CLASSIC WOODYS ON THE WAITEMATA

A8 VICTORY
A3 ARIKI
A13 HEARTSEASE

CLASSIC WOODYS ON THE WAITEMATA

Todays photos are from my wife’s side of the family, who had a higher % of salt in their veins than my side. Her grandfather John (Jack) Bonner was a co-owner of the yacht  ALEXA C7 colourised photo below), built by T. Le Huquet in 1904. Later in life he was a very accomplished painter, several of his works grace my walls. When you factor in that he had (medical records speak) an ‘arm removed via field amputation i.e. no general anaesthesia in France WW!, the paintings were well done.

There were 3 random photos in the album , as seen above but no names, dates, or captions.

The top photo, carries the sale # A8 is VICTORY the 1907 Logan built A-Class yacht. Last I heard she was tucked away in boatbuilder Marco Scuderi’s shed in Helensville.

Second photo has the sail # A3, making her ARIKI – Ariki the 1904 yacht designed by Arch Logan and built by the Logan Brothers.

In the last photo the yacht centre stage has sail # A13, now I could be very know but my search has come up with this intel – HEARTSEASE (A13) was a historic 51-foot classic wooden cutter designed in Auckland by J.G. Trevithick, which raced locally before embarking on an international world cruise in 1932.

Just realised there has been a little too much B/W photos this week so promise some colour on Monday 😉

COMMENT ex ANGUS ROGERS – Angus has pointed out the spelling of the yachy above – blowning the photo up it appears to read ALXER. Every piece of intel I have seen on the boathas her named ALEXA, so I’m confused – anyone able to help out.

INPUT ex OWEN ASPDEN – I saw Heartsease posted on WW today below is a photo of her with sail number 141. According to my grandmothers diary Tom Aspden bought the Ida in 1921 and the Heartsease in 1919. FYI she now for sale in Sydney for $450k.

INPUT ex ROBIN ELLIOTT – HEARTSEASE carried number 141 in the 1913 Anniversary Regatta

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

Recently I was trolling the web and came across a youtube channel by Larry Eastwood from Pittwater Wooden Boats in Australia. Larry is restoring / rebuilding the Logan built gaff cutter named PETREL. Lots of video footage of the work in progress. Larry’s been in Auckland checking out our Logan fleet and getting ideas and most importantly inspiration. Link to Larrys channel here https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Larry+Eastwood

In one of the back stories was the photo above, these days we panic over the frig/freezer working, well back then you just grabbed a chock (I assume from a crate below) and you had fresh meat for dinner.

The photo reminds me of a tell that will not include names – of a yacht crew member doing something similar to turkey that he ‘liberated’ at Kawau Island………… the noise and mess was something else. Sadly the bird was despatched to the depths with a weight on it when the Ranger started searching the bay. My lips are sealed.

MAHAKI – 1895 LOGAN YACHT SEEKS A NEW CUSTODIAN 

RESTORATION – 1980’s

LAUNCH DAY

2026 SHED PHOTOS 

MAHAKI – 1895 LOGAN YACHT SEEKS A NEW CUSTODIAN 

Back in October 2024 the 1895 Jack Logan built yacht – MAHAKI came onto the WW radar via a request from Chris Leech from the Devonport Yacht Club re the yachts current owners. DYC had received a gift of the ‘NZ Yachtsman Cup’ that MAHAKI won in 1910. (below b/w photos from her past)

Some history that we have learned – MAHAKI was owned by Harry Upton, and his friends Geoff Clark and Dick Wilson (later his brother in law) during the 1930s. Owned by Russell Going an Auckland architect in the early/mid 1980’s.

Bought by Eric Wing (McMullan & Wing) in the mid 1980’s. Partially restored by Wing and then on his passing in 1994 was purchased by Peter Blundell who finished the project in Clevedon.

Todays photos are in three parts – firstly photos from the 1980’s restoration, then as seen at her relaunching after Peter completed the restoration project And lastly as MAHAKI is today, back in Peter’s shed part way thru a refresh. 

Aside from showcasing this wonderful 130 year old artefact, the purpose of todays WW story is to help Peter Blundell secure MAHAKI’s next chapter. A very common thread in my conversations with owners is that who the next custodian is and their commitment to the vessel is more important than the sale price. I do not want to scare people off but if you think you or someone you know are fitting of adding their name to the list of people that have rubbed up against MAHAKI, be prepared for a robust ‘interview’

Interested parties to initially contact Peter at pblundell2270@gmail.com

A CLASSIC 1949 NORTHLAND HOLIDAY CRUISE

A CLASSIC 1949 NORTHLAND HOLIDAY CRUISE

Todays woody story comes to use from Archives NZ via Liz Ferry on the Northland Heritage Group fb. The film was a National Film Unit production from 1949 and mostly showcases the 1949 Russell (B.O.I.) Regatta.

Lots of familiar woodys to be seen, sail numbers A3 – ARIKI, A4 – IORANGI, A18 – TAWERA, A19 -The regatta was won by IORANGI, the 1901 Arch Login designed classic yacht. With ARIKI second.

We see several classic launches at the start of the film.

Given the date, the crews would have been enjoying post WWII informality.

