CLASSIC WOODEN EX WORKBOAT – AORANGI BOLD DREAMS, DEEP POCKETS
Todays story is targeting any potential workboat conversion enthusiasts , the 60’, 1949 Shipbuilders built ex workboat – AORANGI is a project waiting to happen. Wonderful lines as seen in the b/w photo below and the bonus is down below there are two 180hp Gardner 6LXB engines – condition to be advised ex seller.
In answer to the “where would I keep her” question – there is a Tauranga mooring available at $70 a week.
Compared to the 2018 photos her recent appearance on tme shows an interior fit out that has ‘drifted away’ from the tradition configuration. From what we can see and at the asking price she may be a bargain + with her power set uo, might also suit a buyer looking for a live-aboard.
Forward motion is via a 180hp 6cyl. Ford diesel.
We know she was built for WWII inner harbour mine patrol use, but never saw service – do we know any of her past, post war and up to 2018. Photo below ex Ken Ricketts dated 1958, when owned by Vince Norton.
Todays woody is only a mystery because there is no name visible on the vessel or mentioned on tme (thanks Ian McDonald).
What we know is she was built from triple skin kauri (+glass) in 1979 by Shipbuilders and is powered by a 180hp Nissan turbo diesel engine, given her length and engine size she cruises nicely at 10 knots.
I have spotted her several time moored at Waiheke Island and she always looked well cared for.
The 1979 build and some of the design elements (flybridge, stern profile) keep her out of the true classic group but she gets away with it, which isn’t easy on a sub 30’ vessel.
Can we put a name to the launch.
REMEMBER BOAT YARD SALE AT TE ATAU BOATING CLUB TOMORROW
During my frequent visits to Thames I used to see Manukura the 50’ c.1960 Shipbuilders built launch on the hard stand at the Thames marina, always looking a little sad. Then in 2021 we got the good news she had a new owner and work had recommenced on her restoration, and that the plan was to transport Manukura to Whangamata where the work would be finished. Link here to her history and time in Thames. https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/12/manukura/
I was contacted earlier in the week by owner Allen Watson who advised that Manukura is in the process of a major refit. All new wiring, plumbing, gear boxes, shafts, engine mounts for the Ford 120hp 6 cyl diesel engines plus a new lay out inside. The photo gallery above gives us a peek into the work.
WW was recently contacted by Eric Sanderson in regard to his uncles boat – Lady Fay. Best if Eric tells us the story –
“The hull was built by Orams and Davies Whangarei in the early 1950’s and finished off by my uncle Jack Sanderson with twin 3 cylinder Lister motors fitted. Orams also build the Irene around the same time, either a year later or year before. The owners were good friends of Uncle Jack.
Lady Fay fished commercially out of Whangarei till 1967 and was sold to a car salesman or someone in the trade, and went to Auckland. Not sure of their name, then 2-3 years later boat was put into Ship Builders for a complete make over, the Listers were removed and two Fords were put in and a bridge deck was added. This I was told by another Uncle who lived in Auckland at the time. Must be some one from Ship Builders in the 1970’s will remember Lady Fays make over.
Boat was then named – Arthur Daley, I have talked to a owner in late 1980’s early 1990’s and he did not want to know his boat was 20 years older than he thought, and was sure it was build in the 1970’s, which fits in with when it went to Ship Builders for it transformation to bridge-decker.
I believe the boat is now named Compass Rose and is still in Auckland and for sale.
So woodys can we help Eric fill in any gaps and and history on the vessel. (sorry about the photos – very poor quality)
06-05-2023 INPUT EX ASHLEY SIM – As previously mentioned by Alan Keane – the broker I bought Arthur Daley through – I purchased her in 1993 from Greg and did quite a bit of work on Her. The twin Fords had quite a vibration so I installed rubber engine mounts and it made a big difference. They were sweat running engines with lovely controls. I also fitted out the forward cabin with a double berth and extra head. I sold her in 1995 – through Alan – to her current owner.
NEW COLOUR WAY – limited run 1. One size fits all 2.100% canvas/cotton, 6 panel, adjustable brass clasp 3. Colour is camel with dark brown embroidered logo. 4. Tonal under peak lining.
