Komuri

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KOMURI

Today’s photo comes to us from Heather England’s fb and shows a very smart looking steamer. The photo was originally sent to Heather’s grandmother in 1912 when she was 12.,  and has a Dunedin post mark stamped on the rear, so the possible location surprise surprise is Dunedin. The photo is tagged Komuri on the back, which is the maori word for ‘fine weather’ which kind of sounds like a good name for a boat.

Would love to learn more about the vessel and what became of her – she is a real looker.

Input from Harold Kidd – KOMURI was built in Dunedin in 1913 by Austen Jenkinson to a design by McRae for James Johnston. She had a 2 cylinder Bolinder semi-diesel crude oil engine. She was sold in 1916 to the lessees of Campbell Island for whaling. On the trip down she had an engine breakdown and was abandoned at sea, the crew took to the surfboat. Long story. (thanks Nathan Hebert for the advising the correct spelling)

And On A Lighter Note
I was sent the image below by a WW follower, whose daughter has too much spare time during lock-down. I have enlarged a section to help you see the blatant breach of copyright 🙂

Workboat Wednesday + Garage Sale

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Starlight 1984 @ Woody Bay Rakino Island

WORKBOAT WEDNESDAY

I was sent the above photo by Gary Stanborough whose family owned the 32’ Des Townson designed and built yacht Starlight from 1978 to 2016, so any other namesake boats would always catch our attention.

Gary took the photo in 1984 in Woody Bay, Rakino Island but knows nothing of the history of this salty looking old timer. She’s tied alongside another fishing boat. Does anyone know of her past or what’s become of her? Reg # is AK14333.

A great example of the amazing work the Rakino Island residents have been doing on the planting front. 

LOCK-DOWN GARAGE SALE

One of our followers is using the enforced lock-down to clean out a home workshop.There are a few bits and pieces up for grabs and a project boat that never got finished, but it’s very close to being done though. It looks to be around 14ft, and a sailing and rowing skiff. Design is called a Phoenix 3. Comes with a rig and centre board but not the trailer. Offers around $500 will see the boat oft a new owner.Plus a woodworkers tool cabinet & a few misc. tools
Drop me an email if you are interested waitematawoodys@waitematawoodys

The Restoration of Rogue

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The Restoration of Rogue

Scrolling thru the USA WoodenBoat Forum yesterday my woody antenna popped up when I saw a new thread on the New Zealand yacht Rogue – the 1892 gaff rigged 32’ cutter built by Chas Bailey Jnr. , it was in fact his first design.

The restoration of Rogue has been a happening thing since late 2007 and a lot of the time under the radar, not helped by her residing in Wellington.In the 2015 > 2018 period there were some unexpected ’speed bumps’ that derailed the project, and her owner relocated north to Auckland. So in early 2021 after a 120 year absence Rogue followed her owner and returned to Auckland and slipped into Wayne Olsen’s shed at the Horizon Boatyard. There the restoration has moved along at a good clip, and CV-19 aside, we can expect a splash date in early November.

I would be surprised if there was a better documented history on a classic vessel in New Zealand, and the restoration project is jaw dropping – an amazing commitment to one of New Zealand’s magnificent maritime artefacts.
Below are links to the most recent project monthly updates , but given that most of us are in lock-down, I would encourage you to click on this link https://rogue1892.com/rogues-restoration/ and scroll (its a long way) to the bottom and follow the project from day one.

Enjoy 🙂


FEBRUARY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/02/

MARCH 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/03/

APRIL 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/04/

MAY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/05/

JUNE 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/06/

JULY 2021 https://rogue1892.com/2021/07/

AUGUST 2021  https://rogue1892.com/2021/08/

Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 2021

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Thames Traditional Boat Festival – 2021

The Thames Traditional Boat Festival is one of the woody events on my bucket list and today thanks to Olaf Wiig we get to vicariously check out last weekends event. 

