Parade of Classic & Wooden Boats

Lake Rotoiti

North Island, New Zealand.

1940 to 1959

Vintage Launch "Nautilus". Kauri planked launch built by Lane's in Auckland 1948. Has been on Lake Rotoiti since 1996. Before that at Tauranga.
Length: 8.5m
Owners: Buzz Rathbone and Gus Gardner
Awarded "Most meticulously presented boat" 2003

"Mary Rose"  Owners: Bill & Cherry Fowler.  4.9 metre steam launch built around 1948 by Alf Dickenson, who at the time owned the Rainbow Motor Camp at Ngongotaha. He built 3 of these kauri clinker dinghies to take his paying guests across Lake Rotorua to Hamurana Springs. The Savage family who had a holiday bach at Ngongotaha bought it and had it for most of its' life. It was salvaged from under a hedge in a derelict state and extensively repaired between 2000 - 2002 by Bill & Cherry Fowler, named Mary Rose and converted to a steam launch. It is now based at Lake Rotoiti. The steam boiler and motor were made by W Larsen. The motor is a single cylinder 2.5 x 2.75 and the boiler a vertical fire tube.
Awarded "Best Boat" 2004 Parade

"Waimata"  Owner: Thomas Corson, Built: 1946, Length: 7.9m. Built in Auckland in 1946 and used on Auckland harbour until moved to Rotoiti in 1952.
Awarded "Best hull built 1940 to 1959" 2003
Launch, Merit Award, 2005 Parade.

"Baldrick" Owner: Don Penn. She was built by Percy Vos, Boat Builder of Auckland for John and Jean Skeates to hand written instructions of Mr Skeates. She was first launched in the Ohau Channel, Rotorua in January 1954.
Then named Ngaku, the Skeates owned her until October 1978.
Length 16', Beam 5'9", Draught 1'7". Original Engine, Stuart 8hp twin 2stroke.
Main materials: Keel, heart kauri.  Stem, pohutukawa natural crook.  Planking, heart kauri.
Timbers, bent mangaeo.  Fore and aft decks, teak.
When Don purchased Baldrick from Mr Roy Douglas of Herald Island in July 1991, there was no name on her. About this time he spoke with Jean Skeates whose husband John had then recently died. Jean talked about the Ohau Channel launching and asked if the original name NGAKU was still on the boat. It was, but it was not until 10 years later when Don stripped all paintwork, that the name Ngaku became visible.
Serious conversion to steam started 8th June 1999 with the arrival of engine plans from engine designer Ray Hasbrouck, USA. With much help from fellow steamboater Murray Hall and also Graeme Wilkinson, a retired mariner and boiler inspector who designed Baldrick's boiler, the project began. Baldrick has consumed about 1000 hours, in what for Don was largely unknown territory spread over 5 years. Baldrick performs well, 5 knots is Graeme's estimate. She has a decent cockpit and can seat 10, although with 8 it doesn't feel crowded.

"Cappy" was built in 1953.
Designer: Bailey, Length: 8.5m.
Spent early life at Paremata - owned by Mr. Roberts in early 1960's. In early 1980's sold to Mr. Pain and became neglected. A local boat builder Brian Billings was next owner and in 1986 she was relaunched in river at Mana after being completely rebuilt in a shed at Craters Edge. Cappy spent short time at Napier before going to Waikawa where, after owner's financial troubles, she was sold to Ron Spinks of Christchurch in 1988. At Ron's funeral 3-4 years later the story was told of how he, with his mate, his lunch box and a big bottle of gin, had motored "Cappy" to Lyttleton. Purchased by Kevin Wild in 1992 she was altered to make her more comfortable. With her wood burning stove worth its weight in gold during Lyttleton winters, she was always the boat for socialising. Owned by John Anderson since 1998, she was refitted at Peter Marks yard in Tauranga. Now kept at Otaramarae.

