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.
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
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.
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”.
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.
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.”
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
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.
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.
Back in April 2024 we did a brief story on the 30’ launch – ELIZABET I that at the time was hauled out at the Te Atatu Boating Club. Todays thanks to Ian McDonald spotting a tme listing we get to have a peek down below.
The launch has had a lot of work done on her and is now back in the water. In her present form she presents as a great water project to finish her off ready for summer cruising.
She has a 50hp BMC Commander in her that has been reconditioned so thats a big expense you shouldn’t have to worry about.
As mention previously the launch – LADY CAROLE has just commenced a refit that will see her returned to as launched configuration (or very close). The project is being overseen by co-owner Patrick Crawshaw and Patrick has agreed to report into WW with updates on the work. Patrick is a talented and articulate gent so I’ll hand over to him to tell the story:
“She came out on the 30th of May and is now on the hard in the Bay of Islands. First job was to remove all the plastic bits and pieces she had accumulated over time. Then the chrome and rub rails came off. Once she was stripped, we could see what we had, and already she was a better looking boat. Since then we have been sanding – a lot of sanding! And many discussions and decisions around how best to return her lines and original appearance.
A lot of thought has gone into the colour scheme in order to pop the lines again. In one of the photographs, you’ll see where we have put a makeshift pipe to know where that mid section line was (we had to do this by eye) and also to know where the windows need to be reduced to. We will have to do the windows by eye/photograph as well so we are filling the whole section, then cutting them out.
One problem was, the ceiling in the main cabin has been raised so we are going to re-cut the back curve so it lines up with the top of the windows, which will make that upper aft section look more elegant than it is at the moment – if you compare the 1950’s b/w photo to the now one, you’ll see what I mean.
There has been much deliberation over the bowsprit, and as it’s glued and bolted down, we want to really work with it, so I have redrawn it to make it look more elegant.
There were cuts along the side rail for water to drip down, but these have been filled today so we can get a sharp white pinstripe along the side that will contrast with the midnight blue hull and the red side section.
The rub rails are copper and everything else is chrome, so I am going to treat them to make them black, which will pop the white pinstripe and work with the midnight blue.
Great discussions over the glass windows – should they be tinted, or clear? Originally they would have been clear so I think we are going for that. I would also like to replicate the striped curtains (seen in the 1950’s photo) in blinds, so you get that horizontal stripe from the fabric which looks great – So the fabric blinds need to be blue and white to work with the exterior colours.
The mast is pretty knackered and has lost its cross rails, so we took the decision to make a new one. I’m in the process of designing this so will forward that on when it’s done. I want it to look very streamlined 50’s so taking those curves at the back and the new bowsprit design as inspiration so they all work together.
We have fortunately found only a tiny bit of rot, so someone is smiling on us.
Another item is her stern and name – my grandfather put the duck board on her in the late 70’s, but before that she just had a ladder up the back (as seen the 1970’s photo) so in order to centralise the lettering properly we are going to raise that aft entrance cut up and then put the letters in between the duck board and the bottom of the new line.
I have some interior design drawings, which I need to finish, but will send these to you as well, so you can see what that cockpit and interior fit out will look like. “ (edited AH)
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