Chris Craft in Canada
I have been sent the above photos from Kiwi woody Alan Sexton, who is working in Canada. Alan keeps an eye open for any interesting boats & commented that it seems wooden Chris Craft are the flavour of the month in Vancouver.
The two b/w photos are from a book on the Chris Craft factory, that Alan found in the marine section in the Vancouver Central.
I have had several woodys alert me to the trademe listing for the above vessel – to date we know that she was designed and built in 1968 to survey by John Gladden. 45′ in length, with a beam of 13’1″ & draft of 5’6″, she is kauri strip plank construction and powered with a 110 h.p. Gardner 6LXA diesel.
Ariki – photo ex J. Prew esq
ARIKI RESTORATION
The 1904 Logan Brothers designed & built gaffer Ariki is currently hauled out at Okahu Bay, Auckland & under going an extensive restoration, lead by master craftsman Robin Kenyon. Yesterday her owners Charlotte & Andrew held an open day to allow the classic woody community to view the project. I understand they have a target to be at the CYA Patio Bay celebrations this year (1st week Dec), that appears a rather large challenge……….. but as they say – many hands make light work.
Prowling around the yard I spotted the classic launch Wanderer looking a little sad – hopefully awaiting a large dose of TLC.
You can see/read more about Wanderer’s past here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/08/16/wanderer-ii/
The sunny day saw woody Baden Pascoe break out his recently restored 1929 Riley Tourer, when I say recently, I mean as in on-the-road. The Riley has been in the Pascoe family a very long time & Baden has been working on her on & off for years. Attention to detail is amazing, but I would expect that from Baden 😉
New Zealand Traditional Boat Building School -Winter Maintenance Seminar
A few weeks ago I featured the re-opening of the school, this coming Saturday (19th), their first Seminar kicks off – the topic is a full day (9>3.00pm) Winter Maintenance Workshop with specialist speakers presenting on topics ranging from Diesel engine maintenance, batteries & electrical, sails & covers, marine sealants & common splicing – of interest to all larger boat owners. I know most of the presenters & can vouch that it will be a great day. Space is limited so check out the courses here http://nztbs.org.nz/files/d53cda0efa9205c5780be1e44b431880-53.html & if you are interested contact the school on this link http://nztbs.org.nz/contact/contact.php
I’ll be there – entry is via a donation – but let’s be clear, it’s not gold coin – given the speakers & that there is a BBQ lunch provided, I would like to think its $50+
Just received details on Saturdays Seminar – see below.
Woodys Stuff
Via WW I get offered a lot of woody ‘stuff’, stuff that due to a wide range of circumstances the owner can no longer keep / store anymore. In the interests of domestic bliss I try to find homes for it ASAP – If you have anything woody related, before you bin it, send me a photo, that could be a woody that needs it 🙂
3 recent finds:
1. A brokered a deal across 3 woodys that involved a set of copper cowl vents – everyone will end up happy.
2. I was given a collection of Shipbuilders / SupaCraft plans & are currently finding homes for them, Mike Ryan was over the moon to learn I had a set for his launch Mahora. (the ones below are not of Mahora)
3. Woody, Keith Ottaway dropped off an almost mint copy of ‘Gardner Diesel Engine – Operating & Maintenance Manual’ – this will be a much appreciated additional to Jamie Hudson’s Lady Crossley library. Now speaking of LC & Jamie, my daughter was reading a fashion magazine called ‘Simply You’ (Spring/Summer 2017/18) & pointed out “one of those old boats you like” – turns out LC was the location for a 14 page fashion feature & the old sea-dog Jamie slipped in a cameo appearance 😉 See below.
Using WW To Find Something Woody Related
There are over 2,000 stories on WW & 15,000+ photos in the library, so if you are looking for something classic woody related – you have 2 options – either enter the word in the WW Search Box or click on the Tags that appear on the righthand side of the WW page , the tags cover most known boat builders, date/year, vessel length etc etc
And Don’t Forget To Grab A Copy Of The CYA Classic Register – only $15, email here to order one admin@classicyacht.org.nz
Ariki Restoration Open Day
If the suns shining today & you fancy a wee outing – pop down to The Landing @ Okahu Bay between 10am & 2.00pm to catch up on Ariki’s restoration project.
