Tag Archives: Tamaki Yacht Club

WHATS HAPPENING UP THE TAMAKI RIVER / PANMURE BOATING NEIGHBOURHOOD

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LONG GONE
GONE

WHATS HAPPENING UP THE TAMAKI RIVER / PANMURE BOATING NEIGHBOURHOOD

Recently woody John Bullivant had been smooching around the Panmure boating area – seems that the boating community have been have been overlooked by town planners or the likes that work in small windowless city offices and never actually see what their work actually ends up doing – I’ll let John tell the story – 

“I recently came down from the Hibiscus Coast to buy some paint, and thought I’d have a look at the new Panmure bridge additions. Took a few more pics of NAU MAI, – looking very sad now. IMATRA is still afloat as well. A few interesting boats further up but out of camera range. Hoping to do a dinghy tour from Half Moon Bay this year to see what’s new and identify a few mystery boats.   The old Panmure marina has gone with the new busway and cycle path over the area, and the slip is now cut off by a cycle path and the busway at the top of the road. Could have made a good boat ramp, but you know councils, – not a clue ! Not sure what the future plan is, as things are still under construction, with only the up stream access road open now. Another haul-out area gone, only the Panmure Yacht Club and Half Moon Bay left now for the whole of the Tamaki River.” (edited)

Can any of the river rats tells us more on the goings on to what was once a vibrant marine hub.

Mystery Launch On The Waitemata

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Mystery Launch On The Waitemata – TAMAKI

Another photo from Brian Peet, the craft was designed and built by Jim Young. Brian commented that he assumes the piece of hardware on the cabin top is the exhaust muffler and if so, then that’s a maritime engineering feature thankfully consigned to the ‘no longer a good idea’ rubbish bin. 🙂

So woodys – what’s the name of the launch, who was it built for and what became of her?

Input ex Brian Peet –  It’s the Tamaki Yacht Clubs patrol boat, imaginatively called ‘Tamaki’.  Designed and built by Jim Young. My father John Peet was Secretary of the TYC, so became the go-between for the club and Jim to get the project underway.

Input ex Neil Chalmers – I found the below extract from ‘’ The Tamaki Yacht Club :  A brief history of its 75 years ‘’ by Frank Davis 13 April 2002.By the way ‘Tamaki’ is moored at OBC and has a blue engine. I think Brian  Peet and I should share the cigar 🙂

25-01-2023 INPUT ex ROBIN ELLIOTT – Neil’s input is correct. Jim Young built her but did not design the Tamaki.

Sea Spray November 1952 page 11. ” At J.H. Young’s yard was the new rescue boat for the Tamaki Yacht Club. She is built to a design by P.W. Willetts and will be finished off by club members.”

I’m not sure when she was actually launched but the second photo appeared in Sea Spray October 1953 page 38. The caption also states that she was a Peter Willetts design. 

As to the exhaust, it is there because she was to rescue and retrieve crews from capsized centreboarders. Most centreboarders of the time could not right themselves (although that was quickly changing) and had to be towed to shore, partly submerged.  

“Note the low freeboard and narrow decks aft, ample cockpit and the exhaust above the cabin top, out of the way of the people being rescued. ….  Power comes from an Austin Skipper.”

WW doesn’t do death notices so you have to have been a good bugger to get one. Well Alan was more than a good bugger he was one of the best. He rubbed up against so many classic boat owners and admirers that I’m sure it will be standing room only at his funeral – 10.30am, Feb 1st, Davis Funeral Home, Henderson.

Our thoughts go out to his partner – Nicky and family.

LUCILLE