Tag Archives: Mystery Launch

MYSTERY 43’ WELLINGTON LAUNCH

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MYSTERY 43’ WELLINGTON LAUNCH

Todays woodys sat on tme for a while (thanks Ian McDonald) and has now been removed, hopefully sold.The vessel was promoted as a live aboard option and at $20k was low cost city pad.What we knew about her :

  • 43ft bridgedecker launch
  • Carvel kauri hull
  • 120hp Ford diesel, with a few minor issues
  • Cruises comfortably around 8 knots

Looking at the last two photos above as compared to the lead photo, she is in need of some TLC. Can we learn her name, designer/builder and what became of her.

MYSTERY CLASSIC BROOKE MOTOR LAUNCH 

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MYSTERY CLASSIC BROOKE MOTOR LAUNCH 

Todays woody made an appearance on tme in early 2025 and at the time we were told the launch was designed by Jack Brooke, built of kauri and launched in 1965, was 36’ in length and powered by twin 65hp Ford D Series engines, that gave her a cruise speed of 6>8 knots.

A serious lack of exterior photos, hard to get a good look at the boat, bow on isn’t her best angle. Quite a smart woody down below, juries out on the second story addition……..

And that woodys was all we learnt, so looking to put a name to the vessel and where she is these days (when for sale, Tauranga was the listed location)

(thanks to Ian McDonald for the heads up)

NAPIER CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – BETTINA – GETS A SECOND LIFE

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BETTINA

NAPIER CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – BETTINA – GETS A SECOND LIFE

Recently Sam Avison acquired a berth in Napier, but there was a slight problem, the berth included a 1950’s kauri built launch. The launch named BETTINA wasn’t  / isn’t in good shape, in fact at the time of purchase she was taking on water (sinking).                               Sam couldn’t bring himself to call in the back-hoe boys so decided to take on the challenge. 

First job was to sort out the leak, that’s done and he’s currently getting his head around where to start next. 

The primary reason for Sam contacting WW to see how f he can learn more about the vessels past. All he knows is 26’ long, built in Napier and probably had a name change in the 1990’s.

Anyone able to help with IDing the boat. 

MYSTERY NORTHLAND WOODEN KAURI LAUNCH

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MYSTERY NORTHLAND WOODEN KAURI LAUNCH

Todays woody popped up on tme late last year (thanks Ian McDonald), at the time the starting bid was $300, sadly it didn’t sell.

What we learnt was she was 18’ in length, built from kauri carvel planking, and there was a Lees Marine Ford engine in her. Her fittings must have been worth the asking price, but the location – Maungaturoto, Northland, would have put people off + no trailer in the sale.

Anyone know more about the launch and what became of her.

MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH – CAN WE ID

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MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH – CAN WE ID

Earlier in the week I was sent the photo above with a very short note – “Found an old photo. Not sure of the boats name but if anyone wants the picture they can have it.”

So woodys can we ID the craft and hopeful learn where she is today and then we can offer the photo to the current owner.

MAHURANGI REGATTA – CANCELLED

A LEFT FEILD QUESTION

WW was contacted by the owner of a vessel named WATERHORSE – message below.

“I was wondering if someone can give me information on a boat I bought.  It was built around 2006 for the movie ‘Waterhorse” for Weta Workshop designed by Bruce Askew.                                 It was the PT boat during the later part of the movie. It is a glass over ply construction 32 feet long.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

MYSTERY 42’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH BUILT IN OTAGO

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MYSTERY 42’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH BUILT IN OTAGO

Todays classic wooden launch comes to us from the July 1960 issue of Sea Spray magazine via Ken Ricketts. The write up appeared is a popular magazine section titled ‘Gadabout’.

As learnt from the accompanying copy – the 42’ twin engined launch was built by a Mr. C. Maxwell and his sons – Ron and Barry. The article mentioned a Nov 1961launching date.

The launch had a 12’ beam and that sadly is all we know about her. It looks like someone has ‘borrowed’ the design of the cabin windows from the Lidgard yard, the 3 aft were a signature Lidgard look.

So woodys todays questions are

1. There is mention of there going to be a post launching story – did that happen

2. Do we know her name , designer and what became of the vessel

3. Who was ‘reporter’ that went by the handle – ‘Gadabout’

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – Waiana/ Exclusive Lady, purported to have been a Lane but obviously incorrect. The windows do have the Lane Ma Cherie look to them, mind you.

MYSTERY COROMANDEL CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH

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MYSTERY COROMANDEL CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH

My spotter Ian McDonald sent in todays photo ex the Auckland heritage collection via fb.

The photo was tagged ‘A motorboat at an unidentified location on the Coromandel Peninsula’. Stapley Farmer, 1960’s.

