Tag Archives: Chas Bailey Jnr.

CLASSIC LAUNCH WAIKARO GETS A HEART TRANSPLANT

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CLASSIC LAUNCH WAIKARO GETS A HEART TRANSPLANT

Spotted the 33’ Roy Parris designed and built (1978) classic launch – WAIKARO at the Slipway Milford earlier in the week , poked my head / camera into the cabin and got a surprise – it looked a little like a tip 🙂 Normally she is immaculately presented (last photo), closer inspection revealed a large hole midships and the absence of her Ford 2715 diesel engine.

Turns out she is getting a heart transplant – out with the Ford and in with a new Yanmar. Will be interesting to see the performance comparison – the Ford was 6cly. 120hp and gave her a top speed of 14 knots, The Yanmar is 4cyl. 110hp and turbo. Yanmar is higher reving and probably 1/2 the weight. Her semi displacement hull helps with the speed.

Being keen fishermen her owners like to fish where the big ones are eg Great Barrier Island , so reliability would have also been key factor in the decision to re-power.

Looking forward to feed back on the performance of the new Yanmar.

You can see / read more on WAIKARO here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/08/11/waikaro-exceptional-classic-wooden-boat/

UPDATE – Engine installation and new fuel tanks

Also nice to see at the Slipway Milford the progress being made on LEXIA the 26’ 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr built yacht. See early update on the work here https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/09/27/122-yr-old-classic-woody-gets-a-well-deserved-makeover/

122-YR-OLD CLASSIC WOODY GETS A WELL-DESERVED MAKEOVER

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Sept 2024
Sept 2026

122-YR-OLD CLASSIC WOODY GETS A WELL-DESERVED MAKEOVER

Back in Sept 2024 WW posted a photo of LEXIA, the 26′, 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr built classic wooden yacht berth in the Milford Marina. At the time I commented about her condition. The top photo is from 2024.

Fast forward to Sept 2026 and LEXIA has been hauled out at The Slipway Milford – refer 2nd group on photos, sadly below the water was in a similar condition to the 2024 photo. 

BUT – great news, she is getting the full treatment as seen in the 3rd group of photos. 

Lucky that no-one tried to sail her, the mast and boom were very suspect in several places.

CLASSIC 1914 WOODEN LAUNCH – MAKORA 

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CLASSIC 1914 WOODEN LAUNCH – MAKORA 

The classic launch MAKORA made an a appearance on WW back in Dec 2024, thanks to a 4sale listing. There was a lot of intel at the time but thanks to Harold Kidd we learnt that MAKORA was built by in 1914 Chas Bailey Jr in 1914 for Fred Alison of the Devonport Steam Ferry Co.

Her original power was twin 9hp Andersons (Christchurch built) for which Bailey was the Auckland agent. These days she is powered by a 40hp, 3 cyl. Fordson Dexter engine that gets her along nicely at 7 knots at 1600rpm.Her specs are 35’x9’6″x4′.

Link to 2024 WW story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/12/17/classic-1916-wooden-craft-makora/

Todays photos of MAKORA where sent in one of my woody spotters and we see her hauled out at DOCK5 for some TLC.
Keen to learn if she changed hands in 2024 and where she has been since.

NGATIRA – RARE CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT FRESH FROM RESTORATION & READY FOR HER NEXT CHAPTER

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NGATIRA – RARE CLASSIC WOODEN YACHT FRESH FROM RESTORATION & READY FOR HER NEXT CHAPTER

Heads up – when it comes to the 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr. designed and built yacht – NGATIRA, I’m a tad biased. I have known her owner , Steve Horsley for 25+ years, in fact he is responsible for igniting my passion for classic wooden boats. We worked together in the same advertising agency and I used see Steve each year crafting the Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book and view / read the wonderful tales on wooden craft that participated in the Mahurangi Regatta.

At the same time Steve was undertaking a FULL rebuild / restoration on NGATIRA. I witnessed the highs and lows of a hands on, one man, self funded project. The fact he came thru it (twice) is a testament to his fortitude and a very sympathetic wife 🙂

Steve has owned NGATIRA since 1998 and converted her back to original gaff configuration over a 5 year restoration 2005-2010.

Then he undertook a second 5 year restoration in the 2020-2025 period.

As she sits today NGATIRA is in immaculate condition, better than as launched 122 years ago. 

Steve is one of those people you hate, he can turn his hands to just about anything – what you see in the above photos is Steve’s work. Including bespoke traditional rigging, spars, blocks.

She sports a very traditional sail wardrobe – main, topsail, jib and staysail.

Forward propulsion when not sailing is via a Yanmar 3YM30AE diesel engine.

If you have read this far you will be starting to think that NGATIRA is for sale – well woodys she is – now is the chance to own an immaculate classic yacht that is ready to sail away today – either classic cruising  and racing with the Auckland’s classic yachting group. 

Classics with the WoW factor that NGATIRA exhibits are very rare and its a buyers market.  

Interested parties to initially connect Steve Horsley at srhorsley@gmail.com

UPDATE 11-10-2026 New Photos Added.

HELP NEEDED ON THE WOODEN BOATS – WEITI AND KERERU

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HELP NEEDED ON THE WOODEN BOATS – WEITI AND KERERU
Mixed bag today – a request for info on a launch and a partnership offer. 
THE LAUNCH WEITI

WW has been contacted by Steve Bass who is looking to learn the history of a 38’ launch named WEITI, currently moored in the Weiti River at Stillwater.Steve commented that he had heard that she was used to tow kauri logos from Tiri Tiri Matangi Island to the mainland (location unknown).There appears to have been some additions to her eg an extension to the forward cabin as well more towards the foredeck.  WEITI is powered by a 4 cylinder Ford diesel. 


