Tag Archives: Slipway Milford

MOLLYMAWK – CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT

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MOLLYMAWK – CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT
Today thanks to tme and Ian McDonald we get to view the Wellington based canoe stern wooden boat – MOLLYMAWK, built in c.1930 in Nelson by Jack Guard.  Her original name was  – VALETTA.Built from kauri her specs are 31’6” x 8’4” x 3’. Powered by a 20hp Hupeh engine.Current owner has had her for 25 years and commented that he has made 50+ Cook Straight crossing in the boat.

A PRODUCT PLUG – (I bought it, no trade bribes) Recently discovered a great boat wax, called ‘Meguiars Flagship Marine Wax’. Not cheap $85 for 475ml but so easy to apply and no residue white marks on fittings etc. The photos tell the story. Just had my boat out for some TLC at the Slipway Milford, her bottom was the worst ever, a sad reflection on the amount of use in 2024 ……….

AND SPEAKING OF PAINT JOBS / SHINE – check out the Couldrey clinker dinghy in the shed at the Slipway Milford, in the final stages of a high-end refurb – soon to be paired up with her Couldrey mother ship 😉

HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER

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HOW TO MAKE ONE OF THE BEST LOOKING CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCHES LOOK BETTER

In a Dec 21st story we did a fly-by of the last minute, year end work happening at the Slipway Milford. I mentioned that the 36’1921 Arch Logan built launch – NGAIO was hauled out to have a set of davits fitted to accomodate the recently refurbished clinker (f/glass) tender. Fast forward to this week and the Slipway team, which included owner Jan Barraclough, are putting the final touched to the new set-up and the sinks got a ’sea-trial’ in the creek.

Well done to everyone – a stunning executed project.

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT IONA II MAKES A SPLASH – NZ Restoration Of The Year

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CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT IONA II MAKES A SPLASH – NZ Restoration Of The Year

We have been following (link below) the refit the classic wooden launch IONA II at the Slipway Milford yard since late May. Last week she slipped back into the water , check out the video below – don’t you love a railway haul-out, such a gentle procedure.

IONA II was built in 1994 to a Bruce Askew design so sits very comfortably into the spirit of tradition category. The recent work commissioned by her owner has magnified her existing appealing looks and made her even more easy on the eye.

Probably the finest example of the Slipway Milfords work – so a big shout out to Cam, Jason, Jan and team. Easily the restoration of the year in New Zealand.

I’m pretty sure nothing on the boat has escaped an upgrade or replacement – the biggest being ditching the Nissan TD23 60hp diesel engine and installing an electric propulsion set-up.

A few finishing touches to be completed at the marina – we will do another update when completed.

As always click images to enlarge.

IONA II – RESTORATION STORY  https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/28/iona-ii-gets-a-birthday/

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MONTEREY Gets some TLC + Updated Labour Weekend Woody Activity At Kawau Island

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MONTEREY Gets some TLC + Updated Labour Weekend Woody Activity At Kawau Island

Last week I did the right thing and helped a wounded friend deliver his classic woody – MONTEREY to the Slipway Milford for some TLC, while there a quick inspection showed up some dodgy previous work that needed sorting out.  Worm damage to the stem/keelson that had been ‘bogged up’ and when the cabin sides were fibreglassed the f/g was taken over the beading, right up to the glass – perfect trap for moisture > rot.  Was impressed with the low level of growth on the hull after 2+ years in OBC. If that was Bayswater you would have needed a spade. 

Also out or waiting their turn was EILEEN PATRICIA, IONA II, and the Salthouse Southern Star 37 – CAPTAIN TOM.

UPDATE INFO ON THE LABOUR WEEKEND KAWAU SPRING SLASH REGATTA

SEA FEVER – 1958 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RELAUNCHED

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SEA FEVER – 1958 CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH RELAUNCHED

Earlier in the month we reported that the 34’ John Salthouse built classic wooden launch – SEA FEVER was hauled out at the Slipway Milford for some TLC.

Yesterday afternoon she slipped down the railway into the Milford creek looking very grand.

#1 job was a Jason Prew Paint Job but her newish owners also upgraded some systems, repainted the decks, converted the old compressor driven freezer to 12V and removed / replaced a few spots of boat cancer. She was also fitted with a bow thruster to protect the new paint job 😉

As per most owners the project is a rolling restoration and next winter the cabin coaming bright work will get a birthday.

SEA FEVER is one of John Salthouse’s best sedan designs and enjoys a light and airy saloon with large windows that makes for a very comfortable vessel both on route, at anchor or in the marina.

Full Sea Fever Review Here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/08/25/sea-fever-a-peek-down-below-4sale/

And if you are ever in doubt as to the best way to haul out > launch your classic woody – check out the video below – railways rock ✔️ your boat will repay you for the kid gloves.