MANUKURA In recent years I have been spending time in Thames, catching up with family – when I need to ‘escape’, I drive down to the Thames marina and have a mooch around. Depending on the tide it either looks like a normal marina or as if someone has pulled the plug out and most of the boats are sitting high and dry in their mud berths (see below photo). The launch Manukura had always been hauled out and looking like a Beehive restoration was around the corner – the top photo is from a February 2020. Ken Ricketts has pulled together the below insight into Manukura’s past and current situation (edited a lot by AH)
Manukura is approx. 50′ long and was built in late 1950 > early 1960’s by Shipbuilders and is one of 3 more or less sister ships, which include Corinthia and Romany II. which were a development on the 1946 built Mahara. Manukura is presently owned by Allen Watson. He bought her fairly recently, in a very sorry state, on the hard at Thames off a lady owner, who had only had her for a short time. She bought her off a gentleman called Paul, who had taken her to the Thames area 3 & ½ years earlier, & who had bought her off the elderly gentleman as referred to below.
Allen is a well experienced boat builder / painter, and has commented he is intending to restore her to her original former glory. As visible in some photos above, Allen has commenced work on her on the outside – focusing on re-calking, painting and repairing hull timber work at Thames marina. The interior is in a completely stripped out and the intention is totally rebuild it, with some changes to the interior layout, without alteration to the exterior. The stainless steel work at the flying bridge will shortly be removed 🙂
Allen commented that interior was ruined as a result of her almost sinking on a return trip to Auckland from Great Barrier Island about 14>15 years ago when the then elderly owner of the day, was encountering big seas and did not notice that a forward hatch had opened and she was taking in large quantities of water, through this hatch, which reached a point, where one engine sucked in water and stopped. She was also getting very low in the water. They towed her back to Gt. Barrier, pumped out and brought her back to Auckland but everything inside including all wiring, furniture, etc., along with the engines, had to go. Sadly she was not insured and was eventually sold by the elderly gentleman (as-is-where-is), who had kept her for 10 years in a shed In West Auckland. The new owner (Paul) took her to the Thames marina where he kept her for 3 & ½ years. Then the ownership chain, mentioned above took place.
Current owner Allen moved the boat on 26-2-21, to Whangamata for a week or 2 on the hardstand for a little exterior finishing and then be put in the water. Allen intends to live aboard, on a swing mooring while rebuilding the interior.
Manukura had a pair of 120hp 6 cyl. Ford diesels fitted during her 13 & ½ years on the hard, which replaced 2 previous Fords.
The b/w photo below ex Harold Kidd show the launch c.2012
c.2012
Update – current photo by Allen Watson via Ken Ricketts
Blue Seas was built in 1965 by Ship Builders. LOA is 30’ and get up and go is via a very impressive Yanmar 90hp turbo diesel engine.
Can we expand more on her past?
Woodys attending the Woodys Classic Weekend pub cruise to the Riverhead Tavern on Sept 8th will get to see her up close because owner Ollie Olaf Askham is a confirmed attendee 🙂
27-01-2022 Update ex David Cooke – spotted off Motuihe Island
Glenaray was built by Ship Builders in 1942, is 36’ & gets pushed along by a 1970 Ford 180hp diesel.
Her owner is selling her due to lack of use, but there is a twist – if she doesn’t sell by 5th May, she is booked to be transported to Hamilton on the 7th of May and stored in a shed to rip inside out. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the listing heads-up
So woodys if you are interested, move fast. Her Whangamata marina berth is available for $325 a month, sure beats Bayswater………..
Photo below (off old 8mm film) ex Ken Ricketts 1958, when owned by Vince Noton.
Lady Eileen the 48′ Shipbuilders / SupaCraft launch, built in 1947 is currently undergoing an extensive & very impressive restoration by owner Hylton Edmonds. Now Hylton needs no motivation but to just keep him on the straight & narrow I have published the above photos from the Tudor Collins collection that were emailed in by Ken Ricketts. Apologies for the condition of a few of them, a little ropey – but worth publishing.
The launch day one is my favourite. You can read / view more on LE by typing her name in the WW search box. Enjoy 🙂
WW T-Shirt Winner – Michael B was the winner , it is ‘Kiwitea’. Mike, email me your postal address & size to waitematawoodys@gmail.com & I’ll pop your prize in the mail 😉
I’m very pleased to be able to report that the Lady Eileen the 48′
Shipbuilders / SupaCraft launch, built in 1947 has been sold & her new owner, Hylton Edmonds, is a very passionate classic woody. In fact he already owns the historic game boat Zane Gray.
She has left Auckland & is now in a shed in Whangarei for the start of an extensive ‘rolling’ restoration. Ultimately her new home will be Tapu Point, Russell, BOI.
She is pictured above at purchase time, use the ww search box for more photos & details on Lady Eileen.
ps Hylton has assured me the restoration work on Zane Grey will continue in tandem with LE
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