Tag Archives: Brin Wilson

What Became Of The Launch – PARMA + Te Atatu Boating Club 65th Anniversary Celebrations

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What Became Of The Launch – PARMA

WW had an enquiry during the week in regard to the 1958 Brin Wilson designed / built 37’ launch – PARMA. WW readers may recall that back in August 2022 we reported that she  had stuck one of the Auckland Harbour bridge concrete foundations and as good as sunk. She was assisted to Hobsonville Marina, hauled out and sat there for approx. 5 months. Then in December 2022 we made several call outs to any woodys looking for a ‘free’ project boat.

The threat was that she would be despatched to the crusher before Christmas if no one stepped up.

So todays question is – was she saved and if so is she sitting in someones paddock or did she head to the land-fill.

UPDATE – Great news – she was saved and now resides on the Kaipara Harbour. Photos & video below ex Zach Matich via Jason Prew. I understand Ron Matich was the one that did the refit / restoration – well done:-)

Te Atatu Boating Club 65 Anniversary Celebrations – full details at the link below https://www.teatatuboatclub.co.nz/events

JOCELYN – Friday Flashback

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c.Early 1970’s

JOCELYN – Friday Flashback

During the week I was sent the above photos of the 49’ launch – Jocelyn by Robert Ross. The photos date back to c.early1970’s and are from when Jocelyn was owned by Sir Willian Stevenson.

Robert commented that he went fishing a number of times with Sir William out of Whitianga. Robert thought then the boat was ahead of its time and she always attracted a lot of attention. 

Jocelyn was reputedly a Hacker USA design, built / launched in 1967/68 by the boatbuilder Brin Wilson. In the photos below – the ist three photos sees her at the 2016 Mahurangi Regatta.  The last photo is more recent and was taken in August 2023 when she was hauled out at Half Moon Bay marina for some TLC.
Link here to a 2017 WW story where Hamish Moore (great grandson of Sir William) provided a wonderful insight into the history of Jocelyn. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

KARINA – A Peek Down Below

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KARINA – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody – Karina, was built in 1959 by Brin Wilson, kauri planked she is 36’ in length with a 10’ 11” beam and draws 2’11”. Forward motion is via newish 75hp Yammer diesel engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots. Her owner must like hot showers as her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) states she has 600L water capacity.

Can anyone tell us what Karina has been up to for theist 60+ years.

Input ex K Ricketts – Top photo (b/w) below ex a Ford Dealership advertisement in Sea Spay magazine 1961.  2nd photo (colour) c.2014 ex B Worthington.

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 🙂

Te Honu – A Peek Down Below

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Te Honu – A Peek Down Below

The 34’ Brin Wilson built launch – Te Honu was launched in 1963 and has been lucky with her ownership over the years – back in 2015/16 she was given a decent birthday that saw her decks glassed, a re-modelled cockpit and new windows throughout. Then in 2021 she was re-powered and her hull repainted. Link to the Aug 2015 WW story.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/25/te-honu/

I spotted Te Honu at the 2019 and 2020 Mahurangi Regatta and Dean Wright snapped her in both April and August 2022 in the Kerikeri Inlet + BOI 

Forward motion is via a Ford Otosan 130hp ex Moon Engines, that gives her a top speed of 13 knots.

Te Anau – 4sale

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TE ANAU – 4sale

Todays woody the 28’ Brin Wilson designed and built (1966) launch – Te Anau is a perfect craft for a family to enter and joy the classic wooden boating scene.

An absence of varnished timber equals a vessel that is easily maintained by the DIY boaty. When and if you got the urge to pimp her a little, some varnished trim e.g. grab rails, would really make Te Anau standout.

Built from kauri, a reconditioned Ford 100hp diesel gives Te Anau a comfortable cruising speed of 7.5 knots. An inspection showed her structure was sound but needed some refinishing inside and out.

Yes woodys Te Anau is for sale, her owners have moved out of Auckland and are eager for a new owner to take over. Interested parties to contact the Wooden Boat Bureau at waitematawoodys@gmail.com for more details.

