Tag Archives: 20th Century Boats

WHO’S BRAVE ENOUGH TO PAY $1 FOR THE CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY FAYE

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WHO’S BRAVE ENOUGH TO PAY $1 FOR THE CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY FAYE

Sixteen months ago we ran a story on the 32’ wooden launch – LADY FAYE, that at the time was needing a new custodian. Link below to that story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/07/25/lady-faye-can-we-save-this-classic-wooden-launch/

Fast forward to November and the vessel has gone even further down hill – and not surprisingly has a starting price of $1. And even at that figure no ones bidding.

What we know – built in 1948 by Des Donovan and Fred Steele of 20th Century Boats for Fred Steele’s own use. The current engine is a 60hp Fordson 4 cyl. diesel, condition unknown.

While her current presentation looks very intimidating – if you view it like an old house and put a dump bin at one end and just shovelled everything out, you could have the bones of a nice classic rebuild project. The photo below could be our inspiration 😉

LADY FAYE – CAN WE SAVE THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH 

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LADY FAYE – CAN WE SAVE THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH 

WW has been contacted by interests of the Waipuna Boating Club asking for help in regard to the 32’ classic wooden launch – LADY FAYE

LADY FAYE  is a Donovan design and built by 20th Century Boats, Takapuna in 1948. The company was owned by Andy Donovan and Fred Steel (the boats 1st owner)

The launch last made an appearance on WW back in April 2013 – photo below from that story. Since then she has several owners, all with the best intentions of restoring her. These days home has been a pile mooring off the WBC and she is looking very neglected, these things happen so its time to move forward and either find a new home for her or a new owner. The club appreciate her provenance and would like to see her go to a deserving home.  WW understands she is powered by a 4cyl. Ford D-series diesel but requires work to her systems and probably re-caulking. The interior is partially bare.

WW understands the top photo (on pile mooring) is recent.The hauled out photos above are c.Jan 2021. Any woodys looking for a project or know someone that is – initially contact Mark via email waipunaboatingclub@gmail.com  Make life easy of him and put Lady Faye in the subject line 🙂