CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – SPINDRIFT

CLASSIC WOODEN MOTOR SAILER – SPINDRIFT

Today’s featured vessel is the rather salty-looking SPINDRIFT – a 27’ classic double-ended motorsailer that recently surfaced on tme (cheers Ian McDonald for the heads-up).

Unfortunately, the listing doesn’t give much away. We’re told she’s built to a design known as a “Scottish Fifer” and has a kauri hull, so it’s likely she was built here in New Zealand. Power comes from an 18hp Saab engine.

And that’s about it.

The seller does mention there’s a “full history from when built, with photos” – which would be a great addition to the listing. Always curious how some people seem to make it harder to sell a boat…

If anyone out there knows more about SPINDRIFT, drop us a line in the WW comments section. She’s currently located in Tauranga.

SPIRIT OF TRADITION CLASSIC DOUBLE-ENDER WOODEN LAUNCH – BONITA

SPIRIT OF TRADITION CLASSIC DOUBLE-ENDER WOODEN LAUNCH – BONITA

Over the weekend I was mooching around the upper harbour and came across the very smart looking double-ender above.

She is moored just off the old Salthouse yard / wharf and looks very new.

At a guess I would say approx. 28>30’ , would love to see the wheel house sans the covers.

Can anyone provide more intel on the vessel.

Ken Ricketts pointed out the she made a cameo appearance back in Feb 2023, photo below, nice to see the wheelhouse, James Hutchinson also commented that the boats named BONITA, built by Lanes. Details here for a peek inside the cabin. Amazing the difference a paint job makes. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/07/borato/

INPUT ex CHRIS SALTHOUSE – The Vessels name is Bonita not Bonito and yes Eric Lanes of Picton built her in 1923, I bought her 2 years ago, steamed her across the Cook straight then trucked her to Auckland were we are slowly getting her in shape as time permits. Thanks for the interest.

Very Salty Double Ender At The Viaduct

Very Salty Double Ender At The Viaduct

Brett Evans sent in the photo above of what appears to be a recent restoration / refit of a double-ender that is currently berthed in Auckland’s Viaduct. Apologies in advance if she has been on WW before – but with no nane or details, its impossible to search for her. 

Can we learn her past and who has undertaken the recent work

TUESDAY – BUMPER STORY – Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade Report

Miller and Tunnage – Double Ender – Fisher Lassie

Miller & Tunnage – Double EnderFisher Lassie
If you spend as much time as I do stalking wooden boats on-line you will have noticed the growing trend for work boat conversions, you either love them or not – me I’m in the love them camp. We do not know a lot about todays woody, thanks Ian McDonald, other than she was built by Miller and Tunnage in 1922, out of kauri, is 40’ in length, has a 9’ 10” beam and draws 3’7”. A Gardner 3LW 150hp diesel pushes her along at a comfortable cruising speed of 7 knots. Appears to be very well fitted out.


Can anyone put a name to this woody ?

18-11-2020 Input from Mark Erskine – I was interested to read about the above Miller & Tunnage Double Ender. I agree it’s a real nice boat and was interested to read about her Gardner 3LW engine.

Depending on the fuel and governor / rpm settings, the 3LW engines produce between 36 to 53.5HP from their 4.184 litre capacity.

Dimensions

The “Gardner 150” badge on the Miller & Tunnage control panel is for a 6-cylinder 6LXB Gardner (127 to 150HP) or possibly the 8-cylinder 8LXB (150 to 200)

Gardners are great engines and although the whole range are all low on HP for their considerable size, capacity and weight, they all produce a lot of torque at low rpm and are very reliable.

Although 36 to 54 HP seems a bit low for the size of the boat, I’m guessing the 3LW is a good match for a double ender hull because torque turns the prop rather than HP and the 3LW should also be very economical to operate at 7 knots.

24-11-2022 UPDATE ex Steve’s Coffee Cart – Steve sent in the photos below of Fisher Lassie below, hauled out at the Waikawa hard stand. Check out the new look, it is not often we see people ’taking away’ as compared to adding on. Well done to the owner.

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Someone Stop Me

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Some One Stop Me
If I lived near a lake or Mahurangi etc – I would not be posting this story, I would be on-route to New Plymouth to buy this very cool double diagonal cold moulded kauri double ended day boat (thats a mouthful).
She measures approx 14’4” with the rudder on, built in 1970 in York Bay, Wellington.
Her motion is via a Petter 3.5hp diesel inboard, that was fitted c.1980s and has only done 40 hrs. Gearbox has N/F/R.
Her trailer hs been refurbished and fully road worthy.
Rod Prosser / Shawn Vennell – one of you must need another woody at the lake – perfect for the kids…………………
Thanks to Ian McDonald for the trademe heads up 😉