SEA FEVER – Gets A Visit To  The Classic Wooden Boat Parlour

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SEA FEVER – Gets A Visit To  The Classic Wooden Boat Parlour

Earlier this year SEA FEVER the 34’ 1958 John Salthouse design / build wooden launch changed hands The Wooden Boat Bureau worked with owner Doug Reid to find a new custodian. The buyer ticked all the boxes on Dougs wish list, and if Doug is reading WW today I’m sure he will be very chuffed to see SEA FEVER getting TLC she deserves. (when launched her name was Onetaunga.)

I’ve commented many times that one of the reasons particular craft pass the half century mark is good old luck – luck in terms of having the right owners who value these classic craft, SEA FEVER has had a succession of good people caring for her and it shows.

In the next few days Jason Prew will be applying his skills to SEA FEVER and another one of our classic woody fleet will have a JPPJ (Jason Prew Paint Job)

SEA FEVER below in 2022 at anchor in Chamberlains Bay

No Names (and not SEA FEVER) – But the decal is a little OTT 🙂

RSVP – waitematawoodys@gmail.com

WOODY ON TOUR – VENICE

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WOODY ON TOUR – VENICE

The owner of the 36′ classic launch IONA II currently midway thru a total refit at the Slipway Milford is currently mooching around in Venice and sent in the above photo gallery of the hard working Venetian woody water taxis. Nice to have window into the other side of the world and to see the sun 🙂

The scope of the work on IONA II is next level and includes conversion to electric powered – there will be no combustion engine or generator i.e. not a hybrid. Really looking forward to following the project. IONA II was designed by Bruce Askew , and built in 1994 from strip planked wood + some f/glass, all good on a 1994 craft. Link below from when the work first commenced. I’ll get down there later in the week for an update, or maybe Jason Prew could put the tools down for a minute and send in some iPhone photos 😉 https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/28/iona-ii-gets-a-birthday/

THE REVAMP OF REHIA

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THE REVAMP OF REHIA

Early last month we ran two stories on the 1938 Colin Wild built launch – REHIA and her upcoming refit at {the} Slipway Milford yard. Links to those stories below. 1st Report  https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/03/classic-launch-rehia-gets-a-birthday/

2nd Report https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/10/rehia-2024-refit-report-2/

Jump forward to last Saturday morning and she is sliding down the rails looking rather grand. It is always a big ask ($$) to bring these craft back to better than as launch presentation. But the feel good factor when you walk down the dock or row away from her in a bay is priceless.

There is a saying that I believe originated from Frances Herreshoff that goes like this “if as you walk away or row away from your boat, you do not look back at her, you own the wrong boat”

Over the last 2 years her owners have had one major focus – to retaining/ restore all her classic characteristics and charm. Well done to the Telford family and the team at the yard.

A few minutes before REHIA was launched my RAINDANCE also splashed after a brief haul-out for a face wash and bottom shave. Sitting for 2 months on her marina and with the engine not working, RD had a very impressive beard + a plastic bag around the prop 😦

(photos ex Jason Prew, Joe Telford, Alan H)

UPDATE 20-06-2024 LOTS OF WORKSHOP / HANDS ON PHOTOS HERE https://www.facebook.com/share/p/MtAdzgzeQt1oSUgG/

IONA – TAUPO

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IONA – TAUPO

Now do not be confused  with todays woody – it is IONA as spotted in the weekend by Jason Prew at the Motuoapa Marina in Taupo. Jason commented that she is a sster-ship to IONA II that currently sits on the hard at {the} Slipway Milford.

Photos below of the work happening on IONA II.
In the last photo below we she IONA II’s room mate – REHIA which has a fast approaching re-launch date. More on her later in the week.

REHIA 2024 REFIT – Report #2

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REHIA 2024 REFIT – Report #2

Last we we reported in on the 1938 Colin Wild built launch – Rehia and its xxxxx underway at the Slipway Milford. Today we get an update on the work-in-process. With the current good weather Auckland is experiencing the team at the Slipway have not been holding back, in fact even Cam Malcolm has emerged from his engineering workshop to get ‘on the tools’ 🙂

Sometimes it is quicker to build new than try and save – so a new cabin door has been added to the work list. 

The wonder finish Uroxsys (Alwood) always repays attention to prep, so the 100% back to bare wood will look stunning when it gets the treatment. Her owners will reap the rewards of this work for years to come, and as I said last week, you can’t spend too much on a Colin Wild craft 🙂

LINK TO #1 Report https://waitematawoodys.com/2024/05/03/classic-launch-rehia-gets-a-birthday/

27-05-2024