CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – AIRANA (ROSEMARY)

Todays woody AIRANA was built in Balena Bay Wellinton by car franchise owner Noel Manthel in 1934. AIRANA is a lightly built craft of British design, Sterling her owner Bruce Campbell believes. There were apparently about 50 built in the UK.She was originally named’ Rosemary’.

AIRANA is essentially built for the Thames Estuary and connecting canals, and consequently is quite narrow;-under 2 meters with a shallow draft of 2ft 9inches, and is 30 feet in length. Alfred  Hitchcock apparently was taken fishing in Wellinton harbour years ago and AIRANA supposedly searched for submarines in the harbour during the war with a Bren gun on the foredeck.

Bruce purchased her almost 20 years ago, and gave her a complete birthday at Wellington Boatbuilders Gracefield, Lower Hutt 17 years ago. Home is a mooring in Ruakaka  Bay, Marlborough Sounds. Forward motion is via a reconditioned 85hp diesel Ford Lees Marine (ex Moon Engines), boat speed  is 7 knots.