Paddle steamer Waimarie to hit the water after months on land

The Waimarie will hit the water once again after being on land since June. Photo / Bevan Conley

The paddle steamer Waimarie is all set to hit the water this morning after months on the banks of the Whanganui River.

The paddle steamer has been out of the water since June, when it was hauled out to undergo its out-of-water survey. The Waimarie had her last survey at the same spot in 2016.

The Whanganui Riverboat Restoration and Navigation Trust's Out of Water Survey Project was extended as a result of Covid restrictions and wet weather, which meant work could not proceed as planned.

Manager of the Riverboat Centre, Phil Pollero, said the paddle steamer would travel from the banks near Kowhai Park to the wharf on high tide this morning.

High tide is around 11am on Friday.

There has been a raft of work completed with the most significant pieces being the boiler getting stripped down and completely overhauled and the hull repainted.

"Our small volunteer team have done a magnificent job putting in huge hours on the maintenance.

"On behalf of both the trusts which operate the paddle steamer, I offer huge thanks to our maintenance team for their significant input which keeps the Waimarie operating," said Pollero.

The remainder of the maintenance will be completed at the wharf before the first launch of the season on November 27.