Haven’t offered up a prize in a while so today is a goodie. Thanks to a Mitchell Hutchings fb post we get to share the two brilliant photos above of the St Mary’s Bay area. Mitchell commented that the photos were dated 1980 but he was not sure of the date. Neil Gillard also commented that the date was more like the 1960’s, as at that time he was serving his time at Chas Bailey’s yard and he recalls the boats (probably the ferries) being moored there then.
This how the quiz will work – each launch you correctly ID, gives you one point – get all there right and you have 3 chances in the draw. ID only 1 = 1 chance. Launch (c) will be a challenge.
THE PRIZE: A copy of the Jenni Mence’s superb tome – ‘K-Class – The Hauraki Gulf’s Iconic Racer-Cruiser’ – 360 pages of photographs, illustrations and tales from the skippers and crew that sailed these stunning classic yachts.
Woody Bruce Ryrie has taken on a project – a c.1960’s Couldrey classic launch that he acquired from the Firth of Thames. Unfortunately no name, so the first ask is does anyone know more about the boat?
The second ask is a little bigger, as you can see in the above photos there are a few planks that need replacing and Bruce would really appreciate a hand with the work, or even some guidance.
The launch is hauled out at Clevedon.
WE ARE LOSING OUR WATERFRONT – Okahu Bay Haul Out
It has recently been brought to my attention that our friends at Auckland Council are very anti boating – read below a summary of what’s been happening –
It’s not only the government that thinks it knows best. Auckland City has determined that the Haulout at Okahu bay, known as the Orakei Landing, will be shut down and the area will become a park reserve! The local board, despite overwhelming submissions against any change, decided in its woke way that the Landing haulout facilities, which have been a part of Auckland since the year dot, should be closed to provide another park. The haulout has and is being used by many owners of traditional wooden boats where owners as well as professionals work on them near to their homes. With the closure of this there will be no inner harbour haulouts on the Southern side of the harbour. There are also a number of professionals who will be out of a job or whose businesses will be reduced because of losing this facility. Auckland once touted itself as the city of sails. It seems it no longer thinks this is part of its makeup.In credibly the committee of the RAYC sent out an email to its members encouraging them to vote to close the Landing. That was done in a way which unless you read it carefully and understood what was happening would have led to many members completing the form supplied to submit for closure! It all smells a bit.
If you are even slightly motivated to voice your concern re the closure of the Okahu Bay haul out area – I suggest to use the channel I find works best with local politicians – they hate negative publicity – contact the chairman of the Orakei Local Board – Scott Milne direct via Facebook and leave a message – link here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007006489029
AND TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO VOICE YOUR CONCERNS SEE BELOW
Local Board members that voted in favour of closing the hardstand*:
The above photo popped up in my ‘odds and sods’ file – it is dated late Jan 2022 so may have been from when I was helping deliver – Korawai to the BOI. But the photos code tells me it was taken on a Samsung device and I do not touch those, so maybe one of the other crew.
Anyway the launch is most likely named – Blue Seas, can anyone tell us if that is her name and any more intel about her.
INPUT ex Graham Hunter – She is still named BLUE SEAS Waiheke Island is also on the transom. She is now on a Mooring in Whakatakata Bay By OBC
25-07-2022 Input below from Chris Cotter (co-owner)
MY LIPS ARE SEALED – NO NAMES
If you need more proof on why not to bond your wooden boat and attach anodes – have a look below – luckily it was very localised. Very scary, the rudder shaft and surrounding area was VERY close to just not being there and you can guess what would have happened.
And if you need more read the most referenced story on the WW site – link below
Todays woody photo comes to us ex the Tauranga City library collection, via Nathan Herbert. The launch is Cynthia C and that folks is all we know at this stage – so throwing it out there to see if we can uncover more about her.
INPUT ex Nathan Herbert – Cynthia C at Cowes bay 1930s (ex Auckland Libraries Kura)
18-07-2022 INPUT FROM HAROLD KIDD – CYNTHIA C was bought by Hector Clarke in 1936. Prior to that she had been owned in Tauranga by W. Hamilton as PIERRETTE. Hamilton bought her in 1933 from the estate of Henry Thode of Herne Bay. Thode bought her from R.H. Meynell as ALPHA LASS with an Alpha marine engine. She was probably built in 1925 by the Alpha agent Peter A. Smith who contracted out his hulls, often to Dick Lang.
Also Ron Wattam has sent in the photo below of a yacht sailing west in front of St Mary’s Bay and would like help to identify the yachts name and sail #.
Earlier in the year todays classic 30’ woody launch made an appearance on tme. We do not know much about her but she built by Jorgensen in 1953 using carvel kahikatea.
Powered by an 80hp Ford, she has a beam of 7’11” and draws 3’11” – and that is all we know. Given the level of presentation she looks to be a recent recipient of some serious TLC.
If anyone (or her new owner) can update us more on the launch that would be great.
Input ex Geoff Bagnall – Most likely named Sea Princess and used call Milford Creek home.
I know there is a name (its very short) on the life rings but I can’t read it. But given the very distinctive design of the launch, I’m sure we can ID the boat.
I came from a very old file I had so hopefully I have not posted the image before 🙂
How Well Do You Know The WW Site ? Hopefully on Sunday (if Saturday is a crap weather day) I will do a story on the WW site, I have spoken to several people recently that were unaware of the full functionality of the WW site – so I’m putting together some ‘flying’ instructions.
Todays photograph, taken c.1965 by D.J Shaw comes to us via Lew Redwoods fb. The location is the Turanga Creek, Whitford and the caption states that the bulldozer was cutting through the sandstone bar.
Can we identify the launch – angle of the photo makes it a tad difficult but the two larger cabin windows (TVOne & TV2), are quite distinctive, so fingers crossed they jolt someones memory.
The above Picton photo popped up on Lew Redwood’s fb earlier in the week, at the time Nathan Herbert commented that two of the launches are theses days moored alongside each other in Orakei Basin. I’m guessing the one on the left side of the dock (with people on cabin top) is Silver Spray, but I’m more often wrong than right 🙂
I’m sure at some stage during the day Nathan will correct me.
First woody (excluding J Prew esq) that emails the correct boat names to waitematawoodys.com wins a WW T-shirt. Mr Herbert will be the judge.
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