CLASSIC SWANSON KAURI CLINKER LAUNCH – STELLA ROSE
Todays 34’ woody was built in 1967 by boat builder R E Swanson, constructed via the clinker method using kauri planks. The interior is macrocarpa.
Forward motion is from a 70hp Ford diesel engine.
Woody Ian McDonald commented that she had a similar ‘look’ to Baden Pascoe’s – JOHN DORY, I’m sure Baden will disagree 😉
Can we learn more about this Akaroa, South Island woody.
22-06-2025 INPUT EX LIAM DALY There were at least two other ‘almost identical’ clinker built launches built by Bob Swanson. One was named “TELSTAR” And the other named “MANANA” which was often mispronounce! “Mañana” named after a popular song of the day, translated from Spanish means, “tomorrow” or “morning”.Back in the day, Manana was at one time owned by Bay of Many Coves identity Errol Christian. Errol installed a huge turbo charged 100 h.p. diesel engine in Manana which he used as a water taxi throughout Queen Charlotte Sounds.
Back in April 2022 we ran a brief story ex Rob Bark in regard to a clinker run-about he had purchased named – IN THE MEANTIME. Back then Rob was hoping to learn more about the craft.
The photos above are recent ex Rob and are a vast improvement on what we saw back in 2022, those photos are below – the first one dated c.2015, shows the boat as purchased by the previous owner (who was based in Rotoiti, Lake Rotorua). They removed the cabin and hot-house.
The second & third photos below show her as a work-in-progress.
WW was unable to unable to uncover any intel in 2022 , so today we ask again – the WW readership numbers have move than doubled in the last few years so maybe some fresh eyes and minds might help. Any intel , even possible build date would be appreciated. Rob is currently in the process of deciding how he should power her (inboard, outboard etc) – any advice.
CLASSIC WOODEB CLINKER – MISS MARAETAI – Where Is She
WW was recently contacted by Rowan Muir re Seacraft runabout named – MISS MARAETAI, read below
“We are compiling a history of sea rescue out of Maraetai as it has operated from 1975 and it will be fifty years in 2025. I am trying to locate the present owners of “MISS MARAETAI” the original rescue vessel that the Maraetai Beach Boating Club owned.
She was a 16 foot Seacraft clinker built runabout with a petrol inboard Falcon motor. The last information I have is about 15 -20 years ago was that Rick and Viv who we think they lived in Manurewa somewhere owned her.Can we help Rowan and the MBBC track down what became of MISS MARAETAI.
NAME THE PENNANT – AND WIN A WW BURGEE In my recent travels around Auckland I spotted this on a club wall – I rather like the design ;-)First woody that can ID the pennant – wins a WW burgee. NOTE: entry via the WW comments section. Here’s a hint – not NZ, but not too far away………..
Todays woody – Magic Fiddler , is a 15’ clinker day boat built in Picton by an unknown boat builder. Year of build / lunch isn’t listed on tme (thanks Ian McDonald) so we don’t have an age, but looking at the bilge photo she appears older v’s new – thats very Irish I know and I apologise in advance to any Irish readers, I do not need another report to the Human Right Commission 😉
Forward motion is via a new Honda 6.5hp petrol inboard engine, backed up by a Seagull auxiliary. Rather a smart trailer.
Current home is Waimate, South Canterbury.
Perfect craft for someone wanting to do the New Zealand Antique and Classic Boat Show next March (3rd), at Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes, South Island.
100 Year Old Classic Clinker Back in late 2015 I rail-roaded a good friend into buying a beautiful classic clinker day boat – he lives on Waiheke Island and it was a perfect match for him. WW link to the 2015 story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/11/21/an-evill-boat/ Well as always seems to happen, life gets in the way of hobbies and the old girl just isn’t being used – so the decisions been made to pass her on to her next caretaker.
As her owner is a far better wordsmith than I am, I have reproduced the trademe listing story below:
“I am reluctantly selling my beautiful 108 year old boat. This clinker built tender/lifeboat is purported to have been built in 1914 likely by one of the Miller Bros (precursor to Miller & Tunnage est 1922) It is claimed to be one of two launched on the back of the tug “Dunedin” on Jan 6th 1914 ( see photo) 14′ length. 6′ beam. The craftsmen in Port Chalmers, where some of the finest boat-builders in NZ and their clinker built craft are amongst the most sought after collectibles around.
