June 2017 - Wooden Boat Association

The next GENERAL MEETING

of the Wooden Boat

Association of SA Inc. will be held on

Monday 28th May at the

Astor Hotel As usual, come for dinner & conversation from 6.30pm. Meeting starts at 7.45pm.

followed by Gary Coombes

Chairman's Summary of

2017 SAWBF share your experience and ideas/suggestions

for the 2019 Festival

Dates to note (Details page 3)

Crow’s Nest

June 2017

Published six times per year by the Wooden Boat Association of South Australia Inc.

PO Box 6264, Halifax Street, SA 5000 http://wbasa.org.au

Page

1-2 3 4 4 5 5 6 6

7 7 8 8

9 9

10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 15 15 16

Sunday 21st August - Morgan to Cadell and Beyond

Friday8 th - Sunday 10 th September - Pike River

Sunday 29th October - Goolwa Technical Day and Shed Crawl

The South Australian Wooden Boat Festival Goolwa April 2017 - comments from WBASA’s members IN THIS ISSUE:

The SAWBF Association Events

Wooden Spoon And the Winners Were

PS Industry news To varnish?

Lake Albert Misadventures Poets Locker

A Prelude in B Minor Tim at the Tiller

Cock of the River Marion/Mayflower News

Boat Profile - Pauline Letters to the Editor

Betty Boop Supporting Youth

Young Achievers Award One & All Sail Training

Corryong to Coorong Oscar W News

Editor’s Elucidations May GM Minutes

The Cutter Victoria Armfield Slip

Commercial Ads. WBASA Merchandise

Assn. General Information Your Committee

For Sale/Advertisements

Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th July - Moonlight Run – Mannum to Greening’s Landing

Monday 10th – Friday 14th July - Greening’s to Punyelroo Cruise

Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th July - Punyelroo Weekend

Cont. next page

Good weather, good organisation and many boats resulted in a memorable festival.

WBASA has received many comments from our members on the festival from individual and varied perspectives. Please read on and enjoy—Ed

Anne McCutcheon. The knotting board at the entrance to the tent was a huge success with lads 'n lassies and their parents on The Pirate Trail, instigated by the Alexandrina Council staff.

Roy Duncan made up the board with a variety of anchor points for practicing knots and I saw Tim P, Alex B, Joanne D, Lindsay D, Gil L, Anne P, Brenton W and Andreas O (among others) pressed into service assisting lassies 'n lads to make fast with the ropes – white and green. Some members did a really long stint down on their knees as the queues seemed endless for 'old salts’ to help wee fingers master knots – a pain free entertainment for the young ones preparing them for a life as 'gentlemen o’ fortune'! No mutiny experienced at any time and no one fed to the fishes. Great idea well executed.

Brenton and Amanda Whittenbury: The festival this year was our most enjoyable, so far. Bonney was well primed after a weekend at Nelson and then 2 weeks fishing at Coffin Bay, a rogue banana being identified as the only cause of any issues during those two trips. Not only did she perform perfectly over the festival, but this year we took home a trophy.

I received a call Sunday morning from the SAWBF committee, initial thought, oh oh, what's happened. "Can you make yourself available at Midday for the presentations", "sure" I replied, and then thought…We are in the solar/electric class, there's only 2 craft vying for top spot, I hope we didn't come second! No need to worry, she was a winner.

Our stint in the WBASA marquee was really enjoyable, me tying knots and Amanda on chandlery sales. But what made the festival so good was catching up with friends and spending time at the moorings and on the water with them. Great event, but it's the people make it memorable.

President Tim demonstrating knot tying to an enthralled audience

Crow’s Nest June 2017

The South Australian Wooden Boat Festival - Goolwa April 2017 continued from page 1

Lindsay Dent: It was so good to see the Festival back in the hands of the volunteers and more focused on the real show – the wooden boats.

The volunteers were marvelous at all levels and deserve a huge round of applause and a free pie or two. Said pies should be delivered for eating at their leisure and not thrust into their faces.

The sun truly shone on all aspects of this Festival and without the hide-tanning intensity of the last two SAWBF held in February. May the weather gods forever smile on April Festivals, but if they don’t (and they won’t), be sure to remember how good it can be.

For all of the SAWBF we have attended previously, I have never managed to get to the Boaties BBQ on the Friday night. Reports suggested that some were none too memorable, however this Festival the Friday night bash set the scene. The food and drinks were excellent, as were the personnel delivering them. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly. The security guards were smiling and helpful and when not required, unobtrusive.

It was relatively easy to get the small boats out for events this year and this was a pleasure. Three cheers to the volunteers in the rubber duckies who got the gin palaces back into place after each outing – a mighty effort.

This is a very distinctive WBF and the accessibility and diversity of the on-water activities make it so.

The opportunities for the general public to get involved were great. For example, the chance to row a St. Ayles skiff and the involvement of kids in the Rough and Ready and The Pirate Trail.

Congratulations to the Council staff for their efforts in setting up the Pirate Trail and to the many stallholders who make it work.

Gil Leaver: The Wooden Boat Festival in April was a great success. It was well organised and the weather did not let us boaties down.

The lack of an admission fee was a big plus as the place was full of families. The little kids were all engrossed in learning rope tying on the pirates trail at the WBASA Stand. Dads were interested in the boats, mums were interested in all the stands and families spilled over into the town and around the bay to Armfield demonstrations, Sailing Club, Aquatic Club and the playground – there was plenty to do for everyone.

The boaties BBQ on Friday night was a roaring success and after the last one, most people were a little apprehensive – they needn’t have been.

The on water organisers arranged a couple of extra on water parades for the small boats, which was appreciated. The Grand Parade at the end of Sunday was spectacular as was the Fairy Light Parade on Saturday night culminating in the traditional fireworks display as brilliant as ever.

The WBASA breakfast at Armfield Shed (eggs, bacon, juice, tea and coffee) on Sunday morning got us going for the day. Well done everyone.

John Draper: Not just another Boat Show… As a regular participant in SAWBF since 2001, I've never had any major cause for complaint, apart from the battle for moorings in some of the earlier events. Most times my head is in the engine room trying to trace some annoying thump or rattle, so often I miss half of what's going on. But the 2015 festival nearly became my last.

Was it the heat? It's been hot for previous shows but three days of 40 degree heat (in a steamboat) was no fun. Was it the over-zealous officials manning the compound gates, checking Eskies for the demon drink, or the manner of the boat wranglers out on the water? Whatever the reason, the 2015 show just didn't have the vibe of previous events, and it seemed that most boaties were glad to pack up and go home. But this year's show proved otherwise. Although crowds were down, and there appeared to be less variety amongst the exhibits, the old Goolwa WBF magic was back. Perfect weather, easier access, dedicated moorings, sympathetic officials ( and a host of dedicated volunteers) created a more relaxed atmosphere for boaties and punters alike... although, in true form, the PA system gave its usual fragmented performance!

For the crew of Flaming Galah, it was perfect weather for steam boating, and although the gong for best steamboat went to Greg (SL Merlin) from NSW, we had the pleasure of a media celebrity aboard- none other than Festival MC Brenton Ragless, SA's ambassador for all things steamy, who thoroughly enjoyed his jaunt on the water, with much whistling and siren-blowing.

In my opinion, the later 'timeslot', a more relaxed and understanding approach to event management, and the expansion of the precinct to include Armfield's Slip has resurrected the SAWBF. Just one thing though, while exhibitors are willing to pay to show off their boats, some recompense in a free coffee or glass of wine wouldn't go astray!

Peter Reschke: The weather was kind to us for the SA Wooden Boat festival and it was an honour and pleasant surprise to win the award for Best Putt-putt. I knew something was up when Trevor Twigden came to my boat and said to be on the Oscar W at 11:30 for the boat presentation. Congratulations to all the volunteers who organised the boat festival to make it an enjoyable time for participants and spectators .

