Tag Archives: CYA Heritage Basin

Arizona – Where Is She + CYA Heritage Basin

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ARIZONA – Where Is She

Todays photos were sent in by woody John Dawson and show the 1914, 36’ launch – Arizona. John commented that Arizona had gone into hiding after supposedly being in storage somewhere in West Auckland. The last photo may or may not be of the West Auckland location.

In her day Arizona was a fine looking craft and we would love to hear that she is still around and either awaiting a restoration or even better, its underway.

So woodys can anyone enlighten us on the status of Arizona.

AN UPDATE ON THE PANUKU / CYA YACHT ONLY MARINA

Last week it was asked on WW if anyone had any news on the NZ Classic Yacht Association and the executive committees determination to negotiate with Panuku and the Maritime Museum to establish a new waterfront marina (working title Heritage Basin) in Auckland that would provide pepper-corn rental berths for selected classic yachts. We had several phone calls – overview below:

1. Panuku are extremely gun-shy of anything that might be viewed as ill-conceived given the current economic climate and reported mayoral budget priorities. More than one ‘in-the-know’ person commented “its dead in the water”.

2. Seems the CYA’s committee are at loggerheads on the venture. In recent months three committee members have resigned – the vice chair, the yacht captain and a general committee member. This follows two committee members tabling their resignation in the 2021/22 year. Interestingly a CYA member who is a stickler for governance and protocol pointed out that the empty vice chair and yacht captain roles were filled by asking two CYA members to fill the positions. They felt that given the blurred membership status on the new yacht only marina, maybe a request for nominations from the wider CYA membership would have been a more appropriate decision. Whilst we can understand why people resign, sadly it only strengthens the views of the people they were at loggerheads with e.g. their voice / vote is lost and you would have to be very naive to think that when targeting replacements you wouldn’t look for people that shared your views. Saying that we are very encouraged by the appointment of Russell Brooke as replacement vice chair.

(and for the record – all of the above has been reviewed by a friendly legal adviser, so to quoted that person – “you are on thick ice”)

UPDATE – Now I know that only a % of you regularly read the comments section on each WW story, so I have re-posted todays post from Russell Brooke below.

On many fronts I’m buoyant to read Russell’s input to the WW story – the two primary reasons being:

1. Its pleasing to receive correspondence from the CYA on the the subject of the Heritage Basin project, in recent times it has been impossible to get any factual information on the topic – so well done Mr Brooke to stepping up to the mark.

2. Russell’s comment on all matters raised are – insightful, knowledgable and sage. I will enter into 2023 with high hopes that our movement can become again what it deserves to be. I’ll keep you posted 😉

“Thanks for the vote of confidence Alan. 

A short while ago I was writing to CYA about an issue (not the heritage basin) when I realised that in a storm help was needed more than yelling from the sideline. So I volunteered. The vice chair was the empty seat, and because I had chaired CYA many years ago during a difficult phase the team felt that was where I should sit.

I would urge you to welcome Tom Bertenshaw on to the committee. You and I have spoken before about the need for the “young to fall in love with these boats” if they are to have a future. I am stoked my daughter and her partner are loving Linda. The talk of the town now is Innismara and her young crew. Just brilliant! Tom brings that voice onto the committee.

I must also say how impressed I am with the people on the current committee – experienced, diverse and levelheaded. Our chair, Richard, is a wonderful man who is working incredibly hard behind the scenes. This committee is the opposite of divided, and the ability to have respectful robust conversation is, I believe,  a sign of its ability. 

Re Heritage Basin – There are rumours flying everywhere. We can all see what is going on in Auckland. Despite all that my view is that we need to have a Heritage Basin brief ticking away or ready to go. The new committee received the draft brief yesterday and it is scheduled for discussion at the February meeting. My personal thinking though is that the next months are really busy for CYA, and if there is no urgency for the Basin we may well defer it until we have time to get the cart back behind the horse and produce a project brief that is supported by all the classic boating fraternity. Then we can seize any opportunity.

