Tag Archives: Collings and Bell

CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN GAME BOAT – ALMA G II RE-LAUNCHED – 45 Photos & Videos

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CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN GAME BOAT – ALMA G II RE-LAUNCHED 

For the last 18+ months WW has been following closely the refit / restoration of the 1927, Collings & Bell built game boat – ALMA G II.

On Wednesday I pointed the car north and attended the re-launching celebration at Opua, in the Bay of Islands.

Today is about sharing the day with all the WW readers – In previous WW stories (links below) we have extensively covered her past and how she progressed to what we are viewing today.

Tomorrow on WW we will run the videos I recored of the speeches, Waiata and blessing.

Co owners (brother & sister) Shelly and Brett Arlidge, grand children of the original owner – E C Arlidge, are to be commended for ensuring ALMA G II will still be cruising the Bay of Island waters in 100 years time.

I really like the interior fit out, its a take on the old school look and she even sports a reconditioned Ford Lees 130hp diesel engine, no ‘black box’ electronics connected to this engine.

Boatbuilder Craig McInnes and the team at CMC Design have excelled themselves with this project.

The game chair and salon table are original 1927 items.

The gallery of photos comes to us from the cameras of yours truely  and professional B.O.I. photographer Dean Wright. As always click on photos to enlarge 😉

Restoration #1 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/05/01/restoration-of-alma-g-ii-begins/

Restoration #2 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/06/alma-g-ii-restoration-update-2/

Restoration #3 & #4 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/08/14/classic-wooden-launch-alma-g-ii-restoration-updates-3-4/

THE PEOPLE – A fantastic number of people turned out to celebrate the re-launch, seems anyone and everyone with a link to the boat or game fishing in the Bay of Islands was there.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

Wednesdays WW story on the ex game launch – ALMA G II, gave woody Gavin Bradley a nudge to send the above photos of his wooden classic – OTEHEI.

Gavin commented that the date was 29 years ago (1995) and Craig McInnes was doing the work of 5 men.OTEHEI was designed and built c.1927/8 by Collings & Bell and had several ’sister’ ships, ALMA G II being one of them. Her first owner was a Frank Elliott and she worked out of Zane Grey’s camp at Otehei on Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands. 

OTEHEI spent some time on Lake Taupo before returning home to the far north, where she residues today.

Lots of photos and intel in the two WW story links below – particularly the 2017 story.
WW Aug 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/28/otehei/ WW Jan 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/10/otehei-2/

Leone – Where Is She

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LEONE – Where Is She

WW was contacted yesterday by Sue Rivington who advised that she has been going through the family photos and albums and she came across the gems above. 

The boat is – Leone that belonged to Sue’s Grandfather George Hyauiason many years ago – unfortunately Sue is not sure when. But she would love 

any information on her or details on what became of Leone.

Sue also commented that her Grandfather also owned the ‘Ronaki’ – I have asked for some more intel so we can ID which particular Ronaki it was – there is a promise of photos so fingers crossed.  

The Ponsonby Cruising Club + Collings & Bell yard / wharf / railway photo is a doozy – so many boats, so few names.

So woodys can we help Sue out in her quest for intel on Leone.

LOOKING FOR

One of the woody gang is on the hunt for 2 switches as per the photo below – (L) photo is a good one (R) photo has the knob broken off – anyone got two/one laying around?