Brian & Penny Moon: Always hopeful of smooth lake crossings - fine weather - and a Festival that highlights all things nautical, good food, good company and music certainly not disappointed - once again a great event.

April is a great time to hold the festival and the festive atmosphere was evident at all the activities from breakfasts to fireworks, fine weather works wonders on everyone. Well done to all involved in making it memorable. Looking forward to 2019

Rough and ready winner rescuing the loser

The Moon’s photo of the sun

Anne, Peter & Lindsay serving up at Armfield’s breakfast

Flaming Galah


Monday 26th June 2017

GENERAL MEETING OF WBASA at the ASTOR HOTEL

As usual come for dinner & conversation 6.30pm for Dinner & 7.45pm for the Meeting.

Followed by our speaker Gary Coombes

Chairman's Summary of 2017 SAWBF Share your experience and ideas/suggestions

for the 2019 Festival

WBASA Inc. Association Events & Dates Your source of information on Meetings & Association Events and non-WBASA events of interest to members.

This column is updated each issue and is on our website.

Saturday 8th – Sunday 9th July Moonlight Run – Mannum to Greenings Landing

Meet at Greening’s Landing on Saturday, with departure at 4:30pm. for the cruise downstream to dinner at the Pretoria Hotel in Mannum. You can go directly to the hotel if coming by car, with dinner from 6:30pm. After dinner, cruise back to Greening’s by moonlight and join in with drinks around the campfire. Small and large boats are all welcome.

Please be patient at Greening’s Landing and you will be advised where to moor your boat and set up camp (sorry, but no dogs allowed). When mooring, please use your own ropes and do not use or change other existing mooring ropes. Please use UHF Radio Channel 27 for communication on the river and when mooring.

If you would like to attend and do not have a boat you can always catch a ride on someone else’s boat, just do not hesitate to ask. The next morning a BBQ facility is available for you to cook your own breakfast. Please advise if you are attending as we need to know the following: (a) number of boats etc. that need to be accommodated at Greening’s and at the Pretoria. (b) number of people for Dinner at the Pretoria Hotel. We would like to thank, once again, Ron & Carol Greening for allowing us the use of their property.

Event Managers: Angela and Gil Leaver, ph. 08 8555 5027

Monday 10th – Friday 14th July - Greening’s to Punyelroo Cruise

This represents another opportunity for an extended mid-week cruise upstream, linking events at Mannum and Greening’s Landing with the next one at Punyelroo. It’s also school holidays, so you might have some time off work and the opportunity to take the kids or grandies out for a ramble. Whilst this might only be about 80km cruising that could be swallowed up in a day or two of motoring, we will be operating on mid-year river time and if we find a nice spot, we could stay put for a couple of days.

We might also run upstream of Punyelroo, for example to have a meal at the Swan Reach Hotel, or even as far as Blanchetown. This will all be very relaxed and decisions on destinations may not be made until the last minute. One thing is for sure though, the cruise will end at the Cutajar shack in Punyelroo.

Event Manager: Lindsay Dent, Email [email protected], 0421 493 397, 8357 4486.

Saturday 15th – Sunday 16th July – Punyelroo Weekend

Lorraine and Sam Cutajar are playing host to us at their shack in Punyelroo. We will be out of peak ski-boat activity and this is the time when the Murray River is at it’s best. Picture misty sunrises and still sunny days. The neighbours have been notified and the lawns will have been mowed. Even the firewood has been collected, so even the campfire will be easy.

Bring your musical instrument or just your voice to accompany Sam on the saxophone. Small boats can be launched at Lorraine and Sam’s shack, should you wish to trailer a boat up just for this weekend. There will be toilet and shower facilities and plenty of room for tenting undercover or on the lawns at the shack, or on an adjacent bush site. Mooring spaces will be available for a number of cruisers. The weekend trip will include a visit by canoe or tinny to the nearby Punyelroo Cave. Punyelroo is at the 240 km mark and is approximately 90 km from Mannum, 130 km from Murray Bridge and 34 km from Blanchetown.

Saturday 26th – Sunday 27th August - Morgan Living River Rescheduled to 18th-19th November More detail to follow

Friday 8 – Sunday 10th September – Pike River

The Pike River begins downstream of Renmark and with many twists, turns and side branches, comes out near Lyrup. On its way, the Pike runs through part of the Bookmark Biosphere Reserve, the Pike River Conservation Park and other extensive wetlands. It also links up with Rumpagunyah, Tanyaca and Mundic Creeks.

Reconnaissance has already been done in tinnies, (see article Page 7 –Ed) so we won’t get lost. This trip will explore the Murray River near Lyrup and the lower reaches of the Pike River and adjoining creeks.

Camping and cabin accommodation is available at the Berri and Paringa Caravan Parks. Two houses have also been booked overlooking the Pike River (The Pike River Woolshed and The Edge) and if shared, each can accommodate at least three couples at prices comparable with caravan park cabins. Contact Elizabeth Nicholls for more information.

Event Managers: Elizabeth and Geoff Nicholls, 8572 4265, 0409 389 307, [email protected]

Jill and Graham Rainbow, 0427 887 277, 8583 0277, [email protected]

Sunday 29 October – Goolwa Technical Day and Shed Crawl

The Goolwa Day on the Water has morphed into a Technical Day involving skills training and visits to boat building and restoration projects.

Roy Duncan will provide training in the sharpening of tools (drills, planes, chisels etc.). Armfield Slip will be open to view and discuss current projects. Clive Harris will show off his project, Juanita, a 39 foot former prawn trawler with a planning hull, built by Swarbrick and Swarbrick in WA in 1972. Alan Boman will provide an update of his build, Rhapsody in Glue, at his workshop in Pt. Elliott. BBQed sausages will be squeezed into this very full but leisurely day of exploration of skills, sheds, sharp things and sticky stuff.

Event Managers: Gil Leaver, ph. 08 8555 5027, [email protected]

Roy Duncan, 0427 187 547, [email protected]

Event Managers:

Lorraine and Sam Cutajar: ph. 0418 858 006, Email: [email protected]; Lindsay Dent: Email: [email protected], ph. 0421 493 397 or 8357 4486.

Saturday 20th – Sunday 21st August - Morgan to Cadell and Beyond

With the postponement of Morgan Living River, a more informal replacement has been planned for August by WBASA. An overnight cruise, open to boats of all sizes, will run between Morgan and Cadell and further upstream, should we have sufficient time. We will moor at Claxton Reserve in Cadell on Saturday night and if there are sufficient numbers (minimum 25 pax), dine at the Cadell Community Club. Should we have insufficient people for the Club, we will either have a BBQ at Claxton Reserve or dine at a hotel in Morgan.

Sunday includes the option of a cruise further upstream before returning to either Cadell or Morgan to retrieve trailerable boats. Another option for Sunday will be to proceed by road to Caudo Vineyard for a tasting and light lunch. Vehicle and personnel shuffles between Morgan, Cadell and Caudo are included in our plans.

Event Managers:

Lindsay Dent, Email: [email protected], ph. 0421 493 397 or 8357 4486

Mark Davis, Email: [email protected], ph. 0428 643 018

mailto:[email protected]








Friends introduced this to us on a trip in the Kimberley. It was a favourite for their teenage daughter and incredibly flavoursome. It's based on Marcella Hazan's recipe for Tomato and Anchovy Sauce in the Classic Italian Cookbook and is perfect camping/boating food.

Ingredients for 2 or 3

2-3 cloves garlic (or even dried or tubed garlic will do)

3 tablespoons olive oil

The Wooden Spoon - Red Sauce from Anne McCutcheon

And the Winners Were... The SA Wooden Boat festival listed winners on their webpage, and good to see WBASA members among those who were rewarded with a prize.