Olaf commented that as long as it is made of wood or riveted steel it is welcome at the festival. No 1950 cut off here 🙂

Olaf’s highlight was – Islanda, see spec sheet on her below.
Enjoy the varnish 🙂

Mooching Around Devonport Yacht Club + 30yr Flash Back

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Mooching Around Devonport Yacht Club + 30Yr Flash Back

The photos above were taken by Glenn Martin at the DYC yard early in the week while out and about on a lockdown bike ride.When I was a member I used to refer to the DYC as the best little yacht club in New Zealand, still is, but they were a tad averse to stepping into the real world when it came to membership criteria. But its a private club, so they can do whatever they want 🙂 From top to bottom:

(L) Seafarer  – 1963, John Brooke – https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/25/seafarer-2/ (R) Lady Mary – Roy Parris – https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/09/03/lady-mary/

Castaway – 1947, Dick Lang- https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Castaway&submit=Search
Ladybird – 1949, Bert Woollacout – https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/05/ladybird-splashes/

30+ Year Americas Cup Flash Back

 Things are getting a wee bit crazy in the household, spent way too long today looking for some long lost (I put it away for safe keeping) unframed art work. During the hunt I unearthed a tube of Americas Cup posters, all in good condition and ether A1 or A2 size and most on good quality stock. 30>35 years ago in another life, I was doing marketing for the NZ Challenge, so ‘acquired’ a few items. One day I’ll find a home for them. 

Leeway > Melanie

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Leeway > Melanie
Today’s launch photo comes to us from the Andrew Donovan Collection. No name on the flip side so we will hopefully get an ID from some of the Bay of Island woodys. That is assuming its a BOI boat and photo.

Harold Kidd Input – LEEWAY/MELANIE was built by 20th Century Boats (Brian Donovan) in 1959. Last word was in 2015 when she was for sale by a Havelock owner. Brian of course was Andy Donovan’s brother.


TREAT YOUR BOAT OR YOU THIS CHRISTMAS

BOI woody – Dean Wright filmed a short video to show you and I some cool drinking mugs that a Bay Of Islands potter, Lynda Harris, makes and personalise for your boat.

Each one is hand painted from a supplied photo. They are fired in batches of x60, so subject to orders, the lead time can be a little while (that was an Irish answer).

Cost is $45, which is very reasonable for a functional art object. If you are interested in the artists contact details – email me waitematawoodys@waitematawoodys

Flareline – A Perfect Lock-Down Project

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FLARELINE – A Perfect Lock-Down Project

We have had examples of ’small’ boat builder John Bullivant’s work on WW before, I use the term small because to tag John a model maker would be very inappropriate – the man is very talented.

Today’s boat – Flareline was built by John over a 12 month period, based on his memories and photos of a full size sister ship that he owned a number of years ago. She measures 31’ LOA and is powered by a jet propulsion unit, check out the electronics.

Part of her set up sees her emitting engine smoke and water from the stern drive + she is wired for sound – engine starting & running noise. There is full interior lighting, working nav lights and even illuminated instrument dials on the dash. 

Check out the link below to view a pre launching video of her being towed by an SUV https://youtu.be/hs6-DmBKRHM
(photos, video and details ex John Bullivant and Ken Ricketts)

Thetis – A Peek Down Below

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THETIS – A Peek Down Below

Thanks to a heads up from Glenn Martin and a tme listing we get to have a peek down below on the 1955, Lanes built, 45’  bridge-decker – Thetis.

Lots more to read about her past at the WW link belowhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/13/thetis-ii-the-lane-motor-boat-co/

Kotanui – Launch Day + Fathers Day Sorted

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KOTANUI – Launch Day

In the photos above we see the launch – Kotanui being launched at the Salthouse yard in Greenhithe c.1963. 
In the 2nd photo we also see the yacht Rawhiti getting her new ‘doghouse’, probably owned by Don Brooke at the time.

Kotanui also featured on the Dec/Jan (1963-64) cover of Sea Spray magazine

More photos of Kotanui just after launching, in this 2013 WW story  https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/10/16/kotanui-3/

More photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/29/kotanui-2/

Read the full background on Kotanui in Nathan Herberts WW story  https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/15/kotanui/
(details & photos ex Nathan Herbert)


Worried About What You’ll Get For Fathers Day This Year In Lock-Down

Problem solved – click link https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/09/19/des-townson-a-sailing-legacy/

Mystery Launch – Whau River

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MYSTERY LAUNCH – WHAU RIVER
Today’s photo ex Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection and comes to us via Nathan Herbert. The location is the Whau River and probably dated 1966.

Any one able to ID the launch in the foreground.

Well Auckland woodys – another 2 weeks in lock down – not too sure how I’ll handle that, just about ticked off everything on the To Do list 🙂 So happy I hauled Raindance out in July for the big birthday, otherwise it wouldn’t have happened.

If you have any photos that you’d like to share on WW – email them in – as we say “if it’s wood, it’s good”