1929 Classic Gentleman's Speedboat

‘Malolo’ is likely a unique vessel, as no other pre-war runabouts appear to have survived. She was given a museum-quality restoration by Mike Lyon and the team at The Woodshed, Whangārei. The idea was to keep her as true to her pre-war era as possible. The Ford V8 engine was purchased in California and was rebuilt from the block up by H&H Flatheads in Sacramento. The camshaft was given a marine grind. A custom heat exchanger was designed and built by Savage Marine in Christchurch, and professional mechanics and electricians were employed for the installation. An estimated $120,000 was spent.

She won the New Zealand Classic Boat Festival at Lake Rotoiti, and Nelson Lakes, on her first outing in 2017. This was also the first time she had been floating since around 1940. She also received enormous praise and viewing at the inaugural Auckland Wooden Boat Show in 2024. Finished to a high and authentic standard, she sports a beautiful dashboard with replica V8 engine dials and varnished kauri trim, a 1940 Italian car wheel and horn, and bronze engine controls from an old Wellington ferry. The beautiful deep red seating was a gift from The Boat Cover Company. The flagpole was also gifted and formerly graced Dave Pickmere’s launch Winsome. The bronze rudder was found in a hay barn near Hobbitown in Matamata. ‘Malolo’ is a Polynesian word for flying fish. We believe her construction was commissioned by Zane Grey, the sports fisherman. Francis Arlidge was his boatman on all his trips to New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. Her expertly hand-painted signwriting on the transom is identical to the original 1929 version, which was discovered in the base layer of paint.

Contact Ian Duncan to arrange a private viewing of this extraordinary vessel.

Phone: 021 121 9524 or Email: ian@parkermarinegroup.co.nz