













PIRIMANU – A Peek Down Below
Back in Jan 2016 I snapped a photo of the launch – Pirimanu moored in Maitiatia, Waiheke Island while aboard the ferry. At the time Harold Kidd commented that she was 28’ in length and a Arnold Couldrey design built by Salthouse Bros in 1968 for W.M. (Bill) Macindoe. Her design harks back to 1948 but good things don’t date, do they? Both Couldrey and Macindoe put some time into the build at Greenhithe. HDK added that Macindoe still owned her in 1972 according to Couldrey’s notes and in 1973 according to AYA records. Dennis and Suzie Craig owned her 1997. 2016 photos at this WW link + lots of details in the comments section – https://waitematawoodys.com/2016/01/04/pirimanu/
Early this year, Pirimanu popped up 4sale and must have set a record for a tme listing / sale – she was gone in a few days. Expect to see her around the gulf, her new owners reside on Waiheke Island.
Pirimanu is powered by a 36hp Buku turbo engine that gives her a comfortable 7 knot cruising speed. Thanks to the tme listing we get to have a good gander at her.
18-05-2022 UPDATE – ex Dennis Craig –
“Great to see my old boat looking so good again. a few comments just to tidy up a few loose ends from other peoples comments.
The original design was drawn in 1948 as a 26ft launch with central steering for Wilson and Macindoe. about 1958 the design was modified to a 28ft launch with starboard steering and the Kauri timber earmarked at Totora north. Pirimanu was finally built and launched in 1968 from the Salthouse yard at Greenhithe.
I replaced the Perkins 4.108 after approximately two years of ownership with a Bukh 3 cylinder diesel. The engine with the authorisation from Bukh diesel in Denmark was up-rated to 60hp. To do this the engine was fresh water cooled with a genuine Bukh heat exchanger and a Turbocharger and inter-cooler and was fitted with an up-rated fuel pump.
Just as a trial I fitted some trim tabs and had a lot of fun running her at 10 genuine knots with almost flat wake! however the noise and vibrations weren’t worth it so I removed the trim tabs and de-rated the fuel pump to approximately 55hp.
I only hope that the plans and my ships log are still with the boat and most of all the new owners enjoy her as much as I did for 20 years.”