Tag Archives: Dick Laing

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IRENE GETS A REVAMP

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IRENE GETS A REVAMP

Not often I start with an apology– yesterday at Kawau was a wee bit of a cock up. I missed the prize giving. I’ll be polite and say things got ‘Lost In Translation’.

I was working on intel supplied eg prize giving was according to the notice of regatta was Sunday but it was held on Saturday……. Never mind 😄 sorry to the woodys that turned up 😢

During the week WW was contacted by Karl Reynolds the owner of the 1927 Dick Lang built 31’ classic wooden launch – IRENE. IRENE last appeared on WW back in April 2016, link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/27/irene-2/

Karl purchased the vessel in March 2025 and has been undertaking a refit, The work started with a good clean in the hull and then Karl and his father managed to complete the following in the 15 days they had IRENE hauled out.

• New larger hatch to remove engine through and lifted height to give me head room at helm

• Bulk heads installed to add support to hull and cut out to reduce visual impact 

• New Ford engine with heat exchanger sitting on its mounts awaiting gearbox and alignment 

• Closed in stern to keep birds out 

If you are undertaking a woody project , please share the work with WW, readers love seeing word-in-progress.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KARINA (ex MERLIN) 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KARINA (ex MERLIN) 

The launch KARINA last appeared on WW back in Dec 2022, link below, where with the help of Harold Kidd and Paul Drake we were able to join the dots and link the launch to MERLIN.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/12/06/mystery-lake-okataina-launch-can-we-now-confirm-her-id/

We now know thanks to Greg Philpott & Lew Redwood that KARINA was originally built as MERLIN  by Dick Lang in Auckland in 1939. The commissioning owner is unknown.

MERLIN was apparently based in Auckland in her early years and may have been used to deliver mail to Great Barrier Island during World War Two.

She went to Lake Rotorua in 1945 and then in 1947 to Lake Okataina. MERLIN was sold in May 1957 to Les Tetzlaff who took the boat to Kawhia where she was operated primarily for fishing charters. Jim Storey, a long established Taupo based launch operator, purchased MERLIN in 1961, relocated her to Taupo and on arrival there, renamed her KARINA. Her last survey (to enable commercial use) was in 1965.

Anyone know what became of her beyond 1965.

(Photo of KARINA as MERLIN when on Lake Okataina, courtesy of Beamish-White family archives)

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ADELAIDE OUT FOR SOME TLC

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – LADY ADELAIDE OUT FOR SOME TLC

I Have been spending too much time at the Sandspit marina – as an example 4 trips in the last 10 days………

One of the upsides is bumping into a few woodys that I have not caught up with in a few years.

Last week I snapped some photos of the 1922 Dick Lang built 36’ launch – LADY ADELAIDE. Then yesterday there she is hauled out for some TLC. Back in November 2021 when she was for sale we ran a ‘peek down below story’ on her,  link below, and now get to see her out of the water.

LADY ADELAIDE is one of those classic wooden craft that just looks right from any angle. When done to her owner on the condition she presents in and the ongoing ‘investment’ in systems and salty look.

View Previous WW Story Below – Nov 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/22/lady-adelaide-a-peek-down-below/

SEEMS MOST OF US SHARE THE SAME VIEW ON WHAT TYPIFIES A CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – results of yesterdays online poll below.

November 19-11-2024 Poll

Florence May

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FLORENCE MAY

Florence May was designed by Dick Laing & launched in 1965. She is strip planked kauri & measures 28′ LOA . Powdered by a 80hp Ford diesel. Currently listed 4sale on trademe.

Can anyone expand on her past & possibly confirm the above details? Its says ‘Ngunguru’ on the stern so maybe the northern woodys can help.

Update from Rodney Webb (owner)

I have owned Florence May for 34 years.She was built near Auckland for Harry Muir and was named after his wife.She spent several years in Ngunguru then went to a retired sea captain in the bay of islands.She was then purchased by Tom Thompson who bought her back to Tutukaka.I approached him and purchased her 34 years ago.The builder was Phil Lange who lives in mill bay Manganui.He is 85 and still in good health.I still have her in Ngunguru.I guess you could say i reluctantly have her for sale and would probably refuse any offer 🙂