Tag Archives: Mystery Launch

32’ MYSTERY CLASSIC BRIDGE-DECKER – Help Needed Identifying

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32’ MYSTERY CLASSIC BRIDGE-DECKER – Help Needed Identifying – WAINUI

Todays woody is another recent tme vessel (thanks Ian McDonald), no name but looks familiar.

What we do know is she is currently based in Wellington but previously ( 2 years ago) was in the Christchurch area. Before that Auckland was her home.

The seller has undertaken some updates to her exterior and general maintenance to the engine and drive line. Interior looks like it needs some TLC.

Forward motion is via a 3.6L Fordson 4 cyl. diesel engine.

Anyone able to put a name to the craft and hopefully provide an insight into her past.

29-07-2025 UDATE ex CARL – The 32′ bridge deckers name is Wainui originally from the Kaipara sent many years as a fishing boat. an then come over to Auckland around 2000 where she had a major refit and then was a much loved family boat.

VINTAGE CLASSIC LAUNCH POSTCARD

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VINTAGE CLASSIC LAUNCH POSTCARD

WW was sent a copy of the above ‘vintage’ postcard by Glenn Martin. The location is Pilot Bay, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga.

It was tagged ‘ retro modern’ so maybe not as old as it looks.

Anyone able to put a name to the launch in the photo.

Last weeks book quiz – no winners, the correct answer was OIL LAUNCH. None of the emailed entries had that. Will draw a winner from the classic launches at OBC today 😉

Short story today , currently at OBC for the combined OBC / Woodys event. Get alONG if you are at a loose end.

OBC + CLASSIC WOODYS EVENT TODAY

MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH AT WESTHAVEN IN 1967 + BOOK REVIEW 

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MYSTERY CLASSIC LAUNCH AT WESTHAVEN IN 1967 + BOOK REVIEW 

Earlier in the week I was sent by.John Burland a link to a fb video that featured the 1967 visit to NZ by ‘Miss Wool USA – 1966’.

I won’t bore you with the link, but it shows her touring NZ, of interest WW is that in the video there is a very brief shot of Westhaven marina, Auckland. 

I have taken a screen grab that show a rather large wooden launch, an interesting mix of styles – bridge-decker, tram top + dog house.

Anyone able to put a name to the launch.

INPUT EX NATHAN HERBERT – This boat (originally Myrtle) she had more portholes on one side than the other. Don’t know what became of her but one guess is that she became the ‘Matira’?
https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/02/28/mystery-thames-wooden-launch/comment-page-1/

BOOK REVIEW – ‘WATER ROADS – Boat Travel and Tourism in New Zealand from 1840’

Recently a copy the above 530 page book appeared in the WW letterbox, I was amazed the letterbox didn’t collapse under the weight 🙂 The last time it would have carried the books weight would have been when NZ Post was still printing telephone books.

The author is Neville Ritchie and to quote Neville – “the book tells the story of water-based tourism in NZ” and focuses on the small boat operations established to take visitors to tourist attractions on overnight cruises. It also takes the reader on a history tour od boating building in NZ. The story starts at the top of the North Island and finishes off at Stewart Island.

As an indication of the extent of the content we start off c.1840 with maori in ex whaleboats and end with the electric foiling ferries on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.

As indicated above its a monster of a read, I can see myself consuming it in bite size chunks over an extended period of time.

If your a serious marine historian your bookcase will be lacking if you do not have copy.

COPIES AVAILABLE FROM nevritchie@outlook.co.nz

WIN A COPY – Answer the question below correctly and you will go into the draw for a copy of the book. Entry By Email only to >  waitematawoodys@gmail.com.

Entries Close 6pm Friday 18-07-2025.

QUESTION: In the early 1900’s what were the words commonly used to describe (small) motorboats?

MYSTERY LAKE BOAT – CAN WE ID HER

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MYSTERY LAKE BOAT – CAN WE ID HER

Todays woody photo comes to use from John Dawson. John believes the location is most likely Lake Rotorua, this is based on the photo album it came from. So if not Lake Rotorua maybe Lake Rotoiti.

Would be nice to put a name to the launch and learn some of her history.

HELP IDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT

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HELP IDENTIFY THIS WOODEN BOAT

Woody John Dawson sent in the above photo, but wasn’t able to ID the vessel, I have an idea but better to throw it open to the WW readers. (apologise for small photo size)

Suggestions in the comments box would be appreciated.

