CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MATAROA SINKS > RE-FLOATED

Posted on by
Reply
Pre- sinking

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MATAROA SINKS > RE-FLOATED

During the week we were contacted by Mike Milne regarding the classic wooden launch – MATAROA. Some background – back in 2020 the launch sold from her then home base of Picton or Havelock (would like to confirm which) and motored off to her new home in Akaroa. MATAROA is a 28’ Shipbuilders design, double diagonal planked – not sure if built by Shipbuilders or a ‘kit boat’. Power is a Ford D Series diesel engine.

Fast forward to 3 September 2023 and she sunk at her mooring, due to a series of events – weather and maintenance issues (lack of no doubt)

In steps Mike who purchased the boat in November 2023 off the insurance company and has taken on the task of refitting her. 

Mike’s reason for contacting WW was 2 fold – one to buy a WW burgee ✔️ and to ask if the WW community can supply any more information on MATAROA. Mikes promised to keep us updated on the project. So hopefully we will get to share the action.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAPPHIRE 

Posted on by
2

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SAPPHIRE 

Back in July 2023 the Oliver and Gilpin 1972 designed and built 48’ launch – SAPPHIRE made a guest appearance on another story (LADY LYNN) as seen in the top b/w photo that came to us ex the Tauranga Museum via Dean Wright. 

SAPPHIRE has recently popped up on fb and she has obviously been on the growth hormones over the years – as seen in the second photo, quite an increase in stature…………  as they say no navel architect got rich on the additions 🙂

But – each to their own – nothing a tungsten tipped chainsaw couldn’t fix 😉

PATIENCE – A Classic Wooden Run About 

Posted on by
Reply

PATIENCE – A Classic Wooden Run About 

Recently WW was contacted by Stuart Baird in regard to a 16’ Carl Augustin designed run-about his father (Martin Baird) built in 1960-01, named PATIENCE.
Stuart’s father was living in Hamilton at the time and he built PATIENCE in the backyard.

Martin modified the boat with a unique cabin. Initially she had a Willys Jeep engine but later they installed a marine converted Ford V6 engine. As they did back in this days, PATIENCE received a f/glass overlay.

Stuart commented that they had the boat for around 40 years with many fantastic memories racing, skiing and fishing. 

Fast forward to 2024 and Stuart would like to build a replica model for his grandchildren but was having trouble locating plans. Thats where WW helped out, between myself and Cam at the Slipway Milford, we were able to supply Stuart with some similar Carl Augustin plans.

BUT – it would really help if anyone had any photos of these craft back in the day.
Love the paint scheme – people were far more out there in terms of colour back then, these days its white on white.

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

SOUTHERN WOODEN LAKE BOAT – TAWERA

Posted on by
6

SOUTHERN WOODEN LAKE BOAT – TORA VERA TAWERA
Earlier in the month Shamus Fairhead (MV SEQUIA) wrote in concerning the vessel – TORA VERA seen above. I’ll hand over to Shamus to tell the story – 

“I was recently down in Christchurch catching up with my 91 year old Father, Jim Fairhall who has been a keen deer stalker all his life. Amongst his photos is this photo from a 1956 hunting trip up the Glaisnoch River that flows into Lake Wakatipu. 
The rear of the photo names the boat as the ‘Tora Vera’ and Dad tells me she was normally moored on the Frankton arm. ( opposite side ? ) Just curious if this is a later life Thelma – Vera that I sent a photo of earlier and your site has a great write up on ? (Link to that story below)I understood from your article that the Lake Whau Lodge owners were after any images.”


Any of the WW readers able to tell us more about the vessel – TORA WERA
WW Oct 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/03/18/thelma-vera/

23-08-2024 UPDATE ex Paul Newell – the photos below ex Paul confirm that the vessel is named TAWERA,  and the location of both photos is Te Anau.

