Tag Archives: Des Townson A Sailing Legacy

Mystery Launch Quiz – Cyrena

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MYSTERY LAUNCH – Cyrena
Yesterday we probably exceeded the volume of varnished wood allowed in a single wooden boat with the Arohanui story 🙂 so today we revert to an old black and white photo sent in by Paul Drake.

19-03-2021 Harold Kidd Input –

CYRENA was commissioned from Dick Lang by Peter Smith whose business as a marine engineer and the local agent for Alpha marine engines was next door in St Mary’s Bay. Dick built a lot of launches for Smith but his name was always secondary to Smith’s in the publicity. At this point Dick was about to take one of his many walkabouts, this time to Sydney, so CYRENA was completed by Sam Ford who had leased or somehow acquired his business. She was fitted with a big 25hp Alpha engine. I think Alpha were made in Denmark, but will check.
The hull was completed in August 1923 and the engine fitted in early November (when the engine got off the ship, I think). Smith sold her to the Manukau in November 1924. Gordon Ferner “Boy” Bellve bought her in January 1926 and brought her back to the Waitemata.
Boy sold her to A.M. White of Ngatapa, Gisborne and he had her trucked to Lake Waikaremoana in October 1938 as MARITZA.


So let’s keep it simple – what’s the name of boat and who built her and when ? Entries  via email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com – Closes and drawn around 8pm 16-03-2021. If more than one person gets the right answers, there will be a draw. I do not know the answer, so I’ll be relying on Mr Kidd and Mr. Herbert to help me out 🙂

Prize? – let’s make it a goody – a copy of the book – ‘Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy’ by Brian Peet.

Korawai

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KORAWAI
Woody Angus Rogers snapped the two photos above of the launch – Korawai, anchored in Te Kouma, Coromandel during the families cruise on their launch – Centaurus. Korawai changed ownership 6mths ago and that woodys is all I know about the very well presented launch.
Too pretty to be a mystery – so who can enlighten us?

Input from Colin Pawson – Owen Woolley design and build. Previously owned by Beau Farrell I think.

10-01-2021 Input from Barbara Cooke – Korowai was purchased by my cousin and her partner in 1983 and moored in Milford Marina. Owen Woolley designed, 36ft with a single Ford motor. During their tenure a second hatch was made in order that my cousin could see more readily, and as she put it, carry out her back seat driving in comfort! Korowai was sold in 1985 to a fellow in Howick who owned a paint company and kept at Half Moon Bay. Was initially called Korawai not Korowai. Not sure if that still stands? corrected


NZ Power Boat Association Cap Badge – Winner Lots of entries, some amusing, some very random – but of the ones that supplied the correct answer i.e. The cap badge of a commodore of the NZPBA – the lucky winner of a copy of Brian Peets book – ‘Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy’ was K Ricketts.

Pilot + Woody Quiz

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Far North Mystery Workboat – PILOT
Woody Brett Stanaway has taken his launch Seabee to the Far North this summer, even ventured as far as rounding Cape Reigna. While in Hohora he spotted the above woody. Those rather substantial belting indicate she was / is a workboat. In my eyes, there is a certain whale chaser look to her.No name visible so we will have to rely on the WW workboat boys for help ID’ing her.


Most likely the last day afloat today – special thanks to those that sent in photos over the xmas/ny period. Keep them coming 

Input from Dean Wright – she is called PILOT and has been on WW before 🙂

https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/23/pilot/


WOODY QUIZ – WIN #1 Selling Book

All correct answers to the question below go into the draw for a copy of Brian Peet’s #1 selling book – Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy. Enter via email only to this address waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Q – Identify the item in the photo below eg – what is it, who would have it and where would you see it? (Thanks to Harold Kidd for the photo)

Herne Bay Cruising Club + Help Needed ID’ing Some Woodys

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Sloanes Beach Regatta and Centreboard Cup

If you are wondering where Sloanes Beach is – google it. It is one of Aucklands hidden gems in the suburb of Herne Bay. The regatta is very low key, almost secret hand shake low key. Each year I try and drop in and grab a few photos to help promote the club (Herne Bay Cruising Club) http://hbcc.net.nz/

I had a full dance card yesterday, so only stayed for the start of the ‘bigger’ boats race. A little overcast but as I was leaving the sun came out and the wind picked up.Spotted an original burgee from the Auckland Motorboat Club handing from the rafters – you do not see many of those around these days.


