AN UPDATE ON THE SINKING OF CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SILENS 

AN UPDATE ON THE SINKING OF CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – SILENS 

Firstly apologise for the short story today – I was boating yesterday and the day just slipped by.
On the 29 March we reported on the sinking earlier in the week of the 1912 Harvey & Lang built, 38′ classic wooden launch SILENS while moored in Algies Bay, Mahurangi Peninsula.

We received the below note (edited) from her owners –“I’m the owner of Silens and we read the WW article about her very unfortunate sinking last Thursday during the cyclone at Algies Bay. 

Good news is that she was salvaged on Saturday and on a dry dock, we have been working tirelessly since to strip her interior and clean her up, an her engine has been preserved thanks to the amazing team at Marine Services Auckland Ltd for salvaging her, Greg at Lees Marine Sandspit, Wayne at Mahurangi Marine and Dan at Northern Marine Electrical for assisting so far.  We had arranged for her bilges to be serviced on Monday, 3 days prior to her sinking, everything was in working order and can confirm water ingress was the cause of her going down. 

Talking to many locals in Algies Bay since, including boat owners, they advised the have not seen so much rain fall in such a short period of time that hit the area.

We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken, and will do and are doing our best to restore Silens back to her former glory. “
Yesterday I had reason to be at Sandspit Marina and called into Greg Lees yard to view SILENS. I can report that she is structurally in great shape and that the motor has been flushed and running, underway is a complete interior deep clean and thoughts on how to address the electrical areas. I briefly meet her owner and things are still very raw but SILENS couldn’t be in a better place at present. 

I’m sure there are things that were damaged or lost in the process so if we can help supplying any items – I will let you know.

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AT GREG LEES BOATBUILDERS

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AT GREG LEES BOATBUILDERS

Todays classic wooden launch is only a mystery because o one was home at Greg’s Sandspit yard when I was mooching around.

I’m sure Greg will comment soon with details on the vessel 🙂

19-11-2024 UPDATE ex Greg Lees – the launch was once named POLLY and resided at Kawau Island for an extended period. Previous owners include Dave Jackson.

05-08-2025 UPDATE – progressing nicely.

TODAYS THE CUT OFF FOR ORDERING WW GEAR FOR XMAS – Link Below https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/09/waitematawoodys-gear-limited-summer-offering-romance-ii-update/

WOODEN LAUNCH – AMANDA LEE – A Peek Down Below

WOODEN LAUNCH – AMANDA LEE – A Peek Down Below

Todays wooden launch – AMANDA LEE fits into the spirit of tradition category by way of her 1978 launch date. Built at Greg Lees Boatbuilder, Sandspit to a Lidgard design.

30’ in length, carvel planked and powered by a 120hp Perkins diesel engine.

And that woodys is all we have learnt from her tme story (thanks Ian McDonald)

The marine canopy company that did her canopies and solar tower didn’t do the boat any favours or maybe her owner is 7’ tall ………… 🙂

Can we learn more about her past

RSVP TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THE BEST WOODY DAY OUT OF THE SEASON – just need – your name, boat name & approx # crew – email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

ALIBI – Re-Launched Briefly

ALIBI – Re-Launched Briefly

We have been following the refit / refurb of the Mason Clipper – Alibi at the Greg Lees Boa Builders yard at Sandspit.

Early this month ‘Alibi” came out of Lees shed after 5 months and slipped briefly into the water and out again on to the hardstand. The stern legs will be removed and serviced and painted along with engine servicing, some electrical work and general bits and bobs, this work will take a few months. We’ll keep you posted 🙂

(thanks to Mason Clippers fb for the photos)

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR

Put a ring around November 18th – for the Karapirp Classics – Off the water boat show followed by on the water activities, open to Classic and Wooden boats, Classic jet boats and home built boats of the 1960-70’s at the Horahora Domain – more details closer to the event.

Trinidad

TRINIDAD

CYA members Barbara & David Cooke have had 52′ Salthouse built Trinidad hauled out for the last 4 months in the boat shed at Lees Boat Builders, Sand Spit.

The original intention was to take the cabin top back to bare wood, replace all the glass & give her the Awlwood MA (Uroxsys) treatment. As happens, the to do list grew just a little & just about everything that could be painted, polished or re-chromed was given a birthday. The attention to detail & workmanship from Greg Lees & his team has impressed every classic boater that has passed thru the shed. The end result is simply magnificent, but you would expect that from Barbara & David as they set a pretty high bar when it comes to Trinidad.

She slipped out of the shed yesterday (12/12/13), with a little help from the little classic work boat ‘Karewa’. At 56′ Trinny was a tight fit & the shed sure looked bare post launching.

My photos will give you a good idea of the ‘new’ Trinny but there were more camera’s there than on a Japanese tour bus so there will be better ones to come.

Also David Waddingham (Mr Uroxsys) commissioned marine photographer Gareth Cooke to film a mini movie of the complete Uroxsys process, so once that has been edited I will post that on ww.

if you enter Trinidad into the ww search box you can view previous posting on her, including a peek down below