Tag Archives: Iona II

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT IONA II MAKES A SPLASH – NZ Restoration Of The Year

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT IONA II MAKES A SPLASH – NZ Restoration Of The Year

We have been following (link below) the refit the classic wooden launch IONA II at the Slipway Milford yard since late May. Last week she slipped back into the water , check out the video below – don’t you love a railway haul-out, such a gentle procedure.

IONA II was built in 1994 to a Bruce Askew design so sits very comfortably into the spirit of tradition category. The recent work commissioned by her owner has magnified her existing appealing looks and made her even more easy on the eye.

Probably the finest example of the Slipway Milfords work – so a big shout out to Cam, Jason, Jan and team. Easily the restoration of the year in New Zealand.

I’m pretty sure nothing on the boat has escaped an upgrade or replacement – the biggest being ditching the Nissan TD23 60hp diesel engine and installing an electric propulsion set-up.

A few finishing touches to be completed at the marina – we will do another update when completed.

As always click images to enlarge.

IONA II – RESTORATION STORY  https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/28/iona-ii-gets-a-birthday/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MONTEREY Gets some TLC + Updated Labour Weekend Woody Activity At Kawau Island

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MONTEREY Gets some TLC + Updated Labour Weekend Woody Activity At Kawau Island

Last week I did the right thing and helped a wounded friend deliver his classic woody – MONTEREY to the Slipway Milford for some TLC, while there a quick inspection showed up some dodgy previous work that needed sorting out.  Worm damage to the stem/keelson that had been ‘bogged up’ and when the cabin sides were fibreglassed the f/g was taken over the beading, right up to the glass – perfect trap for moisture > rot.  Was impressed with the low level of growth on the hull after 2+ years in OBC. If that was Bayswater you would have needed a spade. 

Also out or waiting their turn was EILEEN PATRICIA, IONA II, and the Salthouse Southern Star 37 – CAPTAIN TOM.

UPDATE INFO ON THE LABOUR WEEKEND KAWAU SPRING SLASH REGATTA

Help Needed ID’ing This Wooden Boat

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Help Needed ID’ing This Wooden Boat

Todays photos another from the McLeod Collection at the Auckland Library Heritage Collection and comes to us thanks to Nathan Herbert.

The photo is just tagged Bayswater and has a 1900>1909 time period on it. It does look vaguely familiar but I couldn’t find any reference to the photo in the WW archives.

Can anyone help put a her to her.

What’s The New Must Have In Classic Wooden Boating

Answer bow thrusters  – the Slipway Milford is doing a roaring trade in retro fitting – hauled out for work that included a bow thruster – IONA II, SEA FEVER , PACIFIC

PACIFIC

WOODYS ON TOUR – South of France Wooden Boats

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WOODYS ON TOUR – South of France Wooden Boats

Todays thanks to the owner of the launch – IONA II we get another peak at the wooden boating scene on the other side of the world.                                                                                      The family are currently cruising the Canal du Midi in the South of France for a week and sent in some photos of the local work boats earning their keep.                                                              Most of the boats are old converted steel bulk barges (with wooden wheelhouse and interior) or the modern plastic rental boats. The photos of the rarer wooden boat on the canal is rather smart
.

CAN YOU HELP LOCATE THIS WOODEN BOAT

Last week WW was contacted by John Chambers the owner of the launch – NGARUNUI, asking for help locating a boat from his past – I’ll hand over to John to tell the story – 

“In my earyl years, aged 10 to12 years i.e.1957 -58, I lived at Okura River  (Long Bay / Wade  River) after school, weekends, holidays – the river was my playground. I was the only kid on the river full time, there were only 11 locals living there at the time  plus 2 farms. The 1st was Warmans just up from the houses, 2nd was Jacksons about 1mile up the road down a long  drive. Mr Jackson built a big boat in the shed which I used to check out every few days.    Launch  day – boat was 60’ long, a double end ketch, heavily built in kauri and teak. The boat was towed across the paddocks by bulldozer to the river where a ramp had been bulldozed   and a wire cable  across to big tree  on the other side then back to the dozer. Boat in water high tide, my  job  lead the way  down the river to deep water, job  done. Next hurdle a big ketch that had broken the mizen mast on the new harbour bridge.    The point of this  – what was her name and were did she go? I think the plan was to sail back to England.I think the boats name was Tyrant or Truant “.        

WOODY ON TOUR – VENICE

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WOODY ON TOUR – VENICE

The owner of the 36′ classic launch IONA II currently midway thru a total refit at the Slipway Milford is currently mooching around in Venice and sent in the above photo gallery of the hard working Venetian woody water taxis. Nice to have window into the other side of the world and to see the sun 🙂

The scope of the work on IONA II is next level and includes conversion to electric powered – there will be no combustion engine or generator i.e. not a hybrid. Really looking forward to following the project. IONA II was designed by Bruce Askew , and built in 1994 from strip planked wood + some f/glass, all good on a 1994 craft. Link below from when the work first commenced. I’ll get down there later in the week for an update, or maybe Jason Prew could put the tools down for a minute and send in some iPhone photos 😉 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/28/iona-ii-gets-a-birthday/

IONA – TAUPO

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IONA – TAUPO

Now do not be confused  with todays woody – it is IONA as spotted in the weekend by Jason Prew at the Motuoapa Marina in Taupo. Jason commented that she is a sster-ship to IONA II that currently sits on the hard at {the} Slipway Milford.

Photos below of the work happening on IONA II.
In the last photo below we she IONA II’s room mate – REHIA which has a fast approaching re-launch date. More on her later in the week.

IONA II – Gets A Birthday

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IONA II – Gets A Birthday

Back. In October 2022 we reported that the Bruce Askew designed 36’ launch – IONA II had been sold and relocated from Nelson to the Milford Marina in Auckland. INOA II was built in 1994 so slips comfortably into the ‘spirit of tradition’ category of classic wooden vessels. At the time the story she was hauled out at the Slipway Milford for some maintenance – link to that story here –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/04/iona-ii/

Fast forward to yesterday and IONA II is back at the yard booked in for a serious dose of TLC. Total refresh of everything other than the engine , a 60hp Nissan TD23.
Should be a great project to follow.

UPDATE 09-08-2024 – Lots of activity at the yard, loving the custom bow / anchor sprit

UPDATE 29-08-2024 – new cabin sole undrway

11-09-2024 UPDATE – New windows going in, liking the green tint ✔️

01-10-2024 UPDATE – Get close to re-launching.  First coat on the topsides and interior waiting for the varnish brush. The replacement duckboard brackets are a big improvement from what was there 🙂

04-10-2024 UPDATE – 2nd coat of paint on and some very impressive engineering work on the electric motor installation from Cam Malcolm at the Slipway Milford.

09-10-2024 UPDATE – getting closer, the shiny stuff is going on 🙂

Iona II

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IONA II

Todays woody hauled out at the Slipway Milford was a bit of a mystery to me, but a quick google search and – jackpot.

Designed by Bruce Askew and built in 1994 from strip planked wood (+ f/glass’ed) – 36’ x 9’2” x 3’3”. Powered by a 60hp Nissan TD23.

The teak wheelhouse is crying out for some love, I assume it was once oiled.

Calls Milford Creek marina home but a recent arrival from Nelson.