Lake Te Anau tourist steamer Tawera. _ Otago Witness, 16.5.1922


CLASSIC KAURI BUILT WOODEN LAUNCH – TOROA – A Peek Down Below 

Posted on by
2

CLASSIC KAURI BUILT WOODEN LAUNCH – TOROA – A Peek Down Below 

The 26’ carvel planked launch – TOROA has made two previous appearance on WW, links below, but today thanks to Ian McDonald’s eagle eyes and tme we get to have a gander down below.

Her listing states she was built in c.1955 by Chas Bailey & Sons. After an early life in salty water she moved to Lake Taupo in 2014 where still still resides.

Forward motion is from a 1980’s Ford 4cyl. 80hp diesel engine, that gives her a 6 >7 knot cruising speed.

The photos above are combination of 2012 and present day – she needs some TLC but appears to be a good low entry level floating Taupo bach or bring her home to the Waitemata 🙂

WW Oct 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/07/toroa/

WW Oct 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/10/14/toroa-gets-a-birthday/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

Posted on by
Reply

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

Wednesdays WW story on the ex game launch – ALMA G II, gave woody Gavin Bradley a nudge to send the above photos of his wooden classic – OTEHEI.

Gavin commented that the date was 29 years ago (1995) and Craig McInnes was doing the work of 5 men.OTEHEI was designed and built c.1927/8 by Collings & Bell and had several ’sister’ ships, ALMA G II being one of them. Her first owner was a Frank Elliott and she worked out of Zane Grey’s camp at Otehei on Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands. 

OTEHEI spent some time on Lake Taupo before returning home to the far north, where she residues today.

Lots of photos and intel in the two WW story links below – particularly the 2017 story.
WW Aug 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/28/otehei/ WW Jan 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/10/otehei-2/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAINUI – On The Move Again

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – TAINUI – On The Move Again

Back in early Feb 2016 we reported that John Sloane had recently purchased the 1967 38’ ex workboat – TAINUI and had transported her to the Whangateau traditional boat yard for a major refit – well woodys fast forward 8 years and the decision has obviously been made to relocate TAINUI to another yard. 

My spies tell me that Blair Boats in Kerikeri will be taking over the project, so we look forward to regular updates and photos.

At one stage there was a mint Gardner engine (see below) waiting to go in, keen to learn what became of that engine – hopefully still in storage.

In a previous WW story we learnt from Phil Saunders that TAINUI was the (then) Marine Department fisheries protection launch based at Russell during the 1950s and 1960s and was skippered by Jake Saunders and Inspector Anderson. She is a great sea boat and when in service she was kept in immaculate order. She sailed weekly to provision Cape Brett Lighthouse, often in inclement weather and also oversaw the harvesting of rock oysters up Kerikeri inlet.

UPDATE ex JOHN SLOANE – The 3LW was traded and we upgraded to 5LW . Which is sitting in her . Dave Shaw the grandmaster has done all the work as I wanted the engine to be a show piece with open engine room,  including move hydraulic gear box . Will keep you posted as things progress . 

Screenshot

CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #5

Posted on by
3

CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #5 Another update on the work in progress from co-owner Patrick Crawshaw.

UPDATE BELOW: 

It’s been about three weeks’ since the last update and in that time we have finally got to the stage where she is ready for painting. We are working from top down and have got to the final undercoat (orange) down to the gunnels.  We have gone for a low-sheen, two-pot system for the whole boat with two primers, two undercoats and two top coats.   

There has been the usual wild-Winter-Northland weather, which has hammered the cover, but it’s still holding up – not long to go now so. It just has to last until the windows go in and we get the finish coats on up top, which will be the week after next.

She had holes all over the place and many were in the side of the hull – including bilge ones. So, they have all been re-directed and moved to the under the duckboard where you can’t see them. The hull now is without any unsightly grills/holes/lettering, etc, etc. Nothing now to draw the eye away from the lines. 

The line that connects the forward cabin to the aft deck is now re-instated. That was fun…Hundreds of cuts later, we got the curve, although it wanted to keep snapping. We took it all the way to the front of the forward cabin as it was. This has given the forward part above the windows a really nice profile.  Finally, the lines of the LADY CAROLE have been restored working nicely with those reduced windows. 

