Tag Archives: Irene

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IRENE GETS A REVAMP

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH IRENE GETS A REVAMP

Not often I start with an apology– yesterday at Kawau was a wee bit of a cock up. I missed the prize giving. I’ll be polite and say things got ‘Lost In Translation’.

I was working on intel supplied eg prize giving was according to the notice of regatta was Sunday but it was held on Saturday……. Never mind 😄 sorry to the woodys that turned up 😢

During the week WW was contacted by Karl Reynolds the owner of the 1927 Dick Lang built 31’ classic wooden launch – IRENE. IRENE last appeared on WW back in April 2016, link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/27/irene-2/

Karl purchased the vessel in March 2025 and has been undertaking a refit, The work started with a good clean in the hull and then Karl and his father managed to complete the following in the 15 days they had IRENE hauled out.

• New larger hatch to remove engine through and lifted height to give me head room at helm

• Bulk heads installed to add support to hull and cut out to reduce visual impact 

• New Ford engine with heat exchanger sitting on its mounts awaiting gearbox and alignment 

• Closed in stern to keep birds out 

If you are undertaking a woody project , please share the work with WW, readers love seeing word-in-progress.

CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN LAUNCH – IRENE 

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CLASSIC 1927 WOODEN LAUNCH – IRENE 

Last week the newish owner, Karl Reynolds,  of the classic 31’ wooden launch – IRENE contacted WW to update us on the status of the vessel.

IRENE was built by Dick Lang c.Feb 1927. These days she resides at Pahi on the Kaipara Harbour.

IRENE made an appliance of WW back in April 2016 – link below  https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/04/27/irene-2/

Karl purchased IRENE in late Feb of this year. Karl commented that she was not in great shape but still has great bones.  When purchased she was powered by a 120hp Ford but unfortunately her sump rusted out and the engine dropped her oil into the bilge and she subsequently seized solid. So currently reviewing the options e.g. repair or replace. In recent times IRENE has been out the water for 15 days and Karl addressed some rot in the cabin.The work also included a good tidy up underneath including new keel straps, removal of her keel cooling pipes and removed rudder to be straightened. 
The plan is to have her finished for what Karl believe to be IRENE’s 100th birthday in Feb 2027.

HOW MANY MORE SUMMERS WILL YOU LET SLIP BY WITHOUT A BOAT …….

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HOW MANY MORE SUMMERS WILL YOU LET SLIP BY WITHOUT A BOAT ………

Waitematawoodys has a sister  – its called the Wooden Boat Bureau and we sell classic wooden boats – launches, yachts, big and small. We like to fly under the radar, as do most of our clients. Someone asked me what I did the other day – below sums it up (sounds a bit fluffy, in reality I just sell boats.

Inform and enthuse interest in the joys of owning and sailing traditional and classic wooden boats. And we do this by promoting partnerships between the boats, the sellers and the buyers, for the benefit of all. At the end of the day – its all about the boats, as most will out live their current owners.

To view a sample selection of classic woodys berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau dock, click this link –  https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/17/buying-or-selling-a-classic-boat/

Myself and David Cooke (MV Trinidad) are almost always available to offer advice to sellers and buyers – in the interests of marital harmony – in the first instance email to the below

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Irene – A Peek Down Below – 4sale

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IRENE – A Peek Down Below

Back in Feb 2016 I did a brief story on the 39’ Orams launch – Irene, based on a photo that Pam Cundy from the Whangateau boat yard snapped while cruising at Great Barrier Island. WW link to story below

Irene was built in 1955, is 39’4” long with a beam of 10’9” and draws 3’3”. Powered by twin Ford (Lees Marine) 75hp diesels she has a top speed of 10 knots.
At the time of the last story I ‘commented’ about Irene’s penthouse.
Below are a couple of penthouse interior photos, I have always wondered what goes on up there on these boats………. And a very crude photo of her with a top chop 🙂

Dargaville Woody Launch Race

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Dargaville Woody Launch Race
 
 Over Easter the Northern Wairoa Boating Club held their annual race day, with entries from Helensville, Pahi and Te Kopuru.
In the above above ex Dave Stanaway – we see Florence, Irene + various boats, including a ketch rigged scow type named Marlin.
Dave reports every had a great day out on the water and would like to thank Steve on his launch Rodney for the hospitality.
As always with these events the race was followed in the evening by a very friendly prize giving / get together.

Irene

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IRENE
photos & details ex Dave Murphy via Zach Matich

OK woodys, today’s launch is the Lane built kauri hulled ‘Irene’ – 31′ long with a beam of 9’6″ & 2’10” draft. Other than that ww does not know a lot about her past. She is currently powered by  a 120hp, 6 cylinder D series Ford which was rebuilt 2012, with approx. $6,500 spent on her & has only done 100 hrs since then. You will see from the photos that she has all the things that make life easy on these old girls – auto anchor, gas fridge etc. If this is starting to sound like an advertisement, that is because Irene is for sale & at around $20k in my eyes is very good value + she has not been too mucked around with. Throw $5>10k at a good wood friendly boat builder & you would have a very smart classic. Not that there appears to be anything wrong with her now, as the architects say ‘the bones are there’.
Her owner Dave Murphy can be contacted on 09 439 8609

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Can we uncover more about her past ? home at the moment is the Kaipara Harbour.

Irene

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IRENE
photo ex Pam Cundy

Irene was photographed by Pam Cundy (Whangateau Traditional Boat Yard) on a recent trip to Gt. Barrier Island.

There is a pretty hull hiding beneath that penthouse.  🙂
Looks like they enjoy some serious fishing on-board her.

Can any of the woodys shed some light on her ?