Tag Archives: Percy Vos

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH JUDITH AIMEE HAULED FOR SOME TLC 

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH JUDITH AIMEE HAULED FOR SOME TLC 

Back in April 2024 42’ classic wooden launch – JUDITH AMIEE made a cameo appearance on WW and the story generated a lot of chat re her past and photos from c.1960 , linked below – .https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/07/04/judith-aimee-classic-wooden-launch/

jUDITH AIMEE was built at the Percy Vos shed in 1966 to drawings from Ken McCormick. 

Today thanks ro Alan Sexton we get a up close and out of water look at her while recently hauled out at Robertson Boats in Warkworth.

PERCY VOS BUILT WOODEN LAUNCH – CLARE

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PERCY VOS BUILT WOODEN LAUNCH – CLARE

The launch CLARE fist appeared on WW back in May 2013, at the time we learnt nothing more about her, then in 2020 she popped up again and this time Baden Pascoe confirmed that she was built at the P Vos Ltd yard and still existed today (2020).

Sadly we still didn’t learn what had become of her so today we try again.

BOATS OF THE BAY – REVIEW 

Early in the week I was the recipient of a hot off the press copy of  Greg Philpott’s book – BOATS OF THE BAY. 

The cover tag line reads – ‘100 Years of The Ferries & Tourist Boats of the Bay of Islands’ and woodys that perfectly sums up the book. Roll in the odd game fishing boat and you have an encyclopaedia of craft that have plied the waters of the far north.

I loved the flyer that that said – ‘Literally A Nautical Encyclopaedia – Good For Settling Arguments (Or Starting them)’.

At 378 pages long it should come with a safety warning – it weighs approx. 1.5kg and reading when tired could result in injuries if dropped on your face 🙂

I have already used it twice to reference intel on a few woodys, so my copy will be a keeper – no loans 🙂

Greg has self published the book and retained the services of the hot shot classic boating art director – STEVE HORSLEY to produce the book so the visual presentation is right up there with the best.

The print run is limited and given its size, good value for the $75 price tag. (+P&P)

Secure a copy by contacting Greg direct at  gregphilpott@xtra.co.nz

CLASSIC WOODEN PERCY VOS WORKBOAT – WAIMANA (AK77)

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CLASSIC WOODEN PERCY VOS WORKBOAT – WAIMANA (AK77)

Back in August 2023 the 51’ ex Seine trawler – WAIMANA popped up on tme and we did a story, then in Feb she was back on line again. This time with more photos including some from her past.

A quick overview – built at the Percy Los yard in Auckland in 1943 for Sanford Fisheries. Spec’s – 51’ x 14’ x 6’3” powered by a Gardner 6L3B 150hp, giving her a top speed of 10 knots at 900rpm.

Very well set up for a live-aboard.

JUDITH AIMEE – Classic Wooden Launch

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JUDITH AIMEE – Classic Wooden Launch

Woody Geoff Fiebig sent in the above photo that he took while doing the Coastal Walk at Ti Point (Omaha / Leigh area, Rodney). The launch was moored in the entrance to the Whangateau Harbour. An interesting blend of styles and a rather large poop deck on her stern.

Can anyone tell us more about the vessel.

INPUT ex SHANE ANDERSON – Shane pointed me in the direction of the Percy Vos book – Launching Dreams – where we learnt she was built in 1966 to drawing by Ken McCormick. 42′ and when launched powered by a 75hp Gardner 6LW

INPUT & PHOTOS ex DONNA LEWIS
M father – Don McMillan and his father Neil McMillan went out on the JUDITH AIMEE when she was in Whitianga. My Grandfather retired to Whitianga from the Bay of Islands.

My best guess on the photos is between 1958 & no later than 1962 ( I was 4 years old then and did go boating with my Dad) but never on the JUDITH AIMEE.