Best Canoe/ Kayak: LITTLE BEAR

Best Sailing Dinghy: BOO

Best Speed Boat: LADY BIRD

Best Putt-Putt: Nellie Member: Peter Reschke

Best Paddle Boat: PW MAYFLOWER

Best Steam Boat: MERLIN

Best Cruiser under 10m: MV PRINCES

Best Cruiser over 10m: Lotus Member: Arthur Hodgson

Best Boat on Show: MISS TAMAR

Concours d’Elegance: MARANUI

Best Electric/Solar Boat: Bonney

Members: Brenton and Amanda Whittenbury

1 tin of anchovies

1 -2 tins of tomatoes (preferably Italian)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh continental parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Method.

Start by melting the tin of anchovies in the heated olive oil using a wooden spoon for stirring, and add 2 or 3 cloves of garlic. When the garlic is browned, add the tin(s) of tomatoes. Wash out the tomato tin with a little water and add that in also. If you can get access to tins of Spanish peppers, adding a tin of these instead of an additional tin of tomatoes makes for a good variation.

Cook it slowly for about 20 minutes on a low flame until it smells good, has thickened and reduced. If you have 2 burners, cook up some spaghetti (no. 3) while you are simmering the sauce though any sort of pasta you have available will do. You might have to pre-cook the pasta if you are limited to one burner.

We use a small wok on a butane stove or low gas. The anchovies completely dissolve so all is left is flavour and no hairy texture.

When it has thickened up a bit, mix the sauce in with the cooked pasta, add parsley and serve with grated parmesan.

Bonney

Lotus

Nellie with happy recipient Peter Reschke

The Winners!


by Jackson Wickham P.S. Industry Report

Industry came second with a time of 23:27 behind the winner, Amechai Bawden at 19.52 . The race can be entered into by the general public or if you like a more leisurely Sunday morning start you can jump on the Industry for the 30 minute cruise for $10.00. The race will be followed by our normal steaming day afterwards with 11am cruise and 1.30pm afternoon cruise. This will be the last cruising day until September as the Boiler will be ‘pulled-down’ for its annual maintenance.

Our AGM is set for Wednesday the 9th August at the Renmark Hotel Function Room.

Hi All! Since the last Crow’s Nest the PS Industry spent a fantastic day away at the Woolenook Bend Internment Camp on Sunday, May 7th. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Camp’s opening on May 7th, 1942.

The Industry departed Renmark on a bright sunny day at 10am and headed upstream 19km to the camp site. Once moored the passengers were taken on a guided tour of the camp’s ruins by myself and Jack Gibb who showed our 60 passengers everything that remained of the camp that once held up to 264 Japanese Internees during World War 2.

There were speeches by Peter Teakle of the Woolenook Wetlands Association and by Trevor Reed about the history of the camp and his father’s association with his Paddle Steamer the Ulonga and the barges Mallara and Aurora. To follow the Honourable Member for Chaffey, Tim Whetstone MP said a few words and unveiled the new plaque, commemorating the 75th anniversary.

The Industry departed the Woolenook Bend Internment Camp a little after 2pm and headed back to Renmark with the expertise of our Captain Paul Abend and Mate Clay Smith, arriving home to Renmark at 4pm. It was a very enjoyable day and I did like putting this together to celebrate SA History Festival. We have had a huge amount of great feedback and people wanting to book for next year. I was lucky enough to be given precious photos from the daughter of one of the 25th/33rd Battalion Garrison Guards that watched over the camp, Lance-Corporal Glen Earl, who had taken the photos. Between the State Library, Australian War Memorial collection and Trevor Reed’s extensive collection of old photos of the camp during the war, I was able to enlarge them to A3, laminate and place around the camp in the positions that they were taken 72-75 years ago. This gave a ‘now and then’ look at the camp, which made it a very real experience. I have been out mapping the camp over recent years and working from photos etc. as there is not a map in existence.

Our next big event is Industry’s ‘Sweat vs Steam’ event on Sunday, July 2nd. Where the Industry challenges the runners in a race from the Big 4 Caravan Park, up to the ex-site of the Tower Tavern at Jane Eliza Estate and return. A course of 5.83km. Last year the

from Bruce McConkey To Varnish or not to Varnish only that, but they cost as much or more, so at least 50% of your money is evaporating up in smoke.

So that explains why timber and plywood should be sealed with at least two coats of high solids epoxy such as Bote-Cote before considering any other coatings. Applying paint or varnish direct to the timber, regardless of the number of coats, just won’t give the same lifetime performance.

So what else is needed? Unfortunately, epoxies don’t have good weathering and UV resistance, but they can be protected by over-coating them with opaque paint or a clear but UV protected coating. There are two choices for clears, polyurethane coatings, which give by far the best lifetime but cost more than the alternative, traditional varnishes. Our testing at the Weathering Research Station at Townsville indicates that the best varnish will only last one third of the lifetime of polyurethane before it breaks down and requires sanding off and recoating. Since most small boats spend at least 95% of their time in the garage, this isn’t so much of an issue, but most of us still prefer the job to last as long as possible.

The concerns with most polyurethanes are their rather toxic solvent bases, and their undesirable content of isocyanate chemical, which is why BoatCraft introduced our Aquacote water based polyurethane coating, both as clear and as coloured paint. This has none of those nasties in it. Properly applied, Aquacote has only a slightly lesser gloss than traditional varnishes – for the first three months exposure. After that, since varnishes have been shown to deteriorate faster, their gloss becomes readily reduced as time passes. What coloured paint to use to protect the epoxy from weathering? Again polyurethanes are best for prolonged lifetime and general toughness. Most oil paints can be applied over epoxy seal coats after preliminary fine sanding to remove the gloss, and will give more or less service depending on the paint quality. Water based (acrylic) house paints can also be used, they will give lower gloss and less damage resistance so could be preferred for inside a boat. They have better weather resistance than many oil based paints, but have the highest transpiration rate for water vapour, so cannot offer the same protection to timber. Speaking of sanding, avoid the off-white coloured ‘anti-clogging’ paper as it can cause poor adhesion of your paint to the underlying surface.

So there is our recommended coating system: two stage protection of your timber, first high solids epoxy such as Bote-Cote to seal and protect the timber, followed by good paint or UV protected polyurethane to protect the epoxy. Enjoy using the boat rather than repainting it.

Reprinted with thanks from WBAQ LOG – Ed

Disclaimer: The following article contains specific brand names. The WBASA does not endorse or recommend any particular products. Information is provided for you so you can make your own informed judgements.

Bruce writes: I’d like to, belatedly, offer some experience to this interesting discussion in February’s The Log. As the designer and manufacturer of coatings produced by BoatCraft Pacific, we have long experience of testing and service of Bote-Cote Epoxy and Aquacote polyurethane coatings, and varnishes for comparison. So, to answer some of those concerns.

First point, clear coating or varnishing old timber, such as boats. Old timber develops shrinkage micro cracks, open pores, and other surface defects. If it was previously painted, these will contain residues of that paint, which will show up clearly and spoil the appearance of the new coating. If it was varnished previously mould or mildew will almost certainly have developed in these, which will again show up as black stains under the new coating. Extensive sanding is the only way to remove these marks. Often this is not possible, in a plywood boat you might have to sand through the outer veneer, which would then look disastrous. For these reasons, I don’t recommend trying to clear coat any really old or previously painted timber, unless you are after an interesting textured finish.

We aim absolutely to exclude water from our timber. Timber swells and shrinks readily in response to water absorption due to immersion or even changes in humidity and temperature and, critically, most coatings allow water vapour transpiration through them to the underlying timber to a greater or lesser extent – they ‘breathe’. The hardness of coatings prevents them from following these expansions and contractions, so eventually they develop micro-cracks along the grain lines which allow more water penetration and eventual lifting of the coating. That is the reason for the popular misconception that all wooden boats need frequent repainting – but it only applies to those painted directly onto the timber.

