IT’S A BUYERS MARKET – CLASSIC LAUNCH OKE BAY (DIANA S)

IT’S A BUYERS MARKET – CLASSIC LAUNCH OKE BAY (DIANA S)

If your selling your classic wooden craft this winter do not set your hopes to high in terms of price.

There are some amazing buys floating around, mainly on tme, todays woody is an example. $15k ono is just silly money for OKE BAY.

Then again so is sub $300k for the majestic woody TRINIDAD , she was the buy of the decade.

The 32’ OKE BAY was built / launched in 1945 by Roy Steadman of Herne Bay, Auckland. At the time of launching she was named DIANA S, her name was changed in 1956. Her hull is carvel construction with kauri planks.

Forward motion is from a Ford Lees 2701 64hp diesel engine giving her a cruising speed of 7 knots.

With some TLC someone will have a nice, very original woody for summer cruising. Thanks to Ian McDonald for the tme heads up.

Previous WW stories linked below. Lots of details in the 2017 link.

WW June 2017 https://waitematawoodys.com/2017/06/28/oke-bay/

WW June 2020 https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/06/20/diana-s-oke-bay/

RSVP TO waitematawoodys@gmail.com

CLASSIC 52’ WOODEN LAUNCH – TRINIDAD – A Peek Down Below + A Call For Expressions Of Interest – SOLD

CLASSIC 52’ WOODEN LAUNCH – TRINIDAD – A Peek Down Below + A Call For Expressions Of Interest – SOLD

Regular WW readers will recall the owner of TRINIDAD, David Cooke, died in late 2024. David and Barbara were the custodians of this magnificent motor yacht  for over 25 years and the decision has been made to find the next custodian. 

There are only 5 classic craft in New Zealand that I would rate as A1 standard and TRINIDAD is pretty close to the top of the list. None of the other 4 are likely to come on the market in the foreseeable future – these craft only change hands in the 25>50 year time frame e.g once in a generation.

TRINIDAD has benefited from a succession of caring owners that have all maintained her in consistently exceptional condition.

The quality of materials, construction and craftsman ship is evident throughoutand attests to the fact that she has been well loved and cared for by her owners, past and present. Reflected by the fact that she always gathers admiring looks and comments when underway or at anchor.

She presents in suburb condition and retains her original aura, character and pedigree. At the same time careful integration of modern systems and technology ensures the very latest in comfort afloat.
TRINIDAD just ticks all the boxes: • 50’+ • Triple skin kauri planked • Built by John Salthouse, design influences from Colin Wild • Gardner engine • Off shore / NZ circumnavigation history • Fitted out for extended cruising • Diesel cabin heating  • Rigged for motor sailing

And the price – $400,000 – So woodys is a vessel like TRINIDAD on your bucket list – and if the answer is yes or even maybe – now is the time to act. If it’s not you, please forward todays story to friends and colleges that need TRINIDAD in their life.

Initial expressions of interest via email to garethcookenz@gmail.com

SOLD – sub $300k – The bargain of the last decade. New owner named Ian Walters. Anyone know his background ?

CROSSING THE BAR

CROSSING THE BAR

Pretty short post today – lacking a bit in motivation. 

Yesterday afternoon we celebrated the life of David Cooke, one of the classic boating communities seriously good guys.  

I had the pleasure of spending a lot of time with David on and off the water and any conversation with the man always made me smile.

The photo above of David aboard his motor launch – TRINIDAD was taken in the Marlborough Sounds in February 2018 , the Cookes had invited myself and Jamie Hudson to share the Whangaroa > Picton leg with them on their circumnavigation of New Zealand. Probably the best time afloat I have had. This photo is David in his happy place – peeling the spuds for dinner, a glass of chardonnay nearby and tray of snacks.

Link to the cruise here – so many memories https://waitematawoodys.com/2018/02/26/my-big-woody-adventure/

David and Barbara were one of the tightest couples I know and there is a quote that I think goes like this – “Death ends a life, not a relationship”, so woodys to those that had the pleasure of knowing David and Barbara,  going forward don’t be a stranger, make the effort to keep Barbara in the communication / invite loop.