Of bigger concern to me is where are all the small yachts? A major part of the 30s to 50s yachting scene in NZ was all the small keel boats and backyard boat builders. I would love to see this fleet develop. It may be that racing is not the thing and that more “dinghy raid” type activities are better. Love to hear from skippers of these boats.

I’ve taken a bit of your page – hope it helps. Happy to catch up regularly with you for a Q &A on the forum if that helps build our Classic Boat community.” Russell Brooke

Pastime + VOS Shed

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PASTIME

Todays woody story comes to us via John Dawson who sent in a link to a Auckland Museum collection file on the 1914 Auckland Power Boat Association race to Cowes Bay, Waiheke Island. The event was run on the 7th March, 1914.

The launch featured is the 24’ Pastime, previously on WW  we learnt that she was built by T. Le Huquet in late 1912.

Quite an unusual cabin/cockpit top, the owners must have been years ahead of the ’stay out of the sun’ crusade.

AND THE QUESTION OF THE DAY – Whats happening with the Percy Vos Shed ?

All dressed up and ready to shine BUT a peek in the door reveals a dust bowel – appears nothing has happened since I was last inside for the August 12th 2021 offical launching party…….. that’s 62 weeks ago. As numerous people have told me, the Maritime Museum (who ‘control’ the building) couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery. At the August 2021 function it was announced that both the NZ Classic Yacht Association and the New Zealand Traditional Boat Building School would be tenants – anyone able or brave enough to supply an update?

The one positive from this is that the muppets at the CYA pushing the new Heritage Basin Yacht Only Marina will probably be long dead before the Maritime Museum gets around to making the yacht only marina a happening thing 🙂

A YACHT CLUB AGM

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The answer to the above question is – YACHTS ONLY IN HERITAGE BASIN

This was confirmed at last nights Classic Yacht Association AGM.

At the 2021 AGM Chad Thomson told the meeting in regard to the new Heritage Basin marina – “the intention was to have NZ designed yachts and launches that fitted the dimensional requirements included”

Well in the last 12 months that has now changed to yachts only, that fit a very tight brief – and we are told that this request came from Panuku and the Maritime Museum – yeah right. 

 So if you own a classic launch, classic cruising yacht, B Class classic yacht or a classic work boat – you are effectively a second class citizen i.e. not accorded a fair share of respect, recognition, or consideration. 

Welcome to the new classic YACHT association 

Lady Bev + CYA Heritage Basin Marina Poll Results Revisited

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LADY BEV

During the week I was up Warkworth way and did a fleeting visit to the Sandspit Yacht Club yard. As always lots of activity happening but one boat that took my eye was – Lady Bev.

I know very little about her other than in November 2018 she joined us on one of the Woody trips up to the Riverhead Tavern (on the water photo above).

Hopefully we can learn more about Lady Bev.

INPUT ex Nathan Herbert & ‘tao38’ – Lady Bev was built in 1957 by Dave Jackson for his father. Later extended by 4′.

HERITAGE BASIN MARINA ACCESS POLL

Back in Dec 2021 we ran a poll across the WW readers asking whether they supported access to the new Heritage Basin marina area being open to all CYA classic vessels or just pre-selected yachts. At the time 85% of people voted for all classic vessels e.g. yachts of all sizes and ages, work boats, launches. I suspect at Tuesday nights CYA AGM we will learn that the grey headed ones have paid no attention to what the classic boating movement wants and are continuing to pursue the Heritage Basin marina to be a yacht only area.

HEADS-UP CLASSIC LAUNCH, WORK BOAT & CRUISING YACHT OWNERS

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HEADS-UP CLASSIC LAUNCH, WORK BOAT & CRUISING YACHT OWNERS (shared with the entire WW community as it should be of interest to all)

Next Tuesday (2nd August) the Classic Yacht Association of NZ will hold its 2022 AGM – 7pm @ RNZYS

On the meeting agenda the only item under general business is ‘Report on the status of the expanded classic vessel marina / dock’, while on face value this might be seen as a positive sign – it will not be – let me give my view of the probable gist of the  report.

