CLASSIC LAUNCH DELRAY

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CLASSIC LAUNCH DELRAY

During a recent mystery launch story where we were trying to ID a launch moored in the Tamaki River (named NAU MAI) the above photo was recent in by Ken Ricketts , a totally different boat than the one we featured but it did jog the KR memory bank and he later advised the boat was – DELRAY.

She was built by Chris Robertson, in Otahuhu. Her original owner was Lees Bros. Ltd. who were the Ford marine diesel agents in Papakura at the time. KR recalls they used her as a demo boat for the first 2 x 250hp versions of the 6 cyl. Ford diesels that were installed in a boat in NZ.

They did not keep her terribly long & sold her to Mr. Ah Chee the owner of NZ’s first supermarket in Otahuhu. KR commented that there was a story told at that time, that he went away for his very first trip in her and the master stateroom, happened to be right above where the chine enters the water and the story goes that he didn’t get a wink of sleep all night, because of the little ‘plopping sound’ of the waves in the bay on the chine. He was not at all impressed, having just spent a lot of money buying her.

Do we know what happened to DELRAY post the Ah Chee ownership period.

UPDATE – As Murray Deeble pointed out in the comments section – DELRAY is the boat on the slip. I assumed KR was talking about the moored boat. The slipway boat probably wouldn’t have passed the woody test i.e. too modern in appearance and sporting a ‘block of flats’. So the question is whats the moored boat?

CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #3

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – LADY CAROLE RESTORATION – UPDATE #3

Again co-owner Patrick Crawshaw walks us thru the latest work

“First thing, I would like to say a massive thank you to Ron Trotter who after last week’s post got in contact with waitematawoodys to say he had the original cowl vents. He posted them up to the Bay of Islands and I had them on Tuesday.  This website is incredible for putting the right people together and after spending literally hours and hours searching the world online for these things, I was very happy that I have the original ones back. One closer inspection when they arrived, I could see they were made back in the day by hand, hence the reason I could not find them and even more of a deal that we had the original ones to go back on LADY CAROLE.  They will get panel beaten and tidied up and then have to go to be re-chromed.

This week has been a little more challenging, not in what LADY CAROLE has thrown us, but more in what mother nature has. 

We are working through the Winter and have a limited time frame at the yard. The slipway closes during the Summer season because of the cruise ship passengers, which tender to the wharf there.  So, we ordered a large – very large – piece of plastic, the type of which is used for tunnel houses, to cover the boat and then we waited on a certain freight company who shall remain nameless,  and we waited…. 

On Monday the weather delivered very low lying persistent fog, which hung around for most of the day. The boat was so wet, no sanding could take place, then on Tuesday and eight days later the plastic arrived. We tented the boat just in the nick of time and the heaven’s opened –  it hasn’t stopped raining since then. Then the power went out…., but luckily we could press on…

Now she is tented, we can remove things like steel/glass hatches (wooden ones need to go back) and the windows, which was done yesterday. 

The windows were a tricky one as I am trying to keep as many of the original elements of the boat as possible and did not want to remove them, but we discovered over the years that they had been replaced as they broke, or as they were changed. The boat had a complete mix of different tints and types of glass and most were leaking, so they all had to come out. I decided after much deliberation to go for clear glass. The objective of this restoration is to try and get LADY CAROLE back to her launching look, and she would have had clear when launched, so that’s what we are going for, but in safety glass of course. 

Sam, the Wynn Fraser rep has been helping with the colour scheme, which was posted previously.  The inspiration behind the colour scheme is the reddy brown she had in the 70’s on the side section, with the added addition of a deep blue hull with white pinstripes to break up the blue and make her lines pop even more.  It’s crucial that the blue works well with the reddy brown and that the white is not a bright white, more subdued almost like a mellow antique white.  The finish will be low sheen, not gloss as I think that belongs to the modern boats with their perfectly finished hulls.  The low sheen will give her more forgiveness.  The whole boat is getting a flexible two pot system for strength and durability.  Sam supplied the paint cards and test pots shown below to make sure they work on the boat and in the outdoor light.  The test pots were glossy, so the finished look will be more subdued than the photograph. 

The ceiling in the forward cabin had to come down to sort a hatch that had been put in the wrong place.  When the boat was reconfigured a past owner put a hatch in the centre of the forward cabin (to let light in I think) and then covered over the forward hatch. They then moved the mast to the top instead of the centre of the forward hardtop. So, in order to correct this back, we had to remove the ceiling as one of the ribs had been cut to allow for the hatch and this was compromising the integrity of the roof. The new ceiling will have insulation and show the ribs to give a little more height. 

