Tag Archives: Lanes

LANAI – A Peek Down Below

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OPUA July 2025

LANAI – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody – LANAI was built in 1949 by Lanes. Carvel kauri construction. 

She has made several appearances on WW, links below. Its nice to see that her current owner has given her a hair cut and the fly bridge has gone.

There is lots of chat and intel in the past posts but a quick overview below.

32’ x 10’6” x 2’9”,  powered by twin Thornycroft 54hp engines, that sees her cruise at a comfortable 7.5 knots, max 10 knots. WW July 2014  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/07/04/lanai/

WW Jan 2022  https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/01/05/lanai-2/

2016 Photo below

(thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up)

LA PALOMA – A Peek Down Below

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LA PALOMA – A Peek Down Below

The 45’ classic wooden launch – LA PALOMA was built in 1955 by Lanes and has made several appearances on WW – refer link below WW Nove 2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/11/13/la-paloma/

LA PALOMA recently appeared on tme and sold rather quickly – probably based on the lowish asking price and her interior presentation. A little too much happening up top for my taste.
We learnt from Ian McDonald’s hawk eyes that she is powered by a Ford 130hp 6 cyl diesel engine that gets her along at a 7>8.5 cruising speed. With a beam 13’8” she is a FBG ;- )In the b/w photo below, from a Oct 2019 Nathan Herbert WW story we get to see her as designed and built.
Enjoy the peek down below.

LAKE ROTOITI CLASSIC & WOODEN BOAT PARADE 2025 CALENDAR WINNERS The competition the other day that offered up a LRCBP calendar to the first 3 woodys that emailed in the correct date of the 2025 parade was proof that the early bird catches the worm. I had recieved 5 correct answers be 5am – the winners were:-D. Holmes / G. Logan / J. McConnell

SUZI Q > EMILY M – Could Be A Perfect Lake Day Boat

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SUZI Q > EMILY M – Could Be A Perfect Lake Day Boat

The 27’ 1960 built launch – Emily M recently popped up on tme (thanks Ian McDonald). 

Her owner believes she was built by Lanes of Totara North, but we all know how frequently that name is attached to wooden craft 🙂

Forward motion is via a 80hp Ford diesel. Looks like she needs some TLC to the interior but a very salty looking craft that could easily be returned to looking smart again.

In a previous life she was named Suzi Q and worked as a commercial snapper long-liner out of Whangamata in the 1970’s.

Current home is Opua in the Bay of Islands.

THE LAUNCH MAPU – Far North

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THE LAUNCH MAPU – Far North

Recently I was sent the above photo by John Dawson who recalls it popped up on fb 2>3 years ago.

In the photo the launch is moored in Totara North, Whangaroa Harbour, you can just see the Whangaroa Wharf across the bay.

John was asking for confirmation of a comment that Harold Kidd made at the time that the launch was probably the Lanes built – Mapu, if so she is still in ownership by the Lane family – a search on WW reveals a June 2013 story that confirms Harolds thoughts re the design and ownership – link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/22/mapu-2/

FYI – HDK has a 95% success rate – just ahead of Nathan Herbert and a lot ahead of me 🙂

WW Caps – the new low profile, canvas cloth caps have been a winner – the new understated colour topped with the dark brown WW embroidered logo has a dash of understated style. I have reorder 3 times and stocks are getting low – order today – just click the email link here and tell me your name, postal address and number of caps required ( best order was x5) I’ll come back to you with payment details – $38 + $6 p&p. waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Rosemary + WW Caps Back In Stock

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ROSEMARY

Todays woody is / was a recent work boat operating out of Tauranga. I understand she was running fishing charters.

I believe the builder is said to be Lanes 1927 (I know…. Aren’t they all) 31’ in length with a beam of 9’6”. Forward motion is via a Ford 60hp diesel engine.

And that woodys is all we know about her.

Can we uncover more on Rosemary, there is nice hull hiding under the ‘recent’ additions 🙂

INPUT EX Mitchell Hutchings – This Rosemary, and there are several, worked for some years out of Sandspit running ‘Rosemary Fishing Charters’ under the friendly and able ownership of Brian and Jocelyn Jones, with a short period during which a new owner took over. Last year Brian and Jocelyn moved to Kerikeri with the vessel and I believe she is for sale. Brian has some information on her previous life. She was in survey for some years, and I know the hull was glassed a number of years ago. I took these photos when she was hauled out at Sandspit in 2019 for some work.

NEW COLOUR WAY – limited run                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1. One size fits all  2.100% canvas-cotton, 6 panel, adjustable brass clasp  3. Colour is Camel with dark brown embroidered logo. 4. Tonal under peak lining.

Price is $38 (gst inclusive) + $6 p&p 

What’s next – email me at waitematawoodys@gmail.com & advise:

# Your name 

# Postal address

# Phone 

# Quantity

Thetis – Shed Visit

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THETIS – Shed Visit

The 45’ classic launch – Thetis, built / launched in 1955 by Lanes is currently tucked up in a shed in Opua getting serious TCL.

One of the better looking big classic, she always looks fast even when at anchor.