1. Given the agenda item is after the election of a new committee – the previous committee will have already pushed flush on this e.g. ‘’it will be up to the incoming committee to…….”

2. The report should be dubbed the toffee apple report i.e. it will have layers of sugar coating on / around it

3. The report will be a test of the genuiness (I made that word up as I need to be careful what I say) of the situation i.e. what’s not said rather than what is. 

4. There will be mention around everything still in negotiations etc etc but the reality is that a small group of CYA members have been working on a new waterfront marina for the exclusive, long term use of classic yachts i.e. primarily A Class, ideally gaff rigged. This goes against what has been ’shared’ with the other stake holders (Panuku and Maritime Museum) – fyi one of positives of living in an open society is that almost anything tabled in / around the Auckland Council can be viewed – below is taken from a report published in a late 2021. 

5. The new Heritage Basin discussion will be verbally rolled into an umbrella waterfront discussion – that we will be told will cover all classic vessels – I’m only interested in the Heritage Basin area – what should be New Zealand’s waterfront home  of our vibrant , traditional classic wooden boating movement. The real loser in all this is the New Zealand public who will miss the opportunity to experience our classic boating heritage. Instead they will see a classic yacht ‘car’ park.

IF THE FUTURE OF NZ’s TRADITIONAL MARITIME MOVEMENT / FLEET INTERESTS YOU (and you’re a CYA member) PLEASE COME ALONG NEXT TUESDAY AND WITNESS WHAT WE WILL BE TOLD.

SIDE ISSUE – I believe there won’t even be a need to vote on the election of a new committee – there are only enough people standing to fill the available positions. A little sad that the role/s have so little appeal. Personally I think it Is actually a strategy to keep the fiefdom functioning.

RELAX – There is always a woody story

Today’s woody is Delmar, that when I first got involved in the classic boating movement was very much on the scene and participated in some of launch events.

While mooching around East Tamaki last week I spotted Delmar fresh from a visit to the beauty parlour – looking very smart.

Can anyone give us an update on Delmar.

First Yacht Confirmed For The New CYA Heritage Basin Marina

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The First Yacht Confirmed For The New CYA Heritage Basin Marina

If you were asleep all week, might be a good idea to click on the image below to catch up on the controversy around the probable selection criteria for classic CYA vessels berthing in the new CYA 40 berth waterfront marina.

click image to view


WW Quiz Winners – The answer to the Friday quiz re the number of boats Collings & Bell built turns out to be very questionable – Ron Wattlen in his book states over 1000 (see screen grab below) turns out it was a lot less – so woodys to be fair & kind (pass me a bucket) all entries went into the draw and the two winners of a copy of the book – ‘C J & A J Collings – Designed & Boat Builders’ are:

• Ross Dawson – Papakura • Dean Wright – B.O.I. (copies are in the mail)

Canterbury Model Yacht Club

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Canterbury Model Yacht Club

We tend to think that classic pond yacht racing was an Auckland gig, but the gallery of photos above, ex Helen Harris fb, gives us a flash back to in Hagley Park, Christchurch when Lake Victoria was formed in 1897. A swampy depression – the rim of which was used for penny-farthing cycle racing – was graded, lined with clay and pugged by draught horses, then filled with water from artesian bores. The club was then formed and opened the next year.Such was the enthusiasm of the gentlemen who formed the CMYC at their special meeting held in Warners Hotel, Christchurch, on 17 June 1898, that they went on to have fifteen more meetings in the remainder of that year. Not only did racing get started on Victoria Water but priority was given to building a Pavilion for club rooms and the storing of model yachts.

The top photo of the start line for the 1899 Opening Day race, has a very impressive fleet, and if you were wondering how they got them all lined up – there was a long rope stretched across the lake, restraining the fleet.
CYA COMMITTEE MEETING TONIGHT (zoom) – HOPEFULLY THE ELECTED COMMITTEE MEMBERS (listed below) WILL BE SEEKING CONFIRMATION OF THE INTENT OF THE NEW 40 BERTH HERITAGE BASIN SUB-COMMITTE (listed below) IN REGARD TO THE MIX OF CLASSIC VESSELS ON DISPLAY:
CYA 2021-22 (elected) committee – Rachel Orr, Jonathan Curtis, Richard Cave, Jason Prew, Jason Davies, Kathryn Hobcraft, Lisa Lewis, Peter Jones, Steve Pople
Heritage Basin (non elected) sub- committee – Chad Thompson, Andy Ball, Jason Davies

Mystery Launch + An Answer From the CYA To The Question We Have Been Asking For…..