In 1984, the US Forest Products Laboratory published a report showing that high solids Epoxy coatings are the nearest thing to a totally waterproof coating, confirmed by the practical experience that epoxies can be used to totally seal timber against ingress of water. But they noted that solvent based coatings do not perform nearly as well. So well known ‘durable forever’ timber sealers (containing around 50% solvent) do not offer the same protection, a fact which we have readily confirmed. Not

The commemoration ceremony

...and plaque


Lake Albert Misadventures 12-14 May

Three boats launched at Meningie on Saturday morning for a trip to Bascombe and possibly Kennedy Bays. Graham Butler’s Dealtry, Whata Bouchier, was a pretty sight moored to the jetty. Pity about his stubborn Blaxland. Barry Hall provided significant technical advice that had the Blaxland barking.

Barry had brought his new putt-putt, armed

with provisions for all conditions and flying his ‘Penguin Power’ flag. All went well until the rudder came loose while launching and Barry had to row to retrieve the floating tiller. Instructions for the day were simple, 10am in the water for a 10am start. We slipped our bowlines at 11.40am and not long into the journey the Penguin ceased but did restart with lots of strap pulling. Annie Lou was behaving impeccably.

The sun was shining and the lake was like a sheet of glass when the 3 of us stopped outside the entrance to Bascombe Bay to enjoy lunch. After a false start or two and a lot more strap pulling we headed into the bay but it didn’t take long to run aground so we decided to head for home with the following breeze.

The Nicholls and the Dents arrived in time for dinner at the Cheese Factory, for a meal to be recommended and plenty of Coorong Mullet on the menu.

Narrung was Sunday’s destination, with the challenge of navigating The Narrows.

The ramp proved a slippery and rocky challenge for launching or retrieving. Lindsay was the first in for a partial dunking and Esther managed a full immersion. Of course, Barry’s water dog elected to go for a swim.

First to launch was Geoff in his tinny, then Barry, Esther and Rusty the Labrador under Penguin power. Next, Graham in Whata Bouchier, followed by Peter in Annie Lou. Barry was cruising around fine-tuning the Penguin until there was an almighty crunch/crack sound. I spun round to see Barry’s boat come almost completely out of the water! He’d hit a rock at full speed. Esther kept smiling and the dog didn’t care. Barry got to the oars and rowed back over the very same rock and got stuck for a while! It took some time to get his steering gear back from the reeds.

The whole morning was spent checking out the beautifully kept and upgraded camping spot right by the ferry. In fact we had lunch there too. The relaxed group with 4 boats ready on the water seemed all too serene. It was.

Geoff and Elizabeth headed off in their tinny only to be towed back by Annie Lou. Appeared to have a troublesome O ring in the fuel line. Barry, Esther and Rusty enjoyed a run through The Narrows. Graham was still back at the jetty with all his tools laid out rebuilding the Blaxland. So Annie Lou loaded with five set off through The Narrows appreciating the beautiful and wild landscape to Lake Albert. I’d like to take red and green paint next time to refresh the colour on the channel markers; they were very hard to see from a distance.

Graham did get underway with his sister Dawn on board and made 200 metres before Barry helped him back to the jetty. Graham’s additional unwanted passenger unknowingly hexed the weekend’s success for him and the photo of Graham at the jetty will reveal all.

It was a beautiful weekend with superb autumn weather. Thanks to Kirsty Bagshaw, landlady of The Cottage on North for a really well prepared and comfortable weekend base. And thanks to Lindsay for organising the cottage and a great outing to explore Lake Albert.

Lake Albert Misadventures by Peter Richards

Passing the Baton (thoughts on Swamp Chick and other putt-putts) by Joanne Dent Think carefully before you buy a putt putt,

The love that comes may make some folks go tutt tutt,

Your essence will forever be installed

In the timbers that have kept you so enthralled,

The petulant distress that she has triggered

Is nothing to the joys of life transfigured

By the beating of her engine as you

Let your life flow easy

On whatever waters rushing

Past her keel and rudder steering

Those who love her leave their mark on every future lark,

All those memories she holds are so dear.

Poets’ Locker

Graham in Whata Bouchier

First mate of Annie Lou assisting the skipper Rafting up for lunch

Point Malcolm and Annie Lou

offending banana

Foreground: Nicholls tinny and the O ring problem Background: Barry H pirouetting on “the rock”


from President Tim Potter Tim at the Tiller

(too shallow). Kindy chairs were packed away after lunch at the junction (advantage no. 3) and off went to find the Pike River.

A masterful bit of navigation by Graham the creek master Rainbow, saw us find the right exit into the top of the Pike River. It was getting a bit late by this time, so we gave those outboards (yuk!) their heads and went hell for leather (advantage no. 4) out to the Murray. Knowing that PW Amphibious moors in the Pike River and seeing very large houseboats pulled up to the bank, we figured we were pretty safe.

This was an attractive run and well-suited to the more leisurely pace of a squadron of woodies, so we now knew we had a plan for September. Launch Day 1 at Lyrup boat ramp (a good one) and run upstream and into the Pike River, possibly going as far as the R/T Creek junction and back to party the night away at one of those nice houses up on the cliffs above the Pike. Day 2, launch in the Pike River and run upstream to see where the other creeks meet the Murray or the other way to Col Col bank. The end of a fitting prelude, played in Boats Minor, servants to the more genteel community of wooden boats and probably there again in September, to act as guides and snag detectors.

Disclaimers: no trees or snags were harmed (or blazed) in the making of this story and no, this Lindsay Dent has never written to The Advertiser.

by Lindsay Dent Pike River Ramble - A Prelude in B minor

The Murray River Pilot, by Baker and Reschke, is one of the most useful and impressive little books ever produced in South Australia. Sadly it is currently out of print. Although the SA Waters Atlas provides good additional information, in colour and in more detail, it lacks the beautiful stories and historical information of The Pilot. Boaties of the future deserve a new edition of The Pilot.

However one thing that is largely missing from The Pilot is serious representation of the myriad of wide waters, swamps, creeks and anabranches that sit behind the banks of the Murray and along much of its length. The SA Waters Atlas now helps with this and the Canoe Guides, (though like The Pilot, also mostly out of print), do it even better. Google Maps is tantalizing, but often also deceptive.

So when planning for WBASA’s exploration of the Pike River system, we either needed a very knowledgeable local guide or a reconnaissance trip in suitable vessels. It’s all very well to know from a map that there are waterways called the Pike River and Pike, Rumpugunyah, Tanyaca and Mordic Creeks (even the names excite curiosity) and that canoes can get through them, but are they too shallow, or too full of snags for precious wooden boats?

Fortunately your Association has a dedicated team of volunteers prepared to take off on a sunny May Monday in their aluwood boats to blaze the trail. Why aluwood? Well most had wooden oars and the others either had wooden bungs or wooden skippers. Now normally one wouldn’t be caught dead recounting tales of aluwood adventures in a Wooden Boat Association newsletter. Assuming the article got past the editor, (it obviously did – Ed) it would usually be published under a nom de plume or in the name of someone of dubious opinions who regularly gains the ear of the editor of The Advertiser.

Aluwood boats are so unloved or of such minor significance to their owners that they often don’t even give them a proper name. They get treated rough (the boats, not the owners) and if they are lucky, they might get called The Tinny. When more than one aluwood boat gathers in the same place, in purely utilitarian style, they might get called Tinny 1, Tinny 2 and so forth. This scornful disregard is so common, there has even been a poem written on the subject. Aluwood boats are often not very comfortable – noisy engines, decks and seats that are either too hot or too cold. To get around the latter problem, some get fitted out with kindy chairs and on our trip, one was covered in fake grass. No, that’s not fake news, but real fake turf. Now if you felt sorry for it and were planning on giving a name to an aluwood boat covered in fake turf, what would you call it? Why Lorna of course. Enter Elaine and John Ashworth.

