Rehia – Finds A New Home

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REHIA – FINDS A NEW HOME

Very chuffed to advise that the 1939 Colin Wild designed and built launch – Rehia has found new owners after an extend spell on tme. Bought by a young family that have the desire and commitment to return her to her former glory. Which she deserves, being woody royalty i.e. ex the Colin Wild stable. When a boat survives 80+ years in almost original configuration, it tells you that the designer got it right.

WW will follow this one closely, being ‘nice people’ the first project was fitting a holding tank – had to cash a few credits in at The Slipway Milford to get the work done at short notice – thank you Mr Prew 🙂 Lots of past Rehia stories on WW, search her name in the WW Search Panel – for lots of photos.

24-02-2022 Input ex Scott Taylor – Scott sent in the sketch and photo below of his fathers (Mac Taylor) time spent on Rehia on boom patrol during the WWII, Mac drew the pencil sketch of which Scott has the original.

Hauiti

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HAUITI

During the week Hugh Gladwell gave me the heads up on a woody project that was nearing completion. The ex navy 3-in-1 whaler, Hauiti, also known as a motor sea-boat, was built at the Naval Dockyard in 1962 out of double diagonal kauri. She has been converted by Peter Thompson (who was the project manager on the Jane Gifford restoration) to a river boat to operate in survey on the Mahurangi River. Hauiti is powered by an Elco electric motor which will run for about 7 hours and is charged by a bank of solar panels on the cabin top with no shore charging. Peter Sewell has designed the propellor.
Hugh commented that the river is now dredged along 3 quarters of its length to a depth of 1.5 metres at low water and they have about a year to go to complete the project. Once complete, the upper basin area  will be a great overnight cruising destination for swallow(ish) vessels. Watch this space for a woodys weekend cruise.

Looking For Santa Sack Fillers

For what seems a very long time (25 years in fact), Rotorua woody – Ronald Wattam has been beavering away pulling together a book on the boat building dynasty  – C.J.and A.J. Collings. Ron is linked via marriage to the family. The book covers the period 1896 > 1967. Yesterday a package arrived with some advance copies –  I am so manic on the work front I haven’t had a chance to read, but at 153 pages its a very extensive collection of photos, data and insights into 70 years of New Zealand maritime history. I have two copies to give away – the question is – approximately how many boats did the Collings & Bell company build?. All close answers will go into the draw for one of two copies. Entry is by email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com closes 9pm 17-12-2021 If you miss the draw – copies are available at $55+p&p, direct from Ronald Watttam at olivine@xtra.co.nz

Minocquia – 50′ Halvorsen Motor Cruiser + CYA Marina POLL Results

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50’ HALVORSEN MOTOR CRUISER – MINOCQUA Todays story from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival – ‘Folk Boat’ video series features the stunning Minocqua and her custodian, Andrew Cannon AM. The 50ft vessel was built and designed by Lars Halvorsen and Sons in 1947. The luxury motor cruiser is a great example of an early post World War II boat. She has now been berthed in Hobart for nearly 20 years and Andrew loves escaping his busy life, to spend time cruising the D’Entrecasteaux Channel on Minocqua. Sit back and watch the story above.

THANKS FOR VOTING


If you missed the results from Tuesdays POLL on the NZ Classic Yacht Association’s new Heritage Basin marina – its was a clear winner for the marina to be open to all CYA vessels, with 85% voting for this option. In comparison only 15% voted from it being used by YACHTS alone, via invitation, and these yachts would be pre WWII, NZ designed and built, and preferably gaff rigged, A Class vessels. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see what people with sawdust in their veins want. Over 1,000 votes received and the second highest day in terms of individual visitors to the WW site. Thank you again for all those that took the time to connect with the story. We will keep you posted.