KERERU RESTORATION – BOATBUILDER WANTED

WW has been contacted by Darryll Heaven the newish owner of KERERU, the rather good-looking 1911 Chas Bailey Jnr. built  canoe stern classic wooden launch that has recently relocated to Auckland from the South Island.
Darryll is about to undertake a restoration project on KERERU and has an unconventional proposal to a boatbuilder / shipwright – in exchange for their services on the project he will transfer upwards of 50% ownership. There are way too many details to cover off here, but I understand materials and new engine would be supplied – anyone interested to initially contact Darryll at  bigdart@rocketmail.com Check out KERERU here –https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/20/1911-classic-wooden-launch-kereru-a-peek-down-below/

CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALICE

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CAN WE PUT A NAME TO THIS CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ALICE

Todays photo is another from the Auckland maritime museum, specifically from the Fletcher Collection and the photographer is listed as William Fletcher. The photo comes to us via Lew Redwood.

Sadly we have no other intel but she does look very familiar.

Anyone able to enlighten us with a name, builder and location etc.

UPDATE – Thanks to input from Nathan Hebert we now know the launch is ALICE, link to Nov 2013 WW story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/28/alice/

HAROLD KIDD INPUT – ALICE is right, built by Chas Bailey Jr in September 1921 for the Inspector of Fisheries, Northland. 30hp 3 cylinder Twigg.

THE WOODY WEEKEND THAT GOT AWAY

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THE WOODY WEEKEND THAT GOT AWAY (sorry this is Mondays story, bloody set the wrong date 🙃

Ever have one of those weekends when you thought long and hard about slipping the lines and decided against it and then missed one of the best boating weekends of the season. And it was a long holiday weekend……….. Well that was me.

First up Angus Rogers sent in two great photos of MAITA I –  the 30’, 1928 Collings & Bell built launch anchored in Sandy Bay, Waiheke.

Then a Waiheke resident sent in the three photos of Oneroa, the most crowed I have seen it in a long time.

Then Rob Griffin was mooching around the Waiheke Marina and spotted a new arrival – KERERU  – the 35’, 1911 Chas Bailey Jnr built double ender launch.             We learnt last Wednesday that she had recently relocated to Auckland from Picton. Looks like Waiheke Island will be her new home. Link below to Wednesday story  https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/04/22/classic-wooden-launch-kereru-arrives-in-auckland/

(photo ex Toby Hyman)

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH KERERU ARRIVES IN AUCKLAND

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April 2026 @ HMB Marina

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH KERERU ARRIVES IN AUCKLAND

Back in October 2025, Ian McDonald tipped us off that KERERU — a 35’ woody built in 1911 by Chas Bailey Jnr. — was on the market down in Picton.

At the time, we uncovered a rich slice of her history (link below), but by December there was still no sign of a sale. She was then powered by a Ford 80hp diesel and, by all accounts, was a tidy example of a Bailey built launch. https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/20/1911-classic-wooden-launch-kereru-a-peek-down-below/

Fast forward to this week, and Ian — never far from the action — spotted KERERU hauled out at Half Moon Bay Marina. A bit of quiet dockside sleuthing revealed she had made the journey north by road from Wellington.

A close look at the latest photo suggests she’s in need of a little TLC — nothing unusual for a 115 year old classic wooden launch.

The big question now is: what’s brought KERERU to the Waitemata. That’s a long trip for a simple spruce-up, so with a bit of luck we may be seeing another salty looking canoe-stern woody joining the local fleet. Can we learn more.

WHAT BECAME OF THE WOODEN LAUNCH – HOPAI

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WHAT BECAME OF THE WOODEN LAUNCH – HOPAI

Back in mid 2024 the owners of the 32’ Chas Bailey Jnr, 1926 built bridge-decker launch – HOPAI were looking for someone to step up and take over the rebuild of the vessel.

The rebuild had been an ongoing project for an extended period and her owner was unable to complete the project. I believe her hull has been f/glassed…..

Does anyone know what happened to HOPAI, hopefully now in the care of someone finishing the work, or is she still in a shed in Kaukapakapa.

REMEMBER SAT 7TH FEB – LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE 

Details here  https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TE RAUPARAHA FACELIFT GOES ALL WRONG

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH TE RAUPARAHA FACELIFT GOES ALL WRONG

Yesterday WW was contacted by a reader in Hamilton who shared a link for a sales listing for the classic wooden 55’ launch – TE RAUPARAHA was built by Chas. Bailey and Sons Ltd in 1938 for a Harry Mills and back in May 2013 we heard from Pamela Hillyer, Harry Mills’ granddaughter, Pam shared a lot of detail and photos. We also had a great update, below, ex Harold Kidd.

“A true “Express Cruiser”, TE RAUPARAHA was the product of the late flowering of Chas. Bailey Jr’s genius, exemplified too by his design of the 94ft ketch NEW GOLDEN HIND for his old customer H.R. Jenkins (SHENANDOAH, 1929),which was built by Deeming Bros of Opua in 1939 and several outstanding sweet-lined contemporary fishing boats like KATOA, JOAN and MARGARET.TE RAUPARAHA was fitted with twin 110hp Buda diesels which were becoming very popular at the time, supplied by Seabrook Fowlds and fitted by Allely Bros. They were replaced with Graymarines after her extensive wartime patrol work in WW1, often well off the Northland coast. A motor launch to make the pulses race if ever there was one”

Back then Andrew Pollard advised she was for sale in Noumea, New Caledonian – then radio silence – until yesterday when she has popped up for sale in Queensland, Australia. OMG – why do people do this to a classic wooden boat – surely its cheaper to just buy a plastic one than turn such a fine craft into what we see today… words fail me.