Tag Archives: Lake Rotoiti

CLASSIC 1920’S PICNIC BOAT – LADY BETH 

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LADY BETH 2026

CLASSIC 1920’S PICNIC BOAT – LADY BETH 

At the recent 2026 Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat weekend one of the stand out craft was LADY BETH, a 23’ picnic / day boat, builder unknown. I was surprised with her build date as she had a ‘new build’ level of presentation.

Today thanks to the LRC&WB team we get to learn more about LADY BETH’s past and how she ended up my pick of the 2026 parade.

LADY BETH, formerly named HIDDEN AGENDA, was first used in Whakatane as a picnic and tour boat. She then moved to Napier and was used in the same way until she was to be found on Lake Taupo, moving to Lake Rotoiti about 40 years ago. Purchased by the current owners in April 2018, she underwent a major  20 month refit at Alan Craig’s boatyard where she was transformed into the very beautiful classic wooden boat she is today. She is named after Lady Beth Moore, (mother of her co owner), who was born the same year the launch was and loved the lake since coming on her honeymoon in 1942.

Her inboard has been replaced by a 9.9hp outboard in a concealed well.  The glass house is made of teak and a teak bowspit and duckboard were fitted with stainless anchor and remote windlass. During restoration it was noted she originally had 2 portholes each side, not just the 1. So stainless ones were imported from Italy. 

2026 WORLDWIDE CLASSIC BOAT SHOW – All You Need To Know

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Today woodys I want to draw your attention to an upcoming woody event – the Worldwide Classic Boat Show hosted by our friends at the Vblog – Off Centre Harbor. The show has been running annually for several years and just gets better and better – read more below. With the Worldwide Classic Boat Show, the best boats from around the world come to you, wherever you are. You can search and explore hundreds of boats via characteristics like propulsion, era, or size, and see them all on the interactive world map:

HOW TO ATTEND THE SHOW:

Just head to ClassicBoatShow.com for full details on the show and how to get an All Access Pass https://classicboatshow.com/
WHERE & WHEN:
Where: The show is entirely virtual — online at ClassicBoatShow.com You can attend from your favorite lounge chair.
When:  Everything starts on Friday, February 20th: Gates open, boats arrive and presentations begin. 
WHAT’S AT THE SHOW? The Map – Everything in the world related to classic boats is on one interactive map
Live Presentations – Presentations featuring experts on a variety of topics
Boats – Over 1,000 of the world’s best classic boats (with beautiful photos and details)
Organizations – Explore festivals, boatbuilders, clubs, museums, schools, etc.
People – Connect with other attendees anywhere in the world (right there on the map)

For example, say you want to explore the Bay of Islands in New Zealand, and you find this boat – just click on it and you’ll get to see her history and details, ways to learn more about the boat, and see more great photos (and videos if available):

FYI – IIT’s NOT TOO LATE TO INCLUDE YOUR BOAT IN THE SHOW – The team are still looking for and accepting new entries to the Show at this link: https://classicboatshow.com/add-listing/listing/

AND NOW FOR TODAYS WOODY STORY – TAURAKA

There always has to be a woody boat – todays is the launch TAURAKA. While at Lake Rotoiti for the annual classic and wooden boat parade over the weekend I spotted TAURAKA hiding in the willows looking very neglected. She has been on WW below, in fact in March 2022 (link below) we did an SOS story trying to find a new custodian – anyone know the current status. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/03/19/tauraka-sos/

2026 LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE + PICNIC – Report. 140 photos

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PARADE 🔻

PICNIC 🔻

LADY BETH

2026 LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE + PICNIC – Report. 140 photos

As the photos will quickly confirm, Saturday 7 February delivered near-perfect conditions for the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association’s annual gathering. While the event unfolds over four days, it’s the Saturday on-the-water get-together that remains the undisputed highlight.

From a photographer’s point of view, wall-to-wall sunshine and tricky angles don’t always play nicely with timber and varnish. So, if I’ve missed your boat or the images aren’t quite showroom-perfect, my apologies — I was doing my best to keep up with a lot of very good-looking boats.

The day naturally divides into two acts: the Parade, followed by the Picnic. A few familiar regulars were absent this year, but they were more than ably replaced by some truly stunning “new” additions to the fleet, making for an impressive and varied lineup on the water.

Sit back, enjoy the gallery, and soak up a little Lake Rotoiti magic. As always click photos to enlarge.

