we are looking for” or know of someone who would be interested in this position, please see our advert below:-
PETROL/DIESEL/GEARBOX MECHANIC NEEDED…
If you are the mechanic we are looking for, you will be enthusiastic, love boats and enjoy being part of a great team that works really well together.
You will be keen to advance your career having already completed your apprenticeship with experience as either a petrol or diesel mechanic. You will need a full licence and of course great work ethics – meaning you’ll be punctual, honest and reliable.
If you are tired of the same old, working in the rain and mud or under a car, we would love to welcome you into the marine industry by joining the friendly team at Moon engines.
To apply, check out our website to see more on who we are and what we do, then call James on 09 828 3524 or email james@moonengines.co.nz and tell us why you would be one of our amazing mechanics!
Early last week we ran a story on a launch named – Tranquila (link to that story below) at the time hawk-eye Nathan Herbert commented that it appeared to be the Don Brooke designed – Dundonald post a name change.
Fast forward one week and woody John Dawson confirmed that Nathan was correct and sent in the gallery of photos above. John commented that the launch was for sale back in April 2021.
Tranquila is 37’ in length, built from DD kauri (f/glassed) and powered by a Ford 120hp Otsan 6.2L 6 cyl. diesel that gives her a cruising speed of 9.5 knots- top speed is approx. 13 knots. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/08/02/tranquila/
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