CLASSIC WOODY HOKIANGA TRIP REPORT + OKAHU BAY HAUL OUT UPDATE

Ex Brooke family yacht
Arizona

CLASSIC WOODY HOKIANGA TRIP REPORT + AUCKLAND’s OKAHU BAY HAUL OUT UPDATE

Recent Barrie Abel pointed his car north and checked out the Hokianga  area. Highlight was a visit to the Kauri Museum, as seen in the above photos. 

Barrie also spotted a mystery launch (last above) moored right up the head of the Hokianga Harbour, distance prevented being able to put a name to her but Barrie was told it was a locally owned craft.The ‘bush’ photo features the renowned kauri tree named Tane Mahuta. Also seen is a bronze casting of the dolphin OPO, that entertain beach going at Opononi in the 1955/56 period.


OKAHU HAUL OUT / HARD STAND UPDATE

Thanks to the tireless efforts of numerous concerned citizens and the Auckland Yacht & Boating Association, we have the opportunity to influence the final decision of whether or not Auckland boaties get to retain some access to this prime waterfront boat maintenance area.
Links here to view the newsletter  https://mailchi.mp/3cc024ff5cfe/press-release-okahu-bay?e=d030fd704b And link here to view a copy of the full press release. 

https://mcusercontent.com/4242fe8c940cb7febba70eba2/files/86cb3b1d-b5c9-298e-42b2-cf35f78924ba/Okahu_Bay_haul_out_press_release.pdf
And woodys living in the Orakei auckland council ward – remember come next election – we wouldn’t be in this situation if councillor SCOTT MILNE hadn’t used his casting vote (as chairperson) to swing the vote in favour of scrapping the whole Okahu maritime area – so life is simple, use your vote ‘tactically’ 🙂

Classic Woodys at Sandspit Marina

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Classic Woodys at Sandspit Marina

A couple of weeks ago I was up Sandspit way & spent an hour or so mooching around the new (ish) marina. Very impressive set up & with the yacht club’s haul-out facilities its a prefect spot to keep a woody. The real win win factor is the proximity of the ‘Greg Lees Boatbuilder’ yard, in recent years Greg & his talented team have rubbed the magic wand over some of our finest classic woodys. Just type Greg Lees in the WW search box to see the level of workmanship & perfection.

I have included a few photos of the motor camp where I stayed with my ex woodys boater – Chris Miller in this stunning motor home. 

A real bonus was the amazing meal & service we had at the Sandspit Yacht Club on Saturday night – I was expecting burgers & fries but no – everything – décor, service & the food was superb – check it out if you are up that way. The scallop entree was as good as anything you would get in Auckland City. Photos below.

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Update: I have been sent by Dean Wright the photo below of the dinghy ‘Tiki’ in happier times 🙂

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Tara

TARA

Today ww is showcasing the 34’4″ launch Tara, owned by ex commercial fisherman Glynn Anderson. Glynn bought Tara to provide the family with a ‘floating bach’ & with her current configuration she is certainly that. Tara’s previous owner was Harry and Gay Suttclife of Snells Beach & Harry believes Tara was built around 1910-1920 but has no proof, there is no sign of a builders mark.
Glynn understands the Suttclife’s owned her for 20+ years & when they acquired she was in a sorry state & saved her from certain death. During this restoration period they built the topsides & added the wide belting for ease of walking along the sides.
Harry Suttclife told Glynn that she was either called Tara or Tara II when he got her but thought that there was a name change somewhere along the line so her history was lost .
Glynn would love to uncover more details on Tara’s past – so woodys can anyone help?

24-07-2016 Haold Kidd Input

All I have on a local TARA (and there may have been more than one) is that she was owned by V.B. Trainer of Howick in 1973. Another (or the same) TARA was for sale on TradeMe in 2012 at Warkworth as a 36 footer powered by a D series Ford diesel. She was said to be “rebuilt in early postwar years but early”. I reckon it’s this boat.
Her hull is very like a Bailey & Lowe stock 35 footer of the period 1910 onwards, perhaps with a raised foredeck.