Lady Margaret Back Home (briefly)

There has been some robust debate on WW in regard to the 38’ Lady Margaret’s pedigree, for WW records it goes like this. Built in Mt Albert in 1955 by L. Deacon. As launched she was named Lady Mary, sadly her builder / owner passed away in 1956 and Lady Mary was sold to Mr John Senior, who changed her name to Happy Wanderer. At some stage she was renamed again to Lady Margaret (what must be the most popular name in classic motor boating).

When launched she was powered by a 6 cylinder Perkins later changed to a Ford 6cyl. 90hp diesel engine. This was upgraded to a 120hp version in the late 1990’s >early2000’s by her then owner at the time Steve Varley. Steve has commented on WW that he sold her to the South Island (Blenheim) around this time. LM remained in the South Island until recently purchased by Alistair McRae, who over the last week has relocated LM to Auckland, but sadly for Auckland woodys, her time here will be short, home port will be Whangarei.

I caught up with Alistair last Monday at the Orams yard in Westhaven as she was unloaded from the transporter and re-launched. I briefly went aboard for a chat, sorry didn’t take many photos as she was in ’transit’ mode. Alistair has promised more when he sorts her out. I can report that she is a very fine woody and with some TLC will be a stunner.

16-07-2020 Photo below hauled out in Whangarei for some TLC