14-09-2023 UPDATE – Te Anau is back in the water having had the following done work done – photos below

  • scrape, sand, primed and antifoul (2 coats)
  • diesel engine services (oil change, oil filter, diesel filter)
  • new zinc anode
  • propspeed

Buccaneer Gets A Revamp

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Arriving for her appointment at the parlour

Buccaneer Gets A Revamp

Back in April 2121 we reported that the 1966 Brin Wilson designed, Fred Lidgard built 34’ 8” launch – Buccaneer had sold and was relocated to Auckland 🙂 A the time it was talk that originally Buccaneer may have been Brin Wilson’s personal boat.

Read see more about her at this link – as always read the comments section, thats where you often find the gold nuggets –https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/10/buccaneer-moves-north/

Fast forward two years and her owners have had her out at Precision Boat Painters, Panmure for some serious TLC , the plan is once relaunched the owners will give the interior a lick of paint this winter.

Her co-owner Tim is a very talented man in the metal work industry so as expected there has been some new bling going on. 

A very smart looking woody, and one of the few that carries a flying bridge well.

29-06-2023 UPDATE all set to leave the shed

As bought – early 2021
 Woodys Clevedon River Cruise & BBQ – Aug 2021
 Woodys Classic Beach Picnic – Nov 2022

Endeavour -Re-Launched

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ENDEAVOUR Re-Launched 

Yesterday the A. Couldrey designed / Brin Wilson built launch – Endeavour, slipped back into the water at the Slipway Milford after some serious TLC, still  a few jobs to complete on the list and maybe a topsides paint job – but she is looking so smart with her coamings varnished.

You can read / see more on the project here.https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/27/endeavour-gets-a-birthday/

Milford Yard Update

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DAUNTLESS
ENDEAVOUR

MILFORD YARD VISIT

Lots of woody activity at the Slipway Milford. The launch – Dauntless being hauled for a quick dose of TLC, more on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/28/dauntless-a-peek-down-below/

The 1953 A Couldrey designed, Brin Wilson built launch – Endeavour , under tent, is coming to the end of her refresh – most impressed with the new name board on the stern – nice touch. The gent in the photo is Luca Beachman, the great grandson of her original owner, Borrie Beachman and has been beavering away on the project – no doubt securing his future path to ownership 😉 More on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/27/endeavour-gets-a-birthday/

Just across the yard at the Milford Cruising Club slip – the launch Ngahi, photo below, was being relaunched after an extensive re- fit/refurbishment – hopefully we will see interior photos soon. More here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/10/ngahi-gets-a-makeover/

NGAHI

Colleen – Launch Day

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JAN

Boat builder Alan Craig (Craig Marine) sent in todays’ gallery of photos of the Brin Wilson designed launch – Colleen owned by Bill Stevenson. We see her being launched at Lake Tarawera where she still resides today. Appears that there were a few challenges with the lake level.

Colleen is a near sister ship to the other Stevenson family launch – Jan, refer photos below. Jan is maintained in an as new condition, some credit for this goes to Alan who has repainted and varnished the whole boat at different stages.

Also keen to ID the launch that is helping drag her off.

INPUT ex Hamish Moore “I have spoken with Mother on this, Jocelyn Stevenson. Seems you have amended some of the points already. – Typo, Spelling of the family name. ‘Stevenson’

Some info what what Jocelyn can recall;

Colleen was on Lake Rotoiti for a few years prior to been relocated to lake Tarawera, possibly up to 5yrs.

The launching of Colleen shown here could be at Lake Rotoiti and the little Tug boat could well be Sir Williams first boat on Lake Rotoiti, un-confirmed and details of the vessel unknown.

A notable mentioned needs to go to Norm Keane who was a local boat builder that Sir William employed to maintain all the boats, including Jocelyn in Auckland, and his property at Lake Rotoiti and I’d say Colleen while still in the family ownership. If I recall correctly one of your articles in the past may have mentioned Norm Keane.

Last I heard, Colleen has had some work done over the years and some of which was completed by Danny Pearce boatbuilding out of Rotorua. I’ve lost contact with Danny. However we had attempted to head down and cast an eye over Colleen but life just got to busy.

Jan remains in family ownership, by Sir Williams Grand daughter.

It would be fantastic to see some photos and and article on Colleen if you managed to shake down someone who has the knowledge and contact.”