Preview: At Home in the Bilge with Maynard Bray, Part 1 – How New Zealand’s Classics Were Built

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February 21, 2019

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How do you build wooden boats to last for over a century dependably? Ask the Kiwis, that’s how they do it. So we went and we learned.

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You can leave a comment or question for OCH and members below. Here are the comments so far…

31 Responses So Far to “At Home in the Bilge with Maynard Bray, Part 1 – How New Zealand’s Classics Were Built”

nathan dougherty says:

lovely video Maynard. It’s almost like a giant version of ply, without the glue. I imagine that these boats are really quite strong because stress is distributed in several directions along grain. Fascinating – and not possible without that miracle of nature, Kauri. Shipbuilders’ delight.
Lorenc Kodheli says:

Is there a book describing this construction?
Olav Thyvold says:

great video!!!!. Not sure exactly why I find it so fascinating. In part because its a window into a different approach to boat building. In part because of Maynard’s obvious delight and curiosity. I’m looking forward to the installment.
John Wujack says:

Excellent. You gotta love a guy that flies to the far side of the planet in order to crawl around the bilge of an old boat. Maynard Bray for President!
Chris Methot says:

Normally when you put wood against wood under water (the three laminations) it is an invitation for rot. Are the edges of all three layers “waterproofed” like plank on frame with caulking cotton? It must be the Kauri that keeps rot from happening because water must inevitably get between the layers.

Not so?
- Alan Johnson says:
  
  Kauri is one of the most exceptional boatbuilding materials. The English used to take Kauri logs back to England in the 1800 to make spars for their warships and explorer vessels. There won’t be a rot problem because the boat is in salt water which pickles the wood
David Blessing says:

Really appreciated Maynard’s careful descriptions of the build. Kauri is part of the success. I wonder if there are there other examples of this method in other woods?
Vance Scott says:

Loved it. Thanks Maynard…. from a Kiwi, …..When young I did not appreciate our yachting heritage. I am so pleased that our boat builders are receiving well deserved recognition.
Nick Deonas says:

Maynard, I’m the last of the large shrimp boat builders here and for me you really delivered on this video. Down in the bilge and describing the construction was perfect. Thanks
tom laverty says:

Awesome video Maynard!
I own Manawanui, a 54′ , Colin Wild , double ender. She is all Kauri, copper riveted with a tastety assortment of , Purple heart, mahogany, ebony, Kauri, Teak cabinetry through out the interior. As you say, it astounds me and anyone with an artists eye that the sheer lines and entire hull are as exquisite as she was in 1943.
The only difference I see at this moment in time it looks to be double planked: interior diagonal, and exterior fore and aft. Tom Laverty
- Simon Houlder says:
  
  Hi Tom, as I understand Maynard’s video, Yes, it looks to be double planked , but have you not ever had to remove the inner or outer (F & A) laminates for repair?The middle laminate would be diagonal in the opposite direction to the inner laminate. Kauri wood , what a gift . . .!
John Supan says:

Great video, I could feel your enthusiasm, Maynard. Looking forward to the next part.
John Myatt says:

I also loved this video Maynard. Fascinating and informative. Thanks to all the crew from Off Center Harbor for the hospitality at the Australian Wooden Boat Festival and for being part of this wonderful event.
Ian Anderson says:

Keep ’em coming, Maynard! It was a great pleasure to meet you in Hobart. To the next one!
Peter Hendrickson says:

A well above “fair enough” tribute to the boat builders our grandparents may have known. Many thanks for a superb tour.
Robert Stumm says:

Thank you Maynard for another exceptional video. I look forward to many more like this one. Robert
Karel Doruyter says:

Fascinating video, just want to get right in there !!!
Dr. Paul F. Jacobs says:

About 40 years ago, four friends and I designed and built a cold-molded two-tonner – Flexible Flyer – to the old IOR rule. She consisted of four double – double diagonal layers of 1/8″ western red cedar and a final horizontal layer of 1/8″ Honduras mahogany. Of course, it took longer, and cost more than we planned, but it was a labor of love. When finished Flexible Flyer looked like a Steinway piano on the ocean. We devoured the Gougeon Brothers book not only regarding WEST system epoxy, but on potential wood species appropriate for marine applications. I remember thinking how special Kauri was; light weight, very strong, rot-resistant and of course native to New Zealand. As it would have been difficult and expensive to import Kauri, we finally settled on western red cedar. Some years later I learned that the racing rocketship Ragtime was built with Kauri.
Val Chamberlain says:

That was the best 7 min and 26 seconds of screen time for me in quite awhile. Thanks for the escape, Maynard and crew.
Kent Lewis says:

Yes, keep Maynard in the bilge! Great information.
Kaci Cronkhite says:

Fascinating. Such a clear explanation, Maynard. I didn’t even have to rewind! Can hardly wait to see the next bilge! And, to see this boat on the water some day. <3
Aren Carpenter says:

Just when you think Maynard has said it all he just keeps on saying! So glad he got to go to Tasmania to uncover and explain this stuff. I feel as though I was right in the boat.
- Ben Tombs says:
  
  I’m pretty sure he filmed this near Auckland, NZ, not Australia
  - D John Chambers says:
    
    Yes Ben, this yard is located at Kumeu, to the north west of Auckland, New Zealand.
Morgan says:

If you ever need a driver/ baggage handler, for one of these trips, feel free to let me know. Great story and photos. Thanks, Morgan
Paul Behnken says:

Nice bird sounds in the background.
eric pomber says:

Thanks for another great video. Fascinating technique he ultimate cold molded boat with no glue at all.
Bruce Keefauver says:

Very informative video! I did not know any of that. Does anybody still build like that today? I wonder if this method somehow inspired those Gougeon brothers back in the early days of epoxy cold molding (Golden Dazy?). I suppose they might have picked up on it from Ron Holland, Bruce Farr etc.
Vernon Powell says:

I have always admired that generation of Kiwi yachts, and Maynard, your description of their construction, from the bilge, was so informative and entertaining. Keep up the good work.
Alden Reed says:

Wow, they are beautiful boats. Keep Maynard in the bilge!
Philip Myer says:

Great video Maynard- very informative.