Probably The Best Classic Cruising Story Ever

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Probably The Best Classic Cruising Story Ever

Over the last 2+ years I have religiously followed a YouTube series put out by Madison Boatworks. Sounds very corporate but its the total opposite – a youngish couple named Jonathan & Whitney who refurbished a 1960 37’5” (on deck) ‘Ingrid’ ketch designed by William Atkin named Julia. After 4 years of working on the boat they left Seattle, Washington, USA and pointed the bow towards Mexico. After this the big call was made and they were off to the Pacific. There are 21 videos in the series that have clocked up over six million views and each one is gold. 

The cinematography and narrative is just outstanding. Jonathan is a wonderful storyteller and one follower commented that his voice is semi tranquillising – it is, the man should do sleep videos 🙂

I have featured their latest – ‘Exploring the islands of Fiji, Vanua Levu and Taveuni’ below. And also a link to the master YouTube collection

LINK TO MASTER LIBARAY COLLECTION https://www.youtube.com/c/MadisonBoatworks

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INEAWA (White Lady) On Lake Taupo 

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INEAWA (White Lady) On Lake Taupo 
One of the gems of the WW site is its ability to spark connections between past and present boat owners and crew. Recently a gent named Rob Harvey commented on a previous WW story (links below) on the 1930 34’6” launch – Ineawa (White Lady) that he was now the owner and were we interested in some photos. I obviously relied ‘Yes please’ and got back a note from Rob saying that he was currently undertaking some renovations / updates to her interior and photos would follow when she wasn’t looking like a bomb site 🙂 Ineawa was built in 1930 by Jimmy McLaren in Onehunga, Auckland
This chat on the site prompted Karin Newrick to advise that they had owned Ineawa in the late 1990’s. Karin also sent in the above photos of her on Lake Taupo, along with some old documentation, which sadly is very faded, hopefully you can read, click images to enlarge.

WW SEPT 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/09/25/ineawa-a-peek-down-below/
WW APRIL 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/04/03/6721/

AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL – I popped down yesterday, most impressive. If you are thinking of attending, a tip – go today – Jellicoe Harbour, Viaduct.. Sunday could be a zoo – its the annual Round-The-Bays waterfront race. Full story + photos on Monday.

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IT’S A BIG WOODY MONTH

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Big Woody Month

Lots happening around the country this month – kicking of this weekend we have Auckland’s new event tagged ‘Moana Auckland – NZ’s Ocean Festival’ in full swing in and around the waterfront. Part of of the event is the inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Festival – details below.

Further South this weekend (Sat & Sunday) we have the New Zealand Antique & Classic Boat Show which is always a blast so if you are around the top of the South Island this weekend head to Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes.

Then mid March (14 > 17th) is the Auckland (on-the-water) Boat Show , same venue as the AWBF, you just need a bigger cheque book 😉

Then on Saturday 16th March we have the annual Classic Woodys Launch Cruise to the Riverhead Tavern for a waterfront lunch.

AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT SHOW

HEAO – A Peek Down Below

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HEAO – A Sailors Motorboat

Regular WW readers will be aware of my thoughts on the Logan 33 replica launches and how they were decades ahead of the market place. These days there always seems to be a good market for a classic craft that allows an owner to still retain a connection with some canvas and string but enjoy all the benefits of a modern motor boat including the low maintenance benefits of GRP construction.

The L33 Heao, hull # 17 was built in 2002 in Whangrei by Eric Knight, one of approx. 40 that he built.

L33’s are very slippery craft – their 39hp Lombardini engine can achieve a comfort cruising speed of 8.5 knots. Add in the addition of a steadying sail, auto pilot,  bow thruster, bilge keels and cabin heater and you have a very comfortable family cruising launch.

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DOLPHIN V

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DOLPHIN V

The above photos of the 43′ launch Dolphin V were sent in by Bruce Ryrie, who had recently been aboard her in Westhaven. 

Designed and built in 1963 by K.E. Swanson, Queen Charlotte Sounds, South Island. She is carvel kauri construction and powered by a Detroit 6v53. And thats all WW knows about her.

The size and location of the exhaust stack indicates a sizeable engine and possible work boat pedigree. 

Hopefully someone can enlighten us as to how she ended up in Auckland.

SPARTACUS – Why You Can’t Stop The TLC

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SPARTACUS – Why You Can’t Stop The TLC

Back in August 2019 Baden Pascoe drew our attention to a 32’ launch named Spartacus that was parked up in a paddock in Waipapa, Northland (top two photos).