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MYSTERY LAUNCH 28-08-2021
Todays woody is still drifting around the Waitemata but we do not see enough of her these days. The photo comes to us from the Andrew Donovan collection.

Should not be too hard to ID, hopefully Nathan Herbert will sleep in today……… 
The big story today is below 🙂

In response to Thursdays call out on this site – to the CYA chairperson, Rachel Orr, the CYA have now made public the classic vessel selection criteria for Auckland’s new 40 berth Heritage Basin marina. The short answer – it will be the same as what applies to the CYA’s existing Silo Park (Heritage Landing) 14 berth marina. Summarized below: (copies of correspondence below)
• A balanced display from all categories of vessels

 • All of the vessels (yachts, launches and workboats)…..

• Launched before 1950

The Back Story

In response to dock talk and admissions suggesting that launches and workboats would be excluded from the new marina, I asked for clarification at the AGM that all CYA vessels were eligible for inclusion (this wasn’t supplied) and then we requested via subsequent requests -online, email and in person (again wasn’t supplied).

The response from the CYA chairperson was a posting on the CYA website that directed people to a copy of the (many times edited) report (only spoken to on the night by Chad Thompson) that again made no mention of what vessels would be eligible for inclusion at Heritage Basin.

It now appears that a decision has been made to publish what the selection criteria will be. BUT the only people advised of this (refer A below) are those woodys that followed my lead and wrote to the CYA Chairperson on Thursday asking for clarification. 
Given the significance of this turn around – it seemed only appropriate to share this information with the wider classic boating community.

NOW – DO YOU PAY YOUR SUBS? – IF I WERE YOU I’D HOLD OFF A WHILE – THE FIRST CYA EX COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW COMMITTEE COULD BE INTERESTING

Heritage Basin – Yachts only or a showcase for our classic fleet.

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Most of you are now aware that there could be something fishy (smelly) going on behind the scenes in terms of the negotiations concerning what classic CYA vessels can (or will be invited) to berth at the new Heritage Basin on Auckland’s Waterfront.

The link (below) to the original WW story has been clicked on 27,538 times – + we have had dozens of emails and calls of support – and only 2 negative comments.

https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-hold-off-paying-your-classic-yacht-association-subscription/ 

The Classic Yacht Association is at a cross road and the decision the executive committee and its sub-committee, who are currently negotiating on behalf of (supposedly) all members will determine the future of the CYA. The wrong decision i.e. one of segregation, could propel the CYA back 12 years to when there were two clear fractions – sail and power, and both pursued their on path. 

Strong action is needed to gain the attention of the CYA executive committee –  so woodys I ask you to consider two options. 


(A) Email the CYA Chairperson  – Rachel Orr – and ask this question “ Hello, Will access to the new Heritage Basin marina be open to all CYA registered boats, yes or no?” email address      chair@classicyacht.org.nz


(B) If you are a member of the CYA, in the last 24hrs you will have received your annual subscription renewal email – consider holding off payment until as members we receive confirmation that when and if the new Heritage Basin marina goes ahead – all CYA registered vessels will be eligible to apply for access and while there will be standards and contractual terms to be met, these should be based on the likes of standard of presentation, not by method of propulsion or length or age.

Thank you for reading today’s post, I’m sorry there is no boat story – I’ll make it up 🙂

Remember – it is all about the boats, not the people.
Ps – there is some urgency to this story, due to the Covid lock-down the next CYA Executive Committee meeting could be differed (scheduled for 7-09-2021) and that might just be too late………………..

