BONDI BELLE – A PEEK DOWN BELOW & SHE COULD BE YOURS

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2017
2017

21-12-2024 INPUT ex MAURIE OGDEN – photo below of WHAKAPARA (BONDI BELLE) on launch day

BONDI BELLE – A PEEK DOWN BELOW & SHE COULD BE YOURS

The classic 45’ vessel BONDI BELLE has a great back story – we have uncovered a lot about her on previous WW stories – links below – but the executive summary is BONDI BELLE was built as S.S. WHAKAPARA, at Whakapara (North of Whangarei) by Charles Bailey Jr. for the Foote family who were saw millers at several Northland locations . Construction started in1898 and she was launched in early 1901. Initially she was a steamer and was converted to diesel in the 1920’s. These days a 130hp Mercedes diesel provides the forward motion.

In the this 2014 WW link there is an amazing history of her past https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/02/17/bondi-belle/
And here we get a peek at her 2017 restoration  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/04/20/bondi-belle-relaunched/

The Wooden Boat Bureau was contacted last week re finding the next custodian for BONDI BELLE. As you can see from the above photos, her current owner has done a wonderful job maintaining her to a very high standard. She presents in ‘sail away’ condition. 

Given her size, configuration, provenance and tasteful fit out, BONDI BELLE is offered for sale at a very realistic price, sadly reflective of the current depressed marine sector. I hate to use these words but she would make an impressive live-a-board, probably the best priced waterfront accommodation in Auckland.

Interested parties to initially contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details. Its a busy time of the year so please – genuine enquires only 🙂

CLASSIC LAUNCH PHANTOM – Name change or just been hiding up a creek

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CLASSIC LAUNCH PHANTOM – Name change or just been hiding up a creek

Recently woody John Dawson sent in the photos above of a launch named – Phantom that he found on fb. A quick search of the WW archives came up with a big fat O, so maybe there has been a name change at some stage.

John is a man of few words, normally just emails in photos, so we will have to assume from the photos that she has had a recent paint job.

Any woodys able to ID the boat and tell us about her past and confirm the name.

I CAN CONFIRM THAT COPIES OF THE 2025 MAHURANGI CRUISING CLUB YEARBOOK ARE NOW IN STORE – well done Steve Horsley – best issue that I have seen – $20 well spent.

Available At These Outlets

The first woody that emails me the name of the boat on page 46, gets a WW burgee watematawoodys@gmail.com

2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – The Perfect Xmas Present

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2025 AUSTRALIAN WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – The Perfect Xmas Present

Starting to get a little excited about heading over the ditch in early 2025 (Feb7>10th) for the 2025 AWBF. Have confirmed by support crew, booked flights and accommodation = so its locked and loaded.  NZ is getting its day in the sun this festival with a focus on the pacific region. But 95% of the show content will be beautiful varnished wooden craft, which WW will be reporting on.

If you’re at a loose end in early Feb and have a few pennies to spare – consider treating yourself this Christmas and get over to Hobart. Air NZ fly direct these days, and I can assure you as a woody lover you won’t regret it.
Link here to the offical 2025 Festival https://www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au

CLASSIC 1916 WOODEN CRAFT – MAKORA

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CLASSIC 1916 WOODEN CRAFT – MAKORA

The 35’’ woody – MAKORA was supposedly built by Baillie Bros in 1916 and started life as a yacht. To my eye she has a very fetching rear end, when it comes to lookouts hard to fault as canoe stern.

What we know about her is that she is 35’x9’6″x4′ and powered by a 40hp, 3 cyl. Fordson Dexter engine that gets her along nicely at 7 knots at 1600rpm. This we know thanks to Ian McDonald and tme.

Anyone know more about her past.

19-12-2024 HAROLD KIDD INPUT – MAKORA was built by Chas Bailey Jr in 1914 for Fred Alison of the Devonport Steam Ferry Co as a launch not a yacht. Her original power was twin 9hp Andersons (Christchurch built) for which Bailey was the Auckland agent.

CLASSIC WOODY WORKBOAT MARISSA – GETS A NEW LIFE

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CLASSIC WOODY WORKBOAT MARISSA – GETS A NEW LIFE

When my phone rings and the ID says John Wright I always answer – why? Aside from the fact he is a great guy. John has a great eye for our classic craft and if he tells me to get my A into gear and do a yard / dockside visit, I know it will be a goody.

This time the woody was the semi-ex 24’ workboat MARISSA, a 100+ years old and owned by the Monaghan family for a very large chunk of that time.

Home port is Great Barrier Island and after her re-launch at Te Atatu Boating Club she will be heading back to the barrier.

Some of her history – at one change when she was a cray boat she went ashore at GB and was abandoned on the beach. I may get this wrong, someone correct me if I do – either Don Armitage or the Monaghan family saved the wreck and concerted here to something along the lines of what we see today.

Photos below of her post the wreck / rebuild. These days she is powered by a 4 cyl. Isuzu diesel engine.

INPUT ex KERIN QWEN – Don Milne rebuilt her and crayfished from Wairahi. Then to Whangapara as support vessel for the lodge, then to Monahan’s I believe. That’s from about 1980 on. I would like to know more of her earlier history. I believe she was converted from a launch configuration.