Aquarius Is Back

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AQUARIUS IS BACK 

The 1955, 38’ Supreme Craft built, ex game fishing classic launch Aquarius first appeared on WW back in Sept 2018, at the time she was hauled out on Waiheke Island and in a very sad state and we were reaching out to find a passionate woody that would take her under their wing – see that story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/09/01/aquarius-sos/ In April 2019 we reported that someone had stepped up to the mark and Aquarius was being transported back to the mainland and hopefully restored – see that story here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/16/aquarius-saved/ Then in June 2020 we got to have a gander at the scope of the project, lots of photos here https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/06/10/aquarius-restoration-update/

Now thanks to a tme listing we get a peek at the almost finished job, the listing tells us the interior need finishing and a final coat of paint to the exterior. I understand a lot of work has gone into the project – could be an easy entry into woody boating for someone prepared to roll their sleeves up.Her forward motion is via twin Ford 85hp diesel engines.  Below is a peek at her journey 🙂

UPDATE 22-12-21 – photos below from the past sent in by Shamus

30-10-2022 UPDATE – Recently popped up for sale on tme. Still a work-in-progree but some bling being assembled to go on her 🙂

RESULTS OF YESTERDAYS CYA HERITAGE BASIN POLL – 85% BACKING FOR OPEN TO ALL CYA VESSELS – Over 1000 votes cast. Very high number of individual people visiting the site yesterday, 2nd only to a Mahurangi Regatta weekend story. Thanks also to all the emails and calls – I understand peoples hesitancy to comment ‘publicly’ on the site 😉

I had an email from a long term CYA launch owner “Greetings Alan, In my anger I voted thumb down when I wanted to vote for all wooden boats in the marina. Anyway to change it?”

Important Message For All Classic Wooden Boat Enthusiasts

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The Initial Concept For Heritage Landing Was On Brief
Heritage Basin – Was There Ever A Brief

TELL US YOUR VIEW – Should Auckland’s new waterfront Heritage Basin marina be: A. By invitation only for YACHTS alone that are pre WWII, NZ designed and built, and preferably gaff rigged, A Class. Or B. Be open to All CYA vessels VOTING CLOSED RESULTS BELOW – 85% SUPPORT THE MARINA BEING OPEN TO ALL CYA VESSELS

Pescador – In The Late 1980’s

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PESCADOR – In The Late 1980’s

At the start of the month, we got a glimpse of the 1968 John Lidgard designed and built launch – Pescador. WW link below to that story. At the time I was contacted by Phil Vining with the promise of more details on the boat.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/12/01/pescador-a-southern-woody/ True to his word, Phil contacted me yesterday – I’ll let Phil tell the story:

“The WW story about ‘Pascador’ – A Southern Woody certainly brought back some fond memories for our family. I have also noticed Pascador in the
Motueka Marina looking very smart and well looked after – she is a real credit to her current owner. The last time I visited the area I also took a photo of her to show my father who owned her back in the early 1980’s. I have good memories of taking my very young family out cruising on her in the Sounds at the time. Not long after dad sold her she went to Havelock and was lengthened by the next owner to create a bigger cockpit. At this time I owned Vining Shipbrokers Ltd and we had her listed, probably late 1980’s.
Early this week I visited the Vinings Office and owner Ian Michel has done a great job of keeping the records from back in my early days. He has digitized all the old typed up listings so good to find a listing for Pescador in the system. As you can see, she was a quality design & build by John Lidgard back in 1968 … the good thing is she looks in better shape now than back then.”

TOMORROW ON WW – THE NZ CLASSIC WOODEN BOATING MOVEMENT – WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

Rarangi – A Peek Down Below

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RARANGI – A Peek Down Below

The bridge – decker Rarangi was built in 1951 by the Lanes Motor Boat Company using kauri planking. She is 39’ in length, with a beam of 12’5”, and draws 3’11”.

