CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – OKAREKA – A Peek Down Below

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – OKAREKA – A Peek Down Below

The classic wooden launch OKAREKA popped up recently on tme (thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up) The listing states she was built in 1952 by Colin Wild, is 36’ in length and powered by twin 75hp Ford 2704 diesels.Being sold as-is-where- is.
Can we learn more about her past.

Morning woodys – there was a typo in the spelling of the boats name it wasn’t Orareka its OKAREKA, previously named FERG AND FERGY. Sorry for the confusion – you can view and read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/17/okareka-2/

30-01-2025 INPUT ex BARRIE ABEL – photo below of OKAREKA moored off Brooklands Boating Club on the Clevedon River.

THE REAL REASON FOR TODAYS STORY –   Sadly plans are a foot to close the winter haul out area at Little Shoal Bay, Northcote.  Yeap another one under the axe of Auckland Council. So woodys have your say, click the link below to sign the petition.  https://www.change.org/p/save-little-shoal-bay-boatyard

ROAMER & The VOS Shed

ROAMER & The VOS Shed


Over the last week I received several emails concerning the 40’ launch – Roamer that was on tme listed as ‘as is where is, any offers considered’. When had I had a look for her it was showing as withdrawn, so fingers crossed that a new owner was found. Roamer last appeared on WW back in July 2016 – link to the story below https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/07/01/roamer/

Roamer was built in 1911 in Ferrymead and has been modified multiple times over the years. Recently including a new cabin top to increase the height inside the main cabin. Repairs were done by Davie Norris Boatbuilders/Norris family over many years. The top photos show how it was in the water before she unfortunately sunk at the moorings 12/11/20. Since then she has been stored at Davie Norris Boatbuilders awaiting final repairs to make her watertight again. The engine, a Ford diesel had been serviced and ran. Unfortunately Davie passed away recently and the Norris syndicate who were looking after the Roamer were unable to keep her and get her back on the water. The tme listing was a shout out to locate a caretaker for her.

AUCKLAND’S WATERFRONT PINK ELEPHANT – THE PERCY VOS SHED

Nearly 8 months ago I asked WTF was happening with the Vos Shed, while strolling the waterfront yesterday I detoured to have a look – and, looking worse than ever – note the old newspapers on the windows 😦 Come on Auckland Council / Panuku – open the bloody doors.

Mystery Bay of Islands Woodys + Heritage Basin

Mystery Bay of Islands Woodys

The above photo dated 1939 and tagged – Russell, comes to us from Lew Redwoods fb.

Can we ID any of the vessels ?

Short story today, as the message below needs some air time – the dullards driving this project appear to have tunnel vision and be deaf. Maybe the mainstream media need to know what is happening down at OUR waterfront.

Auckland Is So Close To Having a World Class Working Traditional Boatyard – But Also So Close To Stuffing It Up

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Auckland Is So Close To Having a World Class Working Traditional Boatyard – But We Are Also So Close To Stuffing It Up
The hottest topic around the waterfront & has been for way too long is – what’s happening with the Percy Vos yard. Everyone has a different story & reckons their version is fact.
All I can tell you is that we are dangerously close to mucking it up. It is almost a joke, the issue has been around for over 15+ years, I have reproduced below a submission that was produced back in Feb 2005……… thats exactly 14 years ago. It shows what the yard could look like & examples of successful working wooden boat yards.
So woodys the question today is – whats wrong with Auckland Council and its many public facing departments? They do some wonderful work across the city & at times move fast e.g. they decided what the America’s Cup bases will look like & approved them in a few years – so why is this project dragging on?
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Shame On You – Auckland Council and Auckland Maritime Museum

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Shame On You – Auckland Council and Auckland Maritime Museum

 
 The management vandals at the Maritime Museum and Auckland Council  are scrapping the 1926 Steam Crane Ship Rapaki.  Chris McMullen advises that she will be towed to Titan Slipway today. This is very sad as John Street and Chris arranged to procure her from the Lyttleton Port Company.
She has been neglected for years. Rodney Wilson had great plans for her then sadly left. 
It’s been commented to me in the past that most museums are run by academics often as a career not an interest. They don’t encourage volunteers fearing their ignorance and lack of experience will be exposed.  
 
You have to ask the question – has this been brought ahead by the Americas cup fever? 
 
Whats next? boat registration before the next Cup? Boating is the last Bastion of freedom. We have lived through the best times. 
 
Rapaki’s  demise has been kept from the press. But this was posted on the Net in November. 
There has been no public consultation, No Public Notices or call for expressions of interest.