Owner: Julie Raw, Length: 5.3m, "Kaiama"  is an ex naval cutter fitted with an Enfield 15 hp. air-cooled horizontally opposed 2 cylinder diesel inboard motor. She first served on the Royal Australian minesweeper Kaiama in 1943 and then spent some time with the Tauranga Sea Cadets and, while with them, she was stuck under the wharf with the tide coming in and sunk. She subsequently sold at auction and extensively rebuilt. She was not used for a period of approx. 10 years and then sold to Sheryl & Malcolm Carter around 2000/01. She was again sold in 2002 to Graham & Julie Raw and is now resident on Lake Rotoiti. Built 1943.

"Howick-Citing" was built in 1955. Length: 6.7m
Owner: Morrin Cooper.
This vessel was the original Howick Sea Rescue boat, and was commissioned following the tragic drowning of 3 teenage boys at Howick beach.

"Spray"  Owner: Michael Low, Length: 5.8m 
Built in 1957 by Palmerston North Extension Ladder Co, this Fleetcraft Voyager powered with Volvo Penta B1600 4 cylinder with stern drive. Original colour was white with light blue deck, cabin top and waterline with varnish finished cabin. Used as a small fishing vessel in the Marlborough Sounds. Purchased by Kim Naylor from Wellington and brought up to Lake Rotoiti around 1980. Based at Okawa Bay Motor Camp where it was used with little change until the close of the Motor Camp when the present owner then purchased it in 1982. It has since resided at the Okere Falls arm. The interior has been fitted out with more seating and the fishing gear removed. Still runs original motor and stern leg that to the best of owners knowledge has never had any major work with around 1200 hours recorded on the hour meter.

Built by Patel & Sons, boat builders of Portobello Dunedin in 1959 for the proprietor of a sports shop in Queenstown, "Nicola" boated Lake Whakatipu until purchased by Dr. B J H Insull of Invercargill in 1963. Used mainly on Lake Te Anau, but also on Lakes Manapouri and Wanaka. Powered originally by a Johnson out board, Nicola was fitted with a blue band 65 hp Mercury in 1974. Nicola provided many happy hours of boating, loved by the Insull family for nearly 40 years. Nicola was gifted to the present owners, Angus & Gaye France of Hamurana in February 2001. Length: 4.9m
Over the last 2 years(2004 & 2005) the hull and deck have been restored to original condition.  Both were sanded back to bare wood, the hull has been painted and the deck varnished. The windows have been replaced, a new transom fitted and the interior upholstery renewed also to replicate how it was when purchased by the previous owners in 1963.
Further improvements to the interior are planned, however the plan is to enjoy having her back in the water for a while first!
Grateful thanks to Danny Pearce, boat builder and Grant Kershaw of The Polish Shop for their help and expertise and also to Tony Mitchell for his useful tips and advice.

"Skinny Boat"  Owner: Ross Birchall, This 12'6" (3.8m) De Havilland Albatross was built in England in 1952 for Sir William Stevenson who owned her until 1990. The boat has lived on Lake Rotoiti all its life and is powered by a Ford 100E engine with a top speed of 33 mph. Although built from aluminium this boat's age and history on Rotoiti  makes it something special.

"Te Huia"  Owner:  Wrey Finucane, Built: 1948, Length: 5.2m. Believed built in Otaramarae and originally named "Miss Vim". Mr W P Taylor purchased the house and boat from a Mr Hartley some 20 years ago. The motor originally came from a Lancaster bomber and was used to open the bomber doors. It was then purchased by Mr John Leary for cash and a bottle of whisky in the late 70's. The whisky is still believed to be maturing. Mr Leary sold the boat to his nephew. The Mains family removed the superstructure and sold the boat to Mr Jerome Cleaver. Mr Cleaver used the boat once and then stored it in his hay barn for 10 years. Present owner acquired the boat in 1999. He restored the hull, built a new superstructure and changed the motor. The motor was an Anolt seamite motor, (American sea motor) and fitted a Morris 8 series E motor. He then renamed the boat "Te Huia" because it had been extinct. The owner would appreciate any further information.

