![]() ![]() Saturday’s trip was the first of the season. A well appointed, 28 foot launch with 2 cabins and cockpit, Mr Renall had just completed refitting the vessel and preparing it for the summer. As it was, they were burnt about the legs and suffered from shock. Some of them were inside the cabin at the time and it would appear that it was only an act of Providence that they were able to stand the force of such a violent explosion and escape with their lives. Accompanying Mr Renall were his wife and some members of the family. The boat caught fire but the flames were extinguished before the outbreak got out of control. The cabin top was lifted clean off, a crack opened round the hull about waterline, while the force of the explosion expanded the hull. Update – Have just been sent the press clippings below, from Grants parents, that confirm the explosion incident:įrom The Waiuku News (and Franklin County Gazette) dated Tuesday, October 1949 –reads as follows – EXPLOSION ON LAUNCH – Petrol Fumes ignite – Occupants Lucky Escape – The occupants of Mr Renall’s, Waiuku launch had a miraculous escape on Saturday when petrol fumes inside the cabin exploded. So woodys – do we know what became of Seabee, is she still around & if so where? This is the last that Grant heard of Seabee. Grant’s uncle Tony Subritzky bought her in the 1990’s & renamed her Quality Afloat, he sold her to someone named Smith, who was using Seabee around Kawau Island area when one of the rubber couplings let go & the driveshaft put a hole in the bottom & nearly sank Seabee. One engine faced forward & one backwards to run the left hand pitch 22” prop. ![]() Post this Redge also extended it from 26’ to 32’6” and later installed two Perkins PM6’s. This followed an incent where Redge lit his pipe while collecting scallops on the Manukau Harbour, the lighter flame blew a hole in the side of Seabee, they got her going with mattresses etc. Grant’s grandfather bought Seabee off Brian Eastman c.1946 / 1947.Īt the time it was powered by two flathead Mercury V8’s. In conversations with his father, Grant has discovered that Seabee was a Chris Craft imported into New Zealand in the 1940’s. Post WW2, Redge had a farm in Waimauku, West Auckland & later retired to Henderson & was a past Commodore at the Te Atatu boating club. ![]() I have been contacted by Grant Rendell concerning the launch Seabee, that his grandfather Redge Renall owned many years ago & kept her moored at Te Atatu (as per above photo). Built in 1962 by Les Jesser, she is a 2 time Australian class champion. Lastly a little something below for the petrol heads – Greg had on display his Jesser BSA 500cc twin, hill climb racer. Special thanks also to the CYA committee members that pulled it all together. At this stage we (I’m on the race committee, along with Jason Prew, Nathan Herbert, Baden Pascoe & Barbara & David Cooke) are calling for expressions of interest in racing – entry to the race is by invitation, as per the original race format in 1908.īig ups to Greg & family + staff for turning on the day, including BBQ. See flyer below, I encourage all woody owners to consider participating. At the end he announced the official launch of the 2018 Rudder Cup launch race to be run on Friday 14th December to Sail Rock & back. Greg gave an articulate talk on his families boatbuilding history & how they came to be situated on the Sandspit foreshore. ![]() Included are a few photos of other woodys in or out of the water. Not woodys but certainly classic were Greg’s two English built, aluminium Albatross runabouts – the very rare 4 seater is next on Greg’s to-do list. On the hard was a selection of small craft built by either Greg, his father Tim or other local craftsman. In midstream was Yvonne, waiting her turn in the shed. Outside we had Anna & Nic Davidson’s – Juanita, on one slip & Barbara & David Cooke’s woody flagship – Trinidad, alongside the wharf. Compared to our old girls, these American woodys are very lightly built, amazing that so many have survived. The varnish guru Dale has already applied 23 coats, with 6 more to come. Over 100 CYA members & friends made the trip north to Lees Boatbuilders at Sandspit – our host for the day, Greg Lees, turned on a brilliant woody event – we had everything – woody projects underway, the best collection of 1/2 models I seen outside of the RNZYS walls, a photo montage recording the history of the yard & the vessels built over the years.Ĭenter stage was Jenny & Angus Rogers – Mahanui, in the shed for a new deck, alongside her was a very original Chris Craft that was getting a restoration. Working Waterfront Boatbuilders Shed – 50 photosĪs I’ve send many times before, if your want a stunning day weather wise, schedule a Classic Yacht Association event – the hit rate must be 9/10. ![]()
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