ADONIS – 45’ Owen Woolley – 1965 Classic Motorboat
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ADONIS – 45’ Owen Woolley – 1965 Classic Motorboat
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Tag Archives: Owen Woolley
Korawai Heads North
KORAWAI HEADS NORTH
Following on from yesterdays story, I’m just back from sliding up the coast to Russell in the Bay of Islands, delivering the 37’ Owen Woolley built launch – Korawai, to her new owners BOI home. After a few unexpected hiccups we eventually departed Gulf Harbour marina late Thursday afternoon, first stop Kawau Island. Had to sprint to hit the Kawau Boating Club before the kitchen / bar closed. Awoke to perfect conditions so dropped the RNZYS mooring at 6.30am and pointed the bow North – 11 hours later we rounded Cape Brett and eventually dropped anchor in Otaio Bay for the night. Saturday we picked up a friends mooring at Russell and hit the cafe for a coffee. The owner / skipper immediately re-fuelled, collected his better half and was off for a few days cruising. Sad to see the boat head north but, her new owners are a cool creative couple that will spend the time and $ to return Korawai to the condition she deserves. The new owners first thing when he stepped aboard was remove the ‘rocket-launcher’ fishing rod holder from the cabin top and toss it in the marina dump bin – so that bodes well for the future of this woody 🙂 We will follow the boat as the rolling restoration happens. As we rounded Cape Brett I got a great view of the lighthouse and ex lighthouse keepers house – 24 hours later my daughter and friends were doing the 32 km walk to the same spot – the sign says 8 hours in and 8 back, they did it in 4 hrs (each way) but split with an overnight in the now Dept. of Conservation controlled house. The report was its a stunning but tough walk, included a few photos.
Spotted a few woodys once we had made it into the bay –
• Mike & Robbie Quilter’s Salthouse designed – Tapui • Wild Duck, the 1932 JB Jules built ex flying boat tender • Marline, the Warne family 35’, 1950 launch, designed and built by Leone Warne. Video below of the family heading out for the day, on Saturday – love the jetski being towed 🙂
SCROLL DOWN TO YESTERDAYS STORY FOR INTERIOR PHOTOS OF KORAWAI
Korawai – A Peek Down Below
Korawai – A Peek Down Below
Korawai has been somewhat of a mystery boat on the classic scene, very really seen out and about in recent years, now thanks to tme, we get a peek down below. I can report she has sold and has new owners – more on that tomorrow 🙂 At 37’ she enjoys a very spacious cabin. Built by Owen Woolley c.1962. Forward motion is from a Ford 120hp diesel, that sees her cruising at a comfortable 8 knots and topping out at 9.5 knots – I have seen an out of water photo and she is very flat aft, so a nice Hino transplant should see her moving along at a few+ more knots.
Read see more on the launch at these WW links https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/07/16/34705/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/01/09/korowai/
Poseidon – 36’ Owen Woolley Launch
Poseidon – 36’ Owen Woolley Launch
Its only a mystery because the broker selling it has deleted the name…….. She is 36’ in length, has a beam of 10’5” and draws 3’3”. Built in 1963, from kauri and carvel planked. The forward motion is via a 80hp Ford diesel.Home is probably Northland.
Can anyone put a name to the boat, so we can have a record of her on WW.
27-11-21 Update from John H (previous owner) the boat is named – Poseidon
Katoa + Vacuna – In The 1950’s
KATOA + VACUNA – In The 1950’s
Following on from the recent WW update story on the launch – Katoa, I was contacted during the week by Richard Daley, whose grandfather – Reg Bull owned Katoa during the 1950’s. She was kept on Lake Taupo and Richard’s mother – Judy, spent much of her holidays aboard her during this time. Richard commented that the family found her a vast improvement on Reg’s previous boat, the Nomad, which rarely managed to get around Rangitira Point on the way to the Western Bays.
On selling Katoa, Reg had Owen Woolley build him a replacement – Vacuna, which was launched in 1959. Vacuna featured in WW a few years ago in a less salubrious story regarding her sinking & subsequent sale – RIP Tom the Torch 😉 .
The photos above show both from that period, Richard says the one of Katoa is proof that she did make it to the Western Bays on many occasions.
