Blue Fin

BLUE FIN

Blue Fin was built in 1948 by the Lane Motor Boat Company. Originally 38’ she was lengthened by 4’. In her early days she game fished extensively out of the Bays of Islands (Tudor Collins b/w photo below)

The above photos were taken by Dean Wright over the weekend, we see her berthed at Tutukaka, Northland. Links below to WW content ex Harold Kidd, Nathan Herbert and Dean Wright 
WW 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/11/26/blue-fin/

WW 2018 https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/12/09/blue-fin-an-old-sailor-dies/

Liberator

LIBERATOR

Bay of Islands woody – Marcus Petraska snapped the top photo of the Jorgensen built ex workboat – Liberator tied up last week at the Russel wharf, one of the smartest ex workboat conversions afloat. Possibly still owned by Grant and Semmens.

The second photo was taken by Dean Wright, also in the BOI’s over the 2019/20 summer cruising period.

Can anyone tell us more about Liberator?


A CALL FOR HELP – Where Can You Buy Pitch

I have been contacted by boat builder, Ron Hackett in regard to sourcing pitch, Ron used to get it from the Shell Co in Whangerei. He has tried Z, Marsden Refinery, and a company that re-uses old tarseal, but no joy. Does anyone know if you can still buy it and if so where. Also can tar be substituted for pitch? Ron wants to put some in the bottom of an older wooden boat. 

Big Boats In The Bay

ADVENTURE
MONOWAI III

BIG BOATS IN THE BAY

Dean Wright recently slipped the lines on Arethusa and has been mooching around the Bay of Islands. Today’s gallery of photos includes the very salty looking Adventure in Deep Water Cove, also there was the Auckland woody – Callisto. Also featured is Andy and Brenda Bell’s Monowai III and Jim Ashby’s Olga, Dean commented that Olga is a serious bit of kit. She sure is, looks like you could go anywhere in her. Would love to know move about Olga, can anyone give Jim Ashby a nudge and ask him to send WW some background on the boat.


Lastly we see the remains of the burnt out Fleming 55 being lifted from the bottom between Moturua and Motukiekie Islands on Saturday (13-02-21), post the lift Dean saw the barge heading out to sea – probably for a deep water burial, anyone able to confirm? Photos of the boat fire here https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/12/31/summer-woody-boating-in-the-bay-of-islands/


The only downside of Dean’s reporting is we never get to see photos of his stunning woody – Arethusa 🙂 see below

https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/09/07/arethusas-new-woody-wheelhouse/#jp-carousel-49128

ARETHUSA

Bay of Islands – 2021 Tall Ships Regatta

BAY OF ISLANDS – 2021 TALL SHIPS TROPHY RACE

The above photo essay from the 2021 (Jan 9th) Russell Boating Club’s Tall Ships regatta were sent in by Dean Wright, as always stunning camera work. Dean commented that there wasn’t much breeze on race day so it was a bit of a dawdle. I’m sure that didn’t dampen the legendary post race festivities ashore.

Dean is a good lad and always tries to include a few launches in the mix, even if its a sailing event. #e like that
The photos of the Colin Wild launch – Wirihana, just go to show that if you are a looker, no matter what you hang off her (SUP/Sailing Dinghy/RIB) – you’ll always be a looker 😉
As always – click on the smaller photos to enlarge.

Summer Boating in the Bay of Islands – Part 2

Marline
Orari II
Serene
Active

Summer Boating in the Bay of Islands – Part 2


Our resident B.O.I. woody – Dean Wright is a star, above is another batch of photos from the Bay of Islands. I was especially rapped to get the top two of Marline, WW readers will know that she spent several months at the end of last year I the shed at The Slipway Milford getting a top-chop. You can read / see more on that at the WW link below. Wonderful to see her back in the bay and with Ken Warne at the helm.

https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/09/14/marline-gets-a-top-chop/

https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/11/25/marline-back-in-the-water/

The very large – Galerina, is looking the sharpest in many a year – well done to whoever is caring for her. Can anyone put a name to the last photo, the launch with the game poles – its something like ‘Hattele’

I have been getting weather reports from back in the city that its been very wet – my garden will be very happy. But I can report that other than 2 hours of light rain on 01-01-2021, its as dry as a crisp. Photo below from Rakino – West Bay on the left and Woody Bay on the right. 
As always if you spot anyone or thing that might appeal to the WW readers, pull the phone out and snap a photo and send in to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Summer Woody Boating in the Bay of Islands

Summer Woody Boating in the Bay of Islands

Waitematawoodys resident B.O.I. woody – Dean Wright sent in the above gallery of photos from around the B.O.I.’s  over the Christmas > NY period.I’ll let Dean tell the story.


