Many of you will know “Otira” the 1902 Oil Launch I restored in 2008 and have displayed at various classic boat get togethers since. For those who don’t know its history and the restoration job which took 2 years and then some, here is how it goes.
She was built as an open boat 21’ 6”x 7’2” beam with a 6Hp oil powered Union engine which were becoming popular around the world at that time. Built by Logan Bros, who interestingly built 10 others that year all around a similar length but varied in hull style, some with long counter sterns ( a left over from sailboats) but “Otira” had a tuck stern i.e. a flat transom with rudder hung aft.
OTIRA in her new home TINO RAWA TRUST shed.
Oil launch was a term used to discriminate from what would have been their predecessors, the steam launch. With the advent of oil fuelled engines (really a kerosene petrol sort of stuff) only a few years prior, it allowed much smaller boats to be built and most of these were open with combings round an oblong cockpit.
“Otira” was soon shipped to Christchurch where it was used on the estuary, then later at Kaiapoi plying the Waimakariri River til she arrived at Charteris Bay in 1934, from where I purchased her in 2005. By 1934, she had grown a small cabin, which changed a couple more times ‘til 2005. I was told to restore a boat it must be original in all possible ways. As I found a photo in the Auckland Memorial Museum of Otira on her launching day, the die was cast to end up with a completely unsuitable boat for Lyttelton Harbour conditions – windy, lumpy with cold spray going everywhere.
So late 2011 I approached Tony Stevenson who is a director of Tino Rawa Trust in Auckland, which facilitates the restoration of classic yachts and has 10 or 11 under their wing. Harold Kidd, who writes historic stuff for NZ Boating recommended the Trust as his own yacht, the 1880 “Jessie Logan”, was with them and he was very happy. Tony seemed keen so after sending 18 photos up, we decided to tow Otira north after Christmas with the thought of going to Mahurangi Classic Regatta and Rotoiti Nth Island Classic Boat Parade with her. While at Taupo we took a run on the lake with friends and had to paddle back to shore as the now notoriously unreliable Stuart Turner 2-stroke diesel let us down once again. When we arrived at the Trust’s store shed, Tony and his offsider Jason Prew met us and drooled over Otira (except Jason doesn’t like green on boats!). I suddenly realised the three of us had a connection with Lyttelton Boats. Tony now owns “Tucana” a 1905? Dunedin built sloop which raced with the Banks Peninsula Cruising Club for many years in 50s and 60s alongside “Wairiki”, a Logan built 1906 cutter now owned by Jason. Both these yachts have been beautifully restored. We left “Otira” in the shed while we went camping with our family at Te Muri Beach for a couple of weeks. The weather was shocking so we cut short the great outdoors and went back to Auckland.
“Otira” was now under the care of Tim, a very good mechanic who got the 1957 Stuart Turner running, but not to his satisfaction, so with no parts available such as injector pump etc, resulted on a lot of calling to our neighbours to raid the old spare parts box stored in our back shed. But to no avail. Mahurangi and Rotoiti Regattas came and went while Messrs Stuart and Turners creation had still not responded. The Trust lent us a very nice 2005 built replica picnic boat named “Sarah Hutton”, for some unknown reason, as they toiled with her. Built by Robert Brook for a super yacht USA owner as a toy, this boat was paid for but the owner never took delivery so decided she could go to a good home and the Trust now looks after her. We had a text while at Rotoiti from Jason, who gave us a live recording of the engine purring just as we finished the parade! She had never sounded so good!
The Regattas were a high light of our journey north as they were spectacular and in fine conditions in contrast with the rest of our six weeks trip. At Mahuarangi, nearly all the restored yachts in Auckland sailed in 3 divisions, as well as the small craft launched from Sullivan’s Bay taking part in their own races. Even the Frostbites had their own race. These were sailed out from the huge number of yachts and launches which came to witness this event. We had our Resta-Raft camper parked beside the beach and the previous night we watched the bay fill with these craft coming from Auckland and around the area. By 6pm we counted 72 and by the morning at 7am I counted 140 odd and they still kept coming.
Hitching SARAH HUTTON to RESTA RAFT fo the trip to Lake Rotoiti (North Island) Classic Boat Parade.
OTIRA dwarfed by WILD DUCK the trusts former flying boat escort vessel now mother ship for the trust’s fleet.
Maharangi Regatta with THELMA A10 overtaking MAY formally owned by Simon Langer. MAY now sports a gaff rig.
TUCANA Tony Stevenson’s 38ft. ex Lyttelton sloop.
WAIRIKI Jason Prew’s 1905 36ft Logan ex Lyttelton.
Stopping at Marton where Wally, whom we asked directions to toilets, advised us to be quick as locals might interested in souveniring the brass propeller!