The forward motion is via twin Ford 80hp diesel engines, reconditioned 100 hrs ago by Moon Engines. Being a Southern boat (Nelson) Rarangi is very well spec’ed. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up, Ian commented that Rarangi had been quite a famous Mayor Island game fishing launch. Run for many years by Bob Gray and then his daughter Jill. A photo of Rarangi at Mayor Island at the WW link below – https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/04/21/classic-launches-at-opo-bay-mayor-island/

NOT MANY POSTAGE DAYS LEFT ON THE CALENDAR IF YOU ARE WANTING WW GEAR FOR THE SANTA SACK

Ordering details here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

Sea Hawk – SOS

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SEA HAWK – SOS

New woody owner, Sam Mendlowitz gave me the heads up on the ex work boat – Sea Hawk and the fact that she was very close to having an affair with a back-hoe. As the heritage architects  say – its got good bones and we need to find her an owner. I understand that the asking price is low and all relative to the intentions of the next owner, I almost never put links on WW but this woody needs saving – the tme listing # is 3380519991.

Check her out and if its not you, please forward this WW story to anyone that might be her saviour. Current home is Picton.


Sloanes Beach Regatta and Centreboard Cup

A quick heads up from the Herne Bay Yacht Club – the annual Sloanes Beach Regatta and Centreboard Cup is on this coming Sat 11 Dec 2021. FYI – the post-race prize giving and music is running as a vaccine pass event, so please be ready to show your vaccine pass.

As in previous years, the day will feature around-Watchman races for boats entering the Centreboard Cup.  Come along and enjoy the spectacle of traditional mullet boat racing. 

The rough plan is as follows. 
Sat 11 Dec Sloanes Beach Regatta & Centreboard Cup
1130 Race Entries accepted at Sloanes Beach
1200 Race Start 1: Mullet Boats and other boats 18’ and over, which we expect to be following the long course
1205 Race Start 2: Boats under 18’, which we expect to be following the short course (Race only runs if enough boats show up.) Followed by Prize Giving & Music

Times are estimates only; all activities are weather dependent. 

For more details, please visit http://hbcc.net.nz/centreboardcup2021/.
To view previous events – check out the links below 
https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/12/23/2018-centreboard-cup/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/12/20/herne-bay-cruising-club-help-needed-iding-some-woodys/

Amuri + Mahurangi Regatta

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AMURI

One of the woody spotters sent in the above photos of the launch – Amuri, hauled out at Gulf Harbour for some TLC. She falls into to the ‘great unknown’ category to me, and I’m told isn’t a local GH boat. Can anyone tell us more about Amuri?

MAHURANGI REGATTA 

Each year the amazing club behind the biggest one day wooden boating event in New Zealand – the Mahurangi Cruising Club, publish a year book, which is eagerly awaited by anyone with sawdust in their veins. Chatting with the editor and design guru – Steve Horsley, the 2022 edition was a challenge to pull together, little things like CV-19 got the way. But if you know Steve, you will know he is not one to let a wee flu bug stop the MCC producing the booklet. Always a great read and good value for money at $20.  If you are Auckland based, grab a copy at Boat Books in Westhaven – or for the out-of-towners contact Victor at ngairehopwood@gmail.com

Reading the programme for the 2022 event I see that CV-19 has been the death of the shore / beach based activity at Sullivans Bay – with no audience there, the Classic Woody Launch Parade would be a fizzer – might have to create something else for us woodys to do. Unfortunately the tide is all wrong for a trip up the river to Warkworth. Will put the thinking cap on. But do put a pencil around Sunday (30th) night in the diary – a gathering at the Kawau Boating Club is always popular.

Maybelle

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MAYBELLE 

The classic launch – Maybelle recently appeared on tme, so  thanks to the listing and Ian McDonald we get to have a good look at Maybelle.  Her tme listing has her from the Collings and Bell stable and 32’ 10” in length. She is powered by a Ford Lees 6 cyl. diesel engine that gets her along at 7>8 knots. Appears to be very well maintained and appointed. 
Can anyone confirm the parentage and where she has been  for the last 70+ years?

Help Wanted Locating A Vire Inboard Engine

Woody, Simon Smith has asked for help locating a Vire 7 hp, petrol, single cylinder inboard engine similar to the photograph below. The engines are made in Finland. Any help, even a suggestion as to where to look on line would be greatly appreciated.