Tag Archives: Dean Wright

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – TAIMARINO – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – TAIMARINO – A Peek Down Below

Last Wednesday we ran story on TAIMARINO – Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/29/can-we-learn-more-about-the-classic-wooden-boat-taimarino/

As a result of Wednesdays story Dean Wright pointed me in the direction of the photos you see today. Same name, now slightly different e.g its been sliced in two – now TAI MARINO.

What we have learnt is that she is 40’ in length, built c.1968 by Kingfisher Boats in Tauranga, originally for game fishing.Kauri carvel planked hull.

Currently powered by a 120hp Ford (Lees) engine that gives her a cruising speed of 8 knots.

CLASSIC SPEEDBOAT BLACK TULIP – LOST HER SHINE, KEPT HER ATTITUDE

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CLASSIC SPEEDBOAT BLACK TULIP – LOST HER SHINE, KEPT HER ATTITUDE

Earlier in the week one of my Picton spies (Steve) spotted a ’new’ arrival at Waikawa Marina, in Picton. Boats name is BLACK TULIP, which rang a few bells with Steve, so a quick WW search popped up a July 2022 story – link below. At the time Dean Wright had spotted the boat sign and dry in Paihia. 

Whilst needing some TLC she was a looker and we learnt that she was a Mason Clipper 23 and came with an impressive power boat racing history. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/22/black-tulip-where-is-she-today/

Now a few days later she popps up on tme – post an extensive make over, and powered by a 280hp Yanmar, that sees her topping out at 23 knots.

An oid salt told me once that once you lose the varnish on a classic ,it just becomes another white boat – well I think if you check out the photos below, you would have to agree, she has lost the WoW factor – but its only paint and maybe the next owner will see the light 🙂

TIMELESS WOODEN LAUNCHES OF THE BAY OF ISLANDS 

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Aquarius
Maharatia
Poseidon
Manu

TIMELESS WOODEN LAUNCHES OF THE BAY OF ISLANDS 

Todays gallery of classic Bay of Islands wooden boats was snapped by Dean Wright , owner of the majestic woody – ARETHUSA. Dean was un-route to hauling ARETHUSA out for her annual TLC.

For top to bottom we have – AQUARIUS (1955 Supreme Craft), MAHARATIA (1947 Roy Lidgard), POSEIDOM (1965 Owen Woolley), and the last boat, the bridge-decker, is MANU (1913 Bailey & Lowe) a mystery, but looks familiar , hopefully we can put a name to her.

Make sure you check out WW on Monday, we have an epic trip report from John Oates who recently attended the 2025 Port Townson Wooden Boat Festival.

PAM – OPUA CLASSIC YACHT – What Do We Know About Her

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PAM – OPUA CLASSIC YACHT – What Do We Know About Her

Trolling thru the WW files on Friday and found the above photos of a classic yacht named PAM that had ‘fallen between the cracks’.

The photo was sent to me back in November 2024 by Dean Wright with the commented ‘ spotted today on the hard at Opua’

And that woodys is all we know about PAM, other than she is quite a stunner.

Anyone able to shed some light on PAM.

04-08-2025 INPUT EX DEAN WRIGHT

From the owner, John Oates of Russell: Stuart Knockabout, imported from the US. Fibreglass version of L. Francis Herreshoff’s 1932 Design. 28′ x 6’11”

https://www.stuartknockaboutllc.com

MYSTERY POND YACHT

WW has been contacted by Matt Blaikie concerning a classic pond yacht named – TANIWHA. Matt is selling for a friend and he commented that it was purchased approx. 30 years ago from an antiques dealer in Wellington, and other than that he knows zero about the model. (1.8m tall and 1.5m approx long)

Any of the woodys interested in pond yachts able to tell us anything from the photos (apologise for the quality)

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SUSAN ROSE > ODYSSEA 

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1975
1984
2025

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH SUSAN ROSE > ODYSSEA 

Our first glimpse of the 34’ ex game fishing boat SUSAN ROSE was in August 2017, (2nd photo above) this 1984 photo and others were shared with us by Dean Wright. At the time we saw her docking at Paihia in the Bay of Islands – link below to that story.                            https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/08/17/susan-rose/

Now thanks to a tme listing we get to see her back in 1975 (top photo) and today, re named ODYSSEA, with an extra ‘story’ on top and a lot of upgrades.

Her back story is she was launched in 1960 in Mangonui, Northland but it has been reported that it took 18 years to build her. Design unknown.

In c.1991 she was repowered with twin 90hp Ford 4cyl. 2722E diesel engines that gives a cruising speed of 8 knots. 

The seller comments that all she needs is a lick of paint and an oil change. These days she is Auckland based.

SPOILER ALEART – THE WW SITE OR THE WRITER ISN’T THAT SMART – NO ONE PICKED UP A PREVIOUS STORY WHERE THE BOAT NAME WAS SPELT – ODYSEA………… sorry and just too tired to write a replacement 🙂

WOODEN MOTOR LAUNCH – ZEPHYR AT WHANGAROA HARBOUR

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR LAUNCH – ZEPHYR AT WHANGAROA HARBOUR

Todays woody photo is another mystery launch that comes to us from the Far North District Library collection via Dean Wright. The photographer being Trevellyn Guest .

The location is Whangaroa Harbour and the date is unknown.