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

Robert Brooke (L) – Paul Tingy (R)

CLASSIC LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO HERITAGE REFIT – BOAT YARD VISITS

Recently WW has been following a major re-fit/build on the 1921 Logan designed and built classic wooden launch – NGAIO. Link below to the progress updates.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/10/08/heritage-refit-for-1921-logan-launch-ngaio/

I visited Milford during the week to view the work underway on the launch – MONTEREY (yesterday’s story – scroll done) so took the opportunity to check out NGAIO.      On previous visits there has been mainly deconstruction, template and repair work – yesterday we got to view first-hand the skills of boatbuilder Paul Tingey. So rather than ‘bury the photos on the end of the existing story, I made the call they deserved their own story. (I will also add them to the existing on-going story)

While at the yard I caught up with 3 generations of the Brooke family working on the family launch – LINDA. Robert came over to inspect the work on NGAIO and even though in the photo above it looks like Paul Tingey is having a chat with the headmaster – Robert had high praise for Paul’s work.✔️

LINDA

30-11-2025 Been a tad slack on the update photos – three sets (visits) below. Re-launch is close.

HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

HERITAGE REFIT FOR 1921 LOGAN LAUNCH NGAIO

I have very few regrets in life and only one when it comes to classic wooden boats. What is it ? – not buying the 36’ Arch Logan launch NGAIO when I had the opportunity. BUT – hand on heart, NGAIO went to a better owner, Jan Barraclough.                                    

Over recent years Jan has undertaken what we call a rolling restoration – and the centenarian has never looked better. BUT – there’s my better and Jans better, so currently NGAIO is undergoing a major refit to return her helm / cockpit area closer to as-built allowing for some creature (height) comforts.

Artisan  classic boatbuilder Paul Tingey started on the project this week and no time was wasted in removing her existing ’structure’. Given the presentation of the existing structure, photos below, most of us would have been very happy as is, but not Jan and we admire her for commissioning the work and look forward to the re-launch.

Check in for updates.

20-10-2025 UPDATE – work continues, today we see the reinstatement of a tram-top window to match her earlier style. Also we see the ‘brains’ trust pondering and a photo from her early days.

CLASSIC LAUNCH ARAWA – Can We Learn More About Her

CLASSIC LAUNCH ARAWA – Can We Learn More About Her

WW was recently sent the above photos of the classic wooden launch – ARAWA by Mike Cowie.

Mike commented that ARAWA is a 28′ Logan settlers launch built / launched in November 1909. When launched she was powered by a 8hp Frisco Standard engine. 

Her first owner was named O’Brien,  and resided at Putiki Bay, Waiheke Island.

These days ARAWA is moored at Campbell’s Beach,  Kawau Bay. And powered by a 50hp BMC diesel , ex London taxi motor.

It appears that several sheets of (hopefully marine) ply have utilised to update her cabin top 🙂

Can we confirm the Logan build claim and learn where she has been the last 116 years.

I KNOW ITS NOT WOOD – BUT IT CERTAINLY LOOKS THE PART

I KNOW ITS NOT WOOD – BUT IT CERTAINLY LOOKS THE PART

Last week we ran a story on the Okura Gig clinker dinghy that the owner of the the Logan launch NGAIO had just restored and ‘fitted’ to the launches stern.

Todays story is in response to the number of emails I received asking for more details on the dinghy, and in the fact I got tired of sending responses.

Back in 2016 we ran an extensive story on the Okra Gig craft, which included an extensive back school on how them came to be. Link below https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/02/28/okura-gigs-sailing-sunday/

HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER

HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER

In a Dec 21st story we did a fly-by of the last minute, year end work happening at the Slipway Milford. I mentioned that the 36’1921 Arch Logan built launch – NGAIO was hauled out to have a set of davits fitted to accomodate the recently refurbished clinker (f/glass) tender. Fast forward to this week and the Slipway team, which included owner Jan Barraclough, are putting the final touched to the new set-up and the sinks got a ’sea-trial’ in the creek.

Well done to everyone – a stunning executed project.

CRAZY TIMES AT A WOODEN BOAT YARD 

CRAZY TIMES AT A WOODEN BOAT YARD 

The count down to the xmas / ny break always sees a few last minute opps / can I / any chance of – phone calls to our boat yards.

I popped down to the Slipway Milford for the annual donut-fest and it was wall to wall woodys.

One of our finest had an emergency haulout for a ‘LEAKING’ water pipe that had also destroyed a rib/s – all fixed and two replacement ribs, done in 24hours. Boat name will remain anonymous. But a good reminder to check in all those hard to reach areas 😉

One of my bucket list boats the Arch Logan 1921 NGAIO was hauling for the addition of a set of davits to house the new (restored) dinghy. More photos when completed.

ALOHA, 1926 Charles Robinson, out for some deferred maintenance and TLC .

EILEEN PATRICA , 1933 A Couldrey, was getting the final touches with a JPPJ paint job and winter maintenance.

Woody Bill Rimmer (POCO LENTO) sent in the photo below, I’d like to think the bird is resting, but I’m sure a few grumpy old CYA members hope its about to take a poop 🙂