And that woodys is all we know. Her appearance / finish has that workboat look. Keen to learn more about the vessel and whether she is still around.

JUST RELEASED – MAHURANGI CRUISING CLUB YEARBOOK 2026 – Another impressive edition from the hands of Steve Horsley – at $20 its the best buy this summer. Don’t wait hoping someone will buy you a copy for xmas – treat yourself – out next week – preorder your copy here srhorsley@gmail.com

NOW AVAIILABLE FROM BOAT BOOKS WESTHAVEN – IN STORE & ON LINE

MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH AT TE KOUMA – SALT

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MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH AT TE KOUMA – SALT

Well woodys todays photo is  a tad left field , sent in by one of my spies that is mooching around the Coromandel / Te Kouma area on his plastic fantastic launch – but he’s forgiven buying the launch as in a previous life he owned one of smartest classic launches afloat on the Waitemata. 
A mix of styles and material on display, a hint of ‘dory’ in the hull shape. Not seen on the Waitemata harbour so maybe a Coro / Thames craft. Hopefully one of the mud dwellers can enlighten us.

WW MERCHANDISE – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ORDERING – DO IT NOW – DOWN TO SINGLE DIGIT NUMBERS ON MOST T-SHIRT SIZES AND LESS THAN 12 CAPS IN STOCK 

MYSTERY LAKE TAUPO MOTOR LAUNCH c.1950 – – OKATAINA

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MYSTERY LAKE TAUPO MOTOR LAUNCH c.1950 – OKATAINA

Crazy day celebrating xmas in November – overseas family visiting, so just had to do it………….

So woodys when I saw late yesterday that Ian McDonald had sent in the photo that appears above, I was so happy. Was probably the closest I’ve been to missing posting a story.

So the photo is tagged “An unidentified motor launch on Lake Taupo”. William Barbour Beattie for NZ Herald, 1950. (Luck Lib Heritage Collections)

I’m expecting one of the Drake Brothers to ID her and possibly say they own or owned her 🙂

INPUT EX GREG PHILPOTT – OKATAINA – Built in 1938 by Sam Ford in 1938 for the Beamish-Whites at Lake Okataina. Sold in 1939 to the Government’s Internal Affairs Department who were looking for a boat to “serve their ranger work on Lake Taupo as well as on occasions carry distinguished guests”. They required a boat that “could handle rough weather and give fair speed”. Hence the official flag.
Later owners on Lake Taupo included John Henry Kay and Peter Redwood.
The boat ended up in Auckland in late 1989 / early 1990 in poor condition and then found her way to Thames where she remains today.

24-11-2025 INPUT EX PAUL DRAKE – We, the Drake Brothers, were quite besotted with OKATAINA when Peter Redwood owned her, and before we owned ROMANCE. In 1975, OKATAINA ‘s Chrysler Ace petrol engine ended up in ROMANCE. Legend has it that in 1939, at the start of WW2, OKATAINA was put in her float-in shed at the Taupo Boat Harbour and the door locked, not to be opened until 1945. She didn’t fare too well and required fairly expensive rot repairs, so it is said.

26-11-2025 INPUT EX PAUL DRAKE – Photo below of OKATAINA at Taupo (late 1960s) when the young Drake brothers were besotted with her. These days she has rather more structure (flying bridge) and is painted – white. But back then, she had class! To our young eyes, anyway. 

Proof of the feast and the reason I was so unmotivated to punch the keyboard 🙂 And guess what, we will be doing it all again on Dec 25th 🙃

CAN WE HELP IDENTIFY THIS RUMPTY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH

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CAN WE HELP IDENTIFY THIS RUMPTY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH

WW was contacted recently by Guilford Bonehill regard todays wooden launch. The vessel is owned by a friend of Guilford’s and has been resting in their yard for 10+ years.

The owner believes it previously came from the Cleveland area, and the Wairoa River.  Although there is no name on the launch, they think it was named PRINCESS ALOHA and built a century ago.

The understatement in Guilford’s note was ‘the condition of the launch is not good’.

Any help in identifying the launch and her past would be most appreciated.

26-11-2025 INPUT EX GUILFORD BONEHILL -Laurie Webster (deceased) had the boat in Pukekohe and for the last 8 years up high n dry near a wool shed in Te Kohanga

CHAD THOMPSON TRIBUTE SPRING RALLY

Yesterday was the start of the CYA – CTT Spring Rally (year 3) Photos below of the start line – entrants were down 50% on last year…………  Reminds me of the Albert Einstein quote: Insanity Is Doing the Same Thing Over and Over Again and Expecting Different Results.