Powered by a single cylinder 7HP Yanmar Diesel, installed by Miller & Tunnage in 1961. It propels the craft at 6 knots and is extremely economical. Running for hours straight on a cup of diesel. The engine was last serviced in 2019 and has not run since, so it will need some TLC but should be simple to get going again as it’s fool proof. (I have a 1970 BMW D7 marine engine, semi complete with many new parts, i was going to replace the Yanmar with, that I would consider selling separately.)
It was used as a salmon boat in Port Chalmers for 30 years and then spent ten years on Lake Taupo until I bought her 7 years ago.
I used her a fair amount until 2019. The last owner told me he spent $40,000 restoring her and I can believe it. She has teak decks and posts. Huge bronze hinges and a magnificent bronze bilge pump and prop. Brass whistle and controller and anti- aircraft gun cartridge cases as rod holders! The woodwork is good for her age and the bespoke trailer is really solid. She’s a joy on the water and capable of handling any seas in safety. Extremely stable with 4 on board. Like most of its kind she lets in a little water on first entering the sea but takes up rapidly within 24-48 hrs. This is a superb piece of New Zealand seafaring history. I am looking at offers over $7,500 but it is more important to me that she goes to a good home so if you love classic boats and want to own a piece of our boat building heritage then get in touch.”
Back in late 2020 woody Barrie Abel contacted me to update me on a new addition to his fleet, Barrie owns the classic launch – Matira, photo below. Barrie had just purchased a 1965, 16’ Sea Craft clinker run-about named Touchwood. We first saw her in the flesh when Barrie piloted us up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club.
Fast forward to 2 weekends ago and Barrie was back on piloting duties, this time the clinker had received some TLC and was looking very smart – refer photos above.The Sea Craft woodys are very much in demand these days as they offer a very affordable classic wooden boating experience, with the advantage of being able to taken home and care for it.
JACK LOGAN WOULD BE HAPPY Back in November 2020 we reported that Lake Rotoiti boatbuilder Alan Craig (Craig Marine) had taken on the restoration of the 1956 Jack Logan built 17’ clinker cabin run-about – Sea Spray. The WW link below will show you the boat as Alan received it. https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/11/14/sea-spray/
I can report that Alan’s yard are well under way with the project, as you can see in the above photos, once the reciprocating saw comes out there’s no turning back. Alan commented that most ribs were repaired and structure added. Her shape was pretty bad, had a chine in it almost. A few planks to replace on the bottom then into the cabin. Looking forward to following this project – just need to keep reminding Alan to send in the updates 🙂
SEA SPRAY During the week I was chatting to Lake Rotoiti boat builder Alan Craig and he mentioned that he was scoping out a 1956 built, 17’ kauri clinker run-about on tme for a client. The boat had a J. Logan builders plate and we both wondered if it was ’the-real-deal’. On these matters there is only one go to guru – so a quick email to Harold Kidd confirmed that Sea Spray was indeed built by Jack Logan, and HDK had had a lot to do with Jack Logan and the Chappies, who had a twin to his boat on Lake Okareka. That intel was enough for Alan to buy the boat.
Alan understands that for a lot of the boats life, it was north of Tutakaka. The new owner has x2 Arona 10hp engines and gearboxes, which fingers crossed, one will go into the boat.Having witnessed the work of Alan’s yard – Sea Spray will emerge as an awesome addition to the woody lake fleet. Alan has promised to keep us updated with work-in-progres photos 🙂
Looking to get out on the water this summer but do not want the launch?, this 15 kauri clinker day boat could be perfect. She was originally designed and built with an inboard motor.
Beautifully restored with new kauri duckboards, teak rubbing strip etc.
Her custom built trailer must be worth more than the starting bid on trademe (thanks Ian McDonald).
I understand the boat has had little use over the last 4 years so has been shed stored for the majority of this time. May need some sea time to take up as with all clinker boats.
Included -Seagull outboard (purchased as reconditioned 2 years ago.
Her owner has had her for 40 years.
Any Lake Rotoiti woodys looking for another boat 😊
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