Mahurangi Cruising Club / Regatta Year Book

The perfect stocking stuffer – available now at Boatbooks in Westhaven (or on-line) + at usual outlets around Warkworth.


Looking For Something Bigger

Grab a copy of Brian Peets book – Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy. A must for every kiwi yachtie and even launch owners 🙂 Also available from Boatbooks or https://destownson.co.nz/

WW Xmas Quiz Winners

Matthew Drake, Ken Goa, Simon Smith, Nick Voerman, Jason Prew – prizes on the way to you, if you have supplied your postal details.


Help Needed – Yacht Sojurn

WW has been contacted by Zoe Hawkins in regard to the yacht – Sojourn.Zoe is writing a story on the Northern Manukau Harbour and is looking for intel in regards to the keeler. She was built by the Davis Brother in Titirangi in the 1950’s. Zoe believes that It was put on the road and sold after one of the brothers became too sick to finish it and go sailing, most likely this was the 1960’s. An help very much appreciated. Two photos below.  


And More Help – Yacht Hawk V67

Yesterdays WW story featured small boat builder – John Maxwell – recently when John was cleaning out his parents home, he came across the hand coloured old print, below, of the yacht Hawk V67. John told me that if the boat is still around, then maybe the current owners may like this photo. It isn’t large but is better condition than the photo shows. 

Woody Christmas Quiz – Big Prize Draw

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Woody Christmas Quiz – Big Prize Draw
Correctly name the launch in the photo above and you go into the draws to win one of 5 prizes on offer. Entry by email only at waitematawoodys@gmail.com  I have extended the entry cut off to allow more people to participate i.e. not just the early raisers 🙂

Closes Friday 18 Dec 2020 @ 8pm. I will do everything I can to get prizes out b4 xmas, so maybe include your postal address on the email.There has been a name change , so I will take either answer 😉

• A Copy of the book – ‘Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy’ https://destownson.co.nz/

• WW T-shirt

• WW Cap

• A 2021 Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Calendar zea.rachel@gmail.com

• And the best prize – a bottle of the world famous in Devonport home made tomato sauce – 100 year old family recipe – perfect for the beach BBQ

Order a copy here https://destownson.co.nz/

Tawera 1935 Logan – A18

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Video below of Tawera at the Mahurangi Regatta – thanks Roger Mills for sharing

TAWERA 1935 LOGAN – A18

Tawera was launched on 30th December, 1935, designed by Arch Logan and built by Colin Wild – you do not get a better pedigree than that :-). 

She was Arch Logan’s last big cutter, measuring almost 50 feet on deck and the culmination of a number of racing keelers built at that time. As the largest of the more modern keelers from Arch Logans drawing board she represented the very best in design development and to this day still epitomises all of the racing winning and wholesome sea keeping abilities of Arch Logans designs.

Tawera is a lucky classic in that she has had wonderful, passionate owners all her life and today is in immaculate condition. In 2003 she was extensively restored and is now considered one of the finest examples of the a keeler of the pre-WWII era. Her owner is one of the Classic Yacht Association’s most loyal members & has loved her as a Logan should be & spared nothing on her maintenance & restoration. Click on photos to enlarge.

Tawera’s owner has an armada of vessels – both sailing and power, some classic and some spirit of tradition – the hard decision has been made to pass Tawera onto a new owner, not any owner, you’ll have to share the passion for classic woodys to even get a peak aboard. Interested buyers should initially contact the Wooden Boat Bureau at  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

A WOODY QUIZ – WIN A COPY OF: DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY
All correct answers to the following question, go into the draw to win the book.

Q: Name (Christian & Surname) the first owner of Tawera.

