Tag Archives: Mystery Launch

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – 1933

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH  – 1933

Last month I was a mission to locate some bronze/brass cowl vents for the classic ex workboat PRIMADOONA, owner James Hutchinson is the son-in-law of one of my oldest boating friends (Dennis Ross) – we go back 40+ years. So James gets auto access to the WW Aladdin’s cave of cool boat bits. I knew I had some of varying sizes but just where in the lock up was the challenge. Fast forward and on the 2nd deep dive jackpot (photo below)

During our chats James mentioned he had been scanning some of his late mother-in-laws old photos and came across some very cool ones of the MIL’s brother’s boat. James believes his name may have been Remy Burridge, but the name of the craft isn’t recorded.
Most of todays photos are dated 1933. James commented that the family would just pull the boat up in front of their house in Garnett Road to clean it.

Interesting ‘tram top’ that may then been original or added soon after launching as a flush decker.

I have teased Nathan Herbert on this story several times in the last 2 weeks – but I suspect he will ID the launch before I’ve consumed my first caffeine shot of the day 🙂

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH HAUL OUT DAY

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH HAUL OUT DAY

Todays classic wooden boating photo comes to us from John Dawson, and other than it being tagged ’Northland’, thats all John knows about the photo.

So woodys can we learn the location and possibly ID the craft being hauled out.

(photo ex Toby Hyman)

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.

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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.

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