Taupo woody Paul Drake was recently in Tauranga helping his brother Nigel give his boat – Freelance, some TLC. They spent some time reviewing Nigel’s colour slide collection from the 1970’s with a projector and screen.

One of the woodys in the collection was Doreena (not sure on the spelling could be Dorina), previously named – Argument and Doreen, when owned by the Pointon family. They bought her in a dilapidated condition. She was built in 1928, and sold to Auckland in 1978. Paul understands she slipped off the truck on her way north and ‘broke her back’, but was fitted with a magnificent new laminated douglas fir keel.

Both Paul and I would love to know what became of her?

On Saturday morning Barbara and David Cooke  and myself drove to Clevedon to check-out the location for next months Woody Classics Weekend cruise up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club.

The photos below give you a peek at the set-up, its perfect – big wharf, waterfront clubrooms with huge BBQ and ‘party’ area. The club is BYO, so pack that favourite bottle/s of Pinot. And yes Rosanne, its dog friendly 🙂

Given distance and tides, this is an overnight event. The location and clubrooms fit the bill of the perfect classic kiwi boating club – it will be a great night.

Thank you everyone that has RSVP’ed – great numbers, but if you haven’t replied yet – do it now. I do not want to scare you, but due to available space we may have to put a limit on the number of boats doing the trip – so now there’s an incentive to pull finger 🙂 We are working with the club to ensure we can fit everyone in.

RSVP to waitematawoodys@gmail.com   Just need you and your boats name.