Tag Archives: Grand Banks

2025 MAHURANGI REGATTA WEEKEND – 75+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

Posted on by
1

2025 MAHURANGI REGATTA WEEKEND – 75+ Classic Wooden Boat Photos

Well that wasn’t the woody weekend I‘m sure we all planned, but it was still a magic weekend and just goes too prove that classic wooden boat enthusiasts don’t let a lot of wind and rain get in the way of a good time. 

The trip up on Friday afternoon / evening as uneventful (unless your woodys named – TAWERA, who ‘lost’ 2.5m off the top of her mast) and most anchored in and around Scott’s Landing.

Then it went down hill on Saturday morning – confusion around the start time for the launch parade – 1/2 the boats thought 10am, now I’m told it did say 9.30 in the classic yacht club newsletter, but……. the % of launches there that were members would have been less than 20%, so the parade was very patchy with skippers joining at different times. Numbers were down and the loop of Sullivan’s Bay was embarrassing- less than 20 people on the beach and I suspect they had no idea what was going on. BUT – still good to get together.  Parade aside there was an impressive number of classic wooden launches in the harbour, in terms of pure classic craft , launches would have out numbered yachts by 4:1Most turning up to just enjoy the weekends activity on the water.

As the morning wore on the wind and seas picked up – resulting in some spectacular sailing in the Mahurangi Regatta yacht race. Amazing that they was no carnage, that I’m aware of. 

Below is a selection of photos that Jason Prew took from his launch – MY GIRL. I have several videos put have tech issues with uploading – will sort and add asap. I’m sure there will be more fleet coverage on social media. 

Post the boating activities the weather turned ugly and the smart people left Scott’s Landing for Pukapuka Inlet. The shore based activities would have been dampened down by the weather but the true blue woodys partied on. Big ups to Nick Atkinson and mates who entertained the revellers from the back of a truck. The normal 20+ piece jazz band was absent this year but from everyone I spoke to – I think Nick has a permeant gig. 

The forecast for Sunday was evil, anything that has 50 knots in it is a big red flag. Then the heavens opened up and we had everything- wind , rain, lightening all night. Not a lot of sleep was had that night. Woke to no rain and wind down a little but forecast wasn’t good so made the call to cancel heading to Kawau and waited in Pukapuka for the weather to improve enough for a dash (not sure 8 knts is worthy of that term on RAINDANCE) home. Which we did.

Sad I missed hanging out at the Kawau Boating Club on Sunday night, but the upside was I scored a ride on Jason Prew’s – MY GIRL in the anniversary day launch race – full report tomorrow.
Enjoy the photo gallery 🙂 And remember to click on photos to enlarge.

WAITOA – Sailing Sunday

Posted on by
18

WAITOA

WAITOA – Sailing Sunday

Waitoa is a yacht from Ken Ricketts childhood,the  photo above was taken by him in Islington Bay, during a night stopover on route to Kawau Island pre Christmas 1952.Ken recalls she was an F class but is unsure of the designer / builder. She may have been a Woollacott, but she doesn’t show on the Woollacott list.
When Ken knew the yacht (1955-60’s) she was owned by Fred McGehan of Mt Albert. Ken sailed to Kawau on her once at Christmas c1953-55, to catch up with his parents on the family launch Juliana.
Any of the woodys able to advise more details on Waitoa & what became of her?

Harold Kidd Input – 28 footer WAITOA F10 des. Bob Stewart built by Phil Barton 1947-8, so she’s a good ‘un. I saw her in 2005 at Nelson.

GOING TOPLESS

I was recently sent the photos below from Bob Cofer who resides in Bellingham, Washington, USA. Bob pro-formed a top chop on his 1972 Grand Banks ‘Ebbtide’ – if you ever need proof that going topless is the cool thing to do – check out the before & after shots 😉

image1

image2

BEAUFORT -50′ Woody Motor Cruiser

Posted on by
3

screen-shot-2016-12-01-at-4-51-31-am

screen-shot-2016-12-01-at-4-51-42-am

Floating Apartment –  Beaufort a Grand Banks 50

With the average house price in Auckland knocking around $1million, this 50′ wooden Grand Banks currently on the market for $429k sure beats a wee box apartment.
Launched in approx. 1972, she is built like a brick outhouse, constructed in mahogany and Burmese teak. She is hull number 37, of 65 produced & the current owner of 6 years, bought her in Virginia, cruised her down to Florida then shipped her to New Zealand.
This woody offers amazing cruising comfort and luxury with a large covered cockpit leading to a massive main saloon. To starboard in the saloon is an L shaped settee with dining table and chairs. Opposite is a settee and buffet and, forward to starboard is the bar and fully-equipped galley. To port is a walkway to the huge pilothouse with guest seating and access to the wide covered side decks through port and starboard doors. Before entering the pilothouse, there is a stairway down to the sleeping accommodation. The two forward staterooms each have 2 x single berths and share 2 x toilets and 1 x shower. The passage to the master aft provides access to the port and starboard engine rooms and the master features 1 x double and 1 x single bed with own ensuite with head, shower and, tub.
Powered by twin 210hp Caterpillar 3160’s & a fuel capacity of 3,800L she falls into the long range cruiser class if you were considering extended trips.

24-12-2016 photos below ex Ken Rickets

 

No Salt – 4Sale – All Offers Considered

Posted on by
14

NO SALT

NO SALT IS BACK ON THE MARKET – I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF WORK & MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT ON CORRECTING THE ISSUES SHE HAD. NOW 4SALE & ALL SENSIBLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED. CONTACT ROGER – 021 02546184

I have spoken before about the emergence of what I call ‘the floating bach’ – well No Salt fits that category perfectly. I predict in the next 5 years we will see more & more of this ‘trawler’ style classic motor boat on our harbours & lakes. Just look at the camper van scene, it has exploded but camper vans only appeal to a % of the population & the biggest negative is  you have very little control over who your neibour is 🙂

No Salt is the real deal, a genuine wooden Grand Banks, from the desk of the renowned American designer Ken Smith. She was built / launched in 1973 & is one of the last wooden Grand Banks before they switched to GPR production 😦  40′ on the water (the yanks assign the LWL length to their craft so she is a GB36) she is mahogany carvel planked on sawn frames & features a full length keel that provides protection for the twin props/rudders – perfect for nudging into that secluded bay.
Powered by twin Ford 120hp (non turbo) engines she cruises at 9knots & would run on the smell of an oily rag, this efficiency combined with 720L fuel tanks makes her perfect for extended cruising. While she carries 800L of water if I owned her I would drop a water maker on board & then there would be no stopping you.

The Americans can be a little OTT in terms of safety but in No Salts case her high bulwarks & all round teak railing make her very family / older person friendly. Another bonus is the window / seating height in the saloon – few boats get this right, with No Salt you can be seated & enjoy brilliant exterior views.

Yes No Salt is for sale & would have to represent the best value for money in the leisure / lifestyle market.
Who will buy her? with her 7 berth layout there are lots of options with this floating bach & while I would not like to see her leave the Waitemata, what a low-cost lake pad she would be & you have the best view on the lake + you can fish from your door step.
As always click on any photo above to enlarge.