CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ACHERON 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ACHERON 

ACHERON was built in 1968 by Owen Woolley and is apex. 44’ in length, has a beam of 12’7” and draws 3’6”.

Forward motion is via twin Commer 135hp engines. Owen W was a big fan of these engine, no doubt based around the sideways configuration which allowed for ender floor installation. 

Probably best described as fitting the modern classic mould, she’s a tad too busy up top for my eyes.

She recently made an appearance on tme which gives us a good look below decks. She did appear on WW back in March 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/14/acheron/

Hopefully a new owner is enjoying this rather large launch this summer.

02-02-2026UPDATE EX K RICKETTS –  sold to a retired boat builder in Nelson

MAYBE LUCKIEST CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AFLOAT – NANA 

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MAYBE LUCKIEST CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AFLOAT – NANA 

In mid December 2025 WW was contacted by John Woodcock with the good news that the 35’ 1934 classic wooden launch – NANA had just been relaunched after a mammoth undertaking to save her.You see back in June 2023 WW ran an SOS story on the boat, she was in very sad state. In fact the listing was an ‘as-is-where-is’ listing.
As in life, the good lookers tend to receive the special treatment, this wasn’t NANA’s first rodeo – she had been close to an appointment with a back-hoe several times. Link here to her in 2019 post a refit. https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/06/03/nana-3/

Some background – NANA  was designed by C. Bailey Jnr. &  built by C. Bailey & Sons for Mr F Alison of Matiatia, Waiheke Island in1934 & launched in late November / December.

She is 35′ with a 8′ beam and a 3’ draft and built in kauri > carvel

So today woodys we tip out hat to John Woodcock for giving NANA another chance. Still a few bits to finish off but from what we can see in the photos above – NANA is lucky boat.

AND HAPPY YEAR 

28-02-2026 – UPDATE ex IAN MCDONALD – Dont know the background but earlier in the weeke NANA was spotted being towed back fro Gt Barrier Island to Sandspit.

CLASSIC WORKBOAT – MARILYN – STILL AROUND?

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CLASSIC WORKBOAT – MARILYN – STILL AROUND?

Todays woody is the 34’6” fishing boat MARILYN, built in 1959 by her owner Thomas Clements. Details below.

Question of the day – is she still afloat and if so where and in what condition.

Photos ex Sea Spray magazine c.1960 via Ken Ricketts

KAWHIA WHARF – 1910 – CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOATS FLASHBACK

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KAWHIA WHARF – 1910 – CLASSIC WOODEN MOTORBOATS FLASHBACK

Todays woody photo is of the wharf at Kawia and the large vessel berthed alongside is the harbour ferry – MAHINO.

Of more interest is the collection of small launches , they have a workboat look to them, anyone able to iD any of them.

Photo ex Auckland Libraries heritage collection via Ian McDonald. 

WOODY SUMMER CRUISING TRIP REPORT #1 – 233’ CLASSIC MOTOR YACHT

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WOODY SUMMER CRUISING TRIP REPORT #1 – 233’ CLASSIC MOTOR YACHT

The first report from the woody armada out cruising over the summer holidays is from Angus Rogers on his 42’ 1967 Bailey & Son built launch – CENTAURUS.

Angus was overnighting in Man ‘o’ War Bay, Waiheke Island and was sharing the anchorage with the 233’ majestic CLASSIC super yacht – HAIDA, built in 1929 (originally steam powered). Rumour has it these days owned by another billionaire from Hong Kong.

Also sharing the bay was Peter Loughlin’s 42’ 1927 Colin Wild build launch – LADY MARGARET, see below.

