BAY OF ISLANDS – RUSSELL  – CLASSIC LAUNCH PARADE

VIDEO EX IAN HOLT

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BAY OF ISLANDS – RUSSELL  – CLASSIC LAUNCH PARADE

Yesterday (Friday 9th) saw a group of woody classic boat owners participate in a parade of classic craft as part of the Russell Boating Club – Tall Ships Regatta weekend.

Great turn out with an even mix of launches, ex game boats and ex work boats, looked like perfect conditions and a great time by all. 

Part of the event was a log rally which my spies tell me was a tad too long and my lips are sealed but maybe a few skippers may have been using the smart phones for more tha just phone calls……..

Photos thanks to Hilton Ward onboard SPINDRIFT.  (as always click on photos to enlarge)

Today (Saturday) will be a biggie on the water with the running of the 50th Tall Ships Sailing Regatta.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS – The winner of the log rally was the Owen Woolley built launch – KORAWAI, owned by Tania and Matt Cooper. Photo below of Matt (R) and cabin boy Grant Gibbs. I suspect they won it fair and square – I know both well and both are luddites when it comes to technology 🙂

12-01-2026 UPDATE BELOW – ex Margo & Jamie Hudson

Bay of Islands Woody Long Weekend

Bay of Islands Woody Long Weekend

Being a professional photographer, BOI woody Dean Wright is seldom without a camera near by, which is a bonus for us. Over last weekend (Kings Birthday) Dean was out enjoying the bay on his classic woody – ARETHUSA and took the above photos.

First up is a stunning open day boat that Mike mentioned that he had seen out a few times on the Kerikeri River and at last got close enough to take a photo.

The Gladden yacht – is WINTERLUDE, owned by Bram Cone. I’m told she is as impressive down below as what we see in the photo.

Next we have the 35’ launch – LOURENA  built in 1965 by Watson Brothers in Wellington to a Athol Burns design. More on her here https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/11/14/lourena-a-peek-down-below/

Lastly the very smart Salthouse launch – TAPUI, owned by Mike and Robi Quilter. Mike is a life member of my good bastards woody club, having taken a chainsaw to the flying bridge that was on TAPUI when purchased . See and read more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/09/04/tapui/

Lourena – A Peek Down Below

LOURENA – A Peek Down Below

The 35’ launch Lourena was built c.1963 by Watson Brothers in Wellington to an Athol Burns design, using 1 1/8” kauri carvel planks. With a 11’6” beam she has a healthy interior for a 35’ boat, the draft is 3’6”. Forward motion is via a 70hp D series 4 cylinder Ford that gives her a 7 knot cruising speed.

Lourena is a well traveled woody having spent time in Wellington > Marlborough Sounds (15 yrs) > Opua (20 yrs),

Thanks to Ian McDonald’s heads up re the tme listing, today we get to have a peek down below.