Tag Archives: Waimiga

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ATHENA

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CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – ATHENA

The 1962 Des Donovan designed and  built launch – ATHENA has made several appearances on WW and has had a very colourful life.

She is 48’ in length, has a beam of 12’11” and draws 5’5”. Forward motion is from a 127hp Gardner 6LX.

When I arrived last Friday night at Scotts Landing, Mahurangi I dropped anchor alongside ATHENA and was greeted by an old friend Dave Holmes who had just purchased her.

A great back story – owned by a Coromandel farmer who undertook a 10 year refit on her. All the interior wood was felled and milled on his property. Dave had been aware the ATHENA had been on/off the market for over a year and approached the owner and made an offer – sold.

So the Mahurangi Regatta weekend was really the shake down cruise.

I was invited aboard for a sun-downer and took the photos above. A few exterior items that need addressing but Dave is the man for that, having once owner the launch – WAIMIGA. 

One of the things that makes ATHENA so special is she is a member of the sub-mariners club – Cameron Pollard told us the story a few years ago – “ATHENA ran over a bit of NZ ( like many still do) and sadly when the tide dropped so did the boat and she filled up and skidded off the rock. Story has it she was lost for quite a few days as the tide took her for a underwater voyage. When she was later found and salvaged the mud and foul inside her was quite unreal.” Photo below (ex K Ricketts) of the opps

So to see her on Friday living her best life was very special and testament to the skills of the tradespeople that have worked on her in recent years.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MASEKA – A Peek Down Below

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The painting above was commissioned by Gary and Yvonne Sterling when they owned her 1983-1987.

CLASSIC WOODEN LAUNCH – MASEKA – A Peek Down Below

Todays woody is – MASEKA, designed and built in 1968 by Chris Robertson. When launch she was 36’ but now measures 40’ that includes the normal protrusions + a 800mm hull extension.

Her owner Grant Keighley commented that she was built the same year as the launch – WAIMIGA however each owner wanted different looks, WAIMIGA the more traditional style while MASEKA’s wanted the modern look. WAIMIGA has made numerous appearance on WW and was once one of the ‘poster childs’ of the classic wooden launch movement. Photos below for comparison.

MASEKA”s hull is all kauri, double diagonal planking on stringers and frames, originally only glassed to the waterline. Her combings are solid teak. Decks and flying bridge (later addition) are plywood.

Some History Below Ex Her Owner (as they know it ) Any help in adding to this would be appreciated. Its so great when we get such extensive details of a vessel – also always a good sign that she is well cared for, and we like that.

OWNERS

• Built for a unknown family with a business in Newmarket  It is possible that the name was from family members eg. Mary, Sera, Karen? 1968-?

• Brian Purdy, who owned North Coast Builders ?

• John Priestley ?

• Gary and Yvonne Sterling 1983-1987

• A partnership of 3 airline pilots 1987-1995

• Grant and Lee Keighley 1995-2025

POWER

• 145hp lay over Perkins, going by the cut out in the starboard engine bearer to accommodate the vertical heat exchanger 

• 175hp lay over Perkins 

• 2004, 240hp Yanmar 4HLA 

The Perkins broke it’s crankshaft so it was decided to bite the bullet and install the Yanmar (non common rail marine diesel) matching 8 degree angled ZF gearbox, high tensile SS prop shaft, Briski 22×18 four blade prop, this transformed the boat giving,  reliability, much better performance and economy

To strengthen the hull to cope with the extra power, additional laminated floors installed between the frames in the engine room, frames flinched for additional strength 

OTHER WORK (carried out by the Keighley ownership )

• Glassed the hull above the waterline

• Glassing the cabin tops and flying bridge 

• Replacement of the deck plywood and glassing 

• Extensive system upgrades

WAIMIGA – PHOTOS BELOW

WOODY BAY LIVING UP TO ITS REPUTATION AS A WOODYS MAGNET

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Centaurus
Rehia
Waimiga
Waiari

WOODY BAY LIVING UP TO ITS REPUTATION AS A WOODYS MAGNET

Todays photos came to us ex Angus Rogers, aboard Centaurus while anchored in Woody Bay, RAKINO ISLAND.                                  Its a stunning location and no doubt the world famous on WW wood fired pizza at the Woody Bay Pizzeria help attract such an impressive collection of classic wooden launches.