Fast forward 4+ years and she’s is on tme and looking VERY neglected and offered up for sale, a suspect a ‘on-behalf-of’ sale. There is talk she may have started life as a NZ Navy cutter.

Question of the day, did she sell or will someone in Kerikeri not need to buy firewood this winter?

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MANA-NUI STEP ABOARD – 4sale

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MANA-NUI STEP ABOARD – 4sale

The double end motorsailer Mana-Nui has made several cameo appearances on WW but today we get to see and learn a lot more about this classic vessel.

Mana-Nui was built by Harvey & Lang in 1913 and is kauri carvel construction and approx. 39’ in length with a 10’6” beam and 5’ draft. Power is courtesy of an underfloor Ford 120hp diesel engine that sees her cruising at 7 knots while sipping 4L per hour.

In recent times her owner has spared no expense on bringing Mana-Nui up to a very high standard of presentation – the recent addition of the custom davits an example. Amongst todays NZ classic fleet Mana-Nui is one of the few that retains her original aura, character and pedigree, while at the same time, a careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures a high level of comfort and safety.
Stepping aboard one of the first things that hits you is the great accomodation space and her light and airy saloon with large windows, these features make her a very comfortable classic cruising vessel both on-route, at anchor or in the marina.

By now I’m sure you will have guessed that Mana-Nui is offered for sale and unlike so many craft offered for sale, she is sail away ready. 
If you or someone you know is scouting for a 9/10 classic that is perfect for either day cruising or weeks away at a time – contact waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more information.
Note – photos below dated c.1956>1961. Location is Hokianga 

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HELENA 8363 – Sailing Sunday

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HELENA 8363 – Sailing Sunday

Recently WW was contacted by Daniel Keat who owns the yacht – Helena. Daniel was reaching out to uncover more on the craft. Daniel has owned Helena for approx. 4 years and is working away to bring her back to her former glory.

Story goes that she may have been built c.1920’s and built in Helena Bay, hence the name. She’s made from 1&7/8” thick kauri. When the wind is off-duty there is a Perkins 6.354 to help the forward motion.

In her early days Helena fished out of Dunedin and Lyttelton , and fishing out of Nelson when in 2012 an Irish boatbuilder bought her and completely rebuilt her except of the hull (thats an Irish statement). Recently Helena has been at the Norsand Boatyard in Whangarei, Northland where Murray Wilkinson commented that she maybe older than the stated c.1920’s.

So woodys – can we help Daniel out re Helena’s past.

27-02-2024 UPDATE – photo below of Helena on sea trials off Onehunga ex Baden Pascoe

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ROMA + Next Woody Cruise Details

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 24-02-2024 – ROMA

Mid last year the above photo popped up on a Keith Humphreys fb post – we learnt that the photo was from the Darroch Collection and the vessel is thought to be one of their craft. 

We were told there is an ‘R’ carved in amongst scroll-work at the bow. And those port holes have to be a giveaway.

No mention of location but the photo is ex the Devonport Museum, she is flying an ‘Auckland Motor Yacht Club’ pennant + sporting a #8 – so may some Waitemata Harbour launch race / event?

INPUT EX NATHAN HERBERT – The vessel is Roma, she made a WW appearance back in August 2016, in that story Ross Dawson and Harold Kidd advised she was 35′ in lenghth, built in 1910 by Tom Le Huquet. Sadly she came ashore in 1918 and broke up.. Link to the 2016 story below https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/08/31/mystery-launch-31-08-2016/

HAVE TO RSVP’ed FOR RIVERHEAD TAVERN WOODYS LAUNCH CRUISE

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Details below – RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with boat name and approx. crew numbers.
DATE: Saturday 16th March TIME: Meeting at Lucas Creek area at 11am. Arriving hotel at 11.30am TIDE:  HW @ 1pm – 3.3m

PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below + Riverhead Cruise

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PURSUIT – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2020 we ran a short story on the 33’ launch Pursuit – at the time we uncovered she was deigned by Max Carter. Link to that story belowWW Feb 2020  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/02/18/pursuit/

In late 2023 Pursuit popped up on tme , thank you Ian McDonald, and thanks to that we get to have a gander below.

Pursuit was built c.1964 from double diagonal kauri , then in the 1990’s she was glassed.

Her forward motion is via a Lees Ford 100hp diesel engine that gives a comfortable cruising speed of 7 knots.

Hopefully she found a new owner and fingers and toes crossed that the ‘block of flats’ on top has a appointment booked at the barbers 🙂

REMEMBER – YARD SALE AT TE ATAU BOATING CLUB SATURDAY