The cockpit drainage was a plastic box with a float switch. This never really worked properly and was prone to blockages, so the drainage for the cockpit has been returned to self draining with larger holes so they don’t get blocked. 

The back doors had brown smoky glass in both sections, so they were taken to a local joiner to have slats put in the upper section so we can improve cabin ventilation. Here they are almost ready for the top coats. 

We decided that the trims should be put back on the windows to give it some profile and finish the look. Originally L.C. had trims, but these had long gone.  

The hatches are finally finished and pretty much ready for their top coats. 

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

KIWI REBUILD OF A CLASSIC CHRIS CRAFT RIVIERA – Whimsical Mistress

Posted on by
5
Lake Rotoiti 2023 – Alan H

KIWI REBUILD OF A CLASSIC CHRIS CRAFT RIVIERA –  Whimsical Mistress

Last month while discussing the gradual demise of a once nice wooden classic launch with Glen Archer he casually mentioned that he had imported a Chris Craft Riviera from the USA and totally restored / rebuilt her back in NZ. I’ll hand over to Glen to tell the story –  

 “Today I share some images and back story of our 1950 Chris Craft Riviera 20 that we imported from the USA in late 2018 from a deceased estate, the boat was pretty much stuffed, was in parts and had not been in the water since 1991, what followed was a full 3000 hour / 4 year restoration. The boat has 40% new oak frames, a full no soak bottom and a new deck, with it being very hard to see where the new and old timber meet.

The boat was relaunched in February 2023 The boat has been completely refixed fully with new silicone bronze screws and bolts and reassembled using 130 tubes of 3M 5200, stains and paints were imported to ensure period correct and the original MBL158 engine has been brought back to life with lots of new bits.  28 coats of varnish finish the boat off, along with a complete new interior, finished exactly as the boat left the factory. Quite possible the worlds most impractical thing to boat in, yet very high on the smile factor!” 

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALMA G II Restoration Updates #3 & #4

Posted on by
1

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALMA G II Restoration Updates #3 & #4

We have been following the refit / rebuild of the1927 Collings & Bell classic wooden launch – ALMA G II for a while now, the last WW story was back in December 2023 Dec 2023 and I have a confession to make – Update #3 slipped between the WW cracks so today you get a two-4- one 🙂

UPDATE #3 from Sian Steward at CMC Design below – 

“So much has been going on in the last few months, the team have been working very hard and things are looking great.

After the long long months of initial work of bringing all the bones of the Alma G II back together and many coats of white paint in the hull interior we moved onto the next phase.

The hull has been double skinned with kauri planks, filled, fared and prepped for fiberglass. It was a shame to say goodbye to seeing all the beautiful original timber underneath, but a boat that floats is the ultimate goal.

It’s good to have all hands available for this aspect of the build, working together makes the tough job of glassing much more streamlined and quicker. No one wants to draw out glassing for too long and we are grateful it isn’t a regular part of our day-to-day job..

More full suited days in the hot hot heat bogging and readying for paint. This is where the restoration really looks like it is getting somewhere. We have been going since last April and these milestones are meaningful to both the workers and the boat owners.

The Alma G II has been carefully rolled once more and the whole process starts again on the port side.

From there, back to upright and some more detailed discussions on the interior finishes and fixtures. The owners are keen to honor the traditional elements of the boat and have been sourcing some really lovely items from navigation lights to the bench top surfaces.

Top coat paint colour choices are being made and we keep moving on…”

UPDATE #4

“Further updates on the Alma G II. We have layers of paint going on!   More hard work has been done in these last few months with the Lees engine going in, fiberglassing, long board sanding and bogging and fairing.  Real backbreaking stuff. Onward we go with paintwork and then the interior fit out. “   

LINKs TO PREVIOUS STORIES FOLLOWING THE PROJECT

WW May 2023 Story https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/01/restoration-of-alma-g-ii-begins/

WW Dec 2023 Story  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/06/alma-g-ii-restoration-update-2/