Above from top to bottom we have  Centaurus (1967/8 Bailey & Sons) > Rehia (1939 Colin Wild) > Waimiga (1968 Chris Robertson)  > and Waiari (1962 Owen Woolley).

Input From Joe Telford aboard – Rehia – the rather large, majestic Lidard – Ngaro underway and the ex whale chaser Primadonna at anchor in Woody Bay.

Primadonna

YESTERDAYS MYSTERY LAUNCH QUIZ WINNER IS – Darrin Kennedy. In fact the only one that got both the launch name and location correct. Launch is the 1949 Lidgard built – Kiwitea. Seen in the photo being relaunched at Stillwater Boating Club, after her recent re-power. Well done Darrin 🙂

EMAIL – jasep@me.com

Woodys At Anchor

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Marline @ Otata Island
Waikaro
Rehia – Gt Barrier Island
Primadonna – West Bay, Rakino Isand
Waimiga – West Bay, Rakino Isand
Ngaro – West Bay, Rakino Isand
Woody Bay, Rakino Island

Woodys At Anchor

In the first batch of photos, ex Ant Smit, we see Marline at anchor off Otata Island in the Nosies group and Ant’s launch – Waikaro. The second group is of the Colin Wild built Rehia at rest at Gt Barrier Island. Probably the first time she has had a chance to cool down after changing hands in mid December, great to see her being used again. The last group I took mid week during a pizza run to Woody Bay, Rakino Island, home of Auckland’s best wood fired pizzas – we have at anchor in West Bay, soaking up the sun – Primadonna, Waimiga, and Ngaio.

SHARK WARNING – a rather large shark has been spotted mooching around Man O War Bay, as always probably more afraid of you, but………………..

Mahurangi Regatta – Woody Weekend – 196 photos

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MAHURANGI 2021 REGATTA –  196 WOODEN BOATING PHOTOS & VIDEOS

WoW what a weekend – perfect weather, perfect location and as always stunning boats. We saw a record turn out for the classic wooden boat parade on Saturday morning – the crowd ashore at Sullivans was a little thin on the ground, but if we are honest, we do not do it for them – its all about us 🙂 , a little like going for a motorbike rumble. We need more events where we just ‘hang-out’ together.

The regatta’s main event – the yacht race appeared to be a big success, the A-Class Logan –  Rawhiti, in the hands of her new owner – Peter Brookes, cleaned up all the major trophies. As has become the norm at Mahurangi races, the results process was a total balls up, it was very dark and late into the night before the final, final results were announced – fingers crossed its all kosher, last year it took days and numerous oops lets try that again announcements 🙂


The big band beach BBQ, was a hit, perfect on all fronts – weather, tide, the band, bbq’s and the people. Given the number of boats in Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau Island, most people headed there on Sunday. The Kawau Boating Boat was bursting at the seams but handed it well. I have split the photos into 4 galleries – Classic Wooden Boat Parade – Yacht Race – Beach BBQ – More (includes Kawau). If I missed your boat, you were somewhere I wasn’t, or in the wrong light , or your’e boats ugly (joking – sort off).
Enjoy a peak at the weekend., click individual photos to enlarge. Next weekend I’m off to the Lake Rotoiti Classic and Wooden Boat Parade –  its a biggie – they have 70+ entries  

