WELL, THAT’S SORTED – TWO CLASSIC LAUNCHES NAMED MA CHERIE NOW IN AUCKLAND

WELL, THAT’S SORTED – TWO CLASSIC LAUNCHES NAMED MA CHERIE NOW IN AUCKLAND

Yesterdays WW story (scroll down to view) certainly delivered the goods in terms of clarifying the questions around two launches named MA CHERIE.

Firstly Murray Deeble advised that yesterdays launch is berth in the Milford marina, Auckland.


Then Dave Forrest contact WW re the other Ma CHERIE , as seen above, mentioned in yesterdays story – I’ll hand over to Dave – “My name is DaveForrest and I am the new owner of the vessel called MA-CHERIE and I have owned her since May this year.   She is currently moored at Te Atatu , West Auckland. My MA CHERIE was built by Garth Lane in 1960/61  in Panmure , Aukland .  Her name when first built was ma- Cherie  then in 1999 her name was changed to ADI KUILA and went to Fiji as a charter boat. Then came back to NZ in  2001. Murray Sole from Whangamatā had her then. In 2002  a new owner was recored as S.C.R. Holdings Ltd in Te Atatu”

Dave also commented that he has an extensive documented history on the vessel. The WW link below from July 2014 has a great collection of older day photos , including her Fiji days. https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/08/22/adi-kuila/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MA CHERIE (ADI KUILA) LIVES ON

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH MA CHERIE (ADI KUILA) LIVES ON

The 53’ Lane built (1965) classic wooden launch – ADI KUILA first appeared on WW back in 2014. We didn’t learn a lot about her then but were told she spent time in Fiji in the 1980’s > 1990’s.

Then she popped up again in October 2016 named MA CHERIE and looking very smart – link here to that story https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/10/21/ma-cherie/

Then again in Jan 2023 we got a flash back to how she looked in her youth – link here  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/10/21/ma-cherie/

Fast forward to early May 2025 and I’m contacted by the saviour of so many classic woodys – John Wright, to say they had stepped in and acquired the vessel, patched her hull up and were relocating her to the Te Atatu Boating Club to do what John does so well e.g. save and refurbish the vessel. 

We look for to following this project.
Photo below from 2016, I understand she has gone backwards since then.

RSVP TODAY FOR WOODYS RIVERHEAD LAUNCH CRUISE waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Adi Kutla  / Ma Cherie Flashback

Adi Kutla  / Ma Cherie Flashback

The 50’ Lane Motorboat Co. 1962 built launch – Adi Kutla  / Ma Cherie has appeared several times on WW, links below. Lots of photos and details there. Today thanks to Eric Sanderson we get a peek back in time – location is Auckland but no dates.

WW August 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/08/22/adi-kuila/

WW October 2016 https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/10/21/ma-cherie/

Ma Cherie

2016-04-06-18-25-45

2016-04-06-18-30-31

Ma Cherie (Adi Cherie)

Ma Cherie was built by the Lane Motor Boat Co in 1962 for L.G. Foster of 4 Awatere Road, Hamilton. She measured 50’/14’6″/4′ and was powered with twin Ford 6 cylinder diesels. Her name was changed to Adi Kuila but owner Markham Thomson has done the right thing & gone back to the original.
You can find more details & photos on her past here   https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/08/22/adi-kuila/

Ma Cherie has just seen a major re-fit that included fiberglassed topsides, rot removed / rebuilt, rewired, starting/charging system upgraded, new interior, engines head jobs & new water tanks. She is looking very smart, in fact she even gets away with the hothouse up top, just the right height.
Details ex Harold Kidd.

Adi Kuila (Ma Cherie)

ADI KUILA (Ma Cherie)

For the last 6 years Adi Kuila has been undergoing a rolling restoration by her owner, Markham Thomson . The information he has on her says she was built by Lanes in 1965 & is 53′ LOA, 15′ beam, 4’3″ draft. Twin engined.
She spent time in Fiji in the 1980’s > 1990’s. There is a suspicion she has had a name change along the way. Correct

Owner is keen to get more info on her past & confirmation builder / year.

UPDATE

Lots of chat in the comments section but sometimes ww just rocks.

Scott Taylor has sent me the images below of when she was named Ma Cherie & owned in 1971 by W. J. Clark @ the Koroleuv Beach Hotel, Fiji.

And more from the current owner (click blue txt to view letter)

Letter to Bob Hawke from Graham Wallace regarding Fijian fishing trip

Update 26-07-2019 – photo below ex Peter Rinaldi

Adi Kuila