Mystery Launch 15-12-2023

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 15-12-2023

I was sent a link from Harold Kidd re a woody that had ‘popped up’ on one of his son’s fb marketplace feeds. 

The boat is located in Wanganui, Manawatu and all we know is she is 28’ in length, no engine, and built by Laines (their spelling) in 1905. As discussed many times on WW, sadly the word Lanes is almost the default for any unknown launch, so she could be built by anyone.    Been on tme for over 10 months and has an asking price of $500, maybe there are a few bronze fittings that could offset that.

It is a very long shot but – anyone out there know anything about the vessel.

ORDER HERE waitematawoodys@gmail.com Click image above for details

PIRIMANU – Ready To Splash

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Photos below November 2023

PIRIMANU – Ready To Splash

We have been following the refit / restoration of the 28’ Salthouse built, A Couldrey designed, 1968 launch – Pirimanui – links below to the last few years stories on WW.

This week the Blair Boats yard advised that the day had come and she would be re-splashing later this week.

Stunning workmanship and hats off to her ’newish’ owner for the level of commitment to the project.

Fingers crossed we get to see some photos of Pirimanu post launching.May 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/05/16/pirimanu-a-peek-down-below/

Jan 2023 Refresh https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/31/pirimanu-gets-a-makeover/

July 2023 >>> Work In Process. https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/07/28/pirimanu-gets-a-birthday/

Update – Pirimanu back in the water, all windows replaced with new teak beading, all new varnish inside and out (14 coats of alwood gloss) inside cabin repainted, new electronics solar and bilge pumps, new gear box and refurbished engine. (Photos and words ex Blair Boats fb.

May 2022

02-01-2025 UPDATE ex NIXON FLYER (a previous owner) now in her new Bay of Islands home

Time For Some Xmas Goodwill – Epic Prize To Be Won

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CHRISTMAS BOOTY TO BE WON

Time for some xmas goodwill – a little quiz with a cool prize. As always entry is ONLY VIA EMAIL, you can only enter once, all correct entries go into the draw. Quiz ends on Friday December 15th at 6pm. Winner announced on WW. (photos shown above random selection only)

THE QUIZ QUESTION:  Which boat builder / designer has had the most boat / name mentions on the WW site – email your entry to      waitematawoodys@gmail.com

THE PRIZE:  A copy of the Best Selling Book – ’Shipwright, Boatbuilder, Yachtsman’ by Gilbert J. Littler + A WW sweatshirt (L/S, size XL only) + A WW Burgee

The book is available to buy at Boatbooks in Westhaven or online  https://boatbooks.co.nz/nzbooks.asp

And WW merchandise for sale here https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/

TAIHO II – A Peek Down Below

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TAIHO II – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody is somewhat of an unknown boat – the only time I have seen her out and about was back in November 2022 at our ‘Woodys Beach Picnic’ at Motuihe Island, the top photo is from that outing. Todays photos come to us for a tme me listing, spotted by Ian McDonald.

What we know about the 34’4” Taiho II is the she was built in 1968 by Shipbuilders using double diagonal kauri.  Power is via a 150hp Ford D-Series turbo Diesel engine that gives her a 7>8 knot cruising speed.

Back in 2020 she underwent something of a re-birth and her interior is now very modern in layout and build – but as they say each to their own. Certainly well spec’ed in terms of home comforts.

Personally I’d lose the batwing which doesn’t appear to do anything other than be a mounting spot for the anchor light.

Do we know anything about her early days.

INPUT BELOW (press clipping) ex Nathan Herbert

Heading To The Bay of Islands This Summer – – circle Jan 6th 2024 in the diary for the Tall Ships Regatta , hosted by the Russell Boating Club it is always a dozy of an event.See below – more details at russellboatingclub.org.nz

KARINA – A Peek Down Below

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KARINA – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody – Karina, was built in 1959 by Brin Wilson, kauri planked she is 36’ in length with a 10’ 11” beam and draws 2’11”. Forward motion is via newish 75hp Yammer diesel engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots. Her owner must like hot showers as her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) states she has 600L water capacity.

Can anyone tell us what Karina has been up to for theist 60+ years.

Input ex K Ricketts – Top photo (b/w) below ex a Ford Dealership advertisement in Sea Spay magazine 1961.  2nd photo (colour) c.2014 ex B Worthington.

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ROMANY RYE 

Todays woody story is on the launch – Romany Rye that sank in late June 1936, near the launch jetty in Lyttelton. A diver located the boat in 30’ of water and successfully placed slings under her. The Harbour Board’s pile driver was then used to lift Romany Rye to the surface.

Can anyone enlighten us more on the vessel and whether she survived.

(Photo ex fb, ex Stuff, ex The Press and probably ex Paperspast – via K Ricketts)

STOCK LEVELS GETTING LOW ON WW MERCH – already o/s of some sizes. If you are thinking about treating yourself this xmas -order soooooooon.

Sierra – A Peek Down Below – 4sale

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SIERRA  – A Peek Down Below –4sale

The 40’ ex work-boat Sierra was built by Joseph Fell at Kohukohu on the Hokianga Harbour in 1917, making her 105 years old. She had a complete rebuild in 1998. Forward motion is via a Ford 120hp diesel engine.

She started life as a work-boat in Hokianga and later become the Hokianga ferry. Later on she worked in Auckland as the Customs and Doctors boat on the Auckland Harbour. She also assisted with building the Auckland Harbour Bridge & Glenn Brook Steel Mill. 

Sierra has made several appearance on WW – links below for more details and photos. For those woodys looking for a classic with deep workboat roots the vessel Sierra presents as a very affordable classic. Interested parties are asked to contact the Wooden Boat Bureau at waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details and viewing.

WW July 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/02/sierra/

WW Sept 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/09/13/sierra-horse-float/

WW May 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/05/08/a-woody-100th-birthday/

What Happened To – IKA

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What Happened To – IKA

The photo above comes to us from Papers Past > NZ Herald 5 March, 1928 and show the 35’ launch – Ika after she had been salvaged and towed into Whangarei Harbour. 

The launch had set out from Auckland on a fishing trip but her (near new) 15hp engine broke down near Tiritiri Island and she started to drift off shore. The weather on Tuesday 27 February 1928 saw her drift approx 50 miles and in addition she was taking on water. The crew of 3 put a mayday call out and the R.M.S. Niagara located Ika near the Hen & Chicken Islands. Her owner/crew made the difficult decision to abandon ship and Ika was left to drift with the expectation she would sink.

While the crew were steaming to Sydney aboard Niagara, the vessel Eva put out to salvage Ika and towed her to Whangarei.

Question of the day is – who designed / built Ika and what became of her

(Photo sent in by K Ricketts)

BAYSWATER 12M MARINA BERTH – SHORT TERM RENTAL / PURCHASE – very attractive pricing. Email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

SOORY FOR LATE POSTING OF YESTERDAYS STORY – I SET THE CLOCK TO PM INSTEAD OF AM

WHISKEY HILL – Looking for help to identify this wooden boat

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WHISKEY HILL – Looking for help to identify this wooden boat

If you haven’t discovered it, there is a very cool fb page titled ‘ Sitting There Rotting, Help Save Me’ lots of junk on there but the occasional woody that deserves a 2nd chance. 

Todays woody is named – Whiskey Hill (pretty good chance there has been a name change) and that all we know about her. The story comets us via a Lew Redwood link.

Can anyone throw some light on the vessel.

ORDER HERE https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/11/58095/