Auckland Best Maritime Treasure - Fosters Chanderly(lots of pix)

[snow(Alan H)]

The launch division of New Zealand CYA had a winter event last night - check this out.

A fact - the launch section of the CYA last night were hosted at Fosters Chandlery in the city, the event was co-supported by Havana Club Rum.

Reality - those members (around 30) that braved the Auckland cold & wet conditions were treated to a once in a lifetime insight into one of New Zealand's maritime treasures.

The quote of the night would have to be launch chairman Colin Pawson (Enertec Marine) who proclaimed "that he now knows how his wife Sheryl feels in a craft shop"

I overheard someone say that as a boat owner the Fosters visit was better than a visit to the Maritime Museum - I think everyone would second that & lets hope that this unique collection of New Zealand's maritime past continues to be available to us all - and there is only one way to do that - support them with our trade.

I defy any classic boat owner to not find some must have item at Fosters.

Fosters have a new & improved website that you can find / view most of their stock & read the amazing history around the building, company & people.
BUT I urge you to walk away from the computer & visit the store, once there, just ask the guys what you 'think' you need & the romance will begin.

www.fostersshipchandlery.co.nz

I apologize for the quality of the photos, but when you are at times below road level at was once sea level, lighting is a challenge. I have also concentrated on the 'stuff', no one wants to see photos of us, its the stuff that will interest you.

I would also like to thank our hosts Craig Pippen & Garry Lock + the crew at Fosters for opening the doors & sharing their remarkable treasure with the CYA.

Enjoy

Alan


Our host - Craig Pippin
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010687.jpg;

The journey begins
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010616.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010615.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010620.jpg;

[snow(Alan H)]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010714.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010667.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010660.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010656.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010652.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010651.jpg;

[snow(Alan H)]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010621.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010635.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010636.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010637.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010632.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010640.jpg;

[snow(Alan H)]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010638.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010716.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010626.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010631.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010623.jpg;

Rick seems happy to find a new navigation tool - port & starboard mugs
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010633.jpg;

[snow(Alan H)]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010668.jpg;

As they say 'if the shoe fits'.......
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010688.jpg;

The goods lift was piece of history in it own right
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010673.jpg;

Steve Cranch (CYA Chairman)
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010675.jpg;

There is a pump down here that kicks in at big tides to make sure the basement does not flood - Over 100 years ago this was the waterfront
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010670.jpg;

[snow(Alan H)]

Got to love the office
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010697.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010692.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010689.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010707.jpg;

Some amazing photography & art tucked away
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010710.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010708.jpg;

[snow(Alan H)]

My god - a computer, that must mean a till which means we can buy some stuff....
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010662.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010681.jpg;

Look at the patina on that counter
http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010665.jpg;

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/image001_md.jpg

[C. Ross]

My oh my oh my oh my. What treasures. That place is incredible!
Thanks, Alan!

[John B]

Thanks Alan. Neat place thats for sure.

[Lew Barrett]

Ditto.

[snow(Alan H)]

I have only shown about 1/4 of what is there - 4 floors & half way thru the night I realized I was so wrapped up in finding 'stuff', I realized I had not taken any photos. To quote that old Aussie saying "I was like a dog with two dicks"

[dhic001]

The amazing thing is that that is just a fraction of what Foster's used to be. The former owner of Zeltic, who was using traditional boats before the trad scene started, and long before the CYA used to visit when it was a full blown chandlery, not the minimal version you see today. In those days it took up the whole of the current building and next door. The current shop was literally the basement of the shop. Still a fascinating place. If only all chandleries were that good.
Daniel

[John B]

Yup. I remember that .:eek:

[dhic001]

Cripes you must be old John :p Probably it had already started to shrink by the time you first knew the place. I'm talking about before you were born!
Daniel

[John B]

Ohhh. Well I used to to go to the big shop where you walked up stairs from the main entrance on the corner , and the basement was the 'trade shop'.;)

[John B]

Look at the patina on that counter

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010665.jpg

Usually called a gronicle catcher, but nicknames are good.

[Larks]

Thanks Snow, I can see that I'll need to add at least one full extra day in Auckland for this years in-laws Christmas visit.

[WX]

Why can't we have a place like that here, it's it's, just not fair....drool.

[snow(Alan H)]

Why can't we have a place like that here, it's it's, just not fair....drool.

Only 2 1/2hrs away..........
Check out their web site, they deliver.

Alan (snow)

[snow(Alan H)]

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010665.jpg

Usually called a gronicle catcher, but nicknames are good.

Hopefully no 'gronicles' will be near where its going on RainDance.....

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/IMG_0700-1.jpg

[Larks]

I hope you realise that you've just cost me my lunch half hour scouring that site Snow!!! No TV tonight!

[snow(Alan H)]

I hope you realise that you've just cost me my lunch half hour scouring that site Snow!!! No TV tonight!

I go to Byron Bay quite a lot, its my favorite non boating escape - I can deliver for you !!

[John B]

Hopefully no 'gronicles' will be near where its going on RainDance.....

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/IMG_0700-1.jpg

Wait till the summer party season and say that again.....;)

[Larks]

I go to Byron Bay quite a lot, its my favorite non boating escape - I can deliver for you !!

What, and spare me the torture and misery of having to come to New Zealand again this Christmas?? Thanks Snow, that's very kind of you mate and an offer that I'm sure lesser beings would gladly accept, but I am prepared, once again, to suffer for the cause - might even have to have a little NZEBS (having just discovered Black Mac;)).

[AlanL]

Ohhh. Well I used to to go to the big shop where you walked up stairs from the main entrance on the corner , and the basement was the 'trade shop'.;)

That's what I remember too and I still have the lamp gimbal I got at the time (1982-ish) which fitted exactly my great-grand mother's lamp which looks remarkably familiar to these but a whole lot older.

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/P1010637.jpg

Was last down in the depths getting a length of copper rod, about last September. Also got a large number of 'bits' for Beatrice from there.

[snow(Alan H)]

I had trouble getting service - this guy would not listen to me......

http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp165/Alanh22/IMG_3294.jpg

ps I bought the 'Henley Hailer' - at nz$44 I could not say no