Back in May 2020 on a road trip to Kerikeri I spotted the 30’ 1964 McGeady built launch – Tempest moored at the Dove Bay Marina, link below to that story. At the time she was looking a little un-loved. https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/09/13/korawai-an-update/
Prior to the 2020 story she made an appearance in October 2014, back then she was a well maintained woody. Link below, lots of detail there . https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/26/9340/
Fast forward to earlier this year she popped up on tme, so today we get a peek down below.
Forward motion is via a 95 hp 6 cylinder Ford diesel.
The McGeady designed, 1964 built by Ben Hipkins, Gary Wheeler and 1st owner Gordon Collie launch – Rangiora struck the Ahaaha Rocks north of Waiheke Island on the night of 21-09-1973. A combined rescue effort of the police launch Deodar, Coastguard and 2 commercial vessels managed to save her before see went under. More details in the press clippings above from the NZ Herald.
Today’s story is another example of the effectiveness of WW – Grant Parker yesterday posted a comment on a WW story that appeared back in Oct 2014 – the 2014 story was on the c.1962 McGeady built launch – Challenger.
I have reproduced Grant’s comments below,
“The 38ft ” Challenger built by McGeady. was owned by my family in Tauranga in the late 1970’s > early 1980’s. After the Bradshaw family of Rotorua owned her she was sold to the Finn family also from Rotorua.
My father Bert Parker from Rotorua purchased the Challenger from Ray Finn. When he sold her she went to Havelock in the Marlborough Sounds where an older couple lived on her for a number of years.
The next owner was the owner of a trucking company in Nelson, he went bankrupt and she was sold again. The last I heard was she ended up North, maybe Bay of Islands, possibly the Opua area.
Our family had some great memories, the photos above of – Challenger, show her in her former glory with varnished coamings etc.
The photos show Challenger in : downtown Tauranga, Whale Island off Whakatane and South East Bay Mayor Island.”
Grant maintained an interest in the whereabouts of Challenger and once tracked her down in Havelock, then the ship broker in Nelson supplied the copy of her 4sale listing.
Purely from reference as to how our classics can morph over time and owners – I know which one I’d like to own 🙂
Back in October 2014 we ran a story on the c.1964 McGeady built 30’ launch – Tempest. Link here for more photos and lots of details. https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/10/26/9340/
Fast forward to April of this year and I was mooching around the Dove Bay marina in Kerikeri and I spotted Tempest on one of the outer pile moorings. Sadly looking a little unloved but still a looker, so hopefully she will get some TLC soon.
It Is The Little Things That Make a Difference
The launch Gay Dawn has been residing at Bayswater Marina for while and recently her owner removed the bow rail – wow – have to say, she looks very smart without it. Hopefully its permanent, and not away being re-chromed etc.
Woody Barry Abel snapped the above photo of Maranoa, moored in the Wairau River, Clevedon – as he was heading out recently. She appears to be long overdue for some TLC.
Todays woody is a wee bit of a mystery, and I’m confidant that when she was launched she wasn’t named – Gaza 🙂 Ian McDonald gave me the heads up on her tme listing, where it states that the 30’ launch is a McGeedy (I assume McGeady) build with a 10’ beam and draws 4’. The forward motion is via a 75hp Ford diesel. Gaza calls Sandspit home, previously on WW it was identified that in another life the launch was called most likely Astra
Anyone able to confirm the design and the original name?
Arohanui was built in 1952/3 at the McGeady’s Ponsonby yard. Specs are 42’ x 11’9” x 3’11” and powered by what appears to be a 6cyl Ford diesel engine.
Back in Oct 2020 (link below) we advised that the 33’ 1952 McGeady launch – Arcturus had changed hands and was getting some serious TLC. We were contacted by her new owners yesterday and they kindly provided WW with some ’new’ photos. Now we also get to have a peek down below. Her owner must be suckers for punishment – they have recently bought boat the classic launch – Katoa, featured in the WW story below this one.
Restored 1928 Ford Special – 100 years old race car
I saw sent the video link below tia very cool nearly 100 year old kiwi race car named Lucky 17. The owners comments match the spirit that most of us have for your classic boats – Enjoy
RANUI BACK IN WORK While woody Glenn Martin was mooching around Northland, he came across the 32’ launch Ranui in Kohukohu on the Hokianga Harbour. Readers may recall that Ranui was originally from Lake Taupo and built as a boat to ferry post war veterans in recovery. Originally named El Alamein, she was built by McGeady in 1944/45.
These days she plies her trade as an inner harbour charter boat. Glenn commented she has been freshened up with new paint and a Volvo engine. Owned by the local flounder fisherman and builder she is in good hands with steady trade servicing people on a gravel bike tour.
Fantasy is a 1952 McGeady designed launch and Ken Ricketts has commented on WW previously that she was probably part built by the McGeady yard and the interior then fitted out by her 1st owner Colin Lannam.
This woodys is all we know about her. In the photos above taken recently in Rocky Bay, Waiheke Island, its obvious she has had a lot of attention in recent times. Can we learn anymore about this launch.
Input from owner/s – Fantasy owned by Catherine Arnault since 2 or so years with partner Bruce Dunlop being the active restorative force . Underfloor Sole 72 hp engine from 2007 runs well and remarkably quiet. Cabin sides had extensive rot under windows and this has been attended to . Hull extremely well built by McGeady with 6 stringers each side of hull running entire length of hull with ribs at 12 inch centers makes for a sturdy panel all copper riveted . Interior revamped 2 salon berth’s with dble starboard midships and fwd in progress 2 berth’s . Great roomy Gulf Cruiser . Home port at moment Mangawhai Estuary.
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