Tag Archives: Sea Spray magazine

MYSTERY 42’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH BUILT IN OTAGO

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MYSTERY 42’ CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH BUILT IN OTAGO

Todays classic wooden launch comes to us from the July 1960 issue of Sea Spray magazine via Ken Ricketts. The write up appeared is a popular magazine section titled ‘Gadabout’.

As learnt from the accompanying copy – the 42’ twin engined launch was built by a Mr. C. Maxwell and his sons – Ron and Barry. The article mentioned a Nov 1961launching date.

The launch had a 12’ beam and that sadly is all we know about her. It looks like someone has ‘borrowed’ the design of the cabin windows from the Lidgard yard, the 3 aft were a signature Lidgard look.

So woodys todays questions are

1. There is mention of there going to be a post launching story – did that happen

2. Do we know her name , designer and what became of the vessel

3. Who was ‘reporter’ that went by the handle – ‘Gadabout’

INPUT ex NATHAN HERBERT – Waiana/ Exclusive Lady, purported to have been a Lane but obviously incorrect. The windows do have the Lane Ma Cherie look to them, mind you.

Flying Scud (and Waimiga)

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FLYING SCUD ( I bought her as ROBBO, but had known her since new & knew she was built as FLYING SCUD, so in accordance with my beliefs I reverted her to her original name. — (It is my view, that the original owner has absolute naming rights for a boat for its life), I owned her from 1970 to 1976. she was 30 ft long, 2 skins Kauri Built by R Lidgard at Kawau Island in 1953, towed to Auckland to have twin 6 cyl Austin Skipper 100 petrol engines fitted when built, (sister ship to Miss Lidgard). I replaced these with 2 x 6cyl OM321 Mercedes Benz diesels in 1971. I sold her to B Purdy who onsold her & later she had engines replaced with 2 x Bedford Diesels by subsequent owner. Dragged anchor &  went ashore by the sugar works at Birkenhead & was wrecked circa 1985.

photos & copy ex Ken Ricketts

Update 05/05/13 with b/w photo, when ‘new’

13-09-2018 Update from Ken Ricketts – photo below c.1980 when owned by Garth McGowan (1979>1980)

FLYING SCUD c1980

 

Waimiga – additional info ex Alan Houghton & Shane Anderson
Of interest in the photo is the launch Waimiga closest in, on the poles. The photo is dated c. Nov 1970 so Waimiga would have been very new. Have to love the yellow cockpit canopy (that would not have passed her recent owner Colin Pawsons approval) The game poles were no surprise as the boat was built for Graham May who was a very keen fisherman. Graham commissioned Waimiga in 1967 after selling his farm in Howick to the Howick Golf Club.  He lived on the river, 200m downstream of the Panmure Boating Club…..hence the picture location.

11-12-2025 UPDATE ex Ken Ricketts – KR’s first boat – the Lidgard built FLYING SCUD , appeared on the May 1956 issue of Sea Spray magazine, and made an appearance at the Easter Show in the same year.