Tag Archives: UTATU

CLASSIC 1919 WOODEN LAUNCH – ATATU 

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CLASSIC 1919 WOODEN LAUNCH – ATATU 

On Tuesday we ran a mystery launch story around an old b/w photo of the 1919 Bailey & Lowe built launch ATATU, given her rebirths over the years its not surprising tha no one was able to ID her, other than Nathan Herbert who supplied the photo to WW.

Fast forward to yesterday and we were contacted by owners of ATATU, Frank & Cynthia Stoks – Frank tells the story below – 

“ I never saw her as pictured in Tuesdays WW story as she was seriously changed several times since we took over, over 30 years ago and rebuilt her from the gunnels up. 

Had I been able to see the etching of her name in the skylights or the tufted name embossed carpets or the Atatu- labelled Royal Doulton crockery and teaspoons in the drawers- the poor resolution of the image didn’t allow this, I would have added these things to the porthole arrangement, canoe stern, cockpit canopy and twin masts to the list of things that made me strongly suspect it was her. 

She is in fins shape and daily use in Picton. Often photographed by tourists. She it looks different from her earlier presentation because of the conversion to a Cook Strait fishing boat in 1947, and subsequent fishing boat changes over the years – plus we didn’t have the extensive history and photos upon embarking on our recovery of Atatu that we now have. Current engine is a CAT D330B. Installed in 1967 to replace a Leyland. Still going sweetly.  “

Photo below from Tuesdays mystery launch story

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KATOA – Flash Back

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Photo ex WW files – 1950’s

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – KATOA – Flash Back

Recently WW was sent the above photos by John Bottomley, who commented that his grandparents and recently passed father once owned the 1911 built KATOA in the Taupo area. 

The family spent many holidays on her trout fishing and enjoying exploring bays and beaches of the lake.

John enquired about learning more about her, from construction type , designer, previous owners and where she is now and who is looking after her. Well some days the WW back library just rocks. I was able to suggest that John do a search in the WW search box and view the numerous past stories on KATOA that have appeared over the years. Do the same if you want to read about her past life.

Numerous woodys had sent in photos of KATOA docked at Nelson marina looking very unloved (top photo below), then in Nov 2022 we received the photos below of her post a serious dose of TLC.

26-03-25 INPUT EX OWNER – ANNIE BRYCE – Photos below from Havelock marina of KATOA and her ongoing makeover. She was built in Auckland by Collings & Bell, worked on the harbour. We have a copy of an article from the local Picton newspaper of her adventures in the Sounds. Plus a fifty year old log book some one dropped off for us at the Nelson marina before we moved her to Havelock marina. 

Annie has promised to send in more intel on KOTOA, so updates soon.

27-03-2025 UPDATE below ex owner – Annie. Photo of KATOA on the move Nelson marina 2023 and video of her arriving at Havelock marina August 2023. + copy of newspaper article circa 1960-1970s.Annie also commented – ” we are still doing work on her after buying her in 2021 but she is not far away from being fit for purpose just a bit more paint inside some wood repairs and a new fish finder then it’s up the Sounds. She is a sound old boat we where lucky we found her timing wise any longer with no love she would of been in trouble, we have a lovely vintage skylight to be put in mid saloon. Will send more pictures when that is done, I am rather pleased with her new color scheme of the cream and duck egg. Blue I wanted something softer than the colours we threw on in Nelson when we first bought her to get her watertight,

YESTERDAYS MYSTERY LAUNCH QUIZ – NO WINNER –  Lots of attempts to ID her with RAIONA and JOAN being the most popular but the vessel is the Bailey & Lowe 1919 launch -ATATU – link below her to her July 2013 WW story.  https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/07/12/atatu/  And another in May 2013 https://waitematawoodys.com/2013/05/15/atatv-anyone-know-more-about-this-lovely-canoe-stern-launch/