GWENELDA
I was recently sent the above photos of the launch – Gwenelda, by Mike Shaw, along with a note saying that a friend of his had bought the boat in Whanganui and knew nothing about the woodys history.
Can anyone help out and shine some light on this old girl? There appears to be a nice hull below that timber shed 🙂
Mystery Bay of Islands Woodys
The above photo dated 1939 and tagged – Russell, comes to us from Lew Redwoods fb.
Can we ID any of the vessels ?
Short story today, as the message below needs some air time – the dullards driving this project appear to have tunnel vision and be deaf. Maybe the mainstream media need to know what is happening down at OUR waterfront.
MYSTERY LAKE ROTORUA LAUNCH – 1946
The photo above popped up recently on Maurice Sharp’s fb. The only details we have is its dated 1946, was taken by N. Bennett for the NZ Herald.
It is a very cool photo and given the year, just after WWII so the boat could have been abandoned while her owner was doing their bit overseas for all of us. I’d like to think some of these rascals went on to own their own boat.
It was commented that the small yacht was an Idle Along.
Anyone able to put a name to the launch – big ask I know 🙂
Mystery Lake Launch 24-02-22
Today’s woody launch photo comes to us ex Lew Redwood’s fb – I apologise in advance if it has appeared b4 on WW – so many stories, so many boats…..
It would appear that it was either a postcard or the sender wrote a note on the back. I have enlarged the note – hopefully someone can make-out the name of the lake, it is beyond my eye sight 🙂
And maybe even the boat name?
Wellington Woodys
Woody Dave Nicholson was recently in Wellington visiting family and had a pleasant surprise when he pulled back the curtains, an impressive view of the Evans Bay Yacht and Motor Boat Club hardstand.
Dave was able to ID two of the launches – the little white and blue launch is “Ajax” (obvious as it’s name is seen in the pic). And to the left of the big bridge-decker is the Sam Ford Rehutai. The two mystery launches are the small flush decker in the far row, and of course the rather imposing bridge-decker – can we name these two woodys?
Mystery Lidgard Launch
A question – why are so many mystery launches, Lidgards?
Todays woody is double diagonal kauri with f/glass on outside, and is 26′ in length with a beam of 8’ and draws 2’. The engine is a Ford 60hp diesel. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up. WW would like help to uncover more on her past.
Beachaven Mystery Launch
One of the woodys was mooching around Beachaven in the weekend, must have taken a wrong turn 😉 and spotted the above woody. From the condition of the boat and the cradle set up, I think we could safely assume she has been there a while.
Given the clandestine nature of the woodys visit, I cant ID them, their partner would not be impressed with another woody joining the fleet.
Anyone able to tell us more about the boat?
RIVERHEAD WOODY LAUNCH CRUISE 28-11-2021 POSTPONED – New Date tbc
Whangarei Town Basin – Mystery Launch
Keith and Heather Nicholson sent in the above photo of an old post card of the Whangarei Town Basin. The photo first appeared on a Mitchell Hutchings fb post.
In the photo, lower right, we can see a launch hauled out – so todays question is – can we put a name to the boat?
Heather mentioned that their beloved woody – Paea (photo below) was for sale on tme. An amazing classic, the 72’, 1942 ex Harbour Defence Motor Launch (P3552) offers so many boating opportunities.
29-09-2023 UPDATE – photo below of Paea about to be relaunched after some TLC – TLC doesnt really fit a vessel the size of Paea 🙂
05-10-2023 UPDATE – Back in the water. we understand that six months ago the boat was put inside a shed and dried out, the seams were splined and the hull was fiber-glassed. The Fodens were removed and replaced with Cummins. (details & photos ex Ken West)
Can We ID This Woody
Another photo from the Andrew Donovan collection, I have feeling I may have posted this one b4 but can’t locate it on the WW site ,so maybe not. Each to their own but I do like the design, very salty.
Thoughts on name and builder?
The below made me chuckle 🙂
Mystery Bridgedecker – LADY ELLISON
No name on this old girl but her tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) tells us she was built by Sam Ford in 1950, measures 36’ x 9’10” x 2’9”.
Built of kauri and powered by a Ford D360 diesel engine, that gets her along at 10 knots max. Other than calling Nelson home, that is about all we know about her. Can anyone put a name to her and tell us about her past?
UPDATE: SHE HAS BEEN ID’ed AS LADY ELLISON https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/03/06/lady-ellison-3/
HELP WANTED – ANYONE KNOW THE YACHT – KITENUI
The story goes that she was designed by Colin Wild and built by John Salthouse. Can anyone tells us more details about this yacht.
Update – photos below ex John Newsham
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