Tag Archives: RNZYS

Mystery Napier Launch

Posted on by
3

Mystery Napier Launch

Today’s photo is another from the lens of Dean Wright, taken on a Napier marina walk-about. Looks familiar but I can not put a name to her – anyone able to help out?

Input from Michael O’Dwyer – This boat was called the Graham John when first purchased by the current owner Mark Parvin. Talking to his father Peter, he was told the boat was built by a farmer in Motueka around 1947. Originally 36 feet long it was extended aft to 43 feet when converted to a scallop dredger, hence the appearance of a somewhat droopy stern. Currently powered by a 170 hp Isuzu. Mark has completely overlaid the hull with a ply and glass.

Woodys On The Catwalk

Well almost – Karen Walker in a collaboration with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has just launched a range of merchandise celebrating this extra special season – A-Cup and 150th RNZYS Anniversary. WW have supplied woody items – clinker dinghies, model yachts etc to support the collection in Karen Walker stores.

Check out the range here  https://www.karenwalker.com/nz/collections/squadron

1895 Bailey Gaff Cutter – IDA – Launch Celebration

Posted on by
4

IMG_6323

IMG_6327

IMG_6332

1895 Bailey Gaff Cutter – IDA – Launch Celebration
Yesterday (19th July 2020) afternoon John and Lorraine Street officially launched the latest addition to The Classic Yacht Charitable Trust fleet – Ida the 58’ (45’) gaff cutter. Designed by Chas Bailey and built in 1895 by C&W Bailey.
In December 2018 John and the CYCT shipped Ida back from Sydney where she had resided since c.1985. It would be fair to say that she wasn’t in the best of shape – but Wayne Olsen & Mike Smith at Horizon Boats did their magic and today we got to see the 125 year old woody centre stage at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.
I have previously covered the restoration and rigging etc on WW, links below. Also below is a link to the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust website that tells the complete 125 year history of Ida. So I’ll let the photos above tell today’s story.
Below is a video clip of Johns speech – as always very informative and entertaining – turn the volume up and enjoy 🙂
Full History and Photo Gallery

http://www.classicyachtcharitabletrust.org.nz/trust_boats.htm?boat_id=16

Previous WW Stories

2020 New Zealand Classic Yacht Regatta Photo Gallery – 100+ photos and videos

Posted on by
7

IMG_4452

IMG_4416

IMG_1732

IMG_4447

IMG_4508

IMG_4327

IMG_4333

IMG_7971

IMG_4321

A7 – Thelma / A2 – Rawhiti

IMG_4344

IMG_4454

IMG_4392

IMG_4513

2020 New Zealand Classic Yacht Regatta Photo Gallery – 100+ photos and videos

As I have mentioned in the last two WW stories, the Classic Yacht Association of New Zealand have over the last 3 days been running its annual classic yachting event on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.
The near perfect conditions on all three days made for happy skippers and a relieved race organisers. I was on the water for two of the three days and had a blast. The gallery above is a mix of Races 1/2/3. If your boat doesn’t make an appearance, I apologize, I was only a passenger, so captured those that were within range.
On the second day, James Dreyer and myself hosted the world acclaimed marine photographer Benjamin Mendlowitz onboard Jame’s motorboat – Laughing Lady, the perfect platform for recording the on the water activities.
For me it was a master class in boat positioning and photography angles, I tried to keep out of Ben’s way and took the above photos / videos when I could without being in Ben’s line of sight.
These days the CYA run the regatta using the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as Race HQ and entertainment hub, it is the perfect venue and as always the service and staff were 10/10.
 Scroll down for the official regatta results below
As always – click on photos to enlarge.
Race Course Videos Below (Races 2/3)
RANGER

PRIZE

A DIVISION

ARIKI

RAWHITI

CORONA

IMG_4612
Screen Shot 2020-03-09 at 11.39.20 AM
WBB0003_Banner-980x160

Des Townson  – A Sailing Legacy – Perfect Fathers Day Present – Ordering Details Below

Posted on by
1

P1060549

P1060540

IMG_2434

IMG_2435

P1060534

Des Townson  – A Sailing Legacy

Back in July Brian Peet contacted me about his latest book publishing project, Des Townson – A Sailing Legacy. Brian asked if I would like to attend the launch night, a smallish gathering in the dinghy locker at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron – of course I said yes and a few days later an advance copy of the book arrived via courier. Well that buggered my plans for that day 🙂
I later asked Brian if I could sneak a couple more onto the invite list, which happened. Then Brian lets me know that things have snow balled and the launch was now in the main ballroom at the RNZYS, things had stepped up a few notches.
Fast forward to last night and the who’s who of yachting is crammed into the Squadron. My guess would be 400+ people. Speakers were the Squadron Commodore Ian Cook, Des’s younger brother – Bill Townson and Brian Peet. Ian built six Zephyrs under Des Townson’s supervision, won the National Champs in 1980. Bill Townson is a skilled boatbuilder, yacht designer and amphibian aircraft designer/builder.
I sneaked in early any took a few photos and videos of some of the exhibits, which included a Starling, Zephyr, Mistral and a 1956 replica of Des Townson’s first commercial design Nimble. What most caught my eye, was the Townson 2.4m dinghy on display that had just been built by Allan Hooper at the NZ Traditional Boatbuilding School. Its for his own use, but if you ask me it should be should be on display somewhere. Talking to Allan I understand the school will have ‘build your own’ kits and how to classes – perfect opportunity to own a Townson.
I later filmed Brian’s talk / presentation, see below – it is a wonderful insight into how the book came about and challenges Brian had over the 10 years it took to complete it.
 
