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 😉

MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY + Xmas Presents Sorted

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MYSTERY WELLINGTON CLASSIC WOODY

WW has been contacted by Martin Orme regarding a small launch that interests him as a restoration project. Martin came across it under a tree in Wainuiomata, Wellington. 

Martin commented that he thinks he can just make out the name MARETOSA on the stern, or something close to that ,  and not sure if that name is the original. So woodys can anyone help Martin out with intel on the vessel.


PERFECT XMAS SANTA SACK ADDITION – Classic Woody Calendar


Once again the team at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Association have produced a stunning 2025 calendar – probably the best ever, but I’m biased as I snapped a lot of the photos :-)A bargain at $15 – order here https://form.jotform.com/233366600330850

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PUB CRUISE TRIP REPORT 40+ Photos

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PUB CRUISE TRIP REPORT 40+ Photos

Saturday was a great day for the classic wooden boating community – 13 classic craft (twelve launches and one yacht) made the journey up the river to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern for lunch.

In addition to the 13 woodys we were joined by 5 skippers and partners who made the trip by car.

As seems to always be the case – the weather and sea conditions was perfect for the trip and everyone had a great time.

Nice to welcome several newbies to the flock – these gathering are ideal for meeting fellow classic boating enthusiasts – the anchoring, coming ashore to the wharf and dining make it a shared experience and helps break the ice with ’strangers’. These days people seem loath to row up to another woody in a bay and say hi, some anything that grows the classic woody community is to be encouraged.

Saturdays cruise was the last event on the Classic Woody Calendar for the year, we will be back to you in the new year with details on more events. As always click on photos to enlarge – photos thanks to Margo Hudson & yours truely.

NEWSFLASH – as I have told anyone and everyone, the Mahurangi Regatta in late January is not to be missed. PLUS – details soon on an exciting new activity for the Sunday – the heads up – old school yachting and launch race/cruise to Kawau Island and a party at Kawau Boating Club on Sunday night. Perfect for those wanting to enjoy Mahurangi / Kawau longer eg not heading back to Auckland on Sunday morning.

A sad reminder that we were missing one of our family awaited us on the tables at the tavern – RIP David Cooke 😦