Johnny Wray’s Essentials Cruising List
I’m sure all of you are aware of Johnny Wray’s book – ’South Sea Vagabonds’ , if you aren’t – where have you been 🙂
In the December 1949 issue of Seaspray magazine there was an article on Johnny’s 2nd boat – the 1946 launched – 44’ Waihape. As part of the story Johnny lists his 6 key essentials for extended cruising.
Link below for more details on Waihape ex previous WW story https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/12/15/waihape-johnny-wray/
RANGI -Sailing Sunday
In the top photo we see the B Class yacht – Rangi on the slipway at the W.G Lowe shipyard in Auckland, just prior to the start of the first Trans-Tasman Yacht Race in 1931, I believe there was only 3 yachts entered – Oimara (Australia), Teddy (Norway) and Rangi (NZ) – Teddy won.
In the second photo we see her being towed to the start line, and in the bottom photo, on the left is Alan Leonard, owner of Rangi, alongside Alan, steering the yacht is Master Lowe, the grandson of the builder of Rangi. The occasion is welcoming Rangi back into Auckland after the return voyage from Sydney.
The race was held again in 1934 with only two boats entered – Te Rapunga (Germany) and the legendary Ngataki, with Johnny Wray at the helm – won by Te Rapunga.
The photos comes to us from the Auckland Libraries Heritage Collection.
UPDATE: John Newsham has advised that Rangi was originally named ‘Schopolo’ and was built as a ‘schnapper’ boat for the inshore fishing trade – see photos below (ex Little Ships) . She was driven ashore at Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island when the crew was ashore after a wind change (1951)
UPDATE: Photo below, ex John Newsham, of Ngataki and te Raupunga at the state of the 1934 race. Ngataki (photo ex Century of sail) was sailed to Tahiti in the 1930s – John’s father’s cousin – Nip Colebrook was in the crew. John often used to see Wray cruising around Waiheke in his pre-war launch. He would always gave him a big wave – mid 1960s.
GREYHOUND
Greyhound was an ex WWII 40′ high speed launch .Ex Air Force out of Hobsonville. One of four launches built in the late 1930’s >early 1940′, as Waitemata chase boats for the Catalinas. They were W44; W45; W46; and W88 (now in Wigram Museum). Greyhound is thought to be W45. She is a sister ship to Jaguar, already featured on woodys (16.8.2014). The above photo are ex John Bullivant & the present owner, Mark Allen (trademe) via Ken Ricketts.
Allen bought the boat in December 2014 in Tutukaka & motored it down the coast to Whangerei and then took it by road to Helensville, where it resides today. It was out of the water for 6 months being re-glassed & repainted.
During the war it had two engines and would do between 30 and 40 knots, plane over the water. These days she is powered by a 120hp Ford diesel(12 knots), that is currently undergoing repair. If you are looking for a project with some history, I understand the vessel is for sale.
Input from John Bullivant – “below is a photo of Jaguar I took in the 70s. She is on the ramp at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club having just been hauled out. The Hansens who owned her had an engineering business in Harp of Erin producing grease guns amongst other products ( I still have one of their grease guns). Jaguar definitely had two stroke diesels at the time this photo was taken (used to love the sound of them). She was moored at little Bucklands beach, pretty much straight out from the owners house for years. I lived on The Parade at Bucklands for many years and saw many well known boats come and go up and down the river including Imatra, Jaguar, Golden Lotus (Alan Harnish and later Rick Irvine who put the cabin on her for diving use) Tarapunga, Alert, Carroma, Jane Gifford, Romo, Rainbow and Rainbow ii and hundreds more. Fleetwing Junior (with cabin) was moored almost in front of our place (belonged to a school friends parents at the time)
Coincidentally there was a plywood yacht of around 45ft named Fleetwood moored about 200ft from her as well.
It was a great place to live in the 60s and 70s and 80s as the river was like Queen st most weekends, but as the price of gas went up there seemed to be fewer launches going out regularly. I’ve noticed a big drop off in weekend boating in the last 20 yrs (maybe it’s just me) but I’ve been out sailing on a few perfect days between Browns Bay and Rangi and been all on my own with not a boat in sight. The first time that happened I thought I was missing something – like a Tsunami warning, a very odd feeling to be out there on your own on a perfect day, would not have been like that in the 70s as the whole area would have been populated with boats of all types.”
The Johnny Wray & Ngataki Story – On TV Tonight (Sat 18th)
Just a quick heads up that Television NZ will be screening tonight (Sat 18th) the latest series of ‘Te Radars Chequered Past’ on TVOne at 8:05pm. In the opening episode Radar retells the story of Johnny Wray & Ngataki’s creation. I’m told its a cracker & not to be missed – but if you do miss it, in this wonder digital world, you will be able to view it later ‘OnDemand’ link below.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/ondemand/te-radars-chequered-past
Enjoy 🙂
36′ Grand Banks – ‘NO SALT’ – Must Be Sold – Offers over $50,000 will buy her
Check out the trademe link http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/boats-marine/motorboats/auction-1258171194.htm
Owner contactable on 021 025 46184
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART THREE – Tony Stevenson – Tino Rawa Trust
Last week the classic wooden boating community were treated to a double whammy – the re-launch of Johnny Wray’s yacht Ngataki & the launch of a 75th Anniversary edition of his book ‘South Seas Vagabonds’. A grandson, Kelly Hunt, of one of Ngataki’s original crewman – Snow Hunt was on hand to film the official side of the occasion. There are 3 short video’s.
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART TWO – Bruce Ansley – New Introduction Author
Last week the classic wooden boating community were treated to a double whammy – the re-launch of Johnny Wray’s yacht Ngataki & the launch of a 75th Anniversary edition of his book ‘South Seas Vagabonds’. A grandson, Kelly Hunt, of one of Ngataki’s original crewman – Snow Hunt was on hand to film the official side of the occasion. There are 3 short video’s.