As I have said before – its a great read, buy it, you won’t be sorry – as Brian said last night – it is a “sailing book, about a sailor, written by a sailor”.
 
Enjoy the video, then buy the book – either via the website https://destownson.co.nz  or if you prefer to do a bank transfer, email Brian with your name and postal address and he will reply with bank account details – its that easy info@destownson.co.nz
 
Oops nearly forgot –  Details on how to win a copy of the book on WW, later in the week.

IMG_2454

Jack Brooke Collection #7 – RNZYS Centennial – Revisited

Posted on by
Reply

So far there have been over 2,000 classic wooden boat stories featured on waitematawoodys & the viewing numbers (3,300,000) have grown from a dozen people to over 80,000. I have had some loyalists from day one but the big numbers have happened in the last 2 years – so not everyone will have been exposed to all the stories. Over the Christmas / NY period I have decided to take a peek back in time & feature some of the gems from the early days. Enjoy.

Have a great holiday & remember to take the camera / phone with you & snap a photo of any woodys you see. Email them to waitematawoodys@gmail.com

 

Jack Brooke Collection #7 – RNZYS Centennial 1871 – 1971

waitematawoodys again thanks Robert Brooke for making the remarkable drawings done by his father, Jack Brooke, available to ww followers. Jack produced a hand drawing on each cruise, this one was done to record the RNZYS Centennial celebrations in 1971. Today’s post is the seventh of several – enjoy.

Blow up / enlarge the drawing to view all the historic events recorded – One Ton Cup win, Woman admitted as members, Charter to wear the Blue Ensign, Charter to wear White Ensign, the list of Distinguished Guests & more. The drawing of Kiariki just illustrates how talented Jack Broke was.

To view Jack Brooke’s other drawings type Jack Brooke in the ww search box.

Heads Up – over the weekend I will be postings a cracker of a read so make sure you check in 🙂

1947 Squadron Weekend

Posted on by
1

RNZYS Kawau Weekend Feb1947

1947 Squadron Weekend at Kawau

The above photo appeared in the 19th Feb, 1947 issue of the ‘Weekly News’ (ex Mac Taylor collection) & shows the RNZYS fleet at anchor in Mansion House Bay, Kawau Island for the annual squadron weekend at Kawau, which continues to this day. Its a very impressive line up of classic’s that includes most of todays premier classic woodys.

New Classic Read
If you are looking for a ‘fix’ of classic sun & sailing this winter (in fact anytime) check out the new UK magazine at the news stands (got mine at Whitcholls).
Its called Classic Sailor & its publisher is Dan Houston ex Classic Boat magazine editor – & the best news, its only $9.50
The June issue (cover below) is the 9th issue, check it out, you’ll enjoy it. More info at   classicsailor.com

Classic Sailor

CYA 2016 Classic Yacht Regatta

Posted on by
6

IMG_7881

CYA 2016 Classic Yacht Regatta
photos from Simon Smith, Rod Marler, Peter Loughlin & myself

Yesterday (06-03-2016) was the final day of the 3 day regatta & the weather gods delivered the goods to finish the regatta on a high note.
I’ll let the photos tell the story but really need to say that the new venue & host club, the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron was a winner with everyone, perfect venue for our event & the crew at the RNZYS were fantastic.
I’m sure race results will be view able on the CYA website, I’ll post a link when they go live. Enjoy 🙂

Remember to click on photos to enlarge

Day 1 – sorry working

DAY 2

P1230003

Day 3

IMG_7955

IMG_7956

Prize Giving

CYA Regatta Fleet @ RNZYS

PLUS – some great up close photos on Jason Prew’s facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/jason.prew/media_set?set=a.10154699374602178&type=3

Jack Brooke Collection #7 – RNZYS Centennial

Posted on by
8

Jack Brooke Collection #7 – RNZYS Centennial 1871 – 1971

waitematawoodys again thanks Robert Brooke for making the remarkable drawings done by his father, Jack Brooke, available to ww followers. Jack produced a hand drawing on each cruise, this one was done to record the RNZYS Centennial celebrations in 1971. Today’s post is the seventh of several – enjoy.

Blow up / enlarge the drawing to view all the historic events recorded – One Ton Cup win, Woman admitted as members, Charter to wear the Blue Ensign, Charter to wear White Ensign, the list of Distinguished Guests & more. The drawing of Kiariki just illustrates how talented Jack Broke was.

To view Jack Brooke’s other drawings type Jack Brooke in the ww search box.

Heads Up – over the weekend I will be postings a cracker of a read so make sure you check in 🙂

Impressive Line Up of Motorboats At The RNZYS

Posted on by
11

RNZYS marina 1
RNZYS marina 2

Impressive Line Up of Motorboats At The RNZYS

photos ex Nathan Herbert

Aerial view of the squadrons ‘old’ marina at Westhaven, a great line up of some of our classic launches –  how many can be ID’ed? Also interested in the date of the photos, must have been when owning a small motorboat (launch) was ‘ok’ at the squadron 🙂

Remember to click on the photos to enlarge