Tag Archives: Aloha

CRAZY TIMES AT A WOODEN BOAT YARD 

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CRAZY TIMES AT A WOODEN BOAT YARD 

The count down to the xmas / ny break always sees a few last minute opps / can I / any chance of – phone calls to our boat yards.

I popped down to the Slipway Milford for the annual donut-fest and it was wall to wall woodys.

One of our finest had an emergency haulout for a ‘LEAKING’ water pipe that had also destroyed a rib/s – all fixed and two replacement ribs, done in 24hours. Boat name will remain anonymous. But a good reminder to check in all those hard to reach areas 😉

One of my bucket list boats the Arch Logan 1921 NGAIO was hauling for the addition of a set of davits to house the new (restored) dinghy. More photos when completed.

ALOHA, 1926 Charles Robinson, out for some deferred maintenance and TLC .

EILEEN PATRICA , 1933 A Couldrey, was getting the final touches with a JPPJ paint job and winter maintenance.

Woody Bill Rimmer (POCO LENTO) sent in the photo below, I’d like to think the bird is resting, but I’m sure a few grumpy old CYA members hope its about to take a poop 🙂

Bay of Islands Summer Mooching + Anniversary Weekend Cruising 

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RANONI
ENTERPRIZE
ARETHUSA
IORANGI
ALOFA
VALHALLA
RAMPAGE

Bay of Islands Summer Mooching + Anniversary Weekend Cruising 

Todays gallery of classic wooden craft comes to us from the camera of Dean Wright, taken while he was cruising the bay on his woody – Arethusa.

From top to bottom the craft are:

• Ranoni – Army Bay

• Enterprise – Opunga Cove

• Arohanui – steaming past Cable Bay, Urupukapuka

• Arethusa – Whangamumu

• The Logan yacht – Iorangi – Whangamumu

• Alofa – Whangamumu

• Valhalla – Whangamumu

• Rampage – Whangmumu – an early 2000’s Robertson Boats sedan launch ( lengthened and repainted)

• Mary of York – Ben Tomb’s leeboarder

2024 MAHURANGI REGATTA – Classic Launch Parade & Sunday Gathering At KAWAU ISLAND 

The countdown is on for one of the worlds best and biggest classic wooden boating events, the Mahurangi Regatta, organised by the Mahurangi Cruising Club.

Sadly due to the freakish weather the 2023 regatta was cancelled, but plans are in place to make 2024 on-the-water and ashore at Scotts Landing bigger and better.

The Classic Wooden Launch Parade is one of the highlights of the weekends activities – followed later in the day by a serious ‘old school’ boaty BBQ ashore at Scott’s – including a massive marquee for the 20 piece dance band.

 On the Sunday, most woody launch skippers head to KAWAU ISLAND and the plan is to gather later in the day for a few sun-downers at the newly refurbished Kawau Boating Club.

Aloha

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ALOHA 

The 1926 Charles Robinson built, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland launch – Aloha has appeared twice on WW but we have never been up close. Yesterday she came into the Slipway Milford for some TLC. A resident of Bayswater Marina, her bottom would have to be the worst I’ve seen ex there.

Interesting point – as Aloha came up the Milford Creek , she slipped past the launch Aumoe, the two boats had been regular cruising buddies in the mid 1960’s > 1970’s – and were always rafted up together. They even had side-by-side boat sheds in the Whangarei Town Basin. Powered these days by a Yanmar 125hp engine. Hopefully we can get a few more details on her e.g. length etc

Previous WW stories: 

Feb 2015  https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/02/24/aloha/

More recent WW story (Mar 2022) https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/17/aloha-2/

Aloha

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ALOHA

Last week Clive Ross asked on WW if anyone knew of the launch Aloha has he had some old photos of her in an old photo album that belonged to his parents.

I asked Clive to send in the photos, which we get to share today. The photos are dated 1931/2 and show Aloha both at Kawau Island and Great Barrier Island.

In the Gt Barrier photos things must have been cosy aboard, with a mixed crew of 10. Anyone able to ID any of the crew?

At Kawau we see Aloha at anchor with SS Duchess, in Mansion House Bay. From these photos it was obvious the Clive’s Aloha is the launch that Charles Robinson built in St Marys Bay, Auckland in 1926, Lots to read and view at the link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/02/24/aloha/

Always nice to be able to connect the dots 🙂

Bay of Islands – early 1960’s

ANY ONE KNOW WHO OWNS MOANAROA – the 34′ Jack Taylor bridgedecker , photo below, WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/22/moanaroa/

Sir Francis Relaunched + John Street Video Series – Part One

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July 2019

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July 2019

28 MAY 2018 (2)

In need of attention – May 2018

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Prep for new caulking
Re building the stern deck
Fore deck ready for painting
New toe rail and refurbished bollard
Stern deck finished

SIR FRANCIS
Back in June 2016 one of the woodys spotted Sir Francis berthed on Lake Taupo and commented on WW  that she was looking a little tired. Well folks I can report that after thirteen months of hard labour, Sir Francis went back into the water on July 6. Co-owner Paul Drake commented that she was last out of the water for 9 days, 10 years ago and she was becoming an embarrassment. 
As part of their re-fit the deck canvas has been replaced with the usual ply and glass cloth, and much other deferred maintenance was attended to. (scroll over photos for captions)
 
Sir Francis is 22’ and built by Collings and Bell in 1916, powered by a Universal Utility Four. This engine was added in 1937. 
When launched she was named – Fairy, then renamed – Aloha and when Grandfather Drake purchased her in 1938, he changed the name again to Sir Francis. She has been owned by the Drake family for the last 81 years. 
The Drake brothers (Paul, Nigel, Roger and Michael) individually and collectively are a great bunch and between them own numerous woodys. I have meet them at the Lake Rotoiti Wooden Boat Parade. Photo below.

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Brothers Nigel and Roger on SF late 1950’s.

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Paul

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L to R – Michael, Paul, Nigel, Roger. Oldest to youngest

 

 

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JOHN STREET – ONE MAN’S TREASURES VIDEO SERIES 

Every day this week WW will feature a video filmed at John’s recent speaking engagement at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. The language is a tad ‘blue’ in places, but thats how John rolls 🙂 NOTE VIDEO IS COPYRIGHT DO NOT DOWNLOAD WITHOUT PERMISSION. Videos edited & enhanced with the help of Andrew Christie.
PART ONE – Fosters The Beginning (turn your sound up)

 

UPCOMING VIDEOS
MONDAY–         Fosters The Beginning
TUESDAY–        History of The Breeze
WEDNESDAY– The schooner Daring
THURSDAY–     Amercias Cup
FRIDAY –            The steam crane ship Rapaki
SATURDAY–      Tug Boat Racing on the Waitemata