New lease of life for old paddleboat

EASY DOES IT: Paddleboat Otunui is safely delivered to Q-West in Wanganui after a road trip from Tauranga.PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 230715WCSMBOAT1

The paddleboat Otunui has arrived back in Wanganui where she was built 108 years ago and her new owners are delighted.

"I didn't know I wanted an old riverboat but when we saw it on the Trade Me auction two hours before it closed, we just had to bid for it," said owner Joe Adam.

Mr Adam and his partner Mandy Jackson own the Bridge to Nowhere Lodge on the Whanganui River and paid $26,000 for the boat.

The Otunui has now been delivered from Tauranga to Q-West Boat Builders in Castlecliff where she will undergo cosmetic repairs before returning to her first home at Pipiriki.

"I had her checked out by a surveyor in Tauranga and she is in good shape apart from some minor rust and with some tidying and a paint job she will look great," said Mr Adam.

"In around a month's time she will be all spruced up and ready for her birthday party."

Rowe Transport delivered the boat from Tauranga by road and Mr Adam said he was excited to see it arrive safely at the Q-West yard.

Built by Hatrick & Co. in 1907, the Otunui carried passengers between Pipiriki and Taumarunui for more than 40 years.

Mr Adam said he was not sure yet what purpose the boat would serve after her refurbishment. He was just happy to have brought her home.

The boat is diesel powered.