MYSTERY NORTH AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT
Todays photo comes to us from the ‘Old North Auckland – Northland Photos & Stories fb via Lew Redwood.
The photo was captioned “Steve Bignall and his crane truck, an American war surplus Diamont T putting a launch back into the water, Whangarei, 1940-50’. The location is where the swimming pool car park is now.
Any one with a good memory able to put a name to the launch.
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – CAN IT BE SAVED OR A BEEHIVE RESTORATION
Todays 22’ classic woody photos come to us from a tme listing, thanks Ian McDonald for the heads up.
I know if its wood a rebuild is always doable but there is always the maths to be done eg cost v’s what its worth restored.
Even though the asking price is $1, unless someone with deep pockets and a past connection to a vessel – sadly these craft end up as a Beehive restoration , if you aren’t familiar with the term, scroll down.
Looking at the photos the potentially most valuable items – the portholes – have been removed, combine this the the boats location – Blenheim, Marlborough. Things do not look too rosy.
So woodys can we put a name to the boat so that we at least give her a fitting end.
MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH A LONG WAY FROM THE SEA – PRIVATEER
Todays photos were sent in by Jason Prew who spotted the launch ‘high & dry’ at Tokaanu. I’ll assume that like me most of you will go ‘where?’, so I’ll make it easy for you – Tokaanu is a small settlement at the southern end of Lake Taupo, near Turangi, in the central north island.
She is quite pleasing to the eye and appears to be well looked after. Maybe a few inches off the top of the dog house and replace the windows………..
Can any of the lake woodys (Drakes brothers?) ID the craft for us.
INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – The Tokaanu launch is PRIVATEER. She appeared on woodys in 2015. She was the last boat to be ejected from the old Motuaopa Marina before it was re developed. In about 2221 she was purchased from the Harbour Master as an abandoned vessel. Her new (Auckland) owner has done well to get her to the stage she is at, but the last step – getting her back in the water – seems to be eluding him. Good things take time……
2015 WW link https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/08/22/privateer/
2021 WW Link https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/07/what-happened-to-privateer-sandpiper/
MYSTERY WAIKAWA WOODEN LAUNCH
Last week we ran a story on a very salty looking launch named JOAN, moored at Waikawa, Picton. In that photo (2nd above) there was a another launch moored closer in. Several woodys asked about her and now today, again thanks to Jason Prew we get a better look at the vessel.
Can we learn more at the launch.
28-11-2024 INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – Maybe NGATEA ex Mana, Wellington
Pointed the car north yesterday to attend the re-launch of a very historic classic game boat – tease photo below – full report on Friday.
MAYBE NOT A CLASSIC – MAYBE A RESTOMOD – You Tell Us
Some woodys just slip into the classic category via the term ’spirit of tradition’, todays 46’ woody slips out of the either category – in the auto world it might be called a restomod.
What we know (thanks to Ian McDonald) is that she started life in 1974, built by F. Edes to a Brin Wilson design. The hull is carvel 32mm solid kauri planked, splined and epoxy glassed, decks have been re-clad with plywood and epoxy glassed also. When back in the water forward propulsion will be via twin 120hp Ford 2715E diesel engines.
Anyone know what her name was / is.
A POLL – VOTE BELOW – STILL A CLASSIC or NO LONGER A CLASSIC
MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AT GREG LEES BOATBUILDERS
Todays classic wooden launch is only a mystery because o one was home at Greg’s Sandspit yard when I was mooching around.
I’m sure Greg will comment soon with details on the vessel 🙂
19-11-2024 UPDATE ex Greg Lees – the launch was once named POLLY and resided at Kawau Island for an extended period. Previous owners include Dave Jackson.
05-08-2025 UPDATE – progressing nicely.
TODAYS THE CUT OFF FOR ORDERING WW GEAR FOR XMAS – Link Below https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/11/09/waitematawoodys-gear-limited-summer-offering-romance-ii-update/
MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH AT MILFORD MARINA – NGAHI
On a recent stroll around the Milford Marina on Auckland North Shore I spotted the classic sedan launch seen above. No name so hence todays story.
Looking a tad too perfect so must be a recent restoration, hopefully the topsides haven’t been given a coat of that thick paint (eg f/glass).
Also a question for the purists – what’s the kosher direction for coaming planks – N > S or W > E, struggling with the upright grain look.
INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – The launch is NGAHI and its been glassed and the coamings are teak overlay.
View details on the refit here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/04/10/ngahi-gets-a-makeover/
BIG SHOUT OUT TO THE CREW AT TEAM NEW ZEALAND – WELL DONE. Not only are they #1 in the Americas Cup world, several of them have very good taste in pleasure craft – classic woody of course 🙂 The old WW merch was seen to be making an appearance in the cup village
MYSTERY JUDGES BAY CLASSIC LAUNCHES
Last week WW was sent the above b/w photo by Dan Barnett. Dan commented that he had been going thru a collection of old newspaper clippings that his recently deceased uncle had saved.
The article is headlined ‘Auckland Spring Winter Day’ and the photo tagged – ‘Launches swinging to their moorings in the still waters of Judge’s Bay’
Can any of the woodys help us ID the craft.
Help Needed ID’ing This Wooden Boat
Todays photos another from the McLeod Collection at the Auckland Library Heritage Collection and comes to us thanks to Nathan Herbert.
The photo is just tagged Bayswater and has a 1900>1909 time period on it. It does look vaguely familiar but I couldn’t find any reference to the photo in the WW archives.
Can anyone help put a her to her.
What’s The New Must Have In Classic Wooden Boating
Answer bow thrusters – the Slipway Milford is doing a roaring trade in retro fitting – hauled out for work that included a bow thruster – IONA II, SEA FEVER , PACIFIC
Wooden Boat Beached at Sulphur Point – 1930’s
Todays photo comes to us from the McLeod collection at the Auckland Library Heritage Collection via Nathan Herbert. We see a launch in the configuration of a tram top + dog house, has to a 1920’s build most likely a flat top with the later (1930’s) additional of the tramtop and dog house.
The photo is tagged ‘ Launch beached after storm at Sulphur Beach, Northcote (Auckland) , 1930/39.
Can we put a name and builder to the boat.
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