| subscribe | magstore.nz/boatingnewzealand Boating New Zealand 143
My visit to the Saunders operation took a little
organising as weather conditions were critical. During
a break in what seemed endless rain and wind, Hughie
finally sent us one out of the box the day Saunders, his
wife Janice and their friend Tony Mortiboy picked us up
from Waikawa Marina for the trip out to the boatyard.
We made the trip in an 8.2m hard-chine, plywood-
on-stringers launch designed and built by Saunders.
Although the name doesn’t appear on the hull, her
name is JB, which I was told stands for Janice’s Boat.
JB is a typical Saunders launch, well-crafted, strong
and straightforward. Powered by a 200hp Volvo stern-
leg, Saunders only knows two speeds: idling within the
marina and nigh-on flat-out everywhere else, which
according to the GPS is around 28 knots.
The wake at this speed was clean as a whistle and
while conditions were fairly benign, crossing ferry
wakes was a non-event. My stint on the wheel quickly
revealed JB handles beautifully.
An hour later and we’re exploring one of the most
interesting, treasure-filled boatbuilding sheds I’ve ever
seen. It’s full to bursting; down one side two 9.2m hard-
chine launches are upright with decks and cabin structure
fitted, awaiting interior finishing, painting and engine
installation. On the other side of the shed are the upside-
down frames and stem of a 12.2m hard chine launch.
Any spare floor space between the boats is stashed
full of dinghies, vintage three-phase power tools, timber
stacks, plywood, workbenches, saw horses, ladders andCLOCKWISE FROM TOP
Tony Mortiboy and Harold Saunders
look over a 9.2m launch; a massive
three-phase bandsaw; the frames
of a new build; a 3.6m clinker nears
completion; discarded farming
components; just some of Saunders’
collection of hand planes.