122-YR-OLD CLASSIC WOODY GETS A WELL-DESERVED MAKEOVER
Back in Sept 2024 WW posted a photo of LEXIA, the 26′, 1904 Chas Bailey Jnr built classic wooden yacht berth in the Milford Marina. At the time I commented about her condition. The top photo is from 2024.
Fast forward to Sept 2026 and LEXIA has been hauled out at The Slipway Milford – refer 2nd group on photos, sadly below the water was in a similar condition to the 2024 photo.
BUT – great news, she is getting the full treatment as seen in the 3rd group of photos.
Lucky that no-one tried to sail her, the mast and boom were very suspect in several places.
Dropped into the working end of the Milford Creek / Marina yesterday and caught up on the woodys getting some late winter TLC
MY GIRL – the 1925 Dick Lang built (to a W H Hand design) was out at the Slipway Milford for an application of a new go fast bottom paint. All hush hush trial but I can tell you it wasn’t around in the 1920’s. Note to handicappers – alter MY GIRLS handicap 😉
CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – RAINDANCE – Saved, Restored and Ready For The Next 100 Years
One of the better kept secrets in the classic boating community is that approx. 6 weeks ago the classic wooden launch RAINDACE while entering the Wairua Creek (Milford Marina) had a mishap, best described as a stroke of bad luck, or as a race car enthusiast friend commented “just like black ice on the road”.
Having passed the two marked navigation hazards and entering the actual creek , a rogue wave picked RAINDANCE up and deposited her on the rock bank under the cliffs (northern side).
When the wave died – the stern came down with a wallop and later discovered – damaged most things bolted / fastened on. Primary issue was the rubber shoe was bent up and stopping the prop turning + rudder and shaft weren’t functioning. End result no power and no steering.
The two things that stopped her sinking was (1) the rocks are boulders, so round versus sharp (2) The quick response of the lads at The Slipway Milford and the marina maintenance crew who arrived within 10 minutes to tow her off.
I’m only interested in the end result, the past is the past , but she was out for 6 weeks and all the talents / services of The Slipway Milford were utilised – advice, boatbuilding, engineering & painting + Moon Engines rebuilt the gearbox. A few sad photos below.
Also ook the opportunity to refresh a lot of other ares, still working on the interior. Thanks to a supportive insurance company – IAG – RAINDANCE lives on to celebrate her 100th birthday in 18 months.
Been a stressful 6 weeks, apologise for any slow replies to WW, to be honest there were days I lacked the motivation to write about someone elses boat, so we got there 🙂
The brief was for a Jason Prew Paint Job and to overhaul her running gear (driveshaft, props etc), well as is almost always the case the shopping list grows and approx. 9 weeks later MARINUS was re-launched yesterday.
The most visible highlights being her new colour and the removal of the 2 lower portholes.
Given all the recent upgrades in the marina it seems wrong to refer to it as Milford Creek. Maybe the areas now fitting of the name that some of the mud berth dwellers use – ‘Wairau Cove’.
I spent some time there yesterday helping with the relaunch of Angus Rogers 1968 Bailey & Son built launch – CENTAURUS that had been out at the Slipway Milford railway slip for some TLC and a JPPJ (Jason Prew Paint Job) – a minor opps – flat batteries………. meant a delayed start, so plenty of time to pull the camera (phone) out. A 3.5m tide equalled a lot of activity at the Slipway and the adjacent Milford Cruising Club hard stand.
The standard of the woodys in the marina seems to be improving in the last few years , probably a combination of the new bridge , upgraded MCC yard and the big crew working at the Slipway Milford.
Nice to see that the small berths along the roadside have almost exclusively been taken over by the Pied Piper fleet. The MCC yard was home to some out for early winter TLC.
I won’t disclose how many berthing attempts we had back at CENTAURUS’s marina but while Angus blamed the out going tide and wind – me thinks the new JPPJ was the reason i.e. skipper was a tad gun shy and didn’t want to mark the boat on the first outing 😉
Alongside AWARIKI is the 42’ 1969 Bailey & Sons built launch – CENTAURUS, out for a JPPJ (Jason Prew paint job) that has turned into a back to bare wood effort. The starboard side has one coat on and already looks the bees knees. Owner Angus Rogers is onsite attacking the brightwork, so this old lady will be very regal when she relaunches.
Well done to both owners for investing in the upkeep of two of our finest classic wooden craft.
Bumped into a fried who is an antiques dealer and he showed me a recent find – the wording on the front of the gold medal / badge reads – Memorial Hewson Cup 1925, back – 14’ One Design Championship of Waitemata For Youths Under 21 – ‘Queen March’ – W. Rogers’. I bet W. Rogers had no idea the value of their medal in 2025.
INPUT ex ROBIN ELLIOTT – Queen March, sailed by Billy Rogers on that day, was owned by Eliot Davis, brother of Sir Ernest Davis, and named after Eliot Davis’ champion racehorse. The race was won on a resail because it was later revealed that the skipper of Joan, winner of the first race, was 2 days over the 21 years limit. Three medals were presented to each of the crew Billy Rogers, Doug Rogers and D. MacKay
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 😦
The 28’ David Bedham designed spirit of tradition launch that we featured on WW back in November 2023, link below it nearing completion at the Slipway yard in Milford.
Will be a very smart and fast addition to the Waitemata Harbour, were her intended use is as a fast island commuter.
Wouldn’t it be great if we still had businesses like the above around today. One stop shops.
I was up and down the creek today myself – giving the 95 year old a bottom tickle up – 2023 was such a crap season Raindance didn’t get the normal amount of use. So from entering and exiting the creak the watch said 38 minutes – service with a smile, well almost …… things a tad busy at The Slipway Milford with only 96>hrs till closing the door.
