Tag Archives: Barrie Abel

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY JANE

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CLASSIC LAUNCH LADY JANE

Back in August 2025 we ran a story on the launch LADY JANE that after a submariner incident was being auctioned off. Link here to that story 

We understand she did sell but to whom we do not know.

(edited – the wires out shorted / lost in translation – all too hard AH)

Over the break woody Barrie Abel sent in the top two photos of LADY JANE.

In the second photo we see Brian Harkin and his team at Pine Harbour after they did an awesome repair on her bow after storm damage 15 or so years ago. 
So woodys and update / news on the whereabouts of LADY JANE.

Barrie also shared the photos below of his classic launch – MATIRA, hauled out at the CLEVEDON CRUISING CLUB yard for some TLC. Lucky man to have access to a shed 😉

MATIRA – 2019 @ CCC

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’ 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARIZONA

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ARAB (L) & ARIZONA (R) at Awanui 1914

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ARIZONA

Woody owner Barrie Abel (MV MATIRA) sent in todays top photo as part of a recent road trip to the Hokianga Harbour report. 

There will be story on the trip in the next few days. But what caught my eye immediately was the photo of a launch named – ARIZONA, as seen by Barrie at the Kauri Museum. 

The photo is tagged ‘Launch ARIZONA built in 1914 by Logan Bros. It was owned by chief Parore at Kaihu’.

We have several craft named Arizona on WW, so todays question is – could the boat we saw in a WW July 2024 story, (2nd photo above), be the same boat..   The photo ex Nathan Herbert sees a launch (on the right) named ARIZONA berthed at Awanui. Looks like the Kauri Museum boat photo before a tram top was added.

Do we agree and can we learn more.

11-07-2025 UPDATE below ex Mike Cowie from the publication – Tall Spars, Steamers and Gum’ by Wayne Ryburn. Interesting reading, I hope I have the pages in the correct order, I’m sure you can work it out 😉