Tag Archives: Greg Lees Boatbuilders

CLASSIC LAUNCH FLASH BACK – AMANDA LEE

Posted on by
2

CLASSIC LAUNCH FLASH BACK – AMANDA LEE

WW was recently contacted by GlenIs O’Callaghan concerning a November WW story on the 30′ launch – AMANDA LEE, link below. AMANDA LEE was built in 1978 at Greg Lees yard at Sandspit. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/04/wooden-launch-amanda-lee-a-peek-down-below/

Glenis and her late husband, Terry (Red) purchased the launch in the late 1980’s and sold it in mid 1990’s.  At the time they resided in Whangarei and had it on a berth at the Tutukaka Marina. In the above photos we see the launch as it was when the O’Callaghan’s first bought it and the other after the flying bridge was added to it.  The top over the back was also cut back as Terry enjoyed deep sea fishing which made it easier and it also gave them access to the flying bridge. They also had the steering added up top on the flying bridge.

Glenis commented it was Terry’s pride and joy and he spent many  hours keeping the varnish spick and span. They had many happy holidays on it with our 2 sons.
In discussions with an old work colleague of Terry’s, Glenis learnt that AMANDA LEE had been at the Marsden Cove Marina for the past 4 or 5 years and has recently been sold and moved down to Auckland. 

Photo below from the November WW story – my lips are sealed…………

SANDSPIT LAUNCH MOVES INTO THE SHED

Posted on by
Reply

SANDSPIT LAUNCH MOVES INTO THE SHED

Last month we featured a smart looking woody launched that was under a ’tent’ near Greg Lees Boat Yard. At the time we learnt from Greg that in another life he was named POLLY and spent time around Kawau Island.

We can report that the launch has moved into the yards slipway / boathouse and work is underway to complete the rebuild.

Link to previous story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/18/mystery-classic-wooden-launch-at-greg-lees-boatbuilders/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES AT SANDSPIT YACHT CLUB

Posted on by
Reply

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES AT SANDSPIT YACHT CLUB

Its’ not often we see two Dave Jackson boats together, hauled out side by side. Gregs Lees sent in the above photos from the yard at the Sandspit Yacht Club.

On the left is the launch – KARROS, Dave’s own boat, built in 1974 and on the right LADY BEV, the first boat of his own design, which he built in 1957 for his father. 

Photo of KARROS afloat in this WW story from Oct 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/10/03/karros/

We get a better look at LADY BEV in this link from a WW story back in July 2022 https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/07/30/lady-bev-cya-heritage-basin-marina-poll-results-revisited/

And a peek down below on LADY BEV in a WW April 2024 story https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/04/13/lady-b-bee/

Yvonne – A Peek Down Below

Posted on by
Reply

Yvonne – A Peek Down Below

The launch Yvonne was recently for sale , asking /start price was c.$37k, quite a jump from the $17k she was listed for back in 2017 – but as you will read below Yvonne had a rather large birthday.

Before we get into that some background – her builder is up for discussion – could be Lane Motor Boat Co. or Collings & Bell, then again as Harold Kidd commented in a previous WW story  – she could just as well have been built by any number of Auckland builders from, say, 1912 to 1924 and may even have started life as a flush-decker under a different name. Approximately 33’ in length, built from kauri single plank carvel construction in c.1924. Powered by a 85hp Nissan diesel engine.

During her current owners stewardship Yvonne has had all new electrics, LED lighting throughout, new gas system, new stove, new solar panels, and some interior TLC.  The Greg Lees boat yard at Sandspit did a lot of structural work that included a custom fabricated stainless steel keel “shoe” and restored kauri window framing.In my book the coolest item is a genuine Model T wheel – I have admired that piece of kit since I first saw Yvonne back in 2014.I understand she didn’t sell – can anyone confirm?
More photos and details in the June 2014 WW story –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/06/23/yvonne-2/

SPACE LIMITED – RSVP NOW – BOAT NAME & CREW #

email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Alibi – A Peek Below

Posted on by
3

ALIBI – A Peek Below

In early Jan 2023 we featured the 42’ Mason Clipper – Alibi, entering the Sandspit shed of Greg Lees Boat builder. That story generated a great inside into her past, link below to that story.

https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/01/02/mason-clipper-alibi/

Today thanks to the ‘Mason Clippers’ group and Lew Redwood’s fb we get to see her interior. The photos show her almost unchanged in 42 years with the original upholstery still in great condition. 

Looking forward to seeing what Alibi well look like after the Greg Lees team have rubbed their magic over her. (Nudge nudge Greg)

Woodys Stillwater Picnic + Next Event Announcement 

Sadly Saturdays waterfront picnic was postponed based on weather forecasts and sea state. The right decision on Friday night and probably the wrong one at mid-day Saturday. There will be announcement later in the week re a new date. But moving on – the next Woodys event is a long overdue lunch cruise to the historical Riverhead Tavern.

See below flyer – but quick overview – Sunday 26th March – meeting at 10.am off Lucas Creek / Herald Island.