Entry by email only to waitematawoodys@gmail.com  Closes at 8pm 30/11/20 Read /see more about the book here  https://destownson.co.nz/

The benefits of a self draining cockpit

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The benefits of a self draining cockpit

The above photo is dated 1956 and the venue is Seatoun Wharf in Wellinton. Not sure how the launch got onto this situation but hopefully she survived. Anyone with a non-self draining cockpit can relate to this. One of your worst nightmares.
I’m still getting late orders for WW gear for xmas, trying hard to fill the orders and post so they get out for xmas. Even doing a few deliveries to WW loyalists 😉
Mahurangi Cruising Club Year Book – the best ever, its packed with photos of both launches and yachts – seems my constant nagging has finally paid off 🙂
Grab a copy at Boat Books, either at their Westhaven store or on-line.
And if you are stumped for the perfect Santa present for yourself (after all who else knows what you want) they have copies of:
K- Class – The Hauraki Gulf’s Iconic Racer – Cruiser. By Jenni Mence
Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy. By Brian Peet

Labour Weekend 1945 at Westhaven – Mystery Launch + Prizes To Be Won

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Labour Weekend 1945 – Westhaven – Mystery Launch + Prizes To Be Won
Check out the bottom right photo – anyone able to name the launch? I can’t but it should be easier for the WW train-spotters.

BOOK PRIZE DRAW – WIN A COPY OF ‘DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY’

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Correctly name the boat designer who’s name has appeared on the waitematawoodys site the most often and you go in the draw to win a copy of the Brian Peet book – DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY. If you don’t want to risk not winning a copy – order here today   https://destownson.co.nz
+ a bobby prize – a waitematawoodys t-shirt drawn from all email entries received – correct or not.
ENTRY VIA EMAIL TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com If you enter via the WW comments section, you will be disqualified (take note Ken Ricketts). Entries close 8pm 17-12-2019.
Todays woody model is Graeme Finch (MV Te Arahi) in front of the Cologne Cathedral. Us woodys get around 😉

Aurora

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Aurora

AURORA 

Now this has to be the coolest old woody I have seen. Aurora was built for Caesar Roose after he had sold the Waikato Shipping Company.
She was built in Auckland and railed down to Mercer, where he had her finished off.
In the photo, Ray Morey believes that its a very special occasion eg a Vice-Regal picnic. Sitting in the bow is Frank (Cappy) Charlton, whose father was a Raglan ship owner. Frank’s mother was a Maori of some rank in the Waingaro area. Frank had been a launchman employed by Caesar Roose for many years.
Input from Ray Morey – designed and built by Bailey & Lowe. Finished off by Willy’s father W.H.Oliver (also Willoughby but known as Bill) Willy was only 11 years at the launching. She was burnt one night by persons unknown about 100 yds from where she was completed and launched. engine was originally a 40 hp. Sterling
I could imagine Aurora at events like the Mahurangi Regatta – speaking of which, save a few dollars in your Xmas budget to buy a copy of the Mahurangi Year Book, Steve Horsley is back at the helm with the design and production and he assures me the ratio of yachts and launches is looking good. Should be in the shops (Boat Books) mid December 😉
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COOL PATIO BAY PRIZE
I have secured off the author / publisher – Brian Peet, a copy of the book ‘DES TOWNSON – A SAILING LEGACY’ – the winner of the handicap (mark-foy) yacht race e.g. 1st across the line – will collect the $80 book. DETAILS HERE  https://destownson.co.nz
Now relax launch owners, there will be some WW merchandise for you – details tomorrow 🙂
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Orere

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ORERE

Todays vessel, Orere is pictured here on 16th October 1923. Harold Kidd has commented that she was built by the Auckland Harbour Board in 1921.
For a work-boat she is rather pretty.
Can anyone tell us the designer and what became of her.
Harold Kidd Input – She was designed by Bill Clare, like TE HAURAKI. She was still on AHB strength until 1940 at least.
‘Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy’ book winner
Yesterdays quiz / draw for a copy of the 334 page just released book was won by John Hunter, Taupo . John correctly told us that there were 116,000 words in the book. The answer was discoverable on the Des Townson website. FYI it was the most entries WW has ever received for an on-line competition. Many thanks to everyone for entering, fingers crossed I’ll do another one prior to Xmas.
Well done John and for the everyone else, copies are available to buy at the link    https://destownson.co.nz . It is a limited print run so I would suggest you grab a copy, before it sells out. Perfect Xmas present for yourself 🙂
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RSVP– you and your boats name + approx. numbers to sueedwards@xtra.co.nz