"Aratu" means "The Pathway to Great Heights". Built in 1940 out of heart kauri and is a mullety hull. She is 17 feet (5.1m) long with a 6'6" beam. She boasts two berths and she has been repowered with a two cylinder diesel (Drofin) engine and can strut her stuff at a cool nine knots, (hopefully). Aratu was originally owned by the late Italian commercial fisherman named Nic Nicholais whom legend has it, at the outbreak of WW2 (in case of an invasion) repowered her so she could go faster in reverse than forward! (He reckoned it was in case she was attacked from the rear). After a few rums he used to boast "Aratu" caught more fish per foot of boat than any other Nino in the BOP. He retired and sold her to a keen fisho, Barry Hall of Te Puna, who with his brother won the 1987 NZ Open Game Fishing Nationals with a 190 kg shark. Along with his wife Leslie, Aratu has overnighted at Mayor Island and most offshore islands between Bowen Town to Maungatapu. Present owner: Tom Riddington.

"Ngaru"  Owners: Richard Beaver & Annette Keid, Length: 6.4m. Built by Percy Voss of Auckland in 1955 for his son in law to use on the Waikato river as a charter boat. Later sold to Judd Davy and used extensively on Lake Rotorua for many years. Sold again to Mike Benny and Don Wykes who removed the original twin teak cockpits, fitted a cabin and used her for fishing charter. She stood for 3 - 4 years on the hard in Howick until purchased by Geoff and Joan Bracken in April 2000. They fitted her with a Nissan diesel engine. The present owners purchased her in time for the 2005 parade.

The "African Queen" is 5.2 metres long. The designer and builder are unknown. As far as is known, the African Queen of clinker mahogany construction, was built in Auckland in 1941 and brought directly to Lake Tarawera. A recent owner was Max Huesler of 591 Spencer Road, who kept the boat in reasonable condition and in 1990 put a new 12 hp "Sole" diesel engine in her which probably replaced a Ford 10 petrol motor. He sold the boat with the property in 1999. The new owners liked the boat but had little inclination to restore it and sold it in a dilapidated condition to the present owners, John & Susan Shaw in March 2000. The transom was replaced which was quite rotten, all the windscreens were replaced and additions made to the boats internal storage. At the same time several non original appendages were removed. During this process John's long suffering wife found out that "boat" is an acronym for "bring out another thousand". The whole boat was stripped back to bare timber and revarnished and repainted. Presently used mostly on Lake Ohakuri south of Rotorua.
Awarded "Most original vessel" 2003,    Awarded "Best original Launch, Powerboat or Yacht". 2004 Parade

                                                                             "Courtship"  Owners: Jim Burch & Terry Howard, Length :5m.
Purchased by Peter Marks in 1993 as a derelict hull, the boat was converted from a trailer sailer to a cabin boat and fully restored by Courtney Marks and Michael Hawthorne who were both aged 8.
After 4 years of hard work for the boys, removing the centreboard and adding a cabin along with many months spent stripping, sanding and painting, the boat was relaunched on December 6th 1997, Courtney's 13th birthday.
Peter Marks is a professional boatbuilder but restricted his role to supervision. The boys built up "an incredible comradeship" during the restoration which cost very little in financial terms. "When people heard what the boys were doing they donated stuff, and every birthday and Christmas, Courtney would get a can of filler or paint or something else for the boat".
The launching was attended by friends, relatives, neighbours and others who had watched and encouraged the boys progress over the years. Purchased by current owners April 1999. 

"Dab Chick"  Owners: Michael & Jayne Humphries, Length: 5.6m. Carvel kauri launch believed to have been built at Otarmarae late 40's early 50's for McAlpine. Originally named "Wainui". Purchased from Gerald Sheehy. Name changed from "Faugh A Ballagh" to "Dab Chic" in 1999.