This got your correspondent thinking. The newly acquired aluwoody performed so well on this trip that it deserved a name. Aluwood – Al? No, that has probably already been taken. In any case, it could very easily end up being just one of the crowd – Al 1, Al 2 etc. Still there is the ring of a distant memory from popular culture. Didn’t Paul Simon reflect on this dilemma? Let’s check with Dr. Google. Yes, there it is, in the chorus of a song titled “You Can Call Me Al”, published in 1985 on the Graceland album. Let’s check it for inspiration. It goes like this.

If you'll be my bodyguard I can be your long lost pal I can call you Betty And Betty when you call me You can call me Al.

We’ve crossed off Al, so Betty it must be. Not to be confused with the other Elizabeth in my life, who already has Lady-J in her honour and can’t possibly have another boat named after her. A minor boat, but still worth having and worthy of a name fit for a queen.

Now what of the trip? Well there was Lorna (Elaine and John) and Betty (Joanne E. and Lindsay), Tinny 1 (Jill and Graham Rainbow) and Tinny 2 (Elizabeth the Poet Nicholls and her sidekick Geoff). We launched at Simarloo Landing on Pike Creek, which you wouldn’t know was there if you didn’t know. A sand ramp, but perfectly suitable for aluwoodies – now there’s an advantage. We stopped for morning tea at the junction of Rumpagunyah and Tanyaca Creeks before pressing on to take the Rumpagunyah out to the Murray. Not suitable for woodies (more than a few snags were mounted – advantage no. 2) and neither was the wide water of Tanyaca Creek past a certain point

6hp (briefly) shows 15hp rivals a clean pair of heels

- the packing up after lunch at junction

It’s nice having a column in Crow’s Nest where I can wax philosophical on subjects relating to wooden boats that I find interesting, but sometimes I have to write as the President. This is one such time where I must inform you

“The Annual General Meeting of the Wooden Boat Association of SA will be held at the Astor Hotel, Pulteney Street Adelaide, on Monday 28th August 2017, beginning at 7.45 pm.”

As an association we are bound legally by a set of rules, the template of which is laid down in a State Act. This means that from time to time we must check that our Rules not only reflect the current wishes and climate of the members, but are politically and legislatively correct.

Some of the committee have been reviewing the Rules (the politically correct title for the Constitution) and have come up with some changes that we hope will be put to you at the AGM.

At the end of July you will receive by post a copy of the changes laid out as recommendations. Please read and keep these to discuss at the AGM so that your voice is heard.


Cock of the Rivers by Elizabeth Nicholls

In 2013, an article appeared in the Crow’s Nest regarding the 'Last Great Race' between two crack paddle steamers which occurred on the River Darling near Wilcannia, NSW on 1st July 1891.

To refresh your memory, the legendary PS South Australian with Captain John Kerr at the wheel represented the ‘bottom-enders’ (those plying downstream and the Darling River) and PS Rothbury, captained by the famous Hookey Freeman represented the ‘top-enders’, (those working around Echuca).

PS South Australian was built at Mannum in October 1877 for Hooker & Davis as a barge and converted to a paddle steamer the following year. She was engaged in the passenger and cargo trades between Morgan and Wentworth and this is where she gained the reputation of being the fastest boat on the rivers. Her length was 106.3 feet and by comparison, the Rothbury is 82 feet long.

The boats made separate runs over an agreed course upstream over the distance of a mile. A wager of £100 was made between the two captains and supporters laid bets too. The Barrier Miner (Broken Hill) on Wednesday 1st July 1891 reported that,

... a match for £25 aside was made, each steamer to tow two smaller steamers, the Hero and the Moira, with the barges Gunpower and Nonpariel lashed abreast, a distance of one mile against time.

PS South Australian won the race run by 50½ seconds, taking 20 minutes 23 seconds and was dubbed the ‘Cock of the Rivers’.

After her river work ceased in 1902, she was sold and converted into a steam screw lighter, to trade in and around Port Adelaide in connection with Thomas & Grose flourmills on the Tam O'Shanter Creek.

When writing the previous 2013 article the fate of this famous paddle steamer was unknown. Recently it was found that PS South Australian sank at her moorings in 1936 and was broken up as depicted in the article from the Chronicle, 19th March 1936, page 30. A sad ending for a noble and famous paddle steamer after 60 years service.

News from the P.S. Marion, P.B. Mayflower & Mannum Dock Museum from Jenny Twigden

During Autumn both the old paddle boats in Mannum have been busy plying the River Murray. A well-attended working bee on Easter Monday saw the boats tidied up and put in good working order to travel across Lake Alexandrina to the South Australian Wooden Boat Festival, held at Goolwa over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd April. At the Festival, the weather was kind and crowds of visitors viewed and participated in events that included taking cruises on the two Mannum paddleboats and Goolwa’s PS Oscar W.

Something new on the cruising schedule for the PS Marion during May were the two Mothers’ Day lunch cruises. The passengers were entertained by a swinging jazz band on the way. The boat travelled downstream on Saturday to Murray Bridge and returned to Mannum on Sunday. Both cruises proved to be a great success, I have heard on the ‘grape vine’ that passengers especially loved the music [and the food too!]

The first of the ever-popular Rockford Steam Powered Dinners was held on 26/28th May, preceded by a working bee on 20th May. The next cruising times will be on the Saturday and Sunday of the long weekend in June when Mannum pulls out all the stops for the Truck and Ute show.

Jenny Twigden [I’ll be enjoying a cruise on the PS Industry that weekend!]

PS South Australian at Morgan 1881.

Source: State Library of South Australia - B 12213

Mayflower

PS Marion and PW Mayflower travelling together

PS South Australian being broken up


Pauline is a Chris Craft design, 39ft long, a classic timber boat – Jarrah hull with Huon pine top sides and Queensland spotted beech on the decks.

It is a great cruising vessel having tripped to Kangaroo Island on many occasions, Port Lincoln and around St Vincent Gulf.

At this time of its life it had a mast and stabilisers on her to keep her balanced in the rough waters. These have since been removed and remain stored away.

Pauline has a 10ft beam and 3ft 4in draft. There are twin Perkins 60hp engines, capacity 2100cc, allowing her to cruise at about 6 knots. She has a public address system, a sign from her halcyon days with the squadron.

She has fuel capacity for 600 litres, one head and shower and sleeps 6 people

Since purchasing Pauline in late December 2015 from Greg and Janine Weston, my wife Maureen and I have had some wonderful excursions around Goolwa meeting lots of new friends. I realised pretty quickly that you don't need to know anything about wooden boats but you do need to know how to drink lots of red wine.

Being new to this type of sport we haven’t ventured too far yet, Sails Restaurant at Clayton and only going through the barrage at Easter time and headed up to the Murray mouth for a picnic on the boat.

Pauline is a great boat for entertaining. Can’t wait for more excursions and parties to be had and many new friends to be met.

Our Love affair with Pauline

Our love for wooden boats started in the first week of 2012 when my wife Maureen and I went cruising around the Derwent River water ways of Hobart for a week on my brother in law & Maureen’s sister’s 1929, 27ft wooden boat called Latura. From that week I was hooked, it was a great way to spend a

week, cruising during the day and pulling into small coves at night having a glass of red or two or three.

On returning to Adelaide in the coming months I settled back in to working life till one night in early May I started googling wooden boats for sale. Up popped Pauline for sale, she looked great and I knew nothing about wooden boats. I pursued the Patterson family over the next week but they kept telling me the same line, that they had accepted an offer on Pauline subject to a sea trial. The new owners were to be Greg and Janine Weston of Goolwa. I gave up looking for a wooden boat after this.

