Tag Archives: Game Fishing

CLASSIC 42’ LAUNCH MARGARET ANNE – 4SALE

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CLASSIC 42’ LAUNCH MARGARET ANNE – 4SALE

Todays classic wooden launch – MARGARET ANNE has been a hidden gem on the WW site – lots of reference to her in other stories but we have  not had a chance to do a deep dive.MARGARET ANNE started life in 1960 with the best possible pedigree – designed and built in Tauranga by the renowned boatbuilders – Oliver & Culpin (launch day photo below)As with so many of the O&G craft she started life as a big game fishing launch and plied her trade in the Bay of Plenty and later the Bay of Islands. In my experience the best looking craft caught the most and biggest fish, so MARGARET ANNE has an impressive log book recording her catches. 

She fully retains her original aura, character and pedigree. At the same time, a careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures the very latest in comfort and safety.

Because MARGARET ANNE is finished without exterior brightwork (varnish), maintenance is both affordable and a breeze.

Some specs – 42’ when launched (now approx. 45’) she has a 12’6” beam and is constructed via carvel planking, and is powered by a Ford 135hp diesel engine.Sleeps 8 (2x double berth cabins) + exterior shower / head.

MARGARET ANNE is an elegant classic with pedigree and class, and yes she is for sale – after nearly 20 years of ownership her owner has asked the Wooden Boat Bureau to find her next custodian. 

So, if you’re looking for an exceptionally well built and maintained classic launch with plenty of life left in her, MARGARET ANNE is it.  Given the current market, her owner is very realistic with the  price expectation.  Genuine buyers only to initially contact myself at the email below for more details and to arrange a viewing.  waitematawoodys@gmail.com

NOTE TO KEYBOARD LOOKERS –  stick with trademe for your vicarious boats for sale entertainment
MARGARET ANNE is presented ready for cruising this summer

LEGENDARY EX BIG GAME WOODEN LAUNCH SEEKS PASSIONATE NEW CUSTODIAN

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c.2005 tbc
2025
2025

LEGENDARY EX BIG GAME WOODEN LAUNCH SEEKS PASSIONATE NEW CUSTODIAN

The 42’ ex game boat KITTY VANE has a wonderful back story, starting life in 1956 big game fishing and owned by the Going family in Tutukaka, Northland. She has appeared numerous times on WW, starting back in March 2015 when we reached out to learn more about the craft. Link below to that story and others – lots of chat in the comments section.

Fast forward to July 2021 and we learnt that KITTY VANE had been purchased in Auckland and returned to Northland with the intention of a full restoration. As can be seen in the above photos the worked has started and most of the hard yards have been ticked off. Unfortunately circumstances have changed and the decision has been made to find a new owner that can complete the restoration.   As she sits now, under cover in Kerikeri, KITTY VANE is a blank canvas that her next owner can refit to match their style and budget.

As the architects say when working on heritage buildings – KITTY VANE has good bones and has not been ‘altered’ too much from as built.
KITTY ZANE has always been a good looking woody and with a new passionate owner, we look forward to seeing her back on the briny.

Her owners are very realistic in terms of an asking price, so interested parties to initially make contact via michelle@zewnealanddesign.co.nz

LINKS TO PREVIOUS WW STORIES: WW March 2015 https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/03/21/kitty-vane/
WW April 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/04/20/kitty-vane-where-are-you/
WW July 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/03/kitty-vane-update/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – VOI

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – VOI

On my recent trip to Tutukaka marina one of the classic craft that caught my eye was – VOI.

A modern-ish hull and a small apartment on top but VOI is set up for game fishing so gets away with it nicely.

My brains trust have suggested its design starts with a V,  as in vindex, with a possible spot of lengthening. Dam if it is thats another one thats slipped under the WW radar 😦

Anyone familiar with the vessel and can enlighten us more on her design / builder.

Hopefully today I’ll be enjoying the company of fellow classic woodys tied up at the Clevedon Cruising Club for our annual (ish) overnight BBQ cruise up the Wairoa River 🙂 Lots of photos on Monday.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH OTEHEI – Flashback

Wednesdays WW story on the ex game launch – ALMA G II, gave woody Gavin Bradley a nudge to send the above photos of his wooden classic – OTEHEI.

Gavin commented that the date was 29 years ago (1995) and Craig McInnes was doing the work of 5 men.OTEHEI was designed and built c.1927/8 by Collings & Bell and had several ’sister’ ships, ALMA G II being one of them. Her first owner was a Frank Elliott and she worked out of Zane Grey’s camp at Otehei on Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands. 

OTEHEI spent some time on Lake Taupo before returning home to the far north, where she residues today.

Lots of photos and intel in the two WW story links below – particularly the 2017 story.
WW Aug 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/08/28/otehei/ WW Jan 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/10/otehei-2/

PETER JOHN + 2024 Classic Woody Event Dates

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PETER JOHN + 2024 Classic Woody Event Dates

Todays woody is the game fishing launch – Peter John and the photo is tagged – Paihi, Bay of Islands and comes to us from fb via K Reckitts.

And that is all we know – so fingers crossed one of the B.O.I readers will be able to throw some light on the boat and confirm the location.

