
The launch above is Mahino and according to Malcolm Campbell who contacted me, she was built by Bailey & Lowe. When she was built is unknown but her specs are length – 28’6”, beam – 6’6” and draws 18”.

The launch above is Mahino and according to Malcolm Campbell who contacted me, she was built by Bailey & Lowe. When she was built is unknown but her specs are length – 28’6”, beam – 6’6” and draws 18”.









THE LAUNCHING OF THE CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR BOAT – EILEEN PATRICIA
Update – video footage of Eileen Patricia underway just after launching. Ex Nathan Herbert.
Update2 – Link below to the restoration – amazing collection / essay of the total restoration – a must view
https://www.mcnshipwrights.com/eileen-patricia.html
Update3 – Video of Pacific, Eileen Patricia and My Girl leaving the Milford Marina / creek. Sent in by Paul Powney.



We will begin by removing the ribs that were added to stop her leaking in 1898.
But we need your help.
A deck plan would also be of great assistance including including where the original mast step would have been installed etc.
I intend to post the restoration on the NZ Classic Yacht Forum and on the Cygnet Wooden Boats FB page and will keep you appraised of the progress.”
Previous Input From Harold Kidd

MYSTERY LAUNCH 18-05-2019 + Win A WW T-shirt
I was recently sent the above photo by one of the woodys. The first person to correctly name the boat, builder and year of launching – WINS a WW T-shirt (to be sent post next print run). Entries via e-mail (below) The current owner of the boat, the woody who sent me the photo are not eligible to enter 🙂
waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Off to a woody re-launch tomorrow – I have been wearing a gag for several weeks, lots of spy photos being sent in, but we will have to wait till Monday to see photos of a very stunning woody 😉
Very Cool Redwing Engine
Cameron Pollard dropped me a line to say they have a 6 cyl American Redwing petrol engine that they no longer require. They brought it for a re-power but no longer require it. Its 90hp at 3000rpm and is fitted with 2 to1 gearbox. Only ever been used in fresh water. Cameron said they have run it and it sounds amazing.
If anyone is looking at doing a period perfect restoration it would be perfect. Back in the days they were fitted to the likes of Zane Grey and Avalon etc etc.





NEVADA




Miss Betty > Kalua
Today’s wooden started life back in 1952, named Miss Betty and built by Lidgard as a purpose built work boat for Rope Shipping to tow timber barges on the Kaipara Harbour.
She was sold c.1970 to a doctor who renamed her Kalua and had her converted into a pleasure launch. She was then sold approx 17 years later to Jock McKenzie from Clevedon who had her for 10 years until the current owners father (Mike) brought her. Mike went everywhere in her. She was a great sea boat and approx. 12 years ago Mike gave her a birthday which was a major makeover by boat builder Peter Reynolds.
Kalua is 2 skin kauri, measures 42’, 11’ beam and a 4’ draft. Power comes from a Ford 180hp turbo, that sees her cruising at 8-9 knots.
As a result of her trade listing (thanks Ian McDonald) the seller, Todd (son of Mike) was contacted by Steve Parker those uncle Gordon Brown (still alive at 103) was the second owner. He purchased her from their uncle Dick Rope & brought her over from the Kaipara. He owned her for 21 years. Steve was an apprentice mechanic & helped install the 120 hp Ford. Kalua featured on TV in an ad for Farmers Trading Co. His daughter Lynette featured in the ad. Gordon sold the boat to the doctor, Gordon changed the name to Kalua, not the doctor.
FYI re the name Miss Betty – Betty was Dick Rope’s wife.
Another visual case study in the evolution of an old woody as styles and usage changed over the year.
Input from Harold Kidd – For what it’s worth, the APYMBA records show her builder as “Rope/Warmington”, date of build 1950 (perhaps a Lidgard design?). Owner in 1964 was G.W. Brown of 35 London St Ponsonby with a Fordson then W. Curtis, 28 Cornwall Park Ave in 1966 and then back to G.W. Brown by 1973. Query, is this the KAHLUA that was pinched from Shoal Bay by a bank robber in 1982?

LADY ELLISON
Yesterday I was sent the above photo of the c.1952 launch – Lady Ellison by Murray (Mudge) White.
Murray commented that in 1953 he owned the classic yacht ‘ Scout’ and wishing to learn coastal and celestial navigation he went to classes held by Captain Warrick Dunsford at the RAYC and he asked Murray if he would help deliver the Lady Ellison to Wellington.
The skipper and old coastal skipper and an engineer and the boy (Murray) those job was mainly using a drum pump to pump petrol from the two 44 gallon drums in the aft cockpit to the main tank. Murray thinks the engine was a Scripps V8 conversion. After a 4 hour stop in Gisborne to refuel and have the radio checked (AZCI) they made Wellington in calm conditions in 77 hours. The previous owner was Bert Hammer but Murray doesn’t know who brought her.
Harold Kidd has previously commented on WW that the hull was built by Sam Ford c.1952-3 for Albert Ritchie Hammer of 22 Dommett Ave Epsom. Hammer worked on her for 6 months at Sam’s yard and she was launched at Okahu Bay. HDK also said that the treatment of the coamings and Sam Ford trademark windows were a bit clumsy compared with Sam’s usual treatment of them, but probably a combination of the current owner raising the center cabin by 9″ & Hammer’s handy work rather than Sam.
Her specs are LOA 36’, beam 11’4” and draught 2’9”. Currently powered by a Ford 120hp diesel. Home these days is Motueka, where her owner, Steve Simms, lives aboard.
Colour photo below ex Mark Jarvis – 2015
You can see and read more on Lady Ellison at the long below – remember to read the comments section, lots of chat there.




The 32’ Les Coulthard built (c.1933) launch Taufale has featured before on WW, see link below, and appears in numerous layout / styles. Now thanks to her trademe (ex Ian McDonald) listing we get to have a peek down below.


AWA ITI
Awa Iti is a 26’ Gladden motor sailer that has been in one extended family for the past 40 years, but now it is time to pass on to someone who has the energy to keep this lovely old boat going. Her trademe listing says she’s a comfortable stable & safe boat that is easy to sail and handle. She draws under 3 ft and with her bilge keel she can sit on the mud flats upright. Its a classic Gladden which means for its length there is lots of room for a family to enjoy the inner gulf.
This boat needs some TLC, but is currently sailable. Cabin top, varnish and hull painted and anti-foul done 2018.
Powered with a “WaterMota Sea Wolf” petrol motor (based on Ford Escort motor) with a heat exchange unit Waterline length 7.1m 23.3ft – Beam widest point 2.775m 9.1ft – Draft 863mm 2’10”. Currently moored at Northcote Point swing mooring.
Currently the bidding sits at c$2000 & the reserve has been met so Awa Iti could be a very good buy for someone entering the classic woody movement 🙂