WW Katoa links
https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/06/03/54970/
https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/12/04/new-arrival-at-mapua/
WW Vacuna link https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/11/25/vacuna-2/
RSVP (boat name & approx # of passengers) to waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Woodys Enjoying Their Boats
Woodys Enjoying Their Boats
We ran a story on the Owen Woolley designed and built launch – Korowai earlier in the week, then ping the inbox sends an alert and Angus Rogers has ‘found’ another photo – its a stunner – great angle, well done Mr Rogers.
Also above from Angus is a photo of the 1912 Harvey & Lang built launch – Silens on route to Te Kouma. Read / see more on Silens here https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/04/22/the-evolution-of-silens/
Lastly we see Manuroa already at Te Kouma – doing what we would all like to do – just hanging out doing nothing. A previous owner of Manuroa believed it may have been built by Bailey & Lowe c.1912, is anyone able to confirm ?
UPCOMING LONG WOODY WEEKEND
It is less than 2 weeks until Mahurangi weekend – the biggest on-the-water woody event in New Zealand – just check out Rogers Mills drone photo above to get an idea of the turn-out. Almost all of those dinghies are from a wooden boat anchored in the bay. The occasion is the regatta prize giving / BBQ on the Saturday night at Scotts Landing – all welcome, remember to bring a $20 note to buy a copy of the Mahurangi Cruising Club’s brilliant year book – its one of the best boating reads and great value.
On Saturday (30th) morning we have the classic launch parade – more details re times etc closer to the day but please make life easy for the organisers by emailing your name, boat name, and brief description your woody – design, age, length etc to admin@classicyacht.org.nz
If you’re in Auckland on the Monday (1st) – as part of the Anniversary Day Regatta there will be a classic launch race. Entries for this are now open and you can enter at www.regatta.org.nz It is a handicapped race so everyone has a fair chance of winning some of the great regatta prizes
Wanderer II
WANDERER II
Wanderer II was built in 1965 by Owen Woolley and measures approx. 39’ with a 13’7” beam. Powered by a Ford Lees 100hp 6 cyl. diesel she gets along at a comfortable 8 knots. A recent addition to tme (thanks Ian McDonald).
Can we uncover where and what Wanderer II has been up to for the last 55 years?
Input From Nigel Drake – Below is another photo of Wanderer 11, I am a friend of the present owner. The previous owner showed me this photo of her when he sold her 5 years ago. She is in her original colours. Not sure of the date but interestingly the name on the side is Wanderer not Wanderer 11. The previous owner had her for about 17 years to my knowledge and kept her in Doves Harbour, Bay of Islands. The owner before him, who was the 2nd owner, also had her for about 17 years apparently.
CLASSIC WOODEN BOATS FOR SALE
Buying or Selling a Classic Boat
Without sounding too much like the late Jacinda Ardern (“be kind”) – when people ask me about classic wooden boat ownership, I normally say that owning a woody has a positive effect on your life i.e. you end up forging a life you don’t need to escape from.
So woodys in the interest of your mental well being listed below a sample of some of the boats that are currently berthed at the virtual Wooden Boat Bureau Sales Marina. There are others for sale, some owners request privacy. To read more about the Wooden Boat Bureau – click https://waitematawoodys.com/2019/12/01/wooden-boat-bureau-advice-for-buyers-and-sellers/
The Wooden Boat Bureau is uniquely placed to offer impartial, up-to-date market information and objective advice to both sellers and buyers. So if you are looking for a wooden boat or considering selling – email us at waitematawoodys@gmail.com
Or call Alan Houghton 027 660 9999
SELECTION ONLY – 50% of Listing Are Private
ASTROLINDA🔻 34’6″ 1966 Athol Burns Motorsailer- Asking Price TBA
Learn more –https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/09/09/classic-motor-sailer-astrolinda-4sale/
WINSOME II🔻 36′ 1923 William Hand- Asking Price TBA
Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2026/07/06/classic-wooden-launch-winsome-ii-maude-t-latex-4sale/
ATHENA🔻 48′ 1962 Des Donovan – Asking Price TBA
Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/01/30/classic-wooden-launch-athena/
MARGARET ANNE 🔻 45′ 1960 Oliver & Gilpin – Asking Price TBA
Learn more – https://waitematawoodys.com/2025/11/10/classic-42-launch-margaret-anne-4sale/
MAHANUI 🔻42′ 1977 T Atkinson – Asking Price – TBA
Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/10/28/classic-42-sports-cruiser-mahanui/
ROMANCE II🔻36′ 1919 Bailey & Lowe – Price by negotiation
Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/11/20/quick-classic-launch-4sale-romance-ii/
KURANGI🔻35′ 1960 Builder tbc- Asking Price – TBA
Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/10/06/kurangi-2/
RESTLESS 🔻40′ 1920 Alden/Tercel – Asking price – TBA
Learn more https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/03/19/restless/
SOLD – Selection below, some names withheld at seller / buyer request:
ADONIS 45′ – Owen Woolley – 1965 launch
ALLERGY 58′ 1985 Denis Ganley / Pete Culler – Motor sailer
AROHANUI 48’ – Donovan/Hacker – 1965 launch
ATHENA 25′ c.1950 Couldrey launch
AWARIKI 32′ 1967 Owen Woolley launch
BALLERINA 28′ – Lidgard – 1951 launch
BONDI BELLE 45′ 1901 CHARLES BAILEY JNR.