"Cygnus"  Owner: John Scudder Length: 6.1m.   Originally a yacht built in the 1950's, She was converted to a fishing boat and spent years longlining and fishing for kahawai out of Whakatane and then Ohiwa. She was bought by Pinetree Pete in 1995 and after a few adventures on the local lakes and Taupo was parked up and forgotten.
 We were talking about going to see the wooden boat parade in 1999 and Pinetree mentioned he had one so we pulled her out from under the scrub and got her in the water the day of the parade to join in unofficially. I acquired her in time for the Millennium parade and as she was rotten from the decks up stripped her completely and rebuilt her in an Art Deco style in time for the 2003  event. She was originally powered by a single cylinder air cooled 18HP Ruggarini diesel engine. She is now running a Toyota 1100cc Petrol with 2 stage auto. Speed has increased from 4 to 12 knots with low ratio for trolling, it is safe to enter the cabin with the engine running and communication with the crew is now possible.                                            Awarded "Prettiest boat" 2003.  Awarded "Best themed vessel and crew" 2004 Parade.

"Kiri" Owner: Ivan Payne, Length 6.4m. Purchased by the present owner Xmas 2001, he believes the boat was used as a mail boat between Auckland and Kawau Island. The owner would appreciate any information about the boat. Age unknown but probably in this group.

"Gigi"  Owner: Ron Kiernander, Built: 1959 by Lane Motor Boat Co (Panmure), Length: 5.2m. Built for Auckland solicitor Barry Hopkins, GIGI spent the first 30 years on Lake Rotorua. The present owner bought her in 1997. 40 years of paint and varnish inside and out were removed to bare wood. One metre of her mahogany ply planking at the stern was rotten, as were areas of framing and the transom. This was all replaced or repaired. She was then glassed and painted before turning back over. All the seats, rubbing strips, and the main deck beam, which served as an instrument panel were past restoration and were replaced, as were the fogged perspex windows. The fittings imported from the USA by Andrew Donavans were sent for rechroming. Eight coats of varnish nearly finished the job. The last, fitting of the 85 hp Yamaha and new squabs was done by Rotorua tradesmen. With champagne and cheering grandchildren, she was relaunched in October 1998 at Lake Okareka. (Any info on lost 10 years would be appreciated. Ph. 362 8388.)

"Wild Goose"  Owners: ??, Length: 6m. A 6 metre carvel planked kauri hull with a mahogany cabin. Possibly built during 1945 to 1955, with an American Kermith 6 cylinder petrol engine. Previously used for water skiing on the Tauranga harbour and fishing off Mayor Island and Lake Tarawera, then stored in a garage in Morrinsville for the past 30 years. George & Sheryll Beveridge bought the 'Wild Goose' in 2000, replacing the motor with a Volvo Penta 2 cylinder diesel, dual steering and extra roofing added to the aft, with further restoration in progress. Currently used for trout fishing she is berthed on the Okere Arm, Lake Rotoiti.

"Annie"  Purchased by the present owner in approx. 1992 from a farmer in Reporoa who had used it as an extra cow trough in the middle of their home paddock. The original idea was to spend a few weeks doing the boat up and then row it down to the Awahou stream to do some fly fishing. However, 8 years and untold hours later, it has finally hit the water.

Dudley Woollams, the builder, was a craftsman who, at various stages of his life was a furniture maker, a boat builder & designer and had many other pursuits which involved woodwork. For about 10 years he made moulded mahogany dinghies from a variety of his own designs. The boat is the special one Dudley built for his own use around 1950. Dudley was an avid fisherman and the usual motor he used was a particularly smelly and oily 4 hp Seagull outboard. The boat has spent all its life at Te Karamea Bay on Lake Tarawera.Not long after Garth Williams bought the lakeside property from Mr. & Mrs. Woollams, they gave him the boat. It was in a sad state of disrepair. A Rotorua boatbuilder replaced much of the bottom of the craft and he also had to shorten the boat a bit because of rotting topsides and then he replaced the rotting tuck. Garth Williams then removed all the old paint and varnish and started all over again. Tony Mitchell of Lake Rotoiti repainted and revarnished the boat in 2001. "Dudley" is 4.1 metres in length.