I don’t know who owned her but have a feeling it may have been Malcolm Cruikshank who lived next door to My Grandfather on the esplanade.Pictured on the bottom photo is my grandad Neil – we called him Grandad Dick- sitting on top of the cabin with beret facing forward..I wish I new who the others are/ were. I will go on a fact finding mission

24-08-2025 INPUT ex Liz Needham – The captain of Judith Aimee was my Uncle Jim Needham

And on the subject of additions – we have a new leader in the craft that most resembles a block of flats. I wonder what they grow up there 😉 The woody that sent in the photo below should probably remain anonymous. The location looks like Kawau Island.

KOKIRI – In The 1950>60’s

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KOKIRI – In The 1950 > 60’s

A couple of weeks ago on WW we ran a short story on the launch Kokiri, link below. https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/02/03/kokiri-lake-rotoiti-parade-now-sunday/

As so often happens on WW the story was read by some one with a past connection to boat – I have reproduced Trish Kidson’s (from Nelson) note to me below

“Hi from Nelson – It was a thrill to see Kokiri featured on your post last week.  I have so many happy childhood memories of trips around the Abel Tasman coastline with the owners of the time, Mr & Mrs Nalder.  

I’ve put together a wee bit more information (below) and also added some photos ex the late John Evans collection (as seen above) as she was in the late 1950’s onwards while in the Nalder’s hands.  Sorry, the photos are taken off my late father’s slides so not best quality but may be helpful to have in your database for future reference.  

PS:  “Escape”  is Percy Vos design / build, launched in 1940 and bought by my parents in 1967 who brought to her to Nelson where she remained in the custody of our family for 46 years. Last we heard she was moored in Whitianga.” 

KOKIRI (Newt & Nellie Nalder)

As previously mentioned by other WW viewers, Kokiri was built in Nelson by Allen Westrupp in late 1950s at his Tahuna workshop for well-known locals Newt and Nellie Nalder as a replacement for their previous boat, Kotare (built in 1951 by Nelson boatbuilders Curnow & Wilton).  They had used the launch Kotare for taking passengers and friends along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline or for fishing trips.  

Like her owners, Kokiri is remembered with much affection by many locals who frequented the Park as she was often seen pottering along the coast or on a mooring in Anchorage. 

After the Nalder’s sold her, Kokiri remained in the Kaiteriteri/Riwaka area and was lengthen by the new owners.  Her original length is unknown but as a comparison, yacht Escape is 28’6” (as seen in the photo of being towed up the Nelson Harbour on the day Escape was launched in Nelson, 1967).

Photos: (late John Evans Collection) Apologies for the quality – they are taken off Dad’s slides

NGA KIWA (Ngakiwa) Update

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Pre Roy Parris work

Pre Roy Parris work

Post Roy Parris work
Post Roy Parris work
Pre purchase survey

NGA KIWA (Ngakiwa) Update

Back in July Dean Wright sent in some photos of the launch – Nga Kiwa being relaunched at Opua in the Bay of Islands, link below to that story. At the time we learnt from Russell Ward that she was designed and built by Percy Vos and the original spelling was Ngakiwa. The launch had previously appeared on WW back in June 2013, link below) – lots of details and photos at both links + read the comments section.

WW July 2023 https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/07/20/nga-kiwa/

WW June 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/16/ngakiwa/

Fast forward to September and I was contacted by John Oates a previous owner of the launch, John was ordering a WW burgee and made comment that he was a previous owner of Nga Kiwa. John offered up some photos of her during his ownership. Then yesterday an envelope arrived in the post with todays photos. I had a chuckle, not often these days you get sent prints and negatives 🙂 

In an accompanying letter John mentioned that he is not sure of when he bought and sold her but the photos show her at the Slipway at the bottom of Roy and Irene Parris’ property Rawene Ave in Westmere. Roy did the boarding platform, the 2 poles on the transom, the rails forward and rebuilt the mast.

The photo on the grid is most likely taken during a pre-purchase inspection.