CLASSIC LAUNCH – STERLING – Can We Help Out

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – STERLING – Can We Help Out

Todays woody – STERLING was built by Ernie Lane in Picton and launched in 1925. Lots of details and photos in this April 2019 WW story – link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/03/sterling-2/

Last week WW was contacted by STERLING’s owner who advised they were in the process of getting her back up to speed for her 100th next year. They commented that with the help of a tame boat builder, they have removed the dodgy timber and replaced with good Northland Kauri, pulled the engine out and given it an overhaul, reconfigured the main cabin and will replace the very agricultural duck board and raise and reconfigure the aft cabin. Along with a full rewiring, she should be good to go for a wee while. 

That’s all good news put they have a wee problem – in pulling out the old 6 cylinder Ford Lehman, it was discovered that the cast manifold is beyond repair and are reaching out to see if there are any woodys that might know know where they can get a replacement.

So question today is – can we help out, someone must have one in a shed somewhere.

CLASSIC LAUNCH – KARINA – FLASHBACK

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CLASSIC LAUNCH – KARINA – FLASHBACK

Back in Dec 2023 thanks to a tme listing we got to have gander down below on the 1959 Brin Wilson built launch – KARINA. Link to that story here – https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/11/karina-a-peek-down-below/

Today thanks to Ken Ricketts and Sea Spray magazine (June 1959) we get to see her as launched.

THE WINNER OF THE XMAS DAY CALENDAR QUIZ WAS DARRYLL HART – correct answer being Sir Frank Mappln

CLASSIC WOODEN DAY BOAT – RURU 

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CLASSIC WOODEN DAY BOAT – RURU 

I have photographed the very beautiful classic wooden launch RURU many times at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.

One of the woody gang spotted her recently on a trailer at the Outboard Boating Club hardstand in Tamaki Drive, Auckland. 

They commented that she’s obviously very well looked after and appears to have had recent work to bring her to mint condition. 

Well done to all involved in maintaining her to such high standards.

And speaking of the  Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, there is a LRC&WBP 2026 calendar to the first person that can correctly name her first owner. Clues – they were a knight (Sir). Entries via email ONLY to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Merry Christmas from Waitematawoodys

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Merry Christmas from Waitematawoodys to all the crew who follow along each day.

It’s been a monster year for WW, with more than one million extra views over last year – still hard to get my head around that, and I’m hugely grateful.

A special shout-out to all the helpers who send in stories, photos, and snippets of history. You know who you are, and you make my job a whole lot easier (and far less stressful).

I hope everyone gets the break they deserve and need. If you’re afloat over the holidays, enjoy it – and safe boating to all.

Now… if there’s no story tomorrow, it will be because the co-owner of Raindance didn’t see the humour in the “gift” (the book below ) I picked up in a second-hand bookshop 

And finally – if you’re out and about over the Christmas / New Year period and you spot a woody, could be yours ;-), take a photo and email it in to
waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Thanks again for the support.

THE WOODY SANTA (Bill Rimmer / Poco Lento ) WAS SEEN ARRIVING AT DEVONPORT.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – NAUTILUS 

Todays woody story is based on a note received from Stuart Junge, an ex classic yachtie who previously owned the 26’ Bailey Jnr. built classic yacht – LEXIA.

These days Stuart is a volunteer at Auckland maritime museum and along with several others skippers the 1913 classic launch – NAUTILUS  that operates out of the museum. 

Stuart has some concerns about the (his words) ’tales told of the vessel’. 

Now NAUTILUS has made many appearances and WW generated debate around her history. I have included below a past comment from marine historian Harold Kidd, who is the fountain of knowledge in your wooden boating community. My rule is unless there is rock solid proof of an opposing view – HDK is the single source of truth 🙂 

I have published Stuarts questions below – can we shed some light on her past and let Stuart sleep easier at night. 

  • • What engine was she originally fitted with? 
  • • Was she steered from the cockpit prior to the high cabin being installed?
  • • Why was she lengthened, and by whom?
  • • What was the period of service on the Diamond Harbour run?
  • • When and why was the cabin deck-head raised?
  • • I am led to believe she never carried wounded soldiers, only hospital ship staff. True or false?