LOTS OF CLASSIC BOATING ACTION IN THE NEW YEAR – CIRCLE THESE DATES ON THE CALENDAR – More Details Closer To The Events

• Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade (Nth Is.)  – 4 February 2024

• New Zealand Antique & Classic Boat Show (Sth Is.)    – 2 >3 March 2024

• Auckland Wooden Boat Show                                      – 1> 3 March 2024

As always the winner in terms of promotional poster is the NZ Antique & Classic Boat Show – always an amazing design 

Weigh In Time At Whangaroa

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Weigh In Time At Whangaroa

Todays photo, dated 1938 by Tudor Collins ex the Auckland Museum via Glen Ngapuhi and Len Redwood fb shows several launch off the wharf at the Whangaroa Swordfish & Big GameFish Club.

Can we attempt to name the boats L>R? My contributions – I think of the two dark hulled craft, stern in, the one on the right (middle) is Ethel. 

INPUT EX NATHAN HERBERT – These game fishers are the Marlin, the Rosemary and the Wanderer II

Woody On Wheels

Last year on fb John Bertenshaw posted the photo below of a 1963 woody MGB , photo taken at the 60th anniversary of the MGB model.

Big Game Fishing Wooden Boats

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BIG GAME FISHING WOODEN BOATS

WW contributor – Scott Taylor, sent in the link to the above short film – titled ‘New Zealand’s Deep-Sea Fighting Fish’. The film comes to us via Archives New Zealand, and was originally produced by Neuline Film Studios, Auckland for the Dept. of Tourist and Health Resorts.

The film isn’t dated but both Scott and myself believe it is from the early 1950’s, can any one date the film from the footage?

There is an impressive collection of woodys featured, all looking very ship-shape, and most still afloat today.


WHO OWNS DEODAR  – Looking for the current owner of the ex Auckland Police launch Deodar – can you contact WW at the email address below – trust me its worth your while 😉 waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Kitty Vane Update

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KITTY VANE UPDATE

Back in 2015 we posted a photo of the 1956 Kitty Vane on the hard at Te Atatu Boating Club, West Auckland – she was looking very down in the dumps, then in Jan 2020 we were told she had been sold and returned to the North in late 2018. Designed and built by Ces Watson, Kitty Vane spent many years big game fishing out of Tutukaka, under the ownership of the Going family.

Then in April 2020 we did a story asking if anyone knew where KV was and hit the jackpot, lots of information and photos came in – see here https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/04/20/kitty-vane-where-are-you/ We even have copies of her line drawings, sent in by Peter Watson, son of Ces Watson.

Fast forward to June 2020 and WW is contacted by her new owners – Michelle and Blair Kennard – I have reproduced Michelle’s email below

“In 2018 my partner and I found Kitty Vain on Trademe, my partner an avid fisherman and has had the life-long dream to own and restore a boat. When we saw Kitty Vane for sale we started reading about the history and fell in love, we couldn’t believe the state she was in and knew she needed rescuing.

We had her bought up on a truck and she now lives on our section under a purpose built shed in Kerikeri. We are slowly chipping away at restoring her to her former and original glory, it will be a father and son project who are both carpenters with a love for beautiful craftsmanship. 

We are hoping in the next couple of years she will have two new engines and will become our family boat along with the dream of being a ‘historical experience’ fishing charter. 

If you know of any boat history books with Kitty in could you please let me know”

Fast forward again to Jan 2021 and we are contacted by ‘Nelliefish’ (sorry that’s all I have from their email address), who sent in the rather grand photo above of Kitty Vane – do not know when or where, so only really inspiration for the Kennard’s unless me can date the photo and location.

Update: Location may be Hobsonville and 2005 – but not confirmed.

1965 SEACRAFT SPEEDOMETER
Woody Barrie Abel needs to replace the speedometer on his 1965 Seacraft – its is a 4″ diameter chrome pitot type gauge.
Barrie commented that the modern ones look out of place and what started off as a delicate procedure to assess and repair, has gone from bad to worse, and its time to abandon the current one…..
If anyone knows of someone who would consider selling one, or something similar. Email WW at waitematawoodys@gmail.com
In the mine time I’ll chase Barrie for a photo of the gauge. Photo below of boat.

Cara Mia

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CARA MIA
In the photo above we see the game fishing launch – Cara Mia coming alongside  the wharf at Tutukaka. The photo is dated Feb 1963.  She was built by Ray Dinsdale on the shores of Whananaki. In the photo is is flag to peanuts, indicating that she had landed two game fish that day.
Cara Mia possibly makes a cameo appearance in this 2015 WW story on Aquila – link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/05/06/aquila/


Do we know any more about the launch and what became of the boat?

27-12-2020 Input from Ian Creevey – I started my game fishing career on the Cara Mia in Paihia in 1976. Photo below.
At the time she was owned by Peter Rosoman who I recently ran into in Marsden Cove after 42 years!! Also met another guy who remembers her being built.

Zephyr

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Zephyr

ZEPHYR
 
The rather good painting above of Zephyr comes to us via Wally Herbert’s fb, and Wally commented that it showed his father Albert and Joe Miller on Zephyr at the Whangaroa Harbor entrance.
There has been a lot of previous chat on WW regarding another launch named Zephyr (link below) , keen to ID this one and learn her provenance.
On the fb post a Peter Rooke commented that helots saw her in Tauranga.
 

https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/03/20/could-this-be-zephyr/

A Floating Block of Flats
WW readers will know that I occasionally poke fun at boats that have been ‘altered’ or had cabin additions and end up resembling a block of flats. Well today woodys we see the reverse – a block of flats that float.
The below appeared at Bayswater marina last year and is someones home, each to their own but if I owned a marina alongside it, I wouldn’t be impressed………
IMG_5994
Screen Shot 2020-06-17 at 3.21.16 PM
WCW Riverhead June2020
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