NGATAKI VIDEO – PART ONE – Finlay MacDonald – Harper Collins Publishing
Last week the classic wooden boating community were treated to a double whammy – the re-launch of Johnny Wray’s yacht Ngataki & the launch of a 75th Anniversary edition of his book ‘South Seas Vagabonds’. A grandson, Kelly Hunt, of one of Ngataki’s original crewman – Snow Hunt was on hand to film the official side of the occasion. There are 3 short video’s.
NGATAKI / JOHNNY WRAY SOUTH SEAS VAGABONDS
Big day down at the waterfront yesterday, we had over 200 people turned out for the Tino Rawa Trust re-launch of Johnny Wray’s Ngataki & the Harper Collins launch of the 75th Anniversary edition of ‘South Sea Vagabonds’.
Todays post is a photo essay of yesterdays events. As always, click any photo to enlarge 😉
Ngataki
Ngataki Memorabilia
South Sea Vagabonds 75th Anniversary edition launch
Friends of Ngataki (Andrew Fagan’s – ‘Swirly World & K. Hammond / A. Sully’s – ‘Seaward’)
The legand lives on
Something really cool – at the book launch Findlay MacDonald from Harper Collins Publishing advised that the Red Cross were the benefactors of Johnny Wray’s will, so proceeds from the book sales go to them, BUT the Red Cross has decided they will split the proceeds with the Tino Rawa Trust to help maintain Ngataki. How cool is that – remember the Red Cross next time one of their collectors rattles a money box in front of you – or more likely, you get a phone call.
Remember – the boat & the dockside exhibition is open Saturday & Sunday – see details below.
Click the link below to see some launch day photos ex Tony Stevenson
http://classicyacht.org.nz/cyaforum/topic/ngataki-restoration/#post-124899
Ngataki in the International Media
The relaunch & book launch is featured in the Oct 2014 edition of the Classic Boat UK
South Sea Vagabonds – Competition Winners
The correct answer = Rasmic
The two winners of a copy of the 75th Anniversary edition of Johnny Wray’s book – South Sea Vagabonds are below. Waitemata Woodys would like to thank the Tino Rawa Trust & Harpers Collins Publishing for the prizes.
First Correct Answer Winner = M & M Howson
Random Draw Winner = rhodes 33
MORE COPIES TO BE WON – If you click the link below to the Classic Yacht Association forum, there are two copies of the book to be won there, so if you missed out on woodys, try your luck there 🙂
http://classicyacht.org.nz/cyaforum/topic/win-a-copy-of-johnny-wrays-south-sea-vagabonds/
BOOK STORE SALES – Copies will be available from all good book stores but it would be nice if you supported the crew at Boat Books, 22 Westhaven Drive. Ph: 09 358 5691 http://www.boatbooks.co.nz
The book launch date is August 1, but if you order & pay now, you’ll get a $10 Boat Books voucher 😉
WIN A COPY OF THE 75TH COMMEMORATIVE EDITION OF JOHNNY WRAY’S SOUTH SEA VAGABONDS
1. Waitematawoodys in association with the Tino Rawa Trust & Harper Collins Publishing are offering you the chance to win one of two copies of the book.
2. Entry is simple -just answer the question below. The first correct answer, either posted on the ww site (in the comments section) or emailed to ww (email detail below) wins a copy. PLUS – all entries correct or not will go into the draw for another copy. Thats 2 chance to win a copy.
Entries close at midnight (nz time) 26/07/2014. As always the judges decision is final & winners will by posted on ww on 28/07/2014.
3. While your doing your entry, grab a pen & circle the 9th & 10th of August in the diary – you are invited by Tino Rawa Trust & Harper Collins Publishing to come & view Johnny Wray’s restored yacht Ngataki. Her re-launch coincides with the release of Johnny’s book. The work done on Ngataki will blow you away & the book is a must have for all waitematawodys. See invite below for full details.
4. THE QUESTION – Name Ngataki’s ships cat – as shown in the photo below.
click any photo to enlarge
Ramic’s Family
I Have Bought A Yacht
Now I know that headline will have had a few of you chocking on your weetbix, but relax, its just a continuation of my fixation with pond yachts.
I have had the sloop (below) for approx. 20 years & own several KZ-7 replica’s that at last count are probably worth more than Raindance’s kauri clinker dinghy 🙂
Last week I acquired off an old friend the gaff rigged ketch below – sans the bow sprit its approx. 900cm long & rather nice.
Now that’s not the real purpose of today’s post – tomorrow morning (Saturday) waitematawoodys in association with the Tino Rawa Trust & Harper Collins Publishing will be offering up two copies of the 75th Commemorative Edition of Johnny Wray’s book, ‘South Sea Vagabonds’. This updated edition is a cracker & will be a must have in your collection.
If you have, like so many, been unable to track down an original copy now’s your chance to own this kiwi classic. I have read the book five times, the closest any other comes to that is twice.
If you are one of the lucky ones to own an original edition – buy the 75th edition because in additional to ‘new’ content & photo’s, you will now have a copy that you can loan out 🙂
Entry will be simple – just answer the question from the book that I post at 8.00am (NZ time) on Saturday morning. The first correct answer, either posted on the ww site or emailed to ww, wins a copy, PLUS – all entries correct or not will go into the draw for another copy. Entries close at midnight (nz time) 26/07/2014. As always the judges decision is final, so Jason Prew, wearing your TRT hat, the judge rules you out 🙂
So dig out your original copy or find a friend that has one & have them on stand-by on Saturday morning 😉
waitematawoodys.com #1 for classic wooden boat stories, info, advice & news - updated daily 