Boat Building Boom In Bay

Northern Advocate, 8 September 1938, Page 2

Boat Building Boom In Bay

There is a mild boat building boom in the “Bay" at the present moment, three craft being under construction and! preparations for the commencement of a fourth are well in hand.

At Opua, work on Mr. H. Jenkins’ S2-foot sailing vessel, the largest pleasure craft ever built in New Zealand. is progressing satisfactorily, the decking now being completed. A commencement will be made shortly upon the construction of the deckhouse. N, Z.’s Biggest Pleasure Cruiser. This craft, which has a 22-foot beam and will draw 10 feet, will be ketchrigged. with auxiliary power to bo supplied by a Kelvin 65 h.p. Diesel engine. All available space down stairs will be taken up with a saloon 20 feet by 12 feet and as many cabins as can be comfortably fitted in. The deckhouse will measure 16 feet wide by 20 feet, and further aft there will also be the wheel v house and chart room.

This vessel was designed by Mr. C. Baillie, of Auckland. She will carry some 25 tons cf ballast and should be ready for launching in the coming autumn. Voyage to Tonga. To familiarise himself with the ketch rig and different sailing conditions the owner is making the cruise to the Tongan Group with Captain Jeffery's Land’s End. With the exception of the decking, which is of teak, kauri timbers have been employed in the construction of this large motor-sailer. Much cutting up has been necessary, as, in many cases the finished timbers have been ripped out direct from logs supplied from the kauri forest some five miles from Opua and from Mangamuka. Russell Man’s Hobby. Mr. E. Blomfield, of Russell, is building a staysail ketch of smaller dimensions, the length being 32 feet, beam 10 feet and draught 5 feet 6 inches. Mr. Blomfield is building this boat as a bobby from such oddments of suitable timber as come his way. The pohutukawa frames were a gift from Mr. Wardell, of Tapeka. The boat is still in the early stages of construction and Mr. Blomfield does not expect to finish for another 18 months.

For German Resident. At Messrs Warne Bros, sheds a magnificient cruising launch 41 feet long , with a beam 12 feet and draught 3 feet is nearing completion. It is to the order of Mr. Otto Sommers, of Germany, who is arriving at the

end of this month to reside in the Bay of Islands..

Luxurious Fittings,

This boat presents the last word in comfort and finish and the appointments include a 10 foot by 6 foot cockpit partially covered, 8 feet by 12 feet two-bunk cabin with Indian teak table, and fitted with radio; a model kitchenette 5 feet by 8£ feet, fitted with model gas cookei*, refrigerator, sink and ample cupboard space; a 5 feet by 3i feet toilet room; a spacious two-berth forward cabin; and a wheelhouse measuring 10 feet by 10 feet, with 61 feet head room. All interiors are finished in beautifully grained Indian teak styles and kauri panels. The wheelhouse and cockpit-top are streamlined, and every corner of available space has been utilised for locker room. Launching This Week. Fuel sufficient for a 750 mile range will be carried, and tanks carrying 100 gallons of fresh water have been installed. Fresh water is laid on to the kitchenette sink, and toilet room wash basin. Electric light is fitted throughout. The designers and builders, Messrs Warne Bros., expect to launch this ves- 1 sel on Sunday next, and on Tuesday, the coastal vessel Clansman is expected to lift into place die 44 h.p. Kelvin Diesel engine. A chair for Deep Sea Fishing will bo added to the cockpit equipment. New Passenger Launch. I

The keel for a new passenger launch for A. E. Fuller and Son is to be laid within the next few days. This boat, with length beam and draught of 41£ feet, 12 feet, and 3£ feet respectively,

will have a 14 feet by 9 feet glassedin whcelhouse, and will bo fitted with a 60 h.p. 6 cylinder Ailsa Craig Diesel engine. In addition 1o the present construction. several old craft of various dimensions arc undergoing overhaul and refit.