Tasman Star – A Peek Down Below
Built in 1935 by Dick Lang, she started life as a commercial fishing boat – Danish seine netting. She measures 42’6” & is powered by a 150hp LXW Gardner. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe listing heads up.
You can read about her colour-full life on this WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/19/tasman-star/
Update photo from Greg Fenwick – Easter 2018 @ Whangaparapara
EXCLUSIVE LADY
The photos above from Dean Wright show the game boat Exclusive Lady fishing the Duke Contest in 1984. While the photos are a little ‘grainy’ from the scanning of 33 year old film negatives, the Lady still looks majestic. Thank you Dean for sharing 🙂
Question of the day woodys – what more do we know about her?
The Ultimate Woodys Friend
Ever thought -what’s the name of that boat or who designed her, or who owns her? well if its wood, a classic & the owner is a member of the CYA – then finding the answer is easy – grab a copy of the NZ Classic Yacht Association Register for the ridiculously low price of $15 & you will have access to the ultimate classic woody must have. Fathers Day is fast approaching…….. drop a hint to the partner / kids / grand children 🙂
To grab a copy (or 2 – one for home & one for the boat) contact the CYA on this email link admin@classicyacht.org.nz
A Woody On Tour + An SoS
Woody Paul Drake has just returned from a trip to the UK & sent in the above 2 photos – the first showing a very smart inboard clinker on the beach at Beer, Lyme Bay (1/2 way between Brixham & Portland Bill).
The bottom photo is of the Navy MTB24 ‘resting’ at Bembridge, Isle of Wight. Paul commented that she no longer rises with the tide 😦
An Urgent SoS
WW follower Scott Perry, has a small obsession with rather large woodys – he is currently rebuilding the HDML Kuparu, an ex naval patrol boat. He is nearly done with Kuparu & is now looking at saving HDML Black Watch, the 72 footer sitting out in front of Bayswater Marina for the last 10 plus years.
Scott is urgently looking for somewhere he could tidal slip her e.g. against poles, or a wharf, somewhere on the Waitemata. She has a bad temporary repair on her bottom that is failing & needs attention in the next couple of weeks. She has a swim prop, so can lean her on her side on the beach or deep creek. Any woodys know of anything about?
As an aside, she currently is ketch rigged & with Scott being a launch man, he would like to sell her 2 solid timber masts – so if someone would like to purchase them, you would make Scott a happy man. Scott can be contacted on 027 278 2542
Ps I’m sure Russell Ward will email be a photo of Black Watch, he had / has the ‘hots’ for her
Input from Russell Ward
Jeez, Scott. Knocking yourself around a bit ain’tca? You can get pills or ect for that sort of problem I am sure.Why not take on the Kahu? Lots of fun! I’ve attached a couple of pix of Ngaroma when she was a private ship owned by Capt James Lawler and kept at Cooks Lower Landing. The fair miles were built in NZ as part of the war effort and one should be saved.Just a thought.RUPDATE: Photo below ex Heather & Keith Nicholson of Kahu (taken last week)
Input from Paul Drake – below are two pics of my more humble HDML effort. This is MAKO, 36 inches long (half inch to the foot). I started building her in 1964 aged 16. The following year I was at sea with the Union Company as a Cadet. As shown in the first photo, I took MAKO to sea with me and building continued. The second pic shows her under way and more or less finished on the Avalon duck pond (Wellington). She now resides on my piano here in Taupo – still only more or less finished.
Updated photo of HDML Kuparu – berthed at Bayswater 07-07-2018
MATAREKA II
Recently I was contacted by Chris Laird on behalf of Mavis and Louis Fenelon who own the Logan launch Matareka II (46 years) The Fenelon’s rescued and rebuilt the cabin and interior some years ago.
Due to advancing years & the requirement for some structural repairs beyond their capabilities, they have reluctantly decided to find a good home for Matareka.
