KAWAU SPRING SPLASH CLASSIC PARADE – 25 WOODYS + A BAY FULL OF BOATS

Screenshot

KAWAU SPRING SPLASH CLASSIC PARADE – 25 WOODYS + A BAY FULL OF BOATS

If you were thinking about buying a classic wooden boat but weren’t quite sure which style floated your boat, a visit to the 2026 Kawau Boating Club Spring Splash over Labour Weekend would have gone a long way towards answering that question!

Over the last two days, I’ve shared a series of semi-random Waitemata Woodys posts to give you a taste of the action, both ashore at the KBC and out on the water.

Aside from New Year’s Eve, I can’t recall seeing so many boats anchored in Bon Accord Harbour. Now, I know that’s not everyone’s scene – some skippers will do a U-turn if they’re not the only boat in the bay! But for most, the fleet, the atmosphere and the chance to catch up with fellow boating enthusiasts are all part of the magic.

There were a few new systems to navigate and the inevitable operational speed bumps, but none of that stopped the good times rolling. Each evening, the dining and partying got underway, with music perfectly matched to the crowd. The food gets an 8/10 from me, which is high praise indeed!

So, a big tick to the team behind the weekend. If you enjoyed this year’s gathering, do yourself a favour and circle Labour Weekend 2027 in your diary now.

Today, I’m sharing a photo gallery focusing on Sunday’s WaitemataWoodys Classic Wooden Boat Parade. We had a fantastic turnout, with 25 classic craft joining the parade. I have include a few photos that show the ambience of the KBC (thanks to Beth Houlbrook from KBC for her photos). When I cover these big events, my objective is to try and give the WW readers a taste / feel for what it was like, so enjoy the gallery and remember if you click on a photo it enlarges.

And it wasn’t just the parade. I’ve never seen so many classic wooden motorboats out on the water at one time, the bay was absolutely teeming with woodys, my count was 41 classic craft.

Enjoy the gallery, and remember, clicking on any photo will enlarge it. Scroll down to view the two previous weekend posts.

P.S. If you were there and we missed your boat, apologies. With so many classics on the water, keeping track of everyone was always going to be a challenge.

JOCELYN – Friday Flashback

c.Early 1970’s

JOCELYN – Friday Flashback

During the week I was sent the above photos of the 49’ launch – Jocelyn by Robert Ross. The photos date back to c.early1970’s and are from when Jocelyn was owned by Sir Willian Stevenson.

Robert commented that he went fishing a number of times with Sir William out of Whitianga. Robert thought then the boat was ahead of its time and she always attracted a lot of attention. 

Jocelyn was reputedly a Hacker USA design, built / launched in 1967/68 by the boatbuilder Brin Wilson. In the photos below – the ist three photos sees her at the 2016 Mahurangi Regatta.  The last photo is more recent and was taken in August 2023 when she was hauled out at Half Moon Bay marina for some TLC.
Link here to a 2017 WW story where Hamish Moore (great grandson of Sir William) provided a wonderful insight into the history of Jocelyn. https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

JOCELYN
RAINBOW

Half Moon Bay Marina Mooching

Earlier in the week I found myself at HMB marina with some time to kill so went for a wander.

Three woodys in different stages of getting some winter TLC.

JOCELYN – The 49’ Brin Wilson built launch, possibly to a Hacker Craft design, appears to be getting a varnish refresh. She is one of those craft that are just so much bigger out of the water. Read more about her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/01/28/the-history-of-mv-jocelyn/

UNKNOWN – has a Lanes / Picton look to her – I’m sure someone sharper than me can tell us her name. Impressive back to bare wood restoration underway.

RAINBOW – the 1898 Arch Logan built gaffer has just had a birthday – lots shinny paint and varnish on display + the masts was revarnished , that is a titanic undertaking – well done. I was on-hand as the team from Boat Haulage were dropping the stick back in. An impressive of collection of origami on display 🙂

The History of MV Jocelyn

screen-shot-2017-01-27-at-12-29-48-am

JOCELYN

Today’s ww story was put together by Hamish Moore, a great grandson of Sir William Stevenson, the original owner of Jocelyn. Hamish would love to hear from anyone who has spent time on the vessel and or may know more about her and/or some of Sir Williams other vessels. Photos would be fantastic, of particular interest would be any photos of  Jocelyn in her fishing guise. Hamish has heard she had a lovely set of wooden outriggers & can recall as young fella sitting in the crows nest at times.
You can email details & photos to me at waitematawoodys@gmail.com & we will share them with everyone & also forward to Hamish. Enjoy the article its a good read 🙂

screen-shot-2017-01-27-at-12-55-02-am

screen-shot-2017-01-27-at-12-55-42-am

screen-shot-2017-01-27-at-12-56-25-am

 

P1210361

JOCELYN
photos ex Alan Sexton & Alan H, details AS

Both Alan & myself spotted a rather striking launch last weekend at the 2016 Mahurangi Regatta – Jocelyn.
Alan commented that if he recalls correctly she was a Stevenson boat and used to be kept in a Hobson Bay boat shed in the winters, she still has the folding mast. Alan also thinks there was once a Sea Spray magazine feature on her, so woodys dig out the old back issues 😉

From her lines Alan & I would guess she could be a J Hacker (USA) design, built by Lanes & with Cat engines. Alan commented that when she came thru Stockyard Bay last Sunday night she sounded like she may well have been re-engined with a grunty pair.

What do we know about her?

Off to Lake Rotoiti today for the 2016 Classic & Wooden Boat Parade this Saturday (details below) – to use that old Australian saying “I’m as excited as a dog with two dicks” 🙂
http://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/

P1120428