BOATBUILDERS ACTIVE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21883, 20 August 1934, Page 10

BOATBUILDERS ACTIVE

SEVERAL NEW YACHTS WORK ON LARGE KEELER FINE CRUISING LAUNCHES During the winter and the coining spring at least 30 boats of different types will have been added to those already in commission on the Waitemata. This, of course, does not include the smaller craft being built privately. The work is spread among some seven boatbuilding firms. Although the volume of business is not up to that of good years jn the past, the present activity is regarded as a healthy sign. The boats are of both pleasure and commercial types. Additions to the yacht-racing fleet are more or less rare events, and nriich interest is being displayed in the construction of the latest heeler, in the Northcote yards of Mr. W. Couldrey, to the designs of Mr. A. Logan. This will be for the owners of the Little Jim, which was wrecked in a storm at the Great Barrier Island last summer. She will be about 42ft. overall, with the generous beam of 9ft., and will carry the latest equipment in the way of sail and other gear. There is still some doubt whether she will be in the A or the B class.

Two Smaller Keelers A smaller keeler is being constructed by Mr. F. Lidgard at Bayswater for Mr. Gordon Keils, of Motuora Island, near Kawau. This will bo 26ft. long, Marconi-rigged and will have auxiliary power. She will serve as a well-equipped cruiser. A smaller keeler is being built for the Tabateau Brothers, this also being of the cruising rather than the racing type. Of a larger type will be the schooner yacht being constructed by the Speedcraft Boat Company, of Judge's Bay, for Mr. N. de Barry Noakes. This will be 40ft. overall, with a waterline of 32ft. and a beam of over lift. She will be specially fitted for ocean sailing and it is hoped that she will be a competitor in the Tasman race this year. In the mullet boat, L class, one lias already been launched, designed by Mr. A. Logan and built by Mr. P. Vos for Mr. Rolf Judd. This boat will represent the Richmond Cruising Club "in the Lipton Cup contest. A further mullet boat, of the 26ft. type, has been completed by Messrs. Cox and Filmer, of Judge's Bay, for their own use. This boat contains a number of novel features both in rig and deck plan, being steered by a wheel and carrying Bermudan rig. New Pishing Craft Commercial boats are also giving regular employment in the various yards. Three have been designed for Danish seine-netting, with ample power to stay at sea in rougher weather. One of the' three has already been launched from the yards of C. Bailey and Son, Limited, of Freeman's Bay. She is a 45 ft. craft with semi-Diesel engine, and with a cruising radius of 700 miles. A larger boat is being built in the same yards, both being for T. and M. Devcich. At the yards of W. G. Lowe and Son, Limited, is a similar boat of 48ft. length and 13ft. beam. This is for Messrs. Vela, Dean and Pavlinovich and will be used for fishing in more distant waters than is usual for boats of her size. During the winter, Mr. L. C. Coultliard, of Onehunga, built a 55ft. schooner for use on the west coast of the South Island. She was launched in J illy and is already in the hands of her owners. A number of fine cruising launches are also under construction. At the yards of Mr. C. Wild, at Bayswater, is being built a fine bridge deck cruiser, in addition to a well-equipped launch for deep-sea fishing from the Bay of Islands. Messrs. Collings and Bell have on hand a large cruiser at their. Ponsonbv yards, and Messrs. Cox and Filmer have almost completed a 32ft. launch.