Back in Oct 2020 (link below) we advised that the 33’ 1952 McGeady launch – Arcturus had changed hands and was getting some serious TLC. We were contacted by her new owners yesterday and they kindly provided WW with some ’new’ photos. Now we also get to have a peek down below. Her owner must be suckers for punishment – they have recently bought boat the classic launch – Katoa, featured in the WW story below this one.
Restored 1928 Ford Special – 100 years old race car
I saw sent the video link below tia very cool nearly 100 year old kiwi race car named Lucky 17. The owners comments match the spirit that most of us have for your classic boats – Enjoy
The launch Katoa wallowed on tme for a very long time, great bones, crying out for a woody to rescue her and return her to as launched condition.Things have gone very quite – would love to think that she has been purchased and there replans for a re-fit. Can anyone update us?
Input from Annie Bryce – my partner and I have bought Katoa in March this year, fell in love with her lines and history we are in the process of moving down to South Island and are looking at putting Katoa on the hard in spring for a good over haul inside and out will post some photos of that process. Last year we bought the launch Arcturus and have nearly finished her makeover
WW was sent the above photo of the double-end, bridge deck launch – Moeroa by David Campbell – Morrison, those son recordered the mage via a drone camera.
Moeroa is permanently moored off Laingholm beach. Can any one tell us more about the vessel?
TIME TO RSVP FOR THE NEXT WOODY EVENT – RIVERHEAD TAVERN LUNCH CRUISE SUNDAY 20TH JUNE. MEETING OFF HERALD ISLAND @ 12.30pm – ARRIVE HOTEL AT 1pm – Lunch @ 1.30pm >>> DEPART TAVERN @ APPROX. 4pm
Hine Moana II Todays woody is named – Hine Moana II. She is 35’, carvel planked kauri and built by Jorgensen & Sons, Picton in 1963. Powered by a 145hp Perkins T 6.354 engine. Her owners are Phil Hogg, Tony Bishop and Murray Cederman – who share the maintenance and upkeep. Her home berth is the MYCC, Port Motueka, where she has resided for the last 21 years.
Hine Moana was built originally as the Commodores launch at the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club.
ROYAL FALCON – FYI – Fantastic response to yesterdays story on Royal Falcon, the 3rd largest viewing day for the year – and almost no varnish 😉 For the petrol (diesel heads) below is a short clip of the Commer TS3 being fired up for the first time post re-build. Owner Steve commented that the puff of smoke is the residual lube oil from the new cylinder sleeve installation 🙂
It is almost a year since I popped into the Panmure boat shed to check on the progress of the restoration of Steve and Colette Popie’s 38’ bridge-decker – Royal Falcon.So last week I accepted the invitation to view the 1934 Cox & Filmer built launch and woodys its a thing of beauty – check out the finish on the hull 🙂
Launch day is a few weeks away, then the final touches will be done on her berth. The attention to detail is 10/10 but in Steve’s words “its the best of both worlds – classic and modern systems, in terms of safety and ensuring she lasts another 80+ years. Links to previous WW stories below
For the petrol (diesel heads) below is a short clip of the Commer TS3 being fired up for the first time post re-build. Owner Steve commented that the puff of smoke is the residual lube oil from the new cylinder sleeve installation 🙂
Details on the Royal Falcon – Rootes TS3 engine below ex Mark Erskine:
Some basic engine info and specs are as follows:
The engine is a Rootes TS3 2-stroke diesel, model 3DB-215 as used in Commer Trucks from 1967 to 1972-ish.
Designed and manufactured by Rootes Diesel Engineering Division of Rootes Group, UK.
Commonly referred to as “Commer TS3” through their connection to Commer trucks.
Three cylinder, opposed piston (2 X opposing pistons per cylinder), scavenge blown 2-stroke, twin rocker beam, diesel engine (see video of operating cycle https://www.commer.co.nz/other-stuff/videos)
215 cu in / 3.562 litre.
Known around the world for their legendary reliability and extreme engine life, high power density and fuel efficiency.
This engine was extensively reconditioned and restored to new condition / factory specifications by Rootes Engine Services, Auckland (www.commer.co.nz)
This engine produces from 65 HP @ 1,000 rpm, to 140HP @ 2,400 rpm.
Maximum torque is 340 ft lbs at 1,250 rpm.
Most economical running between 1,200 to 1,800 rpm.
Rootes heat exchanger for engine oil cooling.
Water cooled exhaust manifold for marine use.
Lees type heat exchanger for engine coolant.
Savage heat exchanger for gearbox oil cooling.
Diesel fuel consumption (liters per hour) in “Royal Falcon” to be advised, but will be extremely low.
Maximum speed with current prop to be advised.
Designed as an “under-floor” engine for Commer trucks, these engines have a very low engine height above the crankshaft center line, allowing for a flat cabin floor with no engine box intrusion in the cabin.
Gearbox is a Borg-Warner Velvet Drive 26 spline 72C model (1.91:1 ratio).
The 35’ motorsailer Hinemoana II was launched in the late 1960’s (c.1965) who for is unclear but possibly for Mr. P. W. Anker of Wainuiomata Wellington.
Six months after she was launched in July 1966, she ended up on the beach at Eastbourne, just short of the seawall, during a severe Wellington storm, having broken her new mooring, refer top photo. Reports are that she sustained no serious damage.
Fast forward to 2018 and she pops up at Gulf Harbour, Auckland receiving some TLC. B/W photo comes to us ex Sea Spray magazine and the GH ones + details via Ken Ricketts. Do we know what became of her between 1966 and 2018?
Now if you believe the tme listing for this Picton boat – it sold, which really surprises me – she would have to win the award for the worst present vessel for sale :-)The listing states that its believed that she was built by Ernie Lane in Picton c.1940’s. 30’ in length and carvel kauri built.Powered by a Perkins 152 Diesel engine. (Tme heads up ex Ian McDonald)
SURPRISE Mooching around the Milford Cruising Club yard I spotted the 33’ Logan replica launch (yes -its f/glass) – Surprise hauled out. Once owned by an old friend – Dennis Wilde, sadly deceased.
Surprise I understand was one of the early boats out of the mould and doesn’t have the enclosed cockpit, but I’m a fan of those drop-down sides , shades of a long-wheel base African safari Landrover :-)Sadly the Logan 33 moulds were sold to the USA and I understand have never been used. These boats were decades ahead of the market and are in high demand on the 2nd-hand market.
Hopefully an owner (Alan Good) will comment more on the the various models launched.
Now thanks to tme (and Ian MacDonald) we get to have a peek down below.She was built in 1919, is approx. 33’ and powered by a 35hp BMW engine, that gets her along at 8 knots.
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