NO EXCUSES – GET OUT ON THE WATER THIS SUMMER + Whangarei Maritime Festival Details 

NO EXCUSES – GET OUT ON THE WATER THIS SUMMER + Whangarei Maritime Festival Details 

Todays story stretches the WW statute around what’s a classic wooden boat but in our book beauty always wins. I know its plywood and probably has some f/glass but at sub $10k you get a very smart looking boat the will turn heads and get admiring thumbs up.

And you get to bring it home and avoid the marina robber barons. In the last 10 yrs been garaged and mostly used on the central north island lakes. If in late summer you decide boatings not for you – re-list it , I’d be surprised if you lost anything on the purchase price.

2025 WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL

In just over a week (Oct 11>12) the salty Whangarei folks are hosting the annual –  WHANGAREI MARITIME FESTIVAL at the Whangarei Town Basin. If you haven’t attended before, it is time you did – why?

1. There will be an impressive on & off -the-water display of classic and traditional water craft

2. Hands-on maritime displays +  interactive learning experiences

3. A Kids’ Zone + live music on the waterfront, and maritime talks

4, Entry is FREE

5. With the new expressways it is less than 2 hours drive from Auckland

6. Your car needs a good run 🙂

Now do not think this is a small-scale event – last year 20,000+ people attended the festival, including me – you choose whether you go Saturday or Sunday, but my recommendation would be Saturday, the Town Basin has more of a buzz on Saturdays + lots of markets in the area for those that are bored easily with things boating related.

Link to 2024 Festival WW storyhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2023/10/16/whangarei-maritime-festival-trip-report/

KEY INTEL October 11th and 12th 2025

Whangārei Town Basin – Free Entry

More info: www.whangareimaritimefestival.co.nz

Kotuku

KOTUKU

When I was coming onto the Slipway at Milford the other day, this very smart launch  – Kotuku had just vacated the cradle I was heading for. Kotuku is a 26’ Pelin Mascot and has just had some serious TLC (9 weeks out). 

Powered by a 25hp Isuzu 2ab1, she would be very frugal on the fuel.

She wasn’t going far – she’s a river rat e.g. calls Milford Creek home.

Message For The Skippers That Did The Woody Trip Last Easter To Paeroa

Check your prop/s – seems there was a few solid items hiding in all that mud – Raindance’s prop was in need of some love from Dr. Cam at the Slipway Milford workshop. All 3 blades were similar to the one below 😦

Welcome To The Waitemata – Cindy Jane

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Welcome To The Waitemata Cindy Jane
These days we seem to lose more woodys to other parts of Auckland than gain them on the Waitemata. So its very cool when we get one back.
I was recently contacted by Steve Taylor to let me know that he had just bought the 34’ Pelin Empress – Cindy Jane. Launched in 1975 she slots into the ’spirit of tradition’ category, built from kahikatea she has been glassed.
I’m always impressed with the amount of space on these woodys.
Cindy Jane is now calling Bayswater home but previously was a Taupo girl.
Steve bought Cindy Lane along to the Woody Classics BBQ at Little Oneroa last month.
Anyone able to tell us more about Cindy Jane’s past?