RIP David Cooke 04-12-2024

SAD DAY YESTERDAY IN THE CLASSIC WOODY BOATING COMMUNITY

SAD DAY YESTERDAY IN THE CLASSIC WOODY BOATING COMMUNITY

Yesterday, one of the seriously good men that I called a friend, – left us – David Cooke, skipper of TRINIDAD. David lost the battle in his amazing fight to beat the cancer that was razing his body.

Most other humans would have surcomed a long time ago but not Cookie, he amazed us and his doctors with his ability to counterattack and box on. But even the best can’t take the number of blows that David did for so long and the body said enough.

There will be a lot more said about David,  the ‘seriously good bugger’, but today our thoughts and love go out to Barbara and the Cooke family. 

Woodys Riverhead Tavern Cruise – Record Turnout – 21 Woodys

Woodys Riverhead Tavern Cruise – Record Turnout – 21 Woodys – Trip Report 

Yesterdays upper harbour cruise to the historic waterfront Riverhead Tavern ticked all the boxes – perfect weather and sea state, best (21- record) turnout of classic craft we have had, great food and as always – nice people 🙂

100% record of no oops on the sand/mud banks, but LOTS of timber floating around kept the skippers on their toes.

The above photo gallery tells the story of the day – enjoy.

UPDATE – Photos & Videos below from the camera of Tracy and Alan Gilder aboard Pirate.

REHIA
LADY JAN
PACIFIC

NEXT WOODYS EVENT – SATURDAY 15TH APRIL – STILLWATER DOCKSIDE PICNIC 

Bay of Islands Classic Wooden Boats

Bay of Islands Classic Wooden Boats

Bay of Islands WW contributor Dean Wright sent in the great photos  above from when he and partner Deb were out for a few days just b4 xmas. 

Dick and Colleen Fisher’s magnificent Akarana is seen anchored in Orokawa, as is Enterprise.

The photo of Shenandoah was taken by Dean as she came through Wai iti Bay, Moturua Island. I would be a little amiss if I didn’t comment on the brightwork – please someone give her the TLC she deserves.

A nice photo of the 1929 Lanes Motor Boat Co. 35’ launch – Valerie under way.

The sedan launch in the last photo is well known to me, but I just can’t recall her name…….. Nathan Herbert has advised it’s Waihora.

The photo below ex David Cooke is of Akarana heading to Te Puna Inlet yesterday, where she and Trinidad are escaping the unpleasant swells the B.O.I. are experiencing.

Woodys Classic Beach Picnic Review + Open Boat

Woodys Classic Beach Picnic Review

On Sunday we held a woodys gathering ashore on Motuihe Island – trip down was commonly described as ‘lumpy’, except for the large woodys skippers who just smiled.

The bonus of a lumpy passage was almost zero trailer craft or pwc’s, so had the beach to ourselves. Very sheltered and sunny afternoon – always good to catch up with other woody owners and swap tales. Trip home was perfect with wind and tide assisting.

Nice to see both Lady Crossley and Pirate after there winter hibernation / haul outs.

My boat of the day was John Wright’s latest project the uber cool double-ender – Kiwa. That man has a wonderful eye for bringing the best out of any classic craft. Photo below when she was at Te Atatu Boating Club + links to previous WW stories on her 

2014  https://waitematawoodys.com/2014/09/30/boat-on-the-move-kiwa/

2021 https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/09/10/what-happened-to-kiwa/

KATHERINE  ON DISPLAY @ WESTHAVEN – THIS WEEKEND – INVITATION ONLY

Considering an upgrade or a boat for summer – the 38’ Conrad Robertson designed classic – KATHERINE, has been relocated to Westhaven Marina for one weekend only – inspection by invitation.

More details on this immaculately presented, ready for immediate delivery craft – click here https://waitematawoodys.com/2022/06/13/katherine-a-peek-down-below/

To book a viewing time email waitematawoodys@waitematawoodys

Woodys Classic Clevedon Cruise Report – Sept 2022 – 50+ Photos

6.45am – The Start
The magic hour for boat photography
Heading up the river
Dave Giddens – Auctioneer Supremo

WOODYS CLASSIC CLEVEDON CRUISE REPORT – Sept 2022

Just back from a near perfect weekend cruising with a great bunch of classic wooden boat enthusiasts, up the Wairoa River to the Clevedon Cruising Club for an overnight shindig. 

