Pacific
Designed / built by Joe Slattery in 1917. One of the boats on my bucket list, can not visit Gulf Harbour marina without walking past her 🙂
Hopefully the current owner, Grant Burrell, great grandson of her 1st owner will drop in here with some more details.
NANA
She was built by Chas Bailey & Son Ltd in 1934 . She was a 35 footer with a 110hp Redwing Big Chief. She had a side exhaust well above the waterline, on the starboard side, with no cowl over it.
Ken Ricketts has known this boat since 1946, when she was moored in Matiatia & belonged to Mr Fred Allison (the original owner), who owned the Devonport Steam Ferry Ltd & lived at Matiatia, Waiheke Island. Alison got Bailey to build his boats because of the ferry connection. Ken only very recently acquire this photo, ex Harold Kidd. Ken was absolutely thrilled to have it, as he always was fascinated by her. Her hull was painted royal blue with varnished & white combings, — unusual for that time, — & she was always immaculate. used to sit a little high in the water at the tuck waterline, with the boat not sitting in the water until a little below the round of the chine line, but nevertheless, lovely, with the name in gold leaf arched in the middle of the tuck. Not used very much. Ken never actually saw her off the moorings, on the many weekends, he anchored there on his dad’s boat, the JULIANA circa 1946-48.
SOU EAST
Identical sister ship to NOR WEST & used extensively at Mayor Island, for many years for game fishing both boats now have diesels — Nor West has 2 x Fords.
Ken Ricketts took this photo of Sou East in Mansion House Bay Kawau Island Christmas 1949
Waitangi
c.1953, photos taken from Roger Guthrie’s family launch Caprice, whose forestay is showing in the top photo
Waitangi getting some love in Blanche & Ian Cook’s shed, Sept 2011, the last time I saw her. Alan H
Update 23-12-2019 – Photo below ex Peter Apperley of Waitangi at Westhaven Marina.
ATALANTA (Rotoiti)
Unsure of builder, approx. 40 ft . When Ken Ricketts first saw her in 1946-47 she was called Rotoiti & owned by a Larry Johnston owner of Johnston Blue Motors the airport transport bus service providers for Auckland & she was called the ROTOITI. He owned her from at least the mid 40s through to the 50s, he recalls she had a 6 cyl Kermath petrol engine. Kept in quite good condition & used fairly regularly.
Her original, “real” name, was ATLANTA, & it was not until Ken came in contact with her again many years later, in the 1980s, that he was told by the then owner, that they had removed all the old paint from the hull during a refurbishment, & discovered “ATLANTA” carved in to the tuck, in big letters about 1/2 inch deep. Unsure who changed it, or when the name was changed, but he feels by the look of her, she was probably built between 1933 & 1937, & it was probably changed in the later 30s or early 40s. Ken is pleased to say that the last time he saw her she was ATLANTA
ROTUI
A Chris Craft, built circa 1938, 32 -33 ft originally had a Ford V8 petrol engine which is sure to have been changed to a diesel by now, & belonged to Alec & Linda Walker who lived in Landscape Rd Mt Eden & owned Regal Fashions in Karangpape Rd. They were a lovely friendly couple & owned her until the mid 50s. After they sold her, she diappeared off the radar. Ken Ricketts would love to know what ‘so happened to her. If anyone can help email kenpat@ihug.co.nz
Three classic launches in the centre are (from the left) – Gay Dawn, Alofa, Apache. Photo at Kawau Island
REREMOANA
We know very little about her, except that she is another example of the Couldry excellence of design & build, circa 1936-38 lived in Westhaven in the 40s & early 50s right next to Tiromoana,
Ken Ricketts took this pic c.1948
Last saw her a few months ago, entering Gulf Harbour, sadly the lovely varnish has gone — not looking outstanding, but still recognisable.
Update 12/10/2013 – Colour photos ex Ken Ricketts, on-the- hard at Gulf Harbour. It upsets me when I see what ‘enhancements’ can do to a beautiful design……………. 😦 AH.
Update 26/06/2013 Launch Day photo ex Papers Past ex Harold Kidd referral.
A rare photo of Reremoana below as launched in November 1938, as a 28 footer, prior to being lengthened by 6′ & having a wheelhouse & raised top added by Lanes in September 1939.
Read the comments section, lots more info there.
I have to say, these Couldrey launches are starting to grow on me 🙂
12-01-2016 Photos below of her at Te Atatu Boating Club yard
07-08-2017 Photos below re-launched at TBC
Sept 2017 Out again at Te Atatu – photos ex Ken Rickets
ROSALIND
Pic courtesy Harold Kidd. Built in the early 1900s, Ken Ricketts knew this boat from 1946 to mid 1950s she lived in Judges Bay, by the groin just under the bridge right next door to his late fathers boat JULIANA. She was owned by an Oliver Brett accountant of Parnell, & had had the hull built up to a flared bow, probably in the1930s (a la MAVIS B) had a Redwing 6 cyl petrol engine & was hardly used disappeared off the radar after that would like any news.
FYI – check out this link to a site that records Classic NZ game fishing boats & launches
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