In the photo we see a straight stem launch with a tram top, the lack of a dog house may date the photo c.1910 > early 1920.                                                 Her unusual coamings window configuration may help with ID’ing the boat. That centre square (with curved top) window is a very distinctive feature.

Can anyone put a name to the boat and comment on its back story.

29-07-2025 UPDATE: As identified in the comments section by Fred Walker and latter confirmed via a phone call. It is ZEPHYR and was owned at the time by Joe Shephard who was managing the Whangaroa slip at the time.

MYSTERY WOODEN CRAFT – KERIKERI FLOOD + COOL DOCKSIDE EVENT

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MYSTERY WOODEN CRAFT – KERIKERI FLOOD + COOL DOCKSIDE EVENT

Todays woody photo comes to us from the Far North District Library collection via Dean Wright. The photographer being Gary Strongman (Northern Advocate).

The location is Kerikeri and is dated March 1981 and is tagged ‘post Kerikeri Flood’.

In the photo we see  ‘modernist’ launch coming to the aid of what appears to be a partially submerged boat. Both craft have reg numbers visible so probably workboats – the launch # could be ND 2524 and the submerged at a guess AK ?756 0r ?758.

Can we ID the boats.

INPUT EX GARY MATHESON– Hi, the vessels in the photo of the Keri Keri flood are the Chante and the Zita. Both were commercial fishing at the time. The Zita was a 28ft mullety and the Chante was owned by the Strongmans.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO NEXT SUNDAY (20-07-2025)

Come along to the OPEN DAY at OBC marina – details below.

Things to see, do, eat and drink:

  • Classic Boats – On berths and trailers, including visiting vessels from Waitemata Woodys.
  • Marama – Kohimarama Yacht Club’s beautifully restored, solar-powered committee boat.
  • Amphibious Action – See Haines Hunter’s Overlander boat in action on our ramps.
  • Special Cars & Motorbikes – A unique display of vintage and specialty vehicles.
  • Clubhouse Open – Explore our clubrooms and learn about fascinating Motuihe Island.
  • Kai Ika and Auckland Council’s Marine Biosecurity trailer.
  • Meet Biosecurity sniffer dogs (if they haven’t been called out to a job).
  • Delicious eats – Grab a bite from the Mexican food truck and ice creams. The bar will be open and there will be a coffee cart.
  • Fun for kids – Bouncy castle and children’s activities.
  • Self-Guided Treasure Hunt – Take a walk around . Get a great prize at the end (includes 5L dry bag, 200 to be won).

CLASSIC WORKBOAT – L’AVENIR TO GET A 2ND LIFE

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As launched – photo coloured by Dean Wright
March 2025 Dove Bay
Conceptual Rendering ex Dean Wright

CLASSIC WORKBOAT – L’AVENIR TO GET A 2ND LIFE

Over the weekend I received a repot from Dean Wright (owner of MV ARETHUSA) that he had spotted the fishing boat – L’AVENIR moored in Doves Bay for a few days.

L”AVENIR was designed and built by Roger Carey and launched in 1958. Her spec’s are 50’ with a 14’ beam.

Dean had a quick chat to the new owner Dan, who advised they were on route to her new home port in Whangaroa. 

Dan has plans is to take the fishing gear off her. Now Dean Wright is a very clever chap so he did a before and after shot of what she might look like for Dan.

Dean also ‘coloured’ an old photo of her when she was new. 

Fingers crossed that Dan follows Dean’s suggestions and we end up with another stunning workboat conversion.

Anyone of the workboat group able to tell us more about L’AVENIR.

Observation – workboats are probably the most active sales category in the classic wooden boat movement at the moment – seems everyone wants something they can live aboard and have the ability to do laps of NZ.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT TRIP REPORT #3

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WAIREKA
VOLANTIS
TAPUI
SEA BEE
ORARI II
CAVALAIRE
RAMPAGE
CLEONA MAE
RANONI
VOYAGEUR
NGARUNUI
STELLA MARIS
STEADFAST

CLASSIC WOOYS LAUNCH TRIP REPORT #3

Todays report comes to us from the camera of Bay of Islands photographer – Dean Wright. Dean snapped this gallery of craft over the xmas period in and around the bay.

Some familiar faces here and a few newbies – Dean commented that “Just when you think you’ve seen it all, along comes a Maritimo with a XOS six person island pool float. Every wooden boat should have one or two… Yee gods what next” – photo below
Enjoy the stunning photos – As always – click on photos to enlarge 😉

What you buy when you can’t quite afford a beachfront bach at Omaha

The video below showing LADY ADELAIDE leaving Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island gives you a look at some of the weather closer to Auckland. Sent in by Andrew Sunde.

LADY ADELAIDE

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – FLORENCE – Getting Some TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – FLORENCE – Getting Some TLC

The classic wooden launch – FLORENCE has made several cameo appearance on WW, mainly via Dean Wrights camera as he has been cruising the Bay of Island.

Back 2013 we had a peek down below and then in2014 we had a wonderful insight into her past – links to this two stories below

Oct 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/29/florence-3/

April 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/04/09/florence-1910-hn-burgess-motor-launch/

Last week while in Opua for the re-launch of ALMA G II, I spotted FLORENCE hauled out. 

Florence was designed and built in 1910 by H N Burgess, Parnell Auckland – as was yesterdays woody ALBERTA – that man had a very good eye for designing good looking craft.

The question of the day – what’s happening on the bow with this two small section cut out, both port and starboard sides.