"Aroha" Owner: Warwick Hutchinson. Length: 6.4 metres. Carvel planked kauri hull launch designed & built by C E Thompson in Dargavillle for the late Frank & Millie Macklow. Fitted with a Scottish Kelvin Ricardo E4 cylinder petrol (or parafin) engine - 2 sets of 2 cylinders with seperate carbs on each enabling either pair to be switched off. Motor designed by Anton Bergius of Glasgow & many were fitted to Scottish trawlers. Conrad Bergius (nephew) lives in Auckland and is a diesel mechanic. 
Hauled from Dargaville to Rotoiti by road and launched at Mourea in 1950. The launch has spent all its time on Lake Rotoiti at Otaramarae Bay. It maintains its orginal colours, accessories, trims, tools, striped canvas cushions, manuals and warrantee. Sold in 2002 to Warwick Hutchinson who then named her after his mother (Aroha Avis Hutchinson) "AROHA" - who also had purchased the family holiday batch in Otaramarae Bay in 1950.

"Little Jo" Owner: Simon Ventura. Length: 6 metres. Designed and built by George Rose, 1946.
Awarded "Best Restored launch, powerboat or yacht" 2004 Parade.

"Lady" Owners: Fred & Elizabeth Hoogveld. A 6.1 metre vintage launch.

"Kotuku"  Owner: Allan Estcourt. This 5.2 m. carvel planked hull was home built by S.G. Estcourt and sons in Blenheim in 1959. The design was published in Popular Mechanics as a tender for small yacht races. A cabin was added and a 1935 Singer Nine car engine installed. Planking is West Coast Kahikatea and decks were canvas covered.
Originally moored in Havelock and used in Pelorus Sound. Moved to Picton about 1970 and a Tohatsu outboard installed. Subsequently sold and repurchased 20 years later. Cabin had been replaced (unfinished) but hull was in original condition.
The last 5 years has seen the cabin modified, hull recaulked and new propeller shaft fitted in preparation for a diesel inboard. The 1970’s Tohatsu is back in temporary service for relaunching December 2004.

"Canta Libre"  Owner: Judith & Nelson Bell, Built: 1955, Length: 5.6m, Designer: Carl Augusten. The boat was initially offered to the present owner free by a member of the Phillips family of Taheke Road, Rotoiti. After a couple of days deliberating, Judith finally informed her husband of the offer who immediately inspected the boat and was most pleased with the design of the boat. The boat, named "Canta Libre" which means Run Free, appeared to be a 1950's ski boat originally powered by a 6 cylinder motor and later powered with a Chev' V8. The boat was mostly complete but suffering from many years of neglect. The Chev V8 motor was partly removed and missing a main bearing housing, which meant that the motor could not be economically rebuilt. The hull was in a reasonable condition with some dry rot. The boat trailer was swapped for the new owner's garden trailer. The reconstruction took approx. 12 months and consumed approx. 8 litres of West epoxy. The boat is to be completed with teak and holly decks, burr elm dash & leopard skin seats.

"Jezabelle" Owner: Dave Churton. Bailey designed and built, this 3.6  Kauri clinker dinghy was built around 1947.
Dinghy, Merit Award, 2005 Parade.

"Solent" Owners: Graeme & Joan MacDonald. Length: 6.6m Vintage Launch

"Uffa"  Owner: Grant Cossey, Built: 1949, Length: 3.7m. Designed by Uffa Fox, Gerald York (printer at Auckland) built the boat in 1948 - 1949 and in 1970 stored the boat in his printing warehouse. It was often admired by Mark Munsford, an employee (who crewed on the boat on the 6th February 2000) and was given to him in 1995. Sold to  William Early in June 1999, it was restored and launched in December 1999. Hull, mast and some fittings are original, sails etc. have been scrounged from wherever. Finish - 3 coats of West System epoxy and 1 coat polyurethane. Purchased by Grant Cossey January 2005.
Yacht, Merit Award, 2005 Parade.

"Aniwaniwa" Owner: Grant Cossey. 3.45m Kauri yacht. Designed by John Brooke and built in1941 by Snow waters.