Read / view more on her at this WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/06/20/mv-thetis-4sale/

Pre haul out / TLC

29-03-2024 UPDATE – Thetis has a new owner and already she has returned (via road) to Auckland and there are plans afoot to restore her to her former glory. We will keep you updated. Check out the photo below on the hard, she looks just so smart and fast just sitting on there on the stands 🙂

The Classic Yachting World Has Gone Doolally

Reading the latest issue of ClassicBoat magazine, I see they are reporting that glassfibre classics will soon be seen on the Mediterranean classic yacht racing circuit.

The CIM (Comite International de la Mediterranee du Yachting Classique) have made the call to accept glassfibre classics on the racecourse. Refer below extract from CB for more details.

Given the size of the yacht fleets turning up for NZ Classic Yacht Association races these days, they will be following suit and probably let 8Y8’s into the fold 🙂

RSVP – boat name and approx crew # to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Woodys On The Northern Wairoa and Kaipara Harbour

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#1
#2 SWANEE
#3
#4 RONA W

Woodys On The Northern Wairoa and Kaipara Harbour

Todays collection of craft comes to us from the Kauri Museum at Matakohe via Diane Wilkinson’s fb.

From top to bottom:

1. Unknown launch – can we ID her

2. Swanee – featured on WW in 2015 – link https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/29/swanee/

3. Unknown launch – can we ID her

4. Rona W – possibly this boat – 2021 WW story https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/15/could-this-be-rona/

Waihou > Ngapuhi

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WAIHOU > NGAPUHI 

The 1953 Lane built woody – Ngapuhi started life as a towing launch for Lane & Sons (Timber Millers) at their premises in Totara North, Whangaoa Harbour. Originally named Waihou. Purchased by Northland Port Corporation in 1963 her name was changed to Ngapuhi & she served as the pilot boat for the Whangarei Harbour  Board for 35 years. 

She last appeared on WW in December 2020 when she was offered for sale – lots of history, details and photos at this link https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/12/18/ngapuhi-waihou/

Brief over view – 45’5″ in length, 12’ beam and draws 3’6”. Kauri carvel planked. Powered by twin Gardner 6LXBM52- 127hp that has her governed at 11 knots max speed.

Given her ex commercial work and being in survey Ngapuhi is very well spec’ed.

Other than the occasional cruise to Auckland and the outer islands, home has been the Far North.

Fast forward to mid 2022, sees Ngapuhi residing in Auckland and getting a birthday – like a lot of ex work boats there was a degree of deferred maintenance that her new owners are addressing. The new paint job is rather swish. Looking forward to her joining in on some of the woody events coming up this summer.

Photos below per-purchase at Opua

UPDATE 18-08-2022 – Ex Ray Morey – Ngapuhi ex Waihoa was designed and built by Brian Lane himself at the old Lane property in Totara North. Original engines were a handed pair of GM 4-71 @ 115 hp. N.H.B replaced these with Detroit 4-71N series engines after several years of service.

MV Thetis

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MV THETIS

The 45’ (49’ overall) bridge-decker – Thetis was built in 1955 by Lanes on the Tamaki River, Auckland. Built from single skin/fore and aft kauri planking, her beam is 13’ and she draws 4’.

Twin Greymarine 6 cyl. (1960) 120hp diesel engines give Thetis a comfortable cruising speed of 8+ knots.

Lots to read about her from back in the construction  / launching period at Lanes in this WW previous story https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/13/thetis-ii-the-lane-motor-boat-co/

Thetis is an exceptionally well built launch and is presented in near original fit-out, which is always a good sign that the designer / builder got it first time. Her subsequent owners have chosen to maintain her as intended and with some modern upgrades, followed by routine maintenance she will continue to be one of the most admired woodys in our classic fleet.

I say this about very few classic boats – but Thetis is one of those boats that attracts admirers both at anchor and as you can see from the above photos – even when she’s hauled out.

INPUT FROM OWNER – The print below of Thetis in turbulant water was the work of a retired Hollywood artist, rather effective
Most wives would say they were glad not to be aboard that day!

Matanui

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MATANUI

Matanui was built by Lanes, Picton in 1923 and for a launch that will celebrate its 100th birthday next year she has travelled to life with very few alterations / additions. In the interests of comfort at some stage a dog-house has been added to the rear cockpit, which was enlarged at the same time.

Stepping aboard there are numerous original fittings, including the antique Simpson toilet. 

Lanes built Matanui using 1 1/4” full length kauri planks, ribs 6” apart and pohutukawa stem. Her cabin top is American redwood t&g and the wheelhouse mahogany.

Matanui is one of those boats that attracts admirers anywhere, at anchor and even when she’s hauled out.

Matanui measures 42’x11’6” x4’8” and is powered by a 130hp Ford Dover 6cyl Diesel engine fitted reconditioned in 1990. At the same time she underwent a significant refit.

Matanui is a British Registered Ship and during WWII was purchased by the NZ Navy and taken to the Soloman Islands for patrol work, she sports a Lewis gun on her foredeck and depth-charges from the stern.

For the last 40 years Matanui has remained in or contacted to the same family. Check out the ER Lane hand written specification sheets below.

Click photos below to enlarge