Owners Past

April 9th.  Took advantage of having a conference in Rotorua and arranged to call on Jado's last owner (in a functioning state, at least), John "JD" Donald of Lake Tarawera.  John has a spectacular spot on the northern side of the lake, a property purchased 70 years ago by his grandfather, with a jetty and mooring where Jado was once kept.  He was very generous with his time, leafing through piles of photos and giving me a tour of the dozens more on the walls - along with the mounted stag heads!  He thought he may have the tiller - this will be the second one made for Euan in the 80's - but couldn't find it at the time.  It was good to hear first-hand his stories of "Fishing Machine" (as he called her) and her eventual loss.

  From there I had a quick feed in Rotorua then on to Whakatane to see Bill Carter, an expert wooden boatbuilder and custodian of Jado after the storm damage.  Bill had casually hinted that he might have the original  bollard somewhere, and this he duly produced!  He also dug out some photos taken both on Tarawera and after the damage, all very interesting to see how JD had her set up.  Also interesting to hear from JD how little he may have changed her after buying her from Euan.  Stern seat and copper tanks were a complete surprise to him, although he did convert her from tiller steer to a stainless lever mounted in the centre thwart.  Bill also kindly gave me a copy of an older picture of Jado's predecessor - another very similar Vos-built launch with JD's father on board.  All in all a very worthwhile journey.

The original fairlead has been located.  I had always suspected it was with Peter Murton and now have proof - it's on another boat he is advertising for sale!  I have sent the one he included with the boat back down to him (on the 3rd) and am waiting to hear back.  The only other missing deck hardware - now long gone - will be the pair of stern cleats.