RSVP with vessel name and approx. number aboard to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Mason Clipper – Alibi

Posted on by
6

Mason Clipper – Alibi

Just prior to Christmas the owners of Alibi, a rather elegant Mason Clipper, quietly slipped her into Greg Lees shed at Sandspit. I understand that she’s in for a minimum of 3 months for a ‘makeover’ – we have seen some stunning makeovers from the shed in recent times. – Trinidad, Mahanui, Arohanui – so we look forward to following with interest – nudge nudge Greg Lees, photos please 🙂

(Photos ex Mason Marine Clippers fb)

Photo below Oct 1979 – Sea Trial on the Waitemata Harbour ex fb via K Ricketts

INPUT EX ALAN SEXTON – Copy of original Sea Spray article below + more photos from her recent haul out at the Sandspit yard.

You will note the she still has her original engines twin straight 6 Chrysler Mitsubishis.

21-04-2023 UPDATE – A PEEK INSIDE THE WORKSHOP – lots of Awlwood (Uroxsys) being applied 🙂 photos ex Mason Marine Clipper fb

Mahanui Gets A Refit And Is OFS

Posted on by
3

MAHANUI GETS A REFIT AND IS OFS

Just over two years ago I ran a story on WW about the 42’ classic launch – Mahanui and how her ‘owner for life’ had found a new love (another woody) and was offering her for sale. 

I described her as follows “Mahanui is offered in almost as new condition and presents as a hop board and go boating vessel – a snapshot of her package includes – dinghy, outboard, cockpit table and chairs, fenders, cutlery, pots, pans, glassware, tools (particular to the vessel), almost a spare of everything, cushions etc etc.” 

We were beating would be buyers off with a big stick, until along came a family that met the approval of the seller 🙂

In the last two years of ownership the new owners have – upgraded the galley water system, new remote set-up for electric dinghy davit, new tender and outboard, undertaken a refurbishment of the interior (new – upholstery, carpet, blinds and refreshed bright work) and just commissioned a full engine service. So woodys why am I telling you all this – because due to a change of circumstances – her owners have made the hard decision to pass Mahanui onto the next owner. So Mahanui is Offered For Sale.

Mahanui presents in suburb condition and while retaining her distinctive appearance her most recent owners have carefully integrated modern systems and technology to ensure the very latest in comfort and safety.
One of the most livable classics on the Waitemata Harbour, she offers an instantaneous summer cruising solution – grab your togs and toothbrush and you and the family (>8 berths) are boating this summer. And I’ll finish on a scary thought – ONLY 8 WEEKS TILL CHRISTMAS DAY 🙂

View previous WW stories on Mahanui click below https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/03/boating-this-xmas-only-18-days-to-buy-mahanui/

For more details on the vessel – in the first instance email waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Yvonne

Posted on by
Reply

YVONNE 
The above photos were sent to me by Bill Brown, Bill’s family were a previous owner of my launch so I always open his emails asap.Bill’s  family owned Yvonne for a couple of years in the early 1970’s keeping her in a boat shed at Kissing Point, Whangarei. She was kept there prior to our purchase and Bill’s father approached the owner to buy her even though she was not on the market at the time. These black and white photos were taken on a box brownie while Yvonne was at anchor in the harbour.I saw Yvonne 2 weeks ago motoring past Greg Lees shed at Sandspit, I think post some work at the Greg Lees Boatbuilders yard. Yvonne last appeared on WW in 2014 https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/06/23/yvonne-2/#comments


Also from Bill was a heads up on a rather sweet 2.2m Ian Oughtred design sailing clinker dinghy for sale on tme – search Ian Oughtred and it will pop up. Perfect eye candy for the Lake Rotoiti bach 🙂

Big Wooden Launch Gets A Face Lift

Posted on by
Reply

Big Woody Gets A Face Lift

The 1965 Salthouse built woody – Trinidad is currently tucked up in the Greg Lees Boatbuilder shed at Sandspit getting some botox i.e touch-up coats to the coamings and wheelhouse and a re-paint of the topsides.

Yesterday, the brains trust from the yard + Akzo Nobel (AWLWOOD MA & International Paints) + AWLWOOD MA Guru (Uroxsys founder) David Waddingham met to discuss the upcoming work on Trinidad, she is a bit like their in-house model. It was interesting to be a fly-on-the-wall and hear about the latest thinking on application / thinning / primer techniques and their newish line extensions eg the Multi-climate gloss finish. The product has come a very long way in the last few years.
You can see from the last two photos that the GL’s boys only just manage to get the doors closed when Trinidad visits, very cozy.

While there, foreman Dale Collins, flipped the covers on his recently completed clinker dinghy (photos below) – stunning and woodys its 4sale 🙂

WOODYS LUNCH CRUISE TO RIVERHEAD TAVERN – TIME TO RSVP

If you are planning on joining the fleet for the cruise up the Riverhead river to join fellow woodys for launch on Sunday November 8th – drop me a quick email with boat name and approx crew numbers waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Classic Wooden Boats At Kawau Island

Posted on by
5

Classic Wooden Boats At Kawau Island 

At Sundays Stillwater woodys picnic I was chatting to boat builder Greg Lees and he showed me the above photograph (in its frame) of Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island that a neighbour had given him. Interesting that for once the bay is almost bare of yachts – maybe they were off racing at the time.


Are we able to ID some of the launches? I have numbered the boats in the b/w photo below + included a couple of blow ups of the photo, which may help.