CAPLIN 35′ – Anderson & Sons (UK) 1937/8 -Gaff Yawl yacht
CASTAWAY 33’ – Dick Lang – 1947 launch
CENTAURUS 42’ – Bailey & Sons – 1967 launch
KAILUA 36’ – Salthouse – 1960/1 launch
KOKORU 39’ – Jack Morgan – 1960 launch
KOTARE 24’ – Kingfisher Boats – 1954 launch
LADY ADELAIDE 35’ – Dick Lang – 1922 launch
LADY PAMELA 59’ – Pelin Warrior – 1986 launch
MAHANUI 42’ – Keith Atkinson – 1977 launch
MANA-NUI 39′ 1913 Harvey & Lang
MANURERE 43” 1937 Miller & Tunnage –
MATAROA 36′ Joe Slattery 1928 launch
MONTEREY 33’6” 1946 Lidgard bridge-decker launch
NGARO 45’ – Lidgard – 1953 launch
NGARUNUI 48′ 1959 Jim Young motor-sailer
PIRATE 42’ – Leone Warne – 1938 launch
POCO LENTO 33’ – Roy Parris/Bagnall – 1979 launch
RANUI 48’ 1948 Lidgard
WAIKARO 33’ – Roy Parris/Bagnall – 1978 launch
WAIMIGA 36’ – Robertson Boatbuilders – 1968 launch
SEA FEVER 34′ Salthouse – 1958 launch
SEQUOIA 36′ 1938 Lewis McLeod launch
SHALOM 48’ – Keith Atkinson – 1973 launch
SILENS 38′ Harvey & Lang 1912 launch
TARANUI 36′ 1965 John Gladden Motor-salier
VANESSA 48′ 2005 Robbie Roberts Passage Motor Yacht
Proteus
Proteus
Mark Erskine was prompted when reading the recent WW article on the 1957 Owen Woolley launch to dig out the above photos of the 1967/68 Owen Woolley, twin 140hp TS3 powered launch – Proteus.
Todays photos were sent to Mark by the then new owner, Terry Poole in November 2018. Terry had just purchased the launch – that had been moored in Wellington for years and had the launch transported by road to Auckland. The launch had been neglected and remained unused for many years before selling to Terry, and both TS3 engines – that would have been fitted from new – had done low hours. In the 3,500hrs range each from memory.
Both engines have rare, locally made, cast alloy marine conversions, including water cooled exhaust manifolds, coolant water reservoir that bolts to the engine thermostat housing, incorporating a mounting for Lees type heat exchanger, separate oil coolers, etc. Mark commented that he had seen this marine conversion on a previous single TS3 engine launch and although that conversion was badly corroded by decades of mindless neglect, the conversions appeared well designed and made. Mark doesn’t know who designed them or where in NZ they were cast, but possibly a long gone foundry in Otahuhu.
Mark has not seen Proteus in person and like us would be keen for an update on the status of the vessel. She does looks very similar to the Wellington based 1968 Owen Woolley launch – Acheron (also twin 140HP TS3 powered), but without Acheron’s 6 foot extension to the stern.
So Woodys – does anyone know where Proteus is (Gulf Harbour?) and intel on her?
