Tag Archives: St Ayles skiff
Waitoa
Charlie Hardman was a noted centreboard builder, 18 footers in the main.
If he built WAITOA at St Mary’s Bay it had to be at Phil Barton’s yard.
She was for sale at Picton in 1990 as designed by Bob Stewart and built by Phil Barton. I think Phil had a hand in her building at least.


Around the Yards – Opua
Around the Yards – Ashby Boat Yard, Opua
Dean Wright has just had his classic Arethusa hauled out at Ashby’s, thats her in the first photo above – she is one of those vessel’s that look fast even when stationary, very pretty lines. You can read all about her provenance here https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/11/01/arethusa-winsome/
Dean is a pro photographer & snapped a few other woodys at/off the yard. There is Waitete from Russell, see/read more here https://waitematawoodys.com/2015/12/24/waitete/ & the ‘spirit of tradition’ classic boat hauled out is Southern Star, owned by ex Fosters darling 🙂 Craig Pippen. These days both the boat & Craig reside at Opua. Craig can be found at Cater Marine Opua – check out their website – lots of classic friendly bits & pieces there 😉 http://www.catermarine.co.nz/
The moored boat is Waimana & normally kept in Opito Bay.
Looking for an on-the-water buzz this summer?
Have a go rowing a St.Ayles skiff @ St Heliers beach, most Saturdays this summer. Check out the flyer below or visit http://www.nzcoastalrowing.org
A Salty Little Place – Port Motueka
A Salty Little Place – Port Motueka
photos ex Daniel Renall
Dan, owner of the very beautiful & slippery classic yacht Jonquil* sent in the above gallery of photos from his recent trip south. They showcase a collection of the classic craft moored at the Port Motueka marina. As I jokingly commented to Dan, if you owned the varnish franchise for the area you would go broke very quickly 🙂
Some have been featured on ww before but if a southern woody is looking in on ww today, it would be nice to ID some of the vessels.
* check out Dan’s recent re-fit of Jonquil http://classicyacht.org.nz/cyaforum/topic/jonquil-winter-work-2015/
Remember to drop into ww on Sunday, I have a great post on the history behind the Okura gigs. A great read & lots of photos.
St Ayles Skiffs
You may recall a few weeks ago that ww featured the recent Raid NZ that took place in & around the greater Auckland area. The event featured the increasing popular St Ayles rowing skiffs. One of the international rowers was Murdo Macleod – click the link below to see Murdo’s photo essay of the event. You will quickly discover that Murdo is a professional photographer. This essay appeared in the UK newspaper/online ‘The Guardian’, some great coverage for the event & NZ.
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/ng-interactive/2016/feb/25/coastal-rowing-new-zealand-kiwi-st-ayles-skiff-raid
Whats Hot In Wooden Boating – Coastal Rowing
Coastal Rowing – The Hot New Wooden Boating Activity
If you have not heard about coastal rowing & the St Ayles skiff movement you need to get out a bit more.
New Zealand’s history is full of coastal rowing journeys and races, many journeys were made out of necessity as basic well founded open rowing boats provided the backbone of transport around the countries many coastal ports, harbours and rivers, transporting all manner of goods, fishing and of course whaling. This lead on to racing and many open rowing boat races are listed in our history including in our Anniversary regattas throughout the country.
The New Zealand Coastal Rowing Association has been formed to promote and encourage the revival of coastal rowing in strong well founded open rowing boats not only for national races between teams fighting it out for victory but also journeys, adventures and exploration of our countries amazing waterways.
Why the St Ayles Skiff?
The NZCRA choose to embrace the international St Ayles skiff rather than a historical New Zealand design for one very simple reason – the St Ayles skiff has since 2009 has become an international one design rowing boat and with over 100 built around the world it opens up the opportunity of international and trans Tasman racing and comradeship. Already there is a fleet of 10 skiffs in NZ.
For more details on the NZCRA & the NZ St Ayles fleet check out the website http://nzcoastalrowing.org/
ANNOUNCEMENT – 2016 Kiwi Raid and Regatta – Jan 29th – Feb 12th
New Zealand’s first major coastal rowing event is The Kiwi Raid and Regatta 2016.
Its starts January 29th 2016 at Sandpit, and finishes fifteen days later in Auckland, see route chart below. Along the way there are lots of short adventures for sailors and rowers alike. There will be a two day St Ayles skiff regatta (short rowing races) at Whangaparoa in the middle. The event has attracted teams from around the world & will show case the sport of coastal rowing to New Zealanders. WW encourages woody boaters to take the opportunity to experience coastal rowing up close over this period – plan a day out or overnight to follow the event. More info & contact details here http://raidnz.org/
Whats a Raid ? A sail and oar adventure combining sailing and rowing. It involves a fleet of small boats capable of being rowed and sailed, exploring a coastline or inland waterway over several days, often with some competitive element.
(photos of the 2015 Australian event, courtesy of Nel Tyson)
17-01-2016 Update
‘Saint Helier’ NZ’s latest St Ayles skiff was launched yesterday morning at St Heliers Beach, where else 🙂
Wee Tawera
WEE TAWERA
photos ex Baden Pascoe
A group of kiwis (& CYA members) led by Mike Mahoney recently attended the 2015 Australian Wooden Boat Festival in Tasmania, Australia, whilst the show is one of the worlds leading classic wooden boat events – their main objective was to partake (compete & win) in the events for the very popular St Ayles rowing skiffs. To this end Mike had commissioned one of the skiffs to be built in Auckland at the NZ Traditional Boat Building School & shipped to Hobart for the event. The skiff was christened ‘Wee Tawera’, Mike owns the magnificant 1935 Arch Logan yacht Tawera.
Little Tawera carried a little extra weight as the boys set her up to carry a little canvas, which she did very well in the events that this was permitted.
Baden or Steve Cranch I’m sure will chip in with their results from the regatta’s – lots of wins.
To see more photos of Wee Tawera & read about these craft, check out http://nzcoastalrowing.org/about-2/
CYA Launch Cruise to Riverhead Hotel
CYA Launch Cruise to Riverhead Hotel
Sunday 10 November saw 18 classic launches cruise to the historic Riverhead Hotel on the banks of the upper Waitemata Harbour. This bi-annual event is one of the most popular on the Classic Yacht Associations calendar & saw around 150 people making the trip (some by car) to enjoy a BBQ lunch in the hotels garden bar.
My were joined on-route by the just completed & launched St. Ayles skiff, built for CYA member Mike Mahoney (Tawera) at the NZ Traditional Boat Building School. Details here http://nzcoastalrowing.org