UPDATE 16-08-2022

BIGOTRY – ALIVE & KICKING AT THE NZ CLASSIC YACHT ASSOCIATION If you’re a CYA member, you probably like me received a membership invoice over the weekend. Even if your are not a member and you have a passion for classic wooden boats, you also need to read this.
By now some of you will be bored to death with my crusade to get equal status for all CYA members, regardless of what type of classic vessel you own. The CYA had a once in a lifetime opportunity to create a world class waterfront display of New Zealand traditional wooden vessels on the waterfront – to be known as the Heritage Basin. Sadly depending on who you believe either one of the two things below has happened:

1. The CYA committee let Panuku dictate that only yachts were to be berthed in the new marina – if this is the case someone needs to ask Panuku why they have such a narrow view of NZ’s maritime heritage.

2. If the above is incorrect, then a small group of narrow minded individuals are acting on behalf of approx. 5% of CYA members. – how can this be?

At last months AGM, the out going chairperson – Rachel Orr said the following about the vessel selection:
“We won’t fulfil the needs and desires of all our members. Not all vessels will be able to be there, but really as an association we never promised that to you. We are just an association of members and sometimes we do have to look after your premium vessels” Well woodys there it is – proof that the CYA doesn’t treat all members the same and if your vessels deemed ‘premium’ you could receive substantial preferential treatment.
Also at the AGM Chad Thomson told the meeting that “there was always an intention to have launches accommodated else where” i.e. at Hobson Wharf, sorry Mr Thompson, at the 2021 AGM you told the meeting in regard to the new Heritage Basin marina – “the intention was to have NZ designed yachts and launches that fitted the dimensional requirements included”.

The reality is if you own a classic – launch, cruising yacht or work boat,  the majority of your membership fees are used against classic YACHT racing for a very small number of CYA members. 
Where do I sit – post the AGM I’m just tired of banging against a closed door. The NZ classic YACHT association can do what ever it likes, but if you think as a classic – launch, cruising yacht or work boat owner that they have your interests at heart – read Rachel Orr’s comments again.

The first question of the day is  – does the incoming CYA committee have the motivation and ability to address the historical neglect that launch, cruising yacht, work boat and non boat owner members have received or will they continue to overlook the wants and needs of approx. 80% of the membership? 

The second question of the day is – is there a desire, a passion – to be an inclusive classic boating group where all members are treated as equals in terms of opportunities to participate and funds spent or is the reality that there isn’t the resource (people) and/or funds to achieve this.
Going forward there is a world-wide shift to classic boat ownership and usage – the big growth in numbers is in motor vessels and cruising yachts – we have already seen it here. So is the CYA equipped to capitalise on this, or will it become an association that organises yacht races for classic sailing yachts, mostly owned by trusts? Eg OGA – the UK based Old Gaff Association – whose mission statement is “to promote the use of the Gaff rig.
All food for thought – how the new CYA committee navigate the next 12 months will ultimately determine its destiny. 

Busy Morning at Milford

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Busy Morning At The Slipway Milford

  1. Final prep to Eileen Patricia for a relaunch this weekend (photo below)
  2. The very regal Brooke family launch – Linda, was eased out of the shed after nearly 2 months of serious TLC, most at the hands of grand daughter Grace and partner Calvin. Fantastic to see 3 generations helping with the relaunch. Robert Brooke commented to me the other day that Linda has never looked so good – thats high praise from Robert. Also nice to see Robert back on the tools, my lips are sealed as to why his services were called upon :-)I caught up with son Russell and he was full of praise for both the standard of workmanship and facilities at the Slipway Milford, the project was split between the family and the Slipways Cam and Jason delivering another showroom the paint job + a few engineering odd jobs. Russell was also like Robert, over the moon with the kids (his word) diligence on the project. The future of the classic wooden boating movement is looking very rosy when you see two early twenty year old piloting Linda down the Milford Creek on their own.
  3. As soon as Linda had slashed, the Slipway boys were hauling Nathan Herbert’s launch – Pacific, out for her turn in the shed – photo/video below.
Eileen Patricia
Pacific
READ MORE https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/08/04/why-you-should-hold-off-paying-your-classic-yacht-association-subscription/