“A few pics since Christmas Eve, not too many woody’s about.That is a floating jacuzzi. Just when you thought you’d seen everything 🙂 Zooming in looks like a woodburner mounted for’ard.
A beautiful Townson in Opunga have forgotten the name, owned by a boat builder, complete with Townson dinghy. Gary’s Mason Bay in the background.Tamaroa also in Opunga Cove. Pics of the Fleming 55 on fire. Thank god the flames didn’t make it onto land. Moturua upwind or Motukiekie downwind.”


As always if you spot anyone or thing that might appeal to the WW readers, pull the phone out and snap a photo and send in to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Most of you will know that I like my food – the cheese scone below from the Beach Store, Onetangi, Waikehe Island – would have to #1 ever. Worth getting a wet ass relaunching the dinghy in the Onetangi beach waves 🙂

Opua Marina / Hardstand Mooching

Luana
Florence
Ngapuhi
Typee
Sea Mate
Unknown

OPUA MARINA / HARDSTAND MOOCHING
Woody Dean Wright snapped the above selection of woodys that he spotted at Opua at the weekend.I have supplied links to previous WW stories below. I know I’m a broken record, but Luana …………. 🙂
Luana    https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/01/luana-4/

Ngapuhi Ex pilot boat, more on this one later in the week

Florence.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/12/28/florence-6/

Typee.   No details known

Sea Mate (Birdsail 52 on the marina) – No details known 


Dean didn’t catch the name of the ‘long’ keeled yacht in the last photo above – any one able to supply details?

Input from Neil Chalmers – Could be ‘Restless’  – Lou Tercel  / John Alden   April 1920.

Input from Simon Smith – The long keeled yacht is indeed the Tercel yacht Restless. 100 years old and owned by Russell resident Tim Beattie who being a master painter has her in beautiful condition. Always sails in the Tall Ships Race but with her ocean cruising rig needs a strong breeze to show her mettle.

Mystery Napier Launch

Mystery Napier Launch

Today’s photo is another from the lens of Dean Wright, taken on a Napier marina walk-about. Looks familiar but I can not put a name to her – anyone able to help out?

Input from Michael O’Dwyer This boat was called the Graham John when first purchased by the current owner Mark Parvin. Talking to his father Peter, he was told the boat was built by a farmer in Motueka around 1947. Originally 36 feet long it was extended aft to 43 feet when converted to a scallop dredger, hence the appearance of a somewhat droopy stern. Currently powered by a 170 hp Isuzu. Mark has completely overlaid the hull with a ply and glass.

Woodys On The Catwalk

Well almost – Karen Walker in a collaboration with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has just launched a range of merchandise celebrating this extra special season – A-Cup and 150th RNZYS Anniversary. WW have supplied woody items – clinker dinghies, model yachts etc to support the collection in Karen Walker stores.

Check out the range here  https://www.karenwalker.com/nz/collections/squadron

Mystery Napier Launch

Mystery Napier Launch
Bay of Islands woody – Dean Wright, recently escaped the winter-less north and has been mooching around the Napier marina. Dean spotted the very streamlined looking launch above, can anyone tell us about the boat?

Input from Michael O’Dwyer – its called Phoebe (Imp) and appeared on WW back in 2015 https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/12/22/phoebe-imp/


Dean also snapped the photo below of the Napier Sailing Club’s patrol boat – someone has a very good idea for fitting a boat out , well done, she is a looker.

Input from Michael O’Dwyer The Watchman was built in Dunedin around 1955 especially for the Napier Sailing Club. She has conducted patrol duties ever since. A club stalwart, she received a well earned makeover a couple of years ago.

Opua Mystery Launch

OPUA MYSTERY LAUNCH
Bay of Island woody, Dean Wright, sent in the above photos of a launch he spotted on a mooring at Opua. At the time Dean I was idling around waiting to go up on the travel lift.No name, but I’m sure someone will be able to tell us more about the boat.

Putting aside the obvious neglect – there is a nice woody hiding there, crying out for a serious dose of TLC.