NZ Launches

Rata: 32ft Claude Wells Built Launch

3 February 2025 No Comments

Rata: 32ft Claude Wells Built Launch Build Date Around 1906-1911 Boat Builder Claude Wells Length…

View of Wakatahuri Boatshed with the wreck of Tia Roa beside it

Miss Akaroa: 47 Ft Brassell Charter Boat

26 August 2024 No Comments

Miss Akaroa: 47 Ft Brassell Charter Boat Build Date Boat Builder George Brassell Length 47…

Maintain your wooden boat on a mooring. Image shows boats on moorings in Waikawa with the jetty in the foreground

Bonny: 22ft Ronnie Wells Launch

5 August 2024 No Comments

Bonny: 22ft Ronnie Wells Launch Build Date 1930 Boat Builder Ronnie Wells Length 22 Feet…

Lochiel/Lynette: The Last Wakatahuri Speed Boat

29 July 2024 No Comments

Lochiel/Lynette: The Last Wakatahuri Speed Boat Build Date Circa 1935 Build Date Claude and Ronnie…

Otaki: 36ft Claude Wells Launch

8 July 2024 No Comments

Otaki: 36ft Claude Wells Launch Build Date Around 1919-1920 Boat Builder Claude Wells Length 36…

Wakanui: 45ft Claude Wells Launch

8 April 2024 No Comments

Wakanui: 45ft Claude Wells Launch Build Date 1935 Boat Builder Claude Wells and Bernard Wells…

Gipsy: Jack Guard Fishing Boat

19 February 2024 No Comments

Built by Jack Guard in Pukatea Bay, Gipsy is ex-fishing boat with lots of style

Side view of Gipsy on a mooring. Gipsy is a wooden boat.

Southern Maid: Ernie Lane Launch

20 November 2023 No Comments

Southern Maid: Ernie Lane Launch Build Date 1928 or 1929 Boat Builder Ernest Richard Lane…

Shango: 40ft Keith Atkinson Launch

17 August 2023 No Comments

Shango: 40ft Keith Atkinson Launch Build Date 1970 Boat Builder Keith Atkinson Length 12 metres…

View looking down the wharf towards boats on moorings in Waikawa Harbour

Pescador: 36ft John Lidgard Launch

17 August 2023 No Comments

Pescador: 36ft John Lidgard Launch Build Date 1968 Boat Builder John Lidgard Length 36 feet…

View of the boat Pescador in its berth in Nelson. The image is taken from above looking down on the boat.

Mahau: Early Marlborough Sounds Mail Boat

19 June 2023 1 Comment

View of the Marlborough Sounds with hills in the background

Jean: 45ft Jack Guard built fishing boat

5 June 2023 No Comments

45ft Jack Guard built fishing boat that worked out of Timaru, Lyttleton, Oamaru and Bluff….

Imalone: 34ft Guard and McCauley Built Boat

5 June 2023 No Comments

34ft Boat designed and partially built by Jack Guard with John McCauley completing the build.

Mermaid: 39ft Luxury Launch Built By Jorgensens

1 May 2023 No Comments

The 40th boat built by Jorgensen and Sons Ltd. in Picton. It was so…

Black and white image of the boat Mermaid on the slip. The boat is viewed from the side and has plank scaffolding around her.

Hine Moana II: 35ft Carvel Planked Jorgensen’s Boat

23 April 2023 No Comments

Built for Cmndr Critchley Hine Moana II was launched in 1963. Now owned by…

View of the boat Hine Moana II In Motueka marina. The boat is seen tied to its berth and seen from the side

Virgo: 39 ft Jorgensen and Sons Fishing Boat

27 March 2023 No Comments

Launched in 1963, Virgo started as a commercial fishing boat but was converted into a…

Side view of Virgo on a mooring in Picton. The interislander ferry and other boats are in the background

Hinewai: 39ft Carey Trawler Style Pleasure Boat

20 March 2023 No Comments

39ft Roger Carey designed launch. Hinewai was made to be a pleasure boat with…

View of Hinewai from the side with a dinghy in front.

Kualani: Luxury 50ft Launch Built In Waikawa

6 March 2023 No Comments

Luxury launch designed by Athol Burns and built by Jorgensen and Sons Ltd. for Hugh…

Sales brochure for Kualani with a black and white image of the boat and a bold title reading 'For Sale Luxury 50ft Cruising Launch T.S. Kualani'

Southern Isles: Wells Built Pleasure Launch/Fishing Boat

23 November 2022 1 Comment

Built in the boat shed at Wakatahuri by Tom Well’s, the Southern Isles was a…

Side view of the Southern Isles boat cruising with a man standing on the side deck

Valmarie: The largest Boat Built at Wakatahuri

13 October 2022 No Comments

Built by Francis Wells in the boat shed at Wakatahuri. The Valmarie is the…

Valmarie boat steaming wit hills in the background

Majestic: From Fishing Boat To Pleasure Launch Via World War Two

15 August 2022 No Comments

The Majestic has been a commercial fishing boat, a World War Two service vessel and…

Majestic seen at its mooring in Motueka Marina. The side of the boat is viewed in close up.

Silver Dawn: 30ft Top of the South Fishing Boat

20 July 2022 No Comments

Silver Dawn was a double skin kahikatea passenger boat which later delivered the mail and…

Winsome: 49 Foot Wells Launch

29 June 2022 No Comments

Launched in 1947 for Philip Bradey it was so luxurious Bradey was audited by the…

Glen Lee: Largest and Most Modern Launch in The Sounds

31 May 2022 No Comments

Built as a passenger vessel, the Glen Lee has had multiple roles and adventures in…