"Jeanette" Owned by Chris Laird.  12'6" Kauri clinker dinghy. Designed and built by Sea Craft, this 1950 dinghy has been completely stripped and rebuilt to factory specifications including the same timbers and colour scheme.
These were built by the dozen, along with other models, and although this one is outboard powered similar hulls were fitted with 3hp Norman inboards.

The "Elizabeth R" was built in 1952 as a family ski boat by the Richardson family for holidays at Lake Rotoiti. Jack Richardson chose Carl Augustin's light displacement design as it was proving successful for the new popular breed of light speed boats which families were increasingly trailering to the beach or lake. Jack, assisted by sons, Dick and George, built the boat in a shed on the farm at Clevedon. It was built of ply with twin cockpits, fore and aft. The inboard motor was a new Ford 10, chosen for reliability. George made the first set of skis from 6 x 1 pine with much guess work in design and a home steamer. The launching was in January 1953 at the Okawa Bay Holiday camp, Lake Rotoiti. In the 1950's and early 60's during family holidays at Otaramarae the "Elizabeth R" gave much pleasure to many youngsters who lined up to learn to ski on picnic days around the lake shore. In 1983-84 George converted her from inboard to outboard to create the more open layout she has today. She is still fitted with the 1984 Evinrude from that conversion.

"Doris"  Owner: Peter Taylor. She was built in 1950 at the Deeming shipyard in Opua for a wealthy farmer who owned land on the Purerua Peninsular in the Bay of Islands. She has spent all her life in the BOI and was used to pull barges and take supplies from Kerikeri, Opua and Paihia. Her statistics are 24 ft long, 8 ft beam carvel hull with 1 inch kauri plank on close framing. She has a new Kobota 27 hp diesel and gearbox but apart from that, is in original condition. A friend and I motored her down from Kerikeri to Westhaven (23 hours at 6.5 knots and just as well the sea was calm!) and from there she was transported to Rotoiti.
Renovated by Tony Mitchell in 2007 with a total repaint, new roof with 2 hatches and new glass.
 

"Lisa Jane"

"Piri" 12'6" Dinghy owned by Tim Brown. Unknown designer & builder.
Unknown age, probably in this group.

"In the Meantime"  Owner: Fraser Wilson.  She is kauri planked with copper rivets and was built in the 50's. Used on the harbour in Auckland, the builder and designer are unknown. She was originally powered with a 10hp diesel inboard.
 

"Coronado"  Owner: Mark Dimock. Built by Century Boats in 1957, the Coronado model was first introduced in 1954 and continued in wood for 14 years in which time 1,743 units were built. Length: 21 feet.

"Carpi" Owned by Ron Dimock, 18' Mahogany Runabout, designed and built in 1957 by Chris Craft.

"Dutchie"  Owner: Hendrik Metz, Built: 1955, Length: 3.7m. Designed & Built by Evert Metz Snr. Dutchie is a 950 cc class midget speedboat. Length 12 feet with a beam of 4'6". The hull is constructed in varnished double diagonal cedar - the deck being of varnished plywood. The engine is a direct drive Ford 10 with the following modifications: Ported and relieved block; Howard Green cam; Solid skirt pistons; Waco Magneto; and a Ford V8 carburettor.

"Great Scott"  Owners: John & Janette Gibson, Built: 1957, Length: 4.9m. The mahogany (Janet & John boat) was built in Tamaki, Auckland as a day fishing boat for Lake Rotorua. Original owner and builder, Stuart Marsters had a holiday home at Waitete, Ngongotaha, immediately above the footbridge. When he sold the house to Mike Russell in 1979, the boat went with the house. Present owner, who is the 3rd owner, bought the boat September 1999 and started restoring it. Basically just revarnishing and painting. The boat won a 50 mile race in 1959 on Waikato River averaging 42 M.P.H. Original outboard was a Scott Atwater, hence the name.

"Oria"  Owners: Glen & Holly Ruebe, Built: 1947. Length: 16'4"
She is of Kauri clinker construction and has spent most of her life on the Tauranga harbour. Launched into Rotoiti on New Years day 2009.

