CASILDA

Back in 1978 I sailed to Tasmania in a 56ft yacht called UTIEKAH 111 which I had restored in NZ .Robyn and I decided to settle in Tassie and found a 108 ac Island called Huon Is at the mouth of the Huon River. We sold UTIEKAH and in part payment we aquired CASILDA the last sailing wet-well crayboat and a 42 pot licience.I fished with Chas as skipper around the south and west coasts, setting pots from a 14ft al dinghy.Later sold to 2 brothers for $A26k.
B and I visited Tasmania a few years ago and spied her in Constitution Dock for sale.$A365k.The pot licience had been sold for 3.5mil.! oh well I have done a few things in the meantime.
I must say she was in very good condition.

SPINDRIFT  Not sure if I have posted this new design of mine befrore. 10 m ocean capable low powered motor boat. Aft wheelhouse, in fact the passages are all conned from aft. There are 2 sea berths,a galley and chart table. forward of the well deck is the luxurios in port accommodation with shower toilet and double berth. Sheet ply construction. Power is 36 hp on 3.14 red.

Tacking dual the day after the Waikare regatta. Near is LUDIQUE 28ft schooner and SHANTY 28ft yawl.Opua in the background.

SUMMER CRUISING 2014-15

Been out cruising since the beginning of December. Now back in port for resuply.Had both daughters and Husbands and two lots of guests from USA.The new waychdog is MISSY a schipperke cross with a bichon.Richie calls her his Covergirl! Mason Bay going perfectly.Even solved one small annoying leak.

PASSAGE ON KELVIN

Just come back from Nelson in the South Island. I helped Davey take his 1929 ex fishing boat down from Tauranga about 450nm.The Island is the active volcano WHITE Is. in Bay of Plenty.Sails were used when possible but the JP4 Lister rumbled away at 2.5 nm per litre and 630rpm.Very easy to live with.

Now getting ready to move aboard Mason Bay for the summer.

MOERANGI

I have posted some fotos and the work that has gone into this 1901 Logan motor-sailer.Unfortunately the presnt owners have over extended their budget and now want to sell.It is very hard to put a figure on her. to some people she is a treasure. to others a liability.But she must find a new owner.
Loa54ft, Boa 13 ft 22tonnes 5L3 Gardner on 2:1 3skin Logan construction on heart Kauri copper rivitted. Lots of history around.Berthed in Town Basin Whangarei.Contact me if interested.

SPORTBOAT

Whenwe were in Falmouth UK on our way round we got to know the local club race scene. Wednesdays and Sundays the local hot shot sailors race these Falmouth Workboats. 28ft displacement yachts. Crewws can vary up to 12-15 plenty of room with the deck at waist level. There is a cuddy up forward for the sailos and beer. When used to go to the Sail-ins in France they put the camping gear up forward with an awning for the cockpit. Now this is the sort of craft a lot of club racer/cruisers should have. And if you think they are slow you would be mistaken. (CURLEW)