We headed to the 2013 Wooden Boat show hoping to see Pauline. After walking out of the event and then owning up to my wife that I only wanted to come down to see if “that wooden boat Pauline was here”, she informed me we walked past a boat called Pauline so back in we went and there Pauline was tied up to the dock. We visited the 2015 Wooden Boat show for the same reason to see if Pauline was still here, again she was.

Boxing day 2015 I was googling again, I put in “Pauline for sale” and up popped Pauline again. I said to my wife “that boat’s up for sale and we are going down in the morning to buy ‘that boat’”. The rest is history.

JP (Johannes) Clauson, Joshua Peter Clausen, different names different spellings, was a legend of the South Australian boating industry, who meticulously built a boat for himself at his Peterhead shed in 1939 and named it after his eldest grand daughter, Pauline.

Pauline was launched in Mannum, where Joshua Clausen left it for years until the 1950’s.

It was bought by grandfather Robert Patterson from Johannes Clauson in 1953 for 2,000 pounds, and remained in the Patterson family for 60 years. Some members of the Patterson family worked at JP Clausen & Sons. In the 1950’s she was moored at Walker Flat and Mannum. Pauline was later given to the son Dean Patterson who nearly sank Pauline motoring her out through the Murray mouth on 17th Oct 1959. She was moored at No. 3 dock for several years before moving to the RSAYS at Port Adelaide where it remained till 2012.

Pauline for many years was the official vessel for the South Australian Yacht Squadron.

On 17th May 2012, Pauline was purchased by Greg and Janine Weston from the Pattersons, who brought her back by road transport to be berthed at Goolwa Slipway and Marina. Here she underwent an extensive refit from top to bottom to what she is today. Greg and Janine formed a treasured friendship with the lady herself – Pauline Clausen who still visits them at Goolwa on occasions.

Owners - Michael & Maureen Gannon Boat Profile - Pauline

I would like to donate Jim’s complete set of Crow’s Nests to someone (perhaps a new member). They go back to December 2000. Pauline Fowles

“Backwash” or Letters to the Editor

Dear Ed

This month saw the wind up of sales of both books and magazines by the membership. These have been on sale at meetings and events for over 12 months, with the final sales undertaken at the Wooden Boat Festival. Thank you all for your purchases.

$32.50 was donated to the restoration of the PS Canally at Morgan from the sale of second hand magazines on behalf of the membership of the Wooden Boat Association of SA. Additionally the sales of books donated by a member netted $134.00 which has been paid into the account of the Clipper Ship City of Adelaide. Presidents of both associations responded within the day thanking our membership for their support.

Special thanks to Anne and Tim Potter for lugging the boxes to and fro and gathering up the kindly proffered shekels. Yours, the Treasurer.

To Tim, and Anne and members of the Wooden Boat Association of SA

In October last year when Jim was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and admitted to Ashford Hospital we were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and concern for his welfare from our relatives and friends. This was shown in so many ways: by “get well” cards, emails, phone calls, visits to him in hospital and then at home, and by gifts of food, flowers and sincere offers of help.

Then when after an all too brief period of remission, Jim was readmitted to hospital. Once again you all came to the fore with such uplifting, caring, wishes and prayers.

All of this love helped us so much to get through the last weeks and have continued to comfort me after Jim slipped away, too soon on his final voyage of discovery.

You have all been so kind and caring which has shown in so many ways. It meant a great deal to us.

With love and thanks, Pauline Fowles


Betty Boop from Shaye Clark

It all started when we heard an advert on radio classifieds for a boat trailer. We had been struggling with a terrible boat trailer for our fibreglass boat for many years, and for the bargain price of $500, we could get a much more user friendly trailer to make our pleasure boating easier- or so we thought. We bundled the kid and dog in the car, and off we went to the south east to collect our bargain.

We saw our trailer, however there was still a boat on it. An uncommon looking wooden boat, that was obviously an unfinished project. Secretly I think Brendan had already fallen in love with it. The seller informed us the boat was going on a bonfire pile, and there was our trailer for $500 as advertised.

After a quick inspection of the pending bonfire fuel, we told the seller to leave the boat on the trailer, brought them both home, and so began Brendan’s affair. The stern drive came with the boat, the engine was dropped off at our workshop a few weeks later. Unfortunately the bit that joins the stern drive and the engine has not surfaced

to this day. Trailer and boat sat in the shed for 3 years, waiting for some love and affection. Finally the day came to begin its rebirth, it was decided to put it in the water to see if it still floated, and assess the severity of any leaks.

With Brendan’s love affair of classified surfing far from satisfied, up came a later model, complete Volvo penta stern drive unit purchased for $500. This was going to solve the crisis of the missing bit, in the convenient method of bolting the new one in. A hole was cut in the transom (The boat seller had blocked in and fiberglassed the transom in order to convert It to mid mount shaft drive), stern drive bolted on and the engine offered up, only to find the engine at a peculiar angle facing the bottom of the boat.

With a bit of research it was discovered that the transom of Betty Boop was vertical. After a certain year, new boats manufactured had a transom angle of 12-15 degrees. The new engine and stern drive unit were from a newer boat with an angled transom, which is why the engine was at such an angle.

Many hours of searching for a transom shield with a different angle was fruitless, so the decision was made with the help of Brendan’s dad Frank (who has now also entered this love triangle and attempted to install time lines) and Brian Wegener, another member of WBASA to make wedges to fit between the transom shield and the transom. This corrected the angle, but we now couldn’t install the tilt motor or the steering as it fouled on the transom and the rear deck. More searching, bonfire potential reinstated, lots of beer drinking and then…

Our daily commute consists of 65kms driving each way, incorporating the SE Freeway. On one particular 40 degree day while heading home from the daily grind, just below the tunnels Brendan spotted what appeared to be a wooden boat with a stern drive unit with a vertical looking

transom, being towed by a Land Cruiser. Having a couple of beers under his belt he instructed his long suffering wife to ‘pull them over’. Unfortunately the cruiser appeared to be not coping with the hotter weather and was travelling at about 15kms/hr. We were travelling at about 80. Sitting behind trucks resulted in them being cranky at us, so the decision was made to sit at the top and wait for it in ambush. 20 minutes later it finally surfaced, however attempts to gain their attention went unnoticed. As a last resort the UHF that lives in the glove box was used to call the name on the personalised plates. Amazingly we were on the right channel, and the driver of the cruiser responded. Discussions were made to pull over into the first parking bay on the freeway, just after Mt Barker.

The man and his wife seemed a little on edge to have been flagged down and pulled over by random nutters, but compliments of his boat followed and negotiations began. On further investigation it was discovered the transom was also a different angle to ‘Betty Boop’ but never the less, we purchased the stern drive and engine, as the man was planning to convert his boat to a V8 merc. cruiser. One can never have too many back up plans. Whist we were negotiating, we couldn’t help but feel we had met this man before. On asking where we had to go to pick up our newly purchased unit, we discovered that it was the same location where in fact we had picked up our ‘bargain trailer’ some 4 and a half years earlier. This man had been there, at his friend’s house when we met Brendan’s new wife.

Lots of small talk of how small the world is etc. followed, three months later we went and collected our new engine and stern drive and other random bits that may be of use. The transom angle issue still remains. While we were there we found out that the boat was originally built by the seller’s ex girlfriend’s father, who was an accountant, between 1961 and 1971. It was trailered to KI 3 times for use in American River, and did a couple runs in the Port river, and that is all of its known use.

As for the transom issue. At the end of May ‘Betty Boop’ is going to “Duck Flat Wooden Boats’ to have the transom angle adjusted. It was decided that it is just too big of a job for an amateur to attempt. In the meantime work continues on removing rot, replacing the roof of the cab and the bulkhead and lots and lots of sanding. And more sanding. Progress will stall for the next few months as the unpaid labourer (i.e the father) is gallivanting off to UK for a holiday, however the intention is to have her ready for the Goolwa Wooden Boat festival in 2019. Progress reports will follow, when there is some progress to report, or BBQ and bonfire could still be an option.


from Lindsay Dent Supporting Youth and the Young at Heart

construction or restoration of wooden boats. Whilst this could be an excuse for older folks to do some boat work in between cups of tea and the telling of yarns, it is also an opportunity to mentor young people in building and floating wooden sculptures. If you would like to be involved in getting this project off the ground, please contact me.