The following details are recorded but photos are required to complete the page.

"Pram Dinghy"  Owners: Graeme & Raewyn Natusch, this 2.4m ply Natusch family pram dinghy was purchased new as a 1958 or 59 Christmas gift for three young Natusch brothers Barry, Graeme & Adrian. The hull was fibreglassed and painted white with gloss varnish interior and seats, and has been used since then exclusively on Lake Rotoiti. The rear seats and cleats gave way to rot and for many years was used without the rear seat. Repainted all over at some stage in the 1980's, the middle seat and cleats succumbed to extinction at Xmas 2001. After being inspired by the 2002 Wooden Boat Parade, this very humble dinghy was lavished with a great deal of man hours to be relaunched in squadron blue and revarnished to compliment the M.V.Rodney Nelson.

"Kotuku"  Owner: Mike Anderson, Built: 1958, Lenght: 6.1m. Designed and built by C E Thomasen. Semi displacement launch. Triple diagonal kauri over laminated and stapled frames tumble home stern. 50 hp Perkins 4108 shaft driven through 1:1 Paragon box turning 12x8 prop. Launched in Auckland Harbour in 1959 named Alert. Built for a Dr. Whitehead and spent time as a cutter with the Auckland Volunteer Coastguard. Subsequently used as a pleasure launch by the doctor's son on Manganui Harbour and later for commercial fishing in Doubtless Bay. The Moore family from Waiuku subsequently used her for longlining out of Houhora Harbour until she was purchased by another Waiuku local with the intention of refurbishing her. Purchased by Bruce Ohlsen and renamed Olly Pug she was used in the Manukau Harbour until the present owner purchased her in 1994. Again refurbished with wheelhouse raised and used for sport fishing out of Whakatane. Reliable and seaworthy she has an excellent catch record including yellowfin tuna and marlin.

"Marauder"  Owner: Ross Malcolm, Built:1959, Length: 6.4m. Constructed of double skin diagonal kauri ply with a Volvo Penta petrol engine and leg, this boat was built somewhere in the Auckland region and has probably spent most of its early years on Lake Rotoiti. The boat probably had one owner until it sank in its boat shed at Otaramarae. It was sold to the present owner's neighbour by the insurance company as a write off and sat on a lawn as a kids playroom for approx. 2 years. The boat was purchased by its present owner without his wife's knowledge approx. 8 years ago. Many hours of work were spent in restoration. See Boating New Zealand April-May-June 1999 for history of design and production.

"Popeye"  Owner: Shaun Connolly, Length:5.5m. a clinker built launch, has personality and an exceptional sea-kindly manner - a joy to experience. She was built in the Hokianga in the mid-40's for a Mr. Ambler. At this stage we do not know a great deal about her early history. Apparently she lived in a small boat shed near Opononi. In 1985 "Popeye" was purchased by the Bergman's "as a brand new boat". She moved to Whangaroa Harbour where she was sold to the Herbert family of Totara North in 1993. The Herbert family had many happy hours together on the Whangaroa Harbour with "Popeye". In 1997 "Popeye" moved to Auckland where she continues to provide her current owners with an enormous amount of pleasure and fun.

"Sea Wouf"  Owner: Dave Scott, Built: 1954, Length: 5.1m. Designed and built by Seacraft. Kauri clinker construction with mahogany cabin.

"Seeke"  Owner: Wayne and Linda Byers, Length: 4m. 13' by 5'8" mahogany ply runabout. Built approx. 1954 by Lidgards. Vessel was built for present owners grandfather Ernie Pasic. On delivery of the boat he painted over all the varnish. Has fished all over the North Island. Name came from free samples of vinyl letter sets you could send away for in Sea Spray magazine in the middle to late 60's. Grandad got a set but ruined the letter "R" so put the name Seeker on without it. Present owner took over the boat approx. 1988 after it had sat in uncles farm shed for many years. Owner stripped it back to bare wood and found the varnish. Removed the cabin and put the seats back where they were etc.

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