CLASSIC WOODEN BOAT PARADE

YACHT RACE

BEACH BBQ

MORE + KAWAU ISLAND

waitematawoodys@gmail.com

Woody Trip To The Riverhead Hotel – 30+ classic wooden boat photos

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P1040172

P1040124

P1040185

P1040192

P1040212

P1040263

P1040252

Woody Trip To The Riverhead Hotel

Yesterday, 14 CYA Woody launches got together to visit the Riverhead Hotel, we had a fantastic turn-out with several ’new’ woodys joining in. Of course Jason Prew’s just relaunched – My Girl, had everyones attention, check out the zoom zoom photos above, that girl can move 🙂
A small tide made for some interesting manoeuvres at times, but no one came to grief (for long)
It was great to see the publican – Stephen Pepperell’s magnificently refitted woody – Volantis, alongside the wharf. She is a stunning ship, but the man does have very good taste.
The hotel was buzzing with a band in the garden bar & great food on offer – from those that I talked to, everyone had a great time. Several CYA members travelled by road, including Margaret & Bert Woolicott, our hosts in 2 weeks at Patio Bay for the Xmas weekend cruise / BBQ, which for me is the coolest event on the CYA calendar – see you there on December 1st.
ps if anyone picked up a small white & blue fender on a long rope, with brass clip – its mine – lost it overboard on the trip up, 1/2 way up the creek 😦
waitematawoodys t-shirts orders – don’t be slow in getting your order in, based on the sales to date I will probably close the order book early 😉

CYA Patio Bay BBQ & Xmas Race Weekend 2015

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Seafarer & Richard Darke

Arohanui

Allergy
Rotomahana
Silens
Freeboard? Lifejackets?
Kailua
Waimiga, Arohanui
Arohanui
Arohanui
Seafarer
Alpheus
Lucille
Allergy
Peg
Margaret & Bert Woolicott, Alan Houghton

Viking

Waitangi on her way to winning

Chris McMullen

CYA Patio Bay Weekend 2015
photos ex Alan Houghton & Fiona Driver

Just back from another spectacular wooden boat weekend at Patio Bay, Waiheke Island. The weather was good for the yacht racing but a little rolly in the bay. This put a few owners off anchoring but most bit the bullet & dropped the pick & were rewarded with another brilliant evening ashore at Margaret & Burt Woolicott’s waterfront bach. It had all the ingredients of a classic kiwi boating function – sun, sand, wood fired BBQ’s, the odd cold beverage, a barrel of rum, fire works & lots of nice people.

The evening was made special by the presentation to Chris McMullen of the CYA Outstanding Achievement Trophy for services to classic boating. See the previous ww post for more details.

Even yours truly got a mention in dispatches – I was the surprised recipient of the 2015 Patio Bay Trust Book Award – for my work on/with setting up this site & ensuring that future generations will be able to better experience our wooden boating history.

Enjoy the photos. Sorry that its light on yachts but conditions did not suit bobbing around in a wee dinghy & by now I hope most people realize that a ‘drive-by’ past Raindance almost always ensures a photo on ww 🙂

Must also mention the  magnificent sight of having Viking sailing in the fleet.

I have posted on the CYA forum photos from the yacht post race prizing giving  – link here

http://classicyacht.org.nz/cyaforum/topic/cya-patio-bay-race-xmas-party-bbq-weekend/

Yacht race results here http://classicyacht.org.nz/sailing/

10-12-2015 Sailing Photos below ex Carolyn Anderson (Waimiga)

Waitangi
Prize?
Waitangi
Rainbow
Seaward
Rainbow

 

Autumn Cruising

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RainDance
RainDance
RainDance
Rorqual
Silens
Waimiga
Waimiga
Waimiga

Playing Hooky

It appears that quite a few CYA launch owners took the opportunity today to pay hooky & grab the last few days of Autumn. As they say, made if you don’t 🙂

Waimiga Re – fit /launch

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WAIMIGA

Now Waimiga always was a very special launch, she would feature on a lot of classic owners bucket list. Her pervious owner looked after her like one of the family & now Shane Anderson has taken her to another level, on Wednesday she emerged from Wayne Olsen’s Horizon Boats shed in Stillwater after 4 months of man love. This was a total make-over & unless you knew the boat you would not notice the extent of the project. There is still a few wee jobs to finish on the marina & ‘bits’ to be add, so when she is 100% I’ll post a lot more, in the mean time enjoy.

Another floating billboard for Awlwood MA (Uroxsys).

Around the yards

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Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

Which one would I choose  – Trinnidad, Ngaio, Waimiga ?

Well unless, one the owners gets a bang on the head & Big Wednesday smiles on me this week, its a hypothetical question . The answer – any of them could slip into my berth at Bayswater.

Three of the CYA’s prettiest ladies are about to leave the shed after a winter of pampering, o-boy the launch fleet bar just got raised a few notches 🙂

My spies tell me that Lady Crossley is also due back in soon & is also looking very smart.

I’ll post more when they splash.