Mystery Whitford Launch
Todays photograph, taken c.1965 by D.J Shaw comes to us via Lew Redwoods fb. The location is the Turanga Creek, Whitford and the caption states that the bulldozer was cutting through the sandstone bar.
Can we identify the launch – angle of the photo makes it a tad difficult but the two larger cabin windows (TVOne & TV2), are quite distinctive, so fingers crossed they jolt someones memory.
1937 Mystery Woody Photograph
We have been contacted by Tony Evans from the Richmond YC in Auckland concerning the 1937 photograph above that the club have been gifted.There was no family connection from the ‘gifter’, so the club are unsure of its history. Tony commented that the picture is likely taken at the original RYC Herne Bay club house, with Chelsea Bay hills in the background.
So woodys are we able to help the club and share some intel on the significance of the photo eg the name of the boat, was it (probably) performing the rule of racing committee boat and any info on the regatta / event. Or given the crowd onboard just she a spectator boat?
Input From Barry John Davis – This is the A. & G. Frankham coaster Coronation, built 1902 as a ketch in NSW, you can just make out the vestiges of a clipper type bow, dimensions 83.7′ x 22.7′ First registered at Auckland the same year. Still trading out of Auckland up to the early 1960’s when sold and went to Gisborne as a motorised lighter
We last saw the Coulthard built launch – Dawn on WW back in June 2019, link below. In summary she was built in 1936 and is approx. 28’ in length, with a very shallow draft of just over 2’, probably to suit the shallow harbours on Aucklands West Coast, where she was built.
A Ford 80hp Lees 4.2L diesel provides the forward motion. Thanks to a tme listing (c/o Ian MacDonald) we get to have a look down below.
ARGO
Earlier in the month Dave Stanaway sent in the above photos of the ex fishing vessel – Argos, docked at the Kaipara Boating Club berth in Dargaville. She was there for a couple of days. Dave later advised that Argo was owned by a young family that were cruising NZ waters in her.
Update ex Dean Wright – check out the owners travels here https://www.facebook.com/cruisingonargo
Back in June 2020 she was spotted in Te Kouma by Dennis MacConaghie, photo below.
Can we shed some more light on the history of Argo.
KATHLEEN II
Todays 32’ woody – Kathleen II was built be Salthouse c.1970 and is powered by twin 90hp Nissan BD30 diesels that give her a 11>14knots.
She has popped up on tme as a project boat requiring some TLC, there are no interior photos so suspect that is where the TLC is required 🙂
At the right price and with a good eye for detail Kathleen II could be a nice family woody cruiser.
MAHERE
WW has been contacted by the owner of the launch – Mahere, seen above. They are very light on information and history, so today we are asking for help in regard to design / builder / when built / past owners etc.
Mahere is powered by a 120hp Ford Trader diesel, see photo – very impressive exhaust ‘plumbing’.
Current home is Whakatakataka Bay, Auckland – otherwise known as the OBC basin 🙂
Yesterdays Quiz Winner – The lucky winner of a WW cap was Dave Stanaway – lots of entries in the draw but few got three tickets in the draw i.e. three correct answers – being Frangipani / Zane Grey / Off to Tahiti via Rarotonga
The skippers that had RSVP’ed have been contacted but FYI – the weekends Woody Cruise to Clevedon has been postponed – slightly evil forecast – new date tba
A Woody Quiz
Haven’t had a quiz in a while so, all correct answers, via email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com go into the draw for one of the new WW summer caps.
Questions below – one correct answer = one chance in the draw – get all three correct = three chances. Tell us what colour cap you would prefer.
1. Name the boat
2. Who owned it at the time
3. Where was it off to with all those tins of fuel aboard
REMEMBER ENTER VIA EMAIL ONLY – WINNER DRAWN 8PM 19-05-2022
Correct answers were Frangipani / Zane Grey / Off to Tahiti via Rarotonga
ALBATROSS V – sold for $7,100
Early this week the 64’ Miller & Tunnage built ex tug / workboat – Albatross V was sold on tme – sure it was ‘as-is-where-is’ and had suffered some water ingress, but seriously $7000 !
Built with 2.5” kauri – the timber alone would give you a return on your spend – check out the specs:
•Length: 19.64m • Beam: 5.7m •Hull: Timber (Kauri) 2.5” • Decks: Timber •Main Engine: Lister blackstone 600hp @ 800 rpm • Gearbox: MWD, 5:1 reduction • Auxiliary engine: Perkins 4 cylinder, 25 KVA Genset • Speed: Cruise 8-9 Knots, Max 10 knots • Accommodation: 12 berths
Can someone let us know if she went to a good home and what the intentions are?
OMG – How did this happen
A woody mooching around the gulf over the weekend spotted the above craft at Scotts Landing, Mahurangi.
Can somebody explain how it all works , if in fact it does work.
And just to remind you what a boat should look like – the 1910 HN Burgess built launch – Florence, at anchor in West Bay, Rakino Island.
PIRIMANU – A Peek Down Below
Back in Jan 2016 I snapped a photo of the launch – Pirimanu moored in Maitiatia, Waiheke Island while aboard the ferry. At the time Harold Kidd commented that she was 28’ in length and a Arnold Couldrey design built by Salthouse Bros in 1968 for W.M. (Bill) Macindoe. Her design harks back to 1948 but good things don’t date, do they? Both Couldrey and Macindoe put some time into the build at Greenhithe. HDK added that Macindoe still owned her in 1972 according to Couldrey’s notes and in 1973 according to AYA records. Dennis and Suzie Craig owned her 1997. 2016 photos at this WW link + lots of details in the comments section – https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/04/pirimanu/
Early this year, Pirimanu popped up 4sale and must have set a record for a tme listing / sale – she was gone in a few days. Expect to see her around the gulf, her new owners reside on Waiheke Island.
Pirimanu is powered by a 36hp Buku turbo engine that gives her a comfortable 7 knot cruising speed. Thanks to the tme listing we get to have a good gander at her.
18-05-2022 UPDATE – ex Dennis Craig –
“Great to see my old boat looking so good again. a few comments just to tidy up a few loose ends from other peoples comments.
The original design was drawn in 1948 as a 26ft launch with central steering for Wilson and Macindoe. about 1958 the design was modified to a 28ft launch with starboard steering and the Kauri timber earmarked at Totora north. Pirimanu was finally built and launched in 1968 from the Salthouse yard at Greenhithe.
I replaced the Perkins 4.108 after approximately two years of ownership with a Bukh 3 cylinder diesel. The engine with the authorisation from Bukh diesel in Denmark was up-rated to 60hp. To do this the engine was fresh water cooled with a genuine Bukh heat exchanger and a Turbocharger and inter-cooler and was fitted with an up-rated fuel pump.
Just as a trial I fitted some trim tabs and had a lot of fun running her at 10 genuine knots with almost flat wake! however the noise and vibrations weren’t worth it so I removed the trim tabs and de-rated the fuel pump to approximately 55hp.
I only hope that the plans and my ships log are still with the boat and most of all the new owners enjoy her as much as I did for 20 years.”
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