Tag Archives: Violetta

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – VIOLETTA – A Peek Down Below

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – VIOLETTA – A Peek Down Below

Back in December 2023 WW ran a story on the 36’ Swanson designed and built wooden launch – VIOLETTA. At the time we learnt a lot about her but did not get to see down below. Dec story here https://waitematawoodys.com/2023/12/18/violetta/

Now thanks to a recent tme appearance we get a peek down below + some recent photos.

In summary – Built in 1965, with a diagonal Kauri hull. initially for use in the Cook Strait, she has subsequently made 100’s of trips across to Durville Island, Steven’s Island and Pelorous Sounds.
Powered by a 150hp Ford turbo engine, she cruises comfortably at 10>11 knots and at fully chat will do 15 knots. As expected with a Swanson and her playground , VIOLETTA is very well appointed.

VIOLETTA

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VIOLETTA

Back in October WW was contacted by Jeff Giddens who advised that his father, Spencer Giddens, has been the owner of Violetts, a 36’ Swanson launch. Which the family regularly cruised the Marlborough Sounds on.                            The Sounds was her birthplace – she was built there in Queen Charlotte Sound by the well known boat builder Bob Swanson, for a Mister Jack Hutton.    It was built to cross Cook Strait as the owner lived in Paremata. It did many crossing, often in rough seas and was known for its sea keeping abilities.                                In approximately 1983 , it was sold to Jeff’s father, who still has it today, but now in his 80s is regretfully, looking to sell.                             She is 36′ by 11’-6″ feet, with a  3’6″ draft. Violetta is powered by a 6 cylinder turbo charged Ford diesel, and will do 15 knots. It is a hard chine planing hull, which is double planked kauri, a
full inch thick. 
Included above s a copy of a Sea Spray magazine article on Violetta dated November 1962. Top photos show the before and after of the alterations Jeff’s father made to the boat eg windows and I top roof dodger, all made to slightly modernise her look.

Out & About – went to a little backyard gathering yesterday and came away with a serious case of blokes shed envy 🙂