Tag Archives: Thames Marina

CLASSIC GAME FISHING LAUNCH – BLUE SKIES

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CLASSIC GAME FISHING LAUNCH – BLUE SKIES

During the week I was sent the b/w photo of the game fishing boat – BLUE SKIES, a quick search on WW and we see the photo appeared in a Oct 2021 story, we learnt the photo of BLUE SKIES in Whangaroa Harbour, Northland was used by the Marlin Hotel in an publicity advertisement in the #4 issue of the Northlander published in 1964.

The photo triggered my memory that I had photographed a launch named BLUE SKIES berthed at the Thames Marina. Check out the winch set up, very OTT 🙂

Back in the 2012 story we never uncovered details on the designer / builder – any new input?

LADY LUCK – A Peek Down Below + 4sale

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LADY LUCK – A Peek Down Below + 4sale

Todays woody is – Lady Luck, a 36’ Roy Parris launch, built in 1961 from kauri planks.    With a 10’6” beam Lady Luck is very spacious and has 6 berths, and a rarity on a 36’ vessel – separate shower and head. 

Forward motion is via a 6 cyl. Ford 120hp diesel that gets her along at a comfortable cruising speed of 8 knots.                                From her tme listing she appears to be well fitted out in terms of utilities  – instrumentation, auto anchor, frig/freezer, hot (gas) shower, solar charging and more. 

Home port is Thames. Booked for annual haul out and anti-fouling.

Advancing years necessitates her owners locating a new custodian for Lady Luck. Interested parties in the first instance should contact Bruce Fulton 021 857255 –  email b.fulton@xtra.co.nz

Mystery Thames Launch 30-09-2022

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MYSTERY THAMES LAUNCH – 30-09-22 – Georgella > Kakariki

Earlier in the week I was visiting Thames and popped into the Thames Sailing Club marina, as mentioned the other day, first time when the tides been in – certainly has a different feel when all the woodys are floating 🙂

I went for a wander around the docks and spied the above bridge-decker – no name and crying out for some serious TLC, you could land a helicopter on the duck board.

One feature stood out – no windows on the port-side aft cabin, intentional? Or just never got around to fitting them?

I get back to Auckland and I’m showing the Thames photos to a woody mate and they tell me it may have changed hands and be joining its new owner’s armada in Auckland …………..

Can we put a name and some history to the craft?

INPUT ex Mark McLaughlin – This is KAKARIKI (launched as GEORGELLA). She is one of the three remaining Norm Beetson designed “four sisters” which have all featured previously on WW.

Link here https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/02/26/4-norm-beetson-sisters/

Maroro – A Peek Down Below

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The Owners – Father & Son

Maroro – A Peek Down Below

One of the classic launches that made the trip up the Waihou River to Paeroa over Easter weekend was the woody – Maroro. Maroro’s home base is the Thames Marina and I have photographed her several times when mooching around the marina, links to these WW stories below https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/11/03/maroro-3/ https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/04/06/maroro-4/

Being berthed alongside the Paeroa Maritime Park & Museum dock provided me the perfect opportunity to say hi and check out the amazing refit / restoration that took place over 8 years. She was re-launched in 2020 and was a cool father and son project. The pivoting helm seat was one example of the very well thought out utilisation of space.

Maroro has a very large chunk of iron in her engine by – the repurposed Dorman engine has previously had several lives ashore as an industrial work horse.

Her owners the Thomas family understand Maroro was built / launched c.1905,  but her designer / builder is unknown, so any help with shedding some light on her past would be much appreciated.

Leitner

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LEITNER

Leitner the 1913 Harvey & Lang built launch has just popped up on trademe, thanks Andrew Pollard (via Jason Prew) for the heads up. She last appeared on WW back in Sept. 2013 and that story has subsequently been updated numerous time with details and photos. Link belowhttps://waitematawoodys.com/2013/09/21/leitner/

Back in the 1940’s she was a real looker (b/w photo above) and in recent times while her appearance has been altered a lot, she was still a very smart woody (3rd photo above) from the listing it appears she has fallen back a little but at an asking price of $7,000> that is a lot of classic launch. Who’s looking for a project?

Clean Out At Thames Marina

See below – seems they are moving on some of the squatters 🙂 The notices appeared in the Set 10th. issue of ‘Thames – Neighbourly’.

Maroro

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MARORO 
A couple of weeks ago we did a story on the woody – Maroro that had recently been relaunched at Thames after a 8 year refit (WW link below).

Yesterday I was passing thru Thames so stopped at the marina and snapped the above photos. She is very salty looking, with a lot happening up top but that just adds to her work boat looks 🙂
https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/10/23/maroro-special-boat-shed-invite/


FINAL REMINDER RE WOODYS RIVERHEAD LUNCH CRUISE THIS COMING SUNDAY – If you are a starter, drop me an email with boat name. Remember – if you’re boatless, come by car 😉

Viking Matilda

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VIKING MATILDA

Just back from a few days in Thames / Coromandel, popped down to the Thames Marina to check out the woodys there. Most I have photographed before (link below) the only difference being another layer of seagull poop 🙂
One that stood out was – Viking Matilda, sporting a very distinctive paint job and an intriguing name.
Can anyone tell us the story behind this launch?
Woodys Waiheke BBQ & Pizza
RSVP: waitematawoodys@gmail.com
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Thames River Rats

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Thames River Rats

Last month I did a quick trip to Thames and called into the ‘marina’. The tide was out in the estuary so you get to see the marina looking it finest.
Lots of old girls there, resting up, contemplating life.
If you’re down that way The Wharf bar and Thames Wholesale Fisheries shop are ace. Same owners, so they deliver your newspaper wrapped dinner to the bar – we like that.  Worth a visit just for a cold one & the snapper & chips.

Off to check out another river today – the Wairau River, Clevedon – David Cooke and myself are doing a recky for the upcoming Woody Classics Weekend BBQ cruise (Nov 16>17th). Via car 🙂

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RSVP   waitematawoodys@gmail.com