Special thanks to David & Glenys Wilson for the generous loan of a boat for the day 🙂

WHAT BECAME OF THE WOODEN LAUNCH – HOPAI

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WHAT BECAME OF THE WOODEN LAUNCH – HOPAI

Back in mid 2024 the owners of the 32’ Chas Bailey Jnr, 1926 built bridge-decker launch – HOPAI were looking for someone to step up and take over the rebuild of the vessel.

The rebuild had been an ongoing project for an extended period and her owner was unable to complete the project. I believe her hull has been f/glassed…..

Does anyone know what happened to HOPAI, hopefully now in the care of someone finishing the work, or is she still in a shed in Kaukapakapa.

REMEMBER SAT 7TH FEB – LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE 

Details here  https://www.woodenboatparade.co.nz/wooden-boat-parade/

CLASSIC WOODEN DAY BOAT – RURU 

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CLASSIC WOODEN DAY BOAT – RURU 

I have photographed the very beautiful classic wooden launch RURU many times at the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade.

One of the woody gang spotted her recently on a trailer at the Outboard Boating Club hardstand in Tamaki Drive, Auckland. 

They commented that she’s obviously very well looked after and appears to have had recent work to bring her to mint condition. 

Well done to all involved in maintaining her to such high standards.

And speaking of the  Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade, there is a LRC&WBP 2026 calendar to the first person that can correctly name her first owner. Clues – they were a knight (Sir). Entries via email ONLY to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS NAVIGATE THE OHAU CHANNEL

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS NAVIGATE THE OHAU CHANNEL

Todays woody photo popped up recently on the postcard’s of old NZ fb page via a Marcus Hurst posting.

 The location of the photo is The Ohau Channel, that connects Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti.

I know the channel is still in existence as the Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Association run an annual raft / float day down the channel – not sure what the depth is these days.  Any of the Lake WW readers able to put some names to the craft we see on the waterway.

MYSTERY LAKE BOAT – CAN WE ID HER

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MYSTERY LAKE BOAT – CAN WE ID HER

Todays woody photo comes to use from John Dawson. John believes the location is most likely Lake Rotorua, this is based on the photo album it came from. So if not Lake Rotorua maybe Lake Rotoiti.

Would be nice to put a name to the launch and learn some of her history.

CLASSIC LAUNCH MOOSE ON THE MOVE – Update #1

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CLASSIC LAUNCH MOOSE ON THE MOVE – Update #1

Earlier in the month woody boat builder Alan Craig gave us a peek at his team extracting the Collings & Bell, 1939 built, 28’ launch – MOOSE, link below to that story. https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/05/08/classic-launch-moose-a-sneak-peek/

As previously promised, last week Alan sent in the gallery of photos above starting with MOOSE in her Lake Rotoiti boathouse at Moose Lodge and finishing up in Alan’s yard with the restoration already underway.

Alan commented that the process went very smoothly, a few of the crew were a little apprehensive that a planked wooden boat will still float after an extended period out of the water. Alan said that MOOSE was all good, with a bit of help from the modern technology of temporary urethane sealant 😉

As with all wooden boat projects things start with unveiling the surprises that lie beneath the layers of paint, but for the experienced team at Craig Marine there are no real surprises these days.

We look forward to following this restoration. (photo below dated 1954)

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #2 THE PICNIC

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LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #2 THE PICNIC

Today again thanks to Scott Johnson we experience the post Parade picnic at Wairau Bay. Where after the formalities of the Parade, the skippers and crew get to relaxed and have a waterside party. 

The venue being a lake (no tide) means that the craft can all nudge into the bank and everyone gets to meet, chat and swap boating stories.

Enjoy the gallery of photos – if you missed Mondays story where we featured the Parade – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/24/lake-rotoiti-2025-classic-wooden-boat-parade-part-1-the-parade/

LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #1 THE PARADE

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LAKE ROTOITI 2025 CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE – PART #1 THE PARADE

Today thanks to Scott Johnson we get a look at the 2025 Lake Rotoiti Classic & Wooden Boat Parade — stunning, weather and photos that matched the wooden craft.

The day began with the traditional three cannon blasts, signaling the start of a flotilla of 80 classic and wooden boats gliding across the lake – lead out by Teheka Whaka.

Spectators gathered along the Okere arm shore, enjoying a live commentary from the commodore, who shared insights into the history and craftsmanship of these beautiful vessels. The weather was perfect, making for a truly memorable day on the water.

The parade concluded with a picnic and games at Wairau Bay, where the skippers and crew relaxed and celebrated another fantastic year of this cherished tradition.

Enjoy the gallery of photos & remember – click on photos to enlarge ;-)- On Wednesday we will have part two – the lake side picnic.