INPUT ex Ken Ricketts – It’s the FLORAY, built by & for Major, (Christian name, not rank), Bailey, on his back lawn on the corner of Wheturangi & Greenlane Rds., in 1948-49 using the frames from Hec Goodfellow’s RANUI, borrowed from RANUI’s builders, Roy Lidgards boatbuilders.

She was named after his wife Flo & his only son Ray.

Her name was later changed to LEILANI, & I believe she is now neglected beyond repair, & was last seen on a hillside property at Thames by me, several years ago.

Alan H Comment – There is speculation as to the build, with Harold Kidd commenting previously that Lidgard built the hull and she was finished by her owner. Also the name as launched could have been FLORAE, or maybe thats what it was registered as. Whether way, sad that she has ended up in a paddock. Photo in the 2023 story – WW Aug2023  https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/09/leilani-florae-floray-jolly-roger/

And if your not on the WW email list – details on Fridays Woodys Lunch Cruise to the waterfront Riverhead Tavern below

For those skippers / boats taking part in Fridays Classic Woodys Riverhead Tavern Lunch cruise – see below details re meeting times etc.

If your boat is out for winter maintenance or you are boat less, coming by car is an option to consider.

DATE : FRIDAY 20 JUNE (4 days away)

MEETING LOCATION: HERALD ISLAND / LUCAS CREEK AREA

DEPARTURE > RIVER: 11.45am

ARRIVE PUB: APPROX 12.15PM

HW= 2.10 – TIDE = 2.88m

DEPART PUB: 3.00pm >> (skippers call, if in doubt leave/follow the ferry)

Being a public holiday there will be 2 ferries making the trip, so please give them right of way on the river and at the jetty. 

PLEASE BRING YOUR DINGHY – as jetty space is very limited.

Reviewing the list of boats that have RSVP’ed, I think all have braved the river before so skippers should be ok with navigation and anchoring spots, if you want a refresh, email me and I will supply details. AND REMEMBER ME TRAVEL IN INDIAN FILE UP THE RIVER – no overtaking.

MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH DOCKSIDE – BELL BIRD

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MYSTERY CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH DOCKSIDE – BELL BIRD

Todays woody popped up on a post that Don France made on the Tug & Workboat fb.

From comments made the bow scroll tends to point towards either a Collings & Bell or Bailey & Lowe built vessel.

The location has the look of a tide estuary / coastal river.

I’m being very generous in the heading with the use of the word ‘dockside’, I’m sure it was fit for purpose but wouldn’t pass todays OSH standards 🙂

Anyone able to ID the boating location.

15-05-2025 INPUT ex PAUL DRAKE – This is surely the present day BELL BIRD. She has been at Taupo for many years and is in frequent use. Certainly Bailey and Lowe. Photo below ex Jason Prew Jan 2015.

★ Mondays AVALON photo bomb was the highest rating in terms of views for YTD 2025 – looking forward to more updates.★

THURSDAY’s WW Story – tomorrow we have the last of the 7 part series –  ‘AN INSIGHT INTO NZ’s UNIQUE MARINE ENGINES’, complied by Ken Ricketts.

While having a niche audience, we received a lot of positive feedback and additional intel from readers. When approached by Ken Ricketts re WW running the series our primary aim was to record the data on a searchable source for access now and in the future. 

WW thanks Ken Ricketts for his passion, time and tenacity in pulling it together.  In the next few days I will do a post to provide all the links to the 7 stories in one location.

MYSTERY DOUBLE ENDER WOODEN LAUNCH – PATINA

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MYSTERY DOUBLE ENDER WOODEN LAUNCH – PATINA

Todays photo was sent in by Heather Espin and comes to us ex a photo album from Bryan Walden. Walden was one of the first boat brokers in Auckland and he categorised the boats he sold. 

The location to me appears to be Wellington and the boat has a the distinct look (double-ender) of a vessel that would have crossed Cook Straight with ease.

Can anyone confirm the location and put a name to the launch.

The boats PATINA, built in 1913 by Ernie Lane in Picton – more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/10/17/classic-wooden-boat-patina-le-reina-a-peek-down-below/

MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH 25-03-25

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MYSTERY WOODEN LAUNCH 25-03-25

Long overdue  a mystery launch competition – the above photo comes to us from the Auckland Libraries heritage collection via Nathan Herbert.

Can we ID the vessel – first correct answer, received via email after 8am today, WINS a WW Burgee. 

Answer to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

MYSTERY NORTH AUCKLAND WOODEN BOAT

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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

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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.