It was mighty impressive to see people at the recent South Australian Wooden Boat Festival take up the opportunity to row one of the St. Ayles skiffs. In one scratch crew we had three generations enjoying the experience. Luke Carpenter combined with his dad David and with his mum Maria Baker’s grand-daughter Cassandra. Another crew had two 30 somethings from the STV One and All and my own aging carcass. Most of us had not rowed before, but both crews benefitted from being bracketed by the boating mastery of Robin Haldane from Pt. Lincoln in the bow and Riverside Rowing Club President Max Hoseason-Smith on the helm. Whilst our technique was never pretty, we soon got the hang of it and would have been even better if we hadn’t been laughing so much.

Rowing is an opportunity to get younger and older people working and playing together, it is good exercise, gentle on the body and the teamwork required is good for the brain and the soul. Should you like to participate in a rowing team, please contact me via email ([email protected]) or phone (0421 493 397 or 8357 4486).

I would like to present four new ideas that could help us to get young people involved in the world of wooden boats. Firstly, as many of you will already know, WBASA has introduced a Young Achievers Award to encourage the efforts of young people in the building, maintenance, restoration, history or use of wooden boats. We are requesting applications for the first award, which we hope will be made at the Annual General Meeting in August. If you know of a suitable candidate, please direct their attention to the advertisement in this issue of The Crow’s Nest.

The second new initiative is to support a sail training experience on the STV One and All later this year. WBASA will provide $1100 to fully sponsor a person aged between 15 and 19 years for a 5 day experience as one of 24 young crew members. Our hope is to provide a life-changing and inspirational experience for a teenager and at the same time, to support our very own tall wooden ship in her 30th anniversary year. Our cunning plan is that this might also encourage the recipient into a long-term engagement with wooden boats. Applications are to be lodged directly with the One and All team and will be simple to prepare. Applicants will be required to provide limited details and submit a hand-written statement of less than 100 words, explaining why they would like to sail on the STV One and All. Please see the advertisement elsewhere in this issue and most importantly, show it to young people of 15-19 years of age. Again, applicants need not be members of WBASA.

Thirdly, several of our members are enthusiastic about the communal

WBASA Young Achievers Award Commencing in 2017 WBASA will be offering an Award for significant achievements by a member or potential member

under 35 years of age. The award will include a cash prize of at least two hundred dollars and a certificate of merit.

The aim is to support the acquisition of skills in the building, maintenance or operation of boats or in the history of wooden boats

Applications are encouraged from:

students in TAFE or other trade training as shipwrights

students enrolled in degrees or courses in maritime engineering or archeology

young boat builders or designers with demonstrated skills in a project or construction

volunteers active in the restoration and/or operation of wooden boats

Nominations of potential Awardees will also be accepted directly from WBASA Members.

Full details of the Award, including eligibility and how to apply or nominate a candidate are available at http://wbasa.org.au

from Lindsay Dent STV One and All Sail Training Sponsorship

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 9:00am MONDAY 7th AUGUST 2017

As part of WBASA initiatives to encourage young people into the world of wooden boats and to continue our support of South Australia’s Sail Training Vessel One and All in her 30th year, the Association will sponsor an applicant for the full cost ($1,100) of a 5 day sail training voyage. The successful applicant will be one of 24 trainees and will be supported by the professional staff and experienced volunteers that crew the STV One and All.

The Association would like to support young people with an existing interest in wooden boats and sailing, or those who lack opportunities in life, need a confidence boost, or who would benefit from a new direction and from learning new team and life skills.

Voyagers will join the crew in working the ship, keeping watch, handling sails and much more. By the end of the voyage, the crew of 24 trainees will be able to handle the ship on their own. The sponsorship covers all on-board activities, meals, an event polo shirt, award certificate and team photograph. The Association will be represented at the awards ceremony on board the ship at the end of the voyage.

A choice of one of two voyages is available to the applicant sponsored by WBASA:

2-6 October 2017, Ceduna to Adelaide (during school holidays)

20-24 November 2017, out and back from Port Adelaide (last week of school)

Candidates must be 15 – 19 years of age and will be required to complete a short application form, including a brief (less than 100 words) hand-written outline of why they would like to join the Youth Voyage of the STV One and All. Applications from

members of the Association or their children, grandchildren or friends are encouraged. The selection process will be administered by the One and All team.

Application forms are available from Annie Roberts, Operations Manager, STV One and All, [email protected], ph. 0432 495 603; Lindsay Dent, [email protected], ph. 0421 493 397 and the WBASA website at www.wbasa.org.au. Please note that the closing date for applications is 9:00am Monday 7th August 2017 and applications should be submitted to: STV One and All, PO Box 3214 Port Adelaide SA 5015, or Email: [email protected].


http://wbasa.org.au





Renmark to the Murray Mouth (8th and 9th legs) - 568 km This is my last epistle in this epoch and something of an anticlimax in that it covers the very lowest and most familiar sections of our river. I am concerned not to bore with, or to repeat, what is for some, well known. In any event this episode encompasses my last two legs and is included for completeness being the end of a 2,400 km journey in my little open wooden boat Loulou. It’s a very long way and I admit to doing it in steps rather than in one heroic lunge. My excuse is that I was a working chap for most of the time but the truth is that the real reason for taking a break was the fact that only a week of steering, camping, loading, unloading, tent setting, breaking camp and rocking and rolling generally left me quite tired. Long trips are much easier when you do not need to set up and dismantle your bed and tent each day. As it turned out it took more than two months to travel the length of the Murray at about 8kph from Bringenbrong Bridge above the Hume Dam, and in sight of the snow on the Alps, to the Mouth and the sands of the Coorong. The last bit, in this state, and particularly from Renmark to Lake Alexandrina, took only about ten days so most of the time (about 75%) was spent interstate (or interstates between NSW and Victoria).

As most will be aware, there is no shortage of civilisation on the South Australian bit so fuel and vittles pose no difficulties. Leaving Renmark there are a few tricky shallow bits but that is the same below each weir and lock chamber. There are also many groynes or training spurs. Once upon a time, as a juvenile, (many years ago) I failed to fully absorb the fact that the markers were effectively reversed downstream and being exhilarated by the extra speed with the current and the fact that I had made it to the border, I whacked a beacon quite hard amidships. I stove in a couple of planks above the waterline and shifted the stove and created a vibration which seemed to abate but remained with me as a reminder all the way back to Goolwa. Since then I have always double checked the direction of passage and even now I never pass a training spur beacon without a frisson of fear.

From Corryong to Coorong (final) by Rick Hardy

It’s good travelling in these parts and even though my notes remind me that it was very difficult to find wood for a fire. One of the significant downsides of the hire houseboat trade has been the consumption of most of the available fallen timber on the banks. Now as a grumpy old man I recall a now deceased old friend telling me that one evening he watched a hire houseboat pull in to the bank, the occupants scatter to drag back considerable branches, the lighting of a fire which rose higher than the houseboat roof and then their retreat inside the houseboat to watch television. I love a little fire but these days you had better bring your own wood.

There are some interesting sideshows here. At Cobdogla is situated the Humphrey Pump which used to be operated on designated demonstration days. I remember it on one such day and the ground pulsed with each cycle. It worked like a huge single cylinder four stroke engine in which a head of water went back and forth in a U tube pushed by exploding coal gas. The surface of water in the combustion chamber worked as a piston. I watched it fill an area the size of a tennis court to a depth of a metre in a matter of minutes. Of course in an earlier life it had supplied irrigation water to Cobdogla.

