Tag Archives: Arch Logan

HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

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HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

I have very few regrets in life and only one when it comes to classic wooden boats. What is it ? – not buying the 36’ Arch Logan launch NGAIO when I had the opportunity. BUT – hand on heart, NGAIO went to a better owner, Jan Barraclough.                                    

Over recent years Jan has undertaken what we call a rolling restoration – and the centenarian has never looked better. BUT – there’s my better and Jans better, so currently NGAIO is undergoing a major refit to return her helm / cockpit area closer to as-built allowing for some creature (height) comforts.

Artisan  classic boatbuilder Paul Tingey started on the project this week and no time was wasted in removing her existing ’structure’. Given the presentation of the existing structure, photos below, most of us would have been very happy as is, but not Jan and we admire her for commissioning the work and look forward to the re-launch.

Check in for updates.

20-10-2025 UPDATE – work continues, today we see the reinstatement of a tram-top window to match her earlier style. Also we see the ‘brains’ trust pondering and a photo from her early days.

CLASSIC LAUNCH FEATHER GETS SOME TLC

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Happy Owner

CLASSIC LAUNCH FEATHER GETS SOME TLC

Todays story is stepping over the self imposed Berlin Wall of classic craft – you see FEATHER has DNA dating back to 1912 when the Arch Logan designed 33’ DOREEN and then fast forwarding to the early 2000’s when Eric Knight started making the L33 fibre-glass replicas off a mould of DOREEN.

The concept appealed to FEATHER’s owner but he commissioned some tweaks – like forward motion from a 4-stroke outboard and an awful lot of at the time wonder material – think carbon fibre. End result was the very special craft we see today.

In the USA there is a new word appearing at some of the classic regattas – its ‘GLASSIC’, and is used to describe craft that appear to be old, wooden, classic craft but are made from f/glass. In my eyes a classic is wooden and always will be.

 I’m sure the fisheads that sit on the classic yacht association steering group will one day soon, in their hunger for dollars to fund their yacht races, tweak the membership criteria and allow GLASSICS to join up. Rest assured WW will stay pure 🙂

Back to FEATHER – after several weeks hauled out at the Slipway Milford getting some serious TLC that included a JPPJ* – she slipped down the railway slipway back into the Milford Creek on Thursday looking better than new. (*Jason Prew Paint Job) Photos & videos – Cam Malcolm, Jason Prew and Alan H)

CLASSIC WOODY HOKIANGA TRIP REPORT + OKAHU BAY HAUL OUT UPDATE

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Ex Brooke family yacht
Arizona

CLASSIC WOODY HOKIANGA TRIP REPORT + AUCKLAND’s OKAHU BAY HAUL OUT UPDATE

Recent Barrie Abel pointed his car north and checked out the Hokianga  area. Highlight was a visit to the Kauri Museum, as seen in the above photos. 

Barrie also spotted a mystery launch (last above) moored right up the head of the Hokianga Harbour, distance prevented being able to put a name to her but Barrie was told it was a locally owned craft.The ‘bush’ photo features the renowned kauri tree named Tane Mahuta. Also seen is a bronze casting of the dolphin OPO, that entertain beach going at Opononi in the 1955/56 period.


OKAHU HAUL OUT / HARD STAND UPDATE

Thanks to the tireless efforts of numerous concerned citizens and the Auckland Yacht & Boating Association, we have the opportunity to influence the final decision of whether or not Auckland boaties get to retain some access to this prime waterfront boat maintenance area.
Links here to view the newsletter  https://mailchi.mp/3cc024ff5cfe/press-release-okahu-bay?e=d030fd704b And link here to view a copy of the full press release. 

https://mcusercontent.com/4242fe8c940cb7febba70eba2/files/86cb3b1d-b5c9-298e-42b2-cf35f78924ba/Okahu_Bay_haul_out_press_release.pdf
And woodys living in the Orakei auckland council ward – remember come next election – we wouldn’t be in this situation if councillor SCOTT MILNE hadn’t used his casting vote (as chairperson) to swing the vote in favour of scrapping the whole Okahu maritime area – so life is simple, use your vote ‘tactically’ 🙂

HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER

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HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER

In a Dec 21st story we did a fly-by of the last minute, year end work happening at the Slipway Milford. I mentioned that the 36’1921 Arch Logan built launch – NGAIO was hauled out to have a set of davits fitted to accomodate the recently refurbished clinker (f/glass) tender. Fast forward to this week and the Slipway team, which included owner Jan Barraclough, are putting the final touched to the new set-up and the sinks got a ’sea-trial’ in the creek.

Well done to everyone – a stunning executed project.

CLASSIC LOGAN GAFF RIGGED YACHT – WAIRIKI – Ponsonby Cruising Club

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CLASSIC LOGAN GAFF RIGGED YACHT – WAIRIKI – Ponsonby Cruising Club

Thursday night was the second event in the Ponsonby Cruising Club’s new initiative called ‘Featured Vessel Series’ , this time the vessel on display at one of the berths outside the Westhaven clubhouse was the 1904 Arch Logan designed, built by Bennett Bros & Stitchbury, 34’5’’ guff cutter yacht – WAIRIKI. 

15+ years ago thanks to the talent, determination and deep pockets of Jason Prew WAIRIKI was successfully saved from a beehive restoration and totally rebuilt and relaunched in 2010.  For the next 10 years Jason and WAIRIKI were a familiar sight at every classic event, then he saw the light and came over to the dark side with the purchase of the launch – MY GIRL, another total rebuild. This coincided with WAIRIKI being acquired by current owner – Keith Logan, grandson of Arch Logan. You can view the restoration at this link https://www.my-girl.co.nz/Wairiki1904/Welcome.html

Complimenting WAIRIKI was a collection of Arch Logans tools on display upstairs at the club, video below + ‘RUMBO’ spiced rum tasting 🙂

CLASSIC 1950’S WOODEN SKI BOAT

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CLASSIC 1950’S WOODEN SKI BOAT

The c.1950’s 14’ classic ski boat – CORKER was built by by Bay Boats, Hastings for a Hawkes Bay farming family that holidayed in Rotorua, the the boat was used to ski on Lake Okataina and Lake Rotoiti. 

CORKER recently popped up on the tme and to be brutally honest the main reason I have featured her on WW is her paint job, stunning – looks like it may need a refreash but she just looks perfect. Current owners have have not held bak with the TLC and maintain in recent times.

Video below of the 30hp Ford petrol engine running. 

HEADS UP – #2 PONSONBY CC Featured Vessels Event Next Week

The PCC is proud to announce their second in the series of “Thursday Featured Vessels” featuring the classic yacht – WAIRIKI on Thursday September 5.  This woody was designed by world renowned yacht designer – Arch Logan in 1904 and is now owned by his grandson – Keith Logan. 

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

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JOCELYN
RAINBOW

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

Earlier in the week I found myself at HMB marina with some time to kill so went for a wander.

Three woodys in different stages of getting some winter TLC.

JOCELYN – The 49’ Brin Wilson built launch, possibly to a Hacker Craft design, appears to be getting a varnish refresh. She is one of those craft that are just so much bigger out of the water. Read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

UNKNOWN – has a Lanes / Picton look to her – I’m sure someone sharper than me can tell us her name. Impressive back to bare wood restoration underway.

RAINBOW – the 1898 Arch Logan built gaffer has just had a birthday – lots shinny paint and varnish on display + the masts was revarnished , that is a titanic undertaking – well done. I was on-hand as the team from Boat Haulage were dropping the stick back in. An impressive of collection of origami on display 🙂

Doreen > Haku > Coquette – 1912 Logan Motor Launch – SOS

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Doreen > Haku > Coquette – 1912 Logan Motor Launch – SOS SAVED

When it comes to provenance it would be hard to beat this woody – designed and built by Arch Logan for his brother Robert, named after their sister Doreen. Then in 1945 she was ‘modernised’ by Bill Couldrey, one of the Arch’s few preferred boat builders. She has passed thru many hands and aside for her blue blood, her second claim to fame is that she was used to take the mould off for the popular 33’ fibre-glass launches (Logan33).

Last week I was contacted by her owners who advised that a few months ago while taking her out at very low tide they hit an unmarked reef inside the OBC Bridge on the way out. The damage sustained is that as a result of the keel and prop hitting reef the drive shaft, this was pulled out of the gearbox. I’m told no water entered the boat – BUT the insurance company has written the vessel off so now it is up for sale for $12,500 as-is-where-is. Potentially the bargain of the year.

Given the abysmal listing by the insurance companies boat broker, I’d be amazed if it sells. We plug it on WW today because the boat deserves better.

This WW link will take you to numerous WW stories that feature Coquette (Doreen > Haku)

https://waitematawoodys.com/?s=Coquette&submit=Search

18-07-2023 UPDATE – SAVED !!!! – I can confirm she has been purchased off the insurance company by a previous owner and will be repaired and returning to the north – GREAT NEWS

A Dip In The Archives – The Gypsy Story

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29/06/2013
Recovery1
Recovery2
Recovery3
In the shed
Pre rebuild cabin top
The ‘new’ Gypsy 29/06/13

A Dip In The Archives – The Gypsy Story

Todays story on the Logan yacht – Gypsy, appeared on WW back in June 2013, given the increase in viewing numbers since then e.g. from less than one thousand to tens of thousands, a lot will not have seen the sinking of Gypsy’s and her rebuild – enjoy 🙂

We have some very generous & talented people in the wider classic boating community. The story of the collision & sinking of the Arch Logan designed 1939 yacht Gypsy has been well documented & can be viewed here http://gypsy.org.nz.

Yesterday I took some photos of her out on the Waitemata. You will see the owner has gone back to a cabin top that closer matches how she looked when she was launched, we like that. Well done to everyone & to John Pryor for bringing her back from the deep.Thanks to Jason Prew for the salvage photos.AH

Ngaio Gets A Heart Transplant

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NGAIO GETS A HEART TRANSPLANT

The 36’ 1921 Arch Logan built launch – Ngaio is one of my favourite woodys, impeccable bloodline and drop dead looks. There are lots of stories on her in the WW archive , including her restoration back in 2013. 

Back then if she had a weakness it was her a heart – a 95hp Ford Trader engine that was a tad tired, well 10 years later and that old Ford was still delivering the goods but her owner decided in the interests of reliability an upgrade might be a good idea – so out it came at the Slipway Milford and the hole will be filled with a much newer (30+ yrs) reconditioned 125hp Ford Dover engine, sourced by Cameron Pollard.

Back in March 2021 Ngaio celebrated her 100 th birthday – link below with lots of interior photos 

100th Birthday Party – Ngaio

(Todays photos ex Jason Prew, Luca Beachman and myself)

21-07-2023 UPDATE – ‘new’ Ford 125hp installed (almost)

WW Caps – low profile, 6 panel, canvas caps in the new camel colour topped with dark brown WW embroidered logo has a dash of understated style.

just click the email link here and tell me your name, postal address and number of caps required. I’ll come back to you with payment details – $38 + $6 p&p. waitematawoodys@gmail.com