CLASSIC YACHT OSLO

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CLASSIC YACHT OSLO

WW has been contacted by Ulf Uchida who advised that recently friends of his had bought a little wooden keeler named OSLO.  Ulf commented that he had looked at her 12 years ago when she was on the hard on a property Long Beach on Dunedin’s northern coastline. 

The story goes that she is somehow connected with Jack Crooks of Invercargill, the same one who sailed TUARANGI around the world a long time ago now.
Ulf’s friends are enthusiastic beginner sailors and do not know a lot about the yacht but are keen to find out more. They are facing a major repair job but are keen to put in the time and effort required.
The photos above show her hauled out at the OYC recently.

So woodys can we provide anymore backland on OSLO 

16-12-2024 INPUT ex KEN GOA _ I worked on Oslo in the late ’80’s in Auckland as a boatbuilding apprentice. Oslo had broken free of it’s mooring, and holed the starboard side of her hull and topsides. Double diagonal planking and ribs repaired by John Rea Boatbuilders on Archers Rd Glenfield. I have a few hard copy photos of the damage repairs.

A HEADS UP TO THE PETROL HEADS

If you aren’t relaxing at Kawau Island on Sunday / Monday of anniversary weekend – and like to open the throttle up on your woody launch / workboat – the anniversary day regatta drag race (ok, there is handicapping) might be your gig on Monday 27th – dockside chat tells me registering on line is a serious challenge, so if you are considering entering – drop Jason Prew an email and he will talk you thru things. jason@slipway.co.nz

CLASSIC EX WORKBOAT – RATAHI

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CLASSIC EX WORKBOAT – RATAHI

Recently Chris Leech sent me the above photo of the ex workboat RATAHI. Chris had been out on the Awhitu Peninsula, Waiuku and spotted RATAHI right up in the center of town, in the very tidal basin. 

Chris commented that the Ted Ashbey used to work out of there.

In an unrelated WW story back in May 2014 Harold Kidd mentioned that J.J. O’Rorke who built his former E Class Keeler – LOMOMA, in 1909 in Westmere, Auckland had also built several big workboats. One of them being RATAHI, built for use in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.

Can we learn more about his old girl.

INPUT ex ALAN SEXTON – Write up in Boating NZ a few years ago- LOTS OF DETAILS AND PHOTOS

https://boatingnz.co.nz/2021/03/ferrys-new-manukau-home/

SEAPUP – CLASSIC WOODY MOORED AT WAIHEKE ISAND

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SEAPUP – CLASSIC WOODY MOORED AT WAIHEKE ISAND

Last week WW was contacted by Lindsay McMorran regarding a new arrival he spotted moored in Rocky Bay, Waiheke Island.

Lindsay commented that she was ’new’ to his eyes and wondered if we could uncover more about her.

A TREASURE CHEST OF BOAT BITS

Last week WW was contacted by Alan Craig from Craig Marine in regard to a stash of woody gold i.e. bonze boating fitting that retire Lake Rotoiti boatbuilder – Tony Mitchell had ‘collected’ over the years. There is an impressive collection of port holes – 5 x 8″ and 4 x 10″, actually one is slightly bigger at nearly 9″. All opening ones. Plus other bits and bob’s there too. Checkout the cool collection of boat wheels.

Contact Alan at craigmarine@outlook.co.nz – no antique bargain hunters – serious classic woody boat owners only. Proceeds to Tony.

SANDSPIT LAUNCH MOVES INTO THE SHED

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SANDSPIT LAUNCH MOVES INTO THE SHED

Last month we featured a smart looking woody launched that was under a ’tent’ near Greg Lees Boat Yard. At the time we learnt from Greg that in another life he was named POLLY and spent time around Kawau Island.

We can report that the launch has moved into the yards slipway / boathouse and work is underway to complete the rebuild.

Link to previous story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/18/mystery-classic-wooden-launch-at-greg-lees-boatbuilders/

DANCER – 30’ STEAM LAUNCH 

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DANCER – 30’ STEAM LAUNCH 

Todays wooden is the 30’ steam powered launch – DANCER, designed by Peter Sewell and built by owner John Olsen. DANCER is strip planked cedar (+ f/glass) and has a beam of 6’ and draws 2’6”.

The short video of DANCER on the Waikato River was filmed (drone) by Wesley Harcourt. The steam engine is diesel powered – more details in the video narrative.

DANCER is a frequent visitor to the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade and appearance in a lot of my post event coverage on WW.

Back in Feb 2021 DANCER appeared on WW – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/02/20/ss-dancer/

One of John’s many talents is making traditional rope fenders. John very kindly made a pair for my launch RAINDANCE – see below. + link to how to make the fenders https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/05/01/classic-rope-fenders-how-to/

CAN ANYONE HELP OUT WITH A WOODY STORAGE PROBLEM 

Paul Hinton is considering acquiring a 1903 W.H.B. ex pilot boat that is currently hauled out in Diary Flat – she appeared on WW – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/31/mystery-1902-pilot-boat/

The problem is Paul is currently finishing another project and needs to temporally ‘park’ the pilot boat for >6 mths. 

Paul can be contacted at pm.hinton@gmail.com

A tip sign an agreement re max time frame, and state that if exceeded Paul will be responsible for any removal / disposal costs 😉