Meanwhile a lot of sanding has been taking place and we are almost there – well, first sand anyway.”

CLASSIC LAUNCH THETIS – BACK HOME

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CLASSIC LAUNCH THETIS – BACK HOME

Back in March we reported that THETIS had been sold and was now back in Auckland via Exclusive Transport and Boat Haulage. She was taken straight to the Tamaki Haulout Yard.

Early in the month owner Norman Ramsay advised that he scraped and repainted the bottom and had her put back in the water within a couple of weeks. She then motored down the Tamaki River to a berth in central Auckland. In the last photo above the launch in front of THETIS is Norman’s other launch – a Formula 4000 named ISLAND TIME.
A t the time of purchase / sea trial they was an issue with one of the Graymarine diesel engines, so Norman commented that engine work is ongoing in the berth at the moment and they are working through options from rebuild to replacement with Duetz engines. Post this the next step will be the interior.

Very happy to see THETIS back on the Waitemata and looking forward to reporting on the rolling restoration.

LOTS TO READ & SEE AT THE TWO PREVIOUS WW STORIES LINKED BELOW
https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/02/thetis-a-peek-down-below/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/13/thetis-ii-the-lane-motor-boat-co/

A CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT OUTSTANDING IN ITS FIELD 

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A CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT OUTSTANDING IN ITS FIELD 

Sometimes the WW “Mystery Launch’ stories are easy in terms of putting a name to a vessel – todays one I suspect will burn some fuses in the odd woody brain.

The above photo was sent in by Jason Prew and as he commented there is a nice looking hull hiding under the additions.

The location is at the Stoney Oaks Wildlife Part in Kaimana, Inglewood, Taranaki (middle’ish of the North Island for non NZ readers). Its been there a considerable time but how it got there and what is doing there is unknown. There is a ‘river > creek’ – Waitara River that runs from the ocean at coastal Waitara, so maybe…….. thats how she ended up at Kaimata.

The park is sort of a farm / petting zoo and has an impressive collection of critters for visitors to rub up alongside. So woodys can we ID the launch and get some background on her.

UPDATE 24-06-2024 ex Previous owner – Albert Littin – This is “Waihou”. 1912 Baily built 36 foot. Originally built as a work boat with the dredge building the stopbanks on the Waihou river. I have some early photos in its original form with the dredge. Sometime later it has been transformed with chainsaw, fence battens etc until I aquired it in 1999 and worked on it to tidy it up. Used out of Port Albert until 2010 then sold and trucked to its present posion up the Waitara River.

UPDATE 24-06-2024 ex Previous owner – Allan – I can confirm this is the Waihou.I was an owner from 1997 until 1999.Waihou was on the Tamaki River,when I purchased her from Ray? who had recently taken on the launch Joan.Waihou had a Gardner 5LW.Sold her to Northland,where she was moored at Mangawhai

ROTHESAY SOS

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2018 ex Paul Drake

ROTHESAY SOS

The 33’ launch ROTHESAY has recently popped up on tme, back in July 2018 WW reported that she had changed hands and there was a plan to restore her. Based on the photos above that hasn’t happened and now her ‘owner’ and interested parties are trying to find a home for her. According to the tme post ($1 reserve) she was built in 1930 and has a Ford 40hp engine in her. I will not attempt to ID the builder, a Nov 2013 WW story (link below) with input from Harold Kidd, talked at length about several vessels named Rothesay. https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/15/the-rothesays/

It will be a big challenge but if there is a woody out there looking for a project, this could be it. Boat location is Rawene on the Hokianga Harbour, Northland.

OM0KOROA (PHENELLA > WANGANELLA > KOTUKU > OMOKOROA)

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c.1950
2024

OM0KOROA (PHENELLA > WANGANELLA > KOTUKU > OMOKOROA)

The 36′ launch OMOKOROA has made several appearances on WW. Each story (links below) has told us more about her and her colourful past. The most recent story was in April where we saw she was nearing the end of another restoration. The name Lyndon Chambers is a common element in most of the stories and today Lyndon has shared with us a gem of a photo from the Western Bay of Plenty District Libraries collection dated c.1950’s. This b/w photo was supplied by Claudia Hume.

In the corresponding text we learnt so much more about her provenance and the many names that have graced her transom. Reproduced below”

“The Kotuku was originally the Phenella, built by Sam Middlebrook as a houseboat in around 1920 on the banks of the Uretara, helped by William Mulgrew and Noble Johnston. Sam lived in her until 1938, when he moved to Waihī. It was sold to Norm Blomquist who renamed her the Wanganella. Claude Hume bought a share in her, and took her over when Norm died in 1949. He engaged a boat bulder to rebuild her superstructure, then renmed her Kotuku. He kept her for 20 years until 1971 when H. G. Lomas of Waihī Beach bought her. She is said to have been taken to Tauranga in the late 1980s for repairs, and there has been no further record of her. The story of the Phenella/Kotuku is on pp 220 & 221 of Max Avery’s book “Maritime Tauranga”.

JULY 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/10/omokaroa-omokoroa-saved/
APRIL 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/04/24/omokoroa-in-former-times/
April 2024 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/04/25/omokoroa-april-2024-update/

NOMAD – On Fire at Mapua – Nelson

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NOMAD – On Fire at Mapua – Nelson

Sad to see the above photos of the yacht NOMAD – thanks to my spy in the south John Burland for reminding me the identity of the yacht and its previous appearance on WW back in 2019, link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/01/27/nomad-auckland-anniversary-day-regatta-details/ , lots of details on her past life .

Thanks also to input from Gavin Pascoe we learnt that the 22’6” NOMAD was built in 1914 by Edwin Bailey in Wellington.

Hopefully she wasn’t too baby damaged and can be repaired. 

(Photos supplied by John Dawson via the Mapua Community Group ex Angelika Gebhard)

UPDATE 21-06-2024 ex TOM FAHEY – “Hi I was gobsmacked yesterday to read about Nomad on fire in Nelson very sad. My Dad owned Nomad from about 1970 to circa 1995 l am 71 now and the dates are rough. I would have been 15 or 16 when my brother and i would go down to the boat sheds in Evan’s bay with dad. There we would crawl all over Nomad and talk to all the old salts from the other sheds while dad helped a man called Jock Arthur refasten the little ship. Jock worked with Dad at McEwans Machinery in Wellington and he was a builder (not a boat builder). Hard to remember timing but Jock got cancer not long after relaunching and offered the boat to Dad. Dad have admired Nomad since he was 15 or so him self, as she lived in the Hutt river mouth with some others and some small fishing boats and of course boat sheds. We used to put her on the slip there until we got the lowery bay yacht club up and running. Prior to Jock getting Nomad and old guy who had her would cross Cook straight in the most appalling weather but I can assure you that half as wide as she was long she was like a cork. We would have crossed the straight may be 25 times but as my brother and got a bit older Nomad seemed to get slower 😜. We had amazing holidays in The sounds mainly in Ruakākā Bay, for many years. Nomad never had a thing out of place or a paint chip all that time she was all ways in show room condition. Three quarters of her way through life with us I remember helping re-engine her . Pretty sure we took out a Navigator petrol and replaced it with a Nissan diesel that made my Dad real happy. When our parents retired to Picton Nomad went with them and lived out side their unit in the Picton marina. Their unit was a footpath width from the water what a spot up in under the coathanger. Finally the day came to let her go as looking after her was a tough job. It was not to long after that when my bro and I caught up with Nomad we could see the love was no longer as before. I do hope a rebuild happens but you would be a special person/ team to take it from here.
We still have the big wooden boat hook with a bronze fitting all in as new restored condition I did it for Pip a couple of years ago for his launch in Whaitanga, it was so good it never got on the boat it is hanging in is garage. May be they could be reunited if she ever gets restored.

Tom,bro, John(pip) John David (dad)”

LADY CAROLE REFIT – Update #2

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LADY CAROLE REFIT – Update #2

Small update re important design work to the overall lines and  look of the boat. Again co-owner Patrick Crawshaw updates us below :

“When they raised the main cabin roof, the aft deck curves and back end on the upper part looked very clumsy and ungainly. She lost a lot of elegance in the stern. We spent a day refining these lines and curves. – lots of curves. She now looks much better. The large aft bulkhead curve was enlarged to open up the aft deck and then the back ends where they meet with the roof refined with nice curves. All the curves in the stern section now have relationships with one another.   There is also going to be a curve where the entrance from the duck board is and this will be raised so the lettering can go symmetrically across the stern. 

Windows are next. I think they are being done next week so will send details of how we work those out in relation to the stern curves/lines and the mid ship section.” 

UPDATE #1 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/06/14/lady-carole-refit-update-1/

And Some Great News – WW rocked on the search for x4 1/2 cowl vents. Not only did we locate some, they are in fact her original ones, removed in a past life and kept in storage. Well done to Ron Trotter and his generous offer to return them to the vessel.



REBUILDING OF THE FIRE DESTROYED CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KOKORU

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 REBUILDING OF THE FIRE DESTROYED CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KOKORU

The top photo above is probably the most harrowing photo WW has published and the second photo is one I’m sure will see us all in good spirits. As unimaginable as it seems the 40′ 1960 Jack Morgan built classic launch – KOKORU is currently being rebuilt.

Back in March 2022 the classic wooden boat community learnt of the loss of KOKORU from a dockside / marina accident – fire on neighbouring vessel (refer photo below) that spread to several nearby craft. KOKORU had just been relaunched after an extensive high end refit. She was a right off and her owners made the right call and harvested what they could to start again with another classic launch.  Link to WW March story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/21/kokoru-ravaged-in-marina-fire-a-call-for-help/

I thought that was the end of the story. Normally is, they sit in a yard for a few years and then end up in a dumpster.

Well not KOKORU, last week I chanced on a Facebook thread that was show casing the work that Burnnand Marine were undertaking to rebuild KOKORU – well done to the owner.

I understand there is a large amount of that very thick paint that comes in rolls being used but we can turn a blind eye to that if it means we get one back from the grave.

So looking forward to seeing her relaunched.

OLLIE IRENE

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OLLIE IRENE- with covers removed, catches her breath in Port Macquarie for a couple of years
Splined hull and repaired bow …and installed 5 new laminated ring frames to secure shape
Repaired garboard and glassed under waterline rolling the glass into a rebate and glued a “spline” into it secure the transition at water line.
Installed self draining front cocktail cockpit through front hatch carlings, including provision for  ice bucket to chill the “ bubbles Also allowing safer working space for anchoring. Storage for 3 piece hard deck cover when cockpit not in use and spare anchor in locker under seat…
Fabricate and fit keel extension for rudder and install new prop shaft tube
New rudder
After removal of a number of previous era bearers New engine bearers install to take 80HP Vetus, new prop shaft and drip less seal 
The tank!…..out, modified to fit and be removable in future increased baffling, water sump and inspection plate which now sits below the cockpit engine hatch…Cockpit sole and structure remained  in tact
Engine pan fabricated and installed
Engine in position for installation
Front engine cover/ companion way with storage bins in each step for oils , spare belts, filters etc 
About this time I decided to put Ollie out in my back paddock

OLLIE IRENE

Over the past couple of weeks I have been chatting online with woody from over the ditch – Keith Glover is well known to some of us in the classic wooden boat community having competed in several Auckland classic yachting regattas as crew on Auckland classics. Unlike most Keith has even gone as far as to sail his 1949/50 Alden ketch ‘WRAITH OF ODIN’ (photo below) from Brisbane to Auckland to compete in the 2010/11 regatta.

Todays WW story is based on Keith’s launch – OLLIE IRENE, that Keith has been restoring/rebuilding//recommissioning/rebirthing (multi-choice) for the last few years as he says “out in the back paddock’Probably best if I let Keith tell us about OLLIE IRENE:

* LOA 32’x Beam 9.3″‘x Draft est 3’ x Displacement est 5.5 Ton

* Original Iron bark keel, Spotted gum frames and hull planking, new sheathed ply deck, house, and laid teak cockpit sole

* Little is known of history or providence (long story of how it finished in my hands) other than to say it was a completely stripped-out mildly hogged hull, with a rebuilt deck, and bare house structure. No engine, gearbox, drive train, prop or rudder, although you could see from remaining engine beds it would appear at least 3 different power plants had made an appearance over time!  However there was a fuel tank of unknown age or condition totally built-in positioned aft between floor plates and captured by custom deck beams prior to the teak cockpit sole being laid  BONUS!!….it was sport but suffice to say it turned out to be new SS which now has better baffles, removable and the cockpit structure remains intact!

* De hogged (adjustable steel cradle)  and Splined hull, installed a 80HP  motor with hydraulic box ,bow thruster pressure hot water, head etc etc etc

*The complete fit-out has been built, dry fitted, finish coated  including upholstery ,basic electrical systems and switchboard etc etc and are in storage awaiting installation whilst we finish painting stuff.

* Limited research suggests Ollie was built in Brisbane during the 1920s as a spec (launched as Irene) built by a yard long since gone and appears to have a close design reference to Blanchard Lake Union Dream Boats of the 1920s from the NW coast USA.

Along the way, I have managed to repurpose many orphan genuine classic bronze bibs and bobs boat bits including some from my original restoration of Wraith of Odin, and targeting a Wooden Boat show in Pittwater November this year.

The purpose of Ollie is to explore some Australian East Coast river systems for which Wraith is unsuitable.

WRAITH of ODIN