July 2023 – Opua

WAIMANA – Very Affordable Waterfront Living

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WAIMANA – Very Affordable Waterfront Living

Waimana had the best possible start in life – built at the Percy Vos yard in 1943 as a 51’ seine trawler for Sanford Fisheries (AK77). At one stage post launching she was set to be requisitioned by the US Army for war use in Noumea, New Caledonia,  but this cancelled. 

Built from single skin 1.5” kauri planks over double hardwood frames, she weighed approx. 35 tonnes.

Powered by a Gardner 6L3B diesel (not sure if original) .

Fast forward to the 1980’s and Waimana was converted to pleasure use and these days has a very homely fit-out. But still very well spec’ed for cruising.

Originally for sale for c.$110k, its a deceased estate sale and the new tme listing (thanks Ian McDonald) is $60k – that woodys is very low entry into a 6 >10 bed apartment.

Nga Kiwa (Ngakiwa)

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NGA KIWA (Ngakiwa)

While Bay of Islands woody, Dean Wright was working on his own launch – Arethusa at Opua Marina, he spotted the 1956 Percy Vos built 28’ launch – Nga Kiwa  being relaunched after what appears to be so annual maintenance e.g. a bum clean and new anti-fouling.

The video is ex DW and the still photos are screen grabs from the video.

Nga Kiwa is new to me so would love to learn more about her.

INPUT ex Russell Ward – previously spelt Ngakiwa – 2013 WW story below https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/06/16/ngakiwa/

ROAMER & The VOS Shed

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ROAMER & The VOS Shed


Over the last week I received several emails concerning the 40’ launch – Roamer that was on tme listed as ‘as is where is, any offers considered’. When had I had a look for her it was showing as withdrawn, so fingers crossed that a new owner was found. Roamer last appeared on WW back in July 2016 – link to the story below https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/07/01/roamer/

Roamer was built in 1911 in Ferrymead and has been modified multiple times over the years. Recently including a new cabin top to increase the height inside the main cabin. Repairs were done by Davie Norris Boatbuilders/Norris family over many years. The top photos show how it was in the water before she unfortunately sunk at the moorings 12/11/20. Since then she has been stored at Davie Norris Boatbuilders awaiting final repairs to make her watertight again. The engine, a Ford diesel had been serviced and ran. Unfortunately Davie passed away recently and the Norris syndicate who were looking after the Roamer were unable to keep her and get her back on the water. The tme listing was a shout out to locate a caretaker for her.

AUCKLAND’S WATERFRONT PINK ELEPHANT – THE PERCY VOS SHED

Nearly 8 months ago I asked WTF was happening with the Vos Shed, while strolling the waterfront yesterday I detoured to have a look – and, looking worse than ever – note the old newspapers on the windows 😦 Come on Auckland Council / Panuku – open the bloody doors.

Pastime + VOS Shed

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PASTIME

Todays woody story comes to us via John Dawson who sent in a link to a Auckland Museum collection file on the 1914 Auckland Power Boat Association race to Cowes Bay, Waiheke Island. The event was run on the 7th March, 1914.

The launch featured is the 24’ Pastime, previously on WW  we learnt that she was built by T. Le Huquet in late 1912.

Quite an unusual cabin/cockpit top, the owners must have been years ahead of the ’stay out of the sun’ crusade.

AND THE QUESTION OF THE DAY – Whats happening with the Percy Vos Shed ?

All dressed up and ready to shine BUT a peek in the door reveals a dust bowel – appears nothing has happened since I was last inside for the August 12th 2021 offical launching party…….. that’s 62 weeks ago. As numerous people have told me, the Maritime Museum (who ‘control’ the building) couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery. At the August 2021 function it was announced that both the NZ Classic Yacht Association and the New Zealand Traditional Boat Building School would be tenants – anyone able or brave enough to supply an update?

The one positive from this is that the muppets at the CYA pushing the new Heritage Basin Yacht Only Marina will probably be long dead before the Maritime Museum gets around to making the yacht only marina a happening thing 🙂