The weekend had all the right ingredients – great weather, cool boats, nice people + mouth-watering food, that always = a winner. Todays photo gallery comes to us from my cameras and Jason Prew’s new out of the box iPhone 14 Pro (I need one, I’m buying one).

By now regular WW readers will be familiar with the format of the weekend – we meet off the entrance to the Wairoa River and then weave our way up river to the Clevedon Cruising Club. The flotilla berths at the CCC dock, in front of their clubhouse, then we ‘open’ the boats for club member to view. Happy hour tends to start early up the river, and this weekend it was even earlier. Later in the day we retire to the clubrooms for a shared BBQ dinner, and live music.

This year the club organised a number of raffles and a mystery auction – the club and Woodys collectively raised over $3,500 for the new fuel jetty. Well done to everyone involved – I indirectly won a new bilge pump (my cabin boy, bid on a mystery package and one of the included items was the pump – and my bonus – he doesn’t own a boat)

Boats participating in the cruise were – Allergy, Awariki, Lady Clare, Lady Ellen, Merita, Mokoia, My Girl, Ngaio, Ngarimu, Raindance, Smooth Operator, Trinidad, Waikaro.

I’ll let the photos tell the story. Below are two videos which highlight the two extremes of classic wooden craft – Raindance at 7.5 knots and Jason Prew’s – My Girl, doing est. 24 knots 🙂 Thanks to Jason and Ant Smit for the footage.

As always – click on photos to enlarge 😉 ENJOY. Details on more Woodys Classic events below.

Ps that dessert plate wasn’t mine and I’m too nice a person to name the owner…… and equally no story as to why there is a photo of a skipper dipping wet on his duck board 🙂

Raindance
My Girl

Woody Classic Waterfront Picnic Weekend

My Girl
Kokoru
Lillian
Mahanui
The Wharf
Waikiore
Poco Lento (Lady Janet)
My Girl & Royal Falcon
Waikaro
Kokoru
Monterey
Trinidad

Woody Classic Waterfront Picnic 

Given I have had a very light summer boating wise, we decided to head out on Friday afternoon to Rakino for the night and partake in Auckland’s best wood fired pizzas at Woody Bay.

Again everything lined up – food, good wine and another spectacular sunset. Had a late evening visit from Jason Prew on My Girl, the wife “what’s that noise”. Then we were ‘entertained’ by a plonker and his partner on a Formula 4000, singing karaoke 1/2 the night ……….. they seriously thought they were good, they weren’t 😦

Saturday we headed over to the Weti River at mid day for the Woodys Picnic at the Stillwater Motor Camp. So lucky to get access, with the wharf it just makes the ideal venue for a catch up. Covid made a few gun shy but we had 11 woodys attending and a further 3 owners arrived via car – all in all a great afternoon. Lots of new (restored) woodys and new to the movement owners. The woody launch scene is getting more and more popular.

Post the picnic I pointed Raindance to a new (to me) anchorage and we enjoyed another wow sunset.

NEXT WOODY EVENT IS SATURDAY 26 MARCH – UPPER HARBOUR LUNCH CRUISE TO THE RIVERHEAD TAVERN – More details closer

The answer to yesterdays – name the yacht quiz was ‘Frances – A11’, the 1905, Arch Logan classic from the Class Yacht Charitable Trust stable. Photo below. And no one picked the right answer. So the WW t-shirt, gets to be put up again.

Mooching Around The Gulf #2

Mooching Around The Gulf #2

Todays gallery of woodys comes to us from Barrie Abel taken last week while mooching around the bottom end of Waiheke Island and Kawakawa Bay, the ‘home’ of his armada of classic woodys. We have Trinidad, Pleasure Lady, Spindrift, Rehia and Gytha. Below are links to Spindrift and Gytha – one day we will befriend the owners of Pleasure Lady and get a peek down below of this very smart Roy Paris design, Monty Rae built launch.

GYTHA https://waitematawoodys.com/2021/07/05/gytha/
SPINDRIFT https://waitematawoodys.com/2020/08/08/spindrift-2/