Matareka is an iconic classic vessel, I have looked over her personally while hauled out in 2014 & I can vouch for her build quality & presentation. She is an absolutely superb launch, built with safety in mind. A Logan, so say no more.
The Fenelon’s are passionate woody owners & do not want to see Matareka II lost.
Any buyer needs to demonstrate that they have the resources / ability to undertake the work and return Matareka II to the lovely vessel that the Fenelons created.
They are very negotiable on price and want the boat to go to a good home. Anyone interested can contact Chris in the first instance (email address below) & he will put them in touch with Mavis and Louis. chrislaird@xtra.co.nz
NOTE: there is an estimate of $20K for the commercial repair of the hull issues, given the overall condition of the vessel & her provenance, this is not an excess figure. Someone with the skills could reduce this figure substantially
Further reading:
During 2014 we began a major refurbishment of Matareka, which cost $25,000. She had a complete and thorough repainting – antifouling, and all surfaces above the water-line. Complete interior painting and varnishing. Re-sealing of windows etc. where required. New water piping (input and distribution pipes) for the two 55 gal stainless steel water tanks. Servicing of water taps. Replacement of old winch with fully automatic anchor winch. New Supreme anchor. Replacement of anchor rope with 60 metres of 3/8ths anchor chain. New teak bowsprit and bow roller. Cleaning and re-painting of underside of engine gear box. Four x 6 volt new engine batteries (arranged in two banks).
After all this work, on her third run in January 2015, we had the incident at the Ngapipi Road Bridge and she was repaired under Insurance during 2015. We also decided, at our expense, to completely repaint the hull again – both white and anti-fouling.
Her inventory also includes the following:
• A 371 Detroit diesel 90HP engine complete with a hydraulic 3:1 Allison forward/reverse gear box (replacement cost $25,000-00, though Detroit agent has said our engine will go forever).
• Large (original) bronze rudder.
• 1 ¾ inch dia. bronze prop shaft driving a 26 inch X 32 inch bronze propeller
• Hydraulically operated steering from a (unique) five spoke ship’s steering wheel
• Auxiliary emergency steel hand tiller
• Heavy duty towing bollard (so far used only for towing dinghy)
• 12 volt high capacity bilge pump
• 2 x 75 gal black steel diesel tanks
• All main cabin glazing is ¼ inch toughened glass
• Canvas double-zipped cock-pit cover
• Head with s.s. basin and chemical toilet
• 6 bunk x Dunlop sponge rubber Dralon-covered squabs in very good condition.
I Want the Compass
The rest of you can fight over the what’s left. We could all chip in & buy her 😉 I can see the shower on My Girl?, Lucinda needs a home-home-theater set up, the sink would look good in Trinidad’s cockpit, the alloy floors for Waimiga’s cockpit?.
Now those outboards?, might be the only way I can get more speed out of Raindance 🙂
I suppose at a $18k buy-now, it could be a cheap floating man pad but…………………………. really how do people come up with a value for their pride & joy?. Some recent trademe examples are so far off the mark, its embarrassing & just paints the wrong picture for the wooden boating scene.
SLAINTE – 1947 Chris Craft Restoration
I mentioned last Monday that while chatting to Alan Craig about the new restoration project for his yard – Craig Marine at Lake Rotoiti he just casually mentioned t “Speaking of projects, should probably show you the Chris Craft we just finished” – & then sends me a selection of photos of a simply stunning classic woody.
Slainte is a a 1947 27′ super delux enclosed Chris Craft. It was imported into NZ by the owner as a project that was walked away from in the states. The outside was 90% done but the inside was a shell. No motor, shaft or strut etc. A 5.7L v8 Crusader was imported too and Alan lifted the cockpit sole to suit.
Pretty much every single piece has been pulled apart fixed/painted/varnished and put back again. Some ‘ before’ photos below.
The idea has been to keep it looking original but turn key functionality!
WoW, what an additional to the Lake Rotoiti classic wooden boat fleet, can not wait to see her in person at next years Classic & Wooden Boat Parade weekend.
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