Nearby is Chambers Creek (the entrance to Lake Bonney) which lies just above Lock 3 and was navigable in a dinghy last time I tried it. It was a long way in to the lake - about 10 km - and the only source of water for the lake. I guess the Overland Corner lock has maintained the level in Lake Bonney but it has also negated the natural, seasonal, rise and fall of the water through the creek in and out of the lake and contributed to its salinity – a bit like Lake Albert. Chambers Creek must have been far more active in days gone by but is still well worth exploring.

The Overland Corner Hotel, a bit further down, is still worth a visit, especially on a hot day (I think it’s now shut on Mondays) and the old distillery at 366 above lock 2 is largely intact and very interesting. It could tell a few stories.

There’s not much more that is not well known to many boat owners about these lower

reaches. River Rambles have taken many of us as far as Moorook and thus there’s little more for me to add so I’ll bring all this to an end but before doing so I admit to never having traversed Lake Alexandrina in Loulou under her own power although I have towed her across on a few occasions. At the end of these peregrinations I set out in Loulou with a friend in a trailer sailer early one morning from Wellington with every intention of making the crossing but within sight of Wellington Lodge his prop became entangled in a net which seemed to me to be entirely within the channel but nigh on invisible in a low boat in the choppy conditions. By the time he was freed, to the detriment of the net, the conditions had worsened considerably so we both scurried back to Wellington. So a Loulou Lake crossing under power remains on the still to do list. She has however, on other earlier occasions (she was primarily a Goolwa boat), been miles up the Coorong and all about the Goolwa environs for which she was perfectly suited. Which leads me to ruminate on the ideal end to end boat for the Big Trip. I am mindful of the fact that Loulou struck at least eight snags and her prop now has ragged edges. I think a putt-putt could have draught and prop vulnerability issues that would be difficult to repair upriver. An outboard motor seems to me to be the go because it will kick up and a spare prop can be carried and fitted. A tinny is fine for this reason but has a veed hull and has considerable draught and steers poorly when off the plane as it will be when laden. If you did not wish to camp, something like the smaller Duck Flat Tennessee II could be suitable, which is actually very like a supersized Loulou with its fine easily driven lines, flat bottom and very shallow draught. Although it would be easy to get into trouble with a boat that size above the Hume and Yarrawonga weirs, ease of travel is always dependent on conditions. Any horse for this course would have to be trailerable in order to get around the Yarrawonga and the Hume Weirs so it can’t be too large. But I must say a bunk on board would be nice. I love camping but after 50 plus nights of it I think I’ll have a rest for a while.

Locks 13, Weirs 3, Camping nights 54, from Bringenbrong Bridge

Latest from the P.S. Oscar W from Roly Bartlett

Well! What a wonderful time we had at the S.A.Wooden Boat Festival. Of course the part that was most enjoyable was experiencing all the visiting paddle wheelers cruising around during the weekend, six in all I believe. We were especially pleased to see the magnificent restoration work done on the Mayflower. This occasion gives a wonderful opportunity for members of the public to enjoy and compare travelling on the different types of steamers as the Marion reminds them of the great cruising days of the passenger boats and the Oscar W gives the feel of the work boats and of course the Mayflower reminds us of the mosquito fleet

Editor’s Elucidations from Graham Hardy

of smaller fishing vessels. Here at the Oscar W workface at present it is really more of the usual: cruising, charters, wood cutting and maintenance. Indeed we are grateful no only to our “wood fairies” for their diligent cutting but also for the various landholders who generously call us to report timber available for the collecting. In a recent report I highlighted the eventful mail re-enactment to Meningie and back by the Oscar W and Cato. Hypervision have now produced the “footage” of that trip on DVD and this is available from the riverboat centre or tourism office at Goolwa. Meanwhile, happy steaming from all at the Oscar W.

This edition has turned into something special, most probably through the reflections of many of our members upon the SAWBF. Indeed for Rosi and I on Ione II the event triggered so many aspects that define the pleasures of owning a wooden boat. From the pre-event maintenance, to the adventure with others on crossing the lake, to the event itself and the trip back to home port, all make this festival very special. Long may it prevail as a major bi-annual event for wooden boats.

But there was to be more in store for usas a rsulyt of us attending. We received a telephone call from an Alan Conn in Launceston (the

original home of Ione II) saying that a mate of his had seen Ione II at the festival.

There had been a part of Ione II’s history missing from our records, that being from the early 80’s to the mid 90’s. It tuned out that Alan looked after her during that period for the ageing owner Thomas Archer. The result? He sent me over 70 photographs of Ione II from the 30’s to the 90’s showing changes to her configuration both internally and externally, together with a copy of his log book over that period. A precious treasure for us and the next custodian. Thank you Alan.

Back to business, 2018 calendar photos please.


MEMBERS’ NEWS:

Tim & Anne Potter have purchased Jabiru

Trevor Twigden thanked members who were marshals at the WBF. He asked for comments via email for a feedback session to be held in the next few weeks.

Gary Coombes will speak at the next meeting with a summary of the SAWBF.

Lindsay thanked Trevor and the committee for the great work done.

A new member Richard Sanders really enjoyed the event including the breakfast at Armfield.

Someone at Everard Park won Armfield raffle for a boat and intends to sell it.

John Draper has another boat which will be steam driven as well. He has lots of bits & pieces for sale.

After the break, several members presented information about various activities

Trevor mentioned there were over 100 volunteers at the boat festival and many council staff volunteered for the Pirate Trail.

Elizabeth Nicholls spoke about the PS South Australia and will provide an article for Crow’s Nest.

Young Achievers Award – Lindsay Dent spoke about his ideas to foster youth in the wooden boat world. Please check the Crow’s Nest and the website for details.

He also suggested that WBASA could fund a young sailor on the One & All for November.

Lindsay also suggested WBASA build and row a St. Ayles skiff.

Meeting closed at 9.12pm Next meeting: 26th June 2017 Astor Hotel, Adelaide 6.30pm for dinner.

Apologies: Roger Keyes, Alex Bennett, Brian Wegener, Kevin Whitely, Ursula Sombetzki, Tony & Viv Chantilly.

Vale – Jim Fowles, Brian Brawley

Welcome to new members: Peter Mitchell and 2 visitors with Graeme Butler.

Correspondence: a letter from Pauline Fowles (circulated)

Minutes of last meeting: published in the last Crow’s Nest.

TREASURERS REPORT:

We have 205 members

Income exceeded expenditure at the WBASA tent; $1500 sales at the tent; Kid’s knots activity was very successful as part of the Pirate Trail; Anne Potter thanked all the volunteer helpers who were so welcoming to all visitors

Swamp Chick was sold to Rob Bowring

EDITOR: Graham would like tales from the SAWBF as well as photos. He also would like calendar photos, with an eye to women skippers.

COMING EVENTS:

Meningie to Narrung 13-14th May – please speak to Lindsay tonight if you are attending.

PS Industry charter 10-12 June – please inform Lindsay if you would like to attend.

8-9 July Moonlight Run can be linked with the following weekend at Punyelroo; they need to know numbers soon.

22nd July – Wentworth Junction Rally

20-21st August Morgan to Cadell

Monday 1st May 2017 at the Astor Hotel Summary of General Meeting

A Good News Story the Cutter “Victoria”

Sail and Oar Naval Cutter Victoria Built by Savage Boat Builder, Williamstown, Vic. 1944. Dimensions of 30' by 8'6".

The cutter was gifted to the Axel Stenross Maritime Museum of Pt. Lincoln, S.A. by Warwick Turner of Echuca in 2016.

After an initial inspection by the Museum boat restorer, the decision was made to accept her for restoration and bring her up to seaworthy standard. The Museum volunteers drove to Echuca, using their trailer to bring her to her new home, