Tag Archives: KBC Spring Splash

KAWAU ISLAND’S LABOUR WEEKEND BOATING MUSTER

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KAWAU ISLAND’S LABOUR WEEKEND BOATING MUSTER

The photo above has appeared on WW before, capturing and promoting the X-factor that makes Kawau Island such a special destination for classic boaters. Its sheltered anchorages, rich maritime heritage and relaxed cruising atmosphere make it hard to beat for a Labour Weekend escape.  

Over the past few years, the Kawau Boating Club, Ponsonby Cruising Club and WaitemataWoodys — three staunch supporters of classic boating and the cruising lifestyle — have been working together to develop and promote a gathering of traditional craft in and around Kawau Island.Brought together under the banner of Labour Weekend Spring Splash.

The event is becoming a wonderful opportunity for owners and crews to get out on the water, catch up with fellow enthusiasts and celebrate everything that makes classic wooden boating so special.It’s all about good boats, good company and the timeless pleasure of cruising in one of the Hauraki Gulf’s most treasured destinations.

Each year it gets better and better and has become one of the most popular events on the waitematawoodys calendar. Link here to last years event  https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/28/2025-kawau-island-spring-splash-regatta-a-woody-weekend-to-remember/

There truely is something for all craft – 

• FRIDAY – Cruising to the island

• SATURDAY – Matakana Markets River Cruise & Round the Island Yacht Race

• SUNDAY – Waitematawoodys Classic Parade & Short Course Yacht Race + Race Giving ar KBC

• MONDAY – Breakfast at KBC

Each day the KBC clubrooms will be open to all boaties + we have new managers and menu. Check on-line for opening hours. https://kawauboatingclub.nz

f you are not racing there is no requirement to enter, just turn up and enjoy the weekend and the sociability of the KBC. Hey you my enjoy it and consider becoming a member 😉

PS – I emailed details out to the WW data base earlier in the week, but not surprisingly not everyone is on the database. If you want to be kept updated on classic events and gatherings – just drop an email to waitematawoodys@gmail.com with your name, boat name (if you have one) and mobile number. We do not spam you, it is a very tight list.

Read more in the attached PCC notice of regatta.

NOR LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SPLASH 2026Download

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CLASSIC NORTHLAND WOODY – COQUILLAGE + WOODYS KAWAU CLASSICS PARADE

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CLASSIC NORTHLAND WOODY – COQUILLAGE + WOODYS KAWAU CLASSICS PARADE

Now I suspect as soon as this story goes live someone will inform us that the yacht is either plastic or steel. But she looks the part 🙂

I spotted COQUILLQGE tied up at Dockland5 in Whangarei earlier in the month. 

Can we learn more about her.

CIRCLE THE DIARY – LABOUR WEEKEND CLASSIC WOODY EVENT – KAWAU BOATING CLUB SPRING SPLASH

MYSTERY AT LAKE TAUPO  – IS MOTORBOAT SUSIE BELLE  COMING OR GOING + Labour Weekend Classic Wooden Boating Info

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Lake Taupo – Sept 2025
OBC Marina, Auckland – May 2024

MYSTERY AT LAKE TAUPO  – IS MOTORBOAT SUSIE BELLE  COMING OR GOING + Labour Weekend Classic Wooden Boating Info

On a recent trip to Taupo to check out his flotilla of lake boats, Jason Prew spotted SUSIE BELLE on the back of a transporter. Given the heavy rain, JP wasn’t able to ascertain whether the launch was arriving or leaving Taupo. Anyone able to confirm if there is a new owner and where she calls home these days.

From the 2024 story we learnt that SUSIE BELLE is 34’ in length, designed by Don Brooke and built by Gary Wheeler. The built year is 1986 and whilst we understand built from wood, , plywood + there is a very thick layer of paint aka f/glass. Power is via a 60hp Isuzu diesel.

INPUT ex TREVOR COPPOCK – I spotted Susie Belle passing Wynyard Point on 17 September with a “For Sale” sign on her rails.

INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE –  Photo is at Motuoapa. Not previously seen at Taupo, so she is either coming or simply passing through.

03-10-2025 UPDATE ex Jay Brosnahan (Jays Towing & Boat Haulage) has advised SUSIE BELLE is sitting on his transport trailer atm and she will be getting dropped into Motuoapa Marina (Taupo/Turangi) next week to live.

04-10-20225 update ex JAY BROSNAHAN – Haul Out

07-10-2025 Splash day at Motuoapa

BOATING THIS LABOUR WEEKEND – Join Us At Kawau Island 

Labour Weekend (Oct 24>27) is fast approaching so time to lock away cruising plans. After the success of last years inaugural Waitematawoodys Classic Boat Parade at the Kawau Boating Club Spring Splash Regatta weekend, WW is pleased to confirm that we are again partnering with KBC and the Ponsonby Cruising Club to make the holiday weekend extra special.

We encourage all skippers to take part in the weekend – whether entering your yacht in the weekends races or cruising to Kawau to enjoy the Island / KBC vibes.

The Waitematawoodys  Classic Boat Parade will take place on Sunday 26th with a start time of 11am off the KBC clubhouse jetty. As with all things WW related we make it easy eg no entry paperwork, just rock up on the day. Link to 2024 WW event here  – https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/10/29/kawau-island-spring-splash-regatta-review-70-classic-wooden-boating-photos/

If you haven’t visited the KBC in recent years you’re in for a treat, it is truely a stunning waterfront venue with hospitality + food and beverages unmatched in NZ.

Full weekend details in the downloadable PDF file below, which includes the entry (free) form for the sailing events. 

LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SPLASH (2)Download

UNIDENTIFIED WOODEN LAUNCH, PT CHEVALIER 1933 – ANY CLUES

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UNIDENTIFIED WOODEN LAUNCH, PT CHEVALIER 1933 – ANY CLUES

Todays woody photo comes to us from the NZ Herald archives via David Tomlinson and is dated April 1933. The caption reads – ‘Looking down from the foreshore at Pt Chev, showing visiting sailing boats on the beach’.
On the original fb post Robin Elliott did a wonderful job of ID’ing the yachts, see below.

But todays challenge is can we put a name to the launch at anchor in the middle of the beach.

“From left the yachts are: S-47 Snipe, an American Snipe class design that failed to gain popularity here and was registered in the open S-class yachts exc 14ft not exc 16ft.; T-41 14-footer Nyria, originally a 14-foot One Design (X-class) built by Colin Wild in 1921 but converted to an open T-class not exc 14ft, in 1929; V-13 Belle, 18ft racing yacht designed by Pt Chevalier identity, A.L. ‘Trotter’ Willetts. V-class was exc 16ft not exc 18ft; S-13 Kittiwake was originally a Logan built yawl that was converted to an S-class and raced with Pt Chevalier Sailing Club by the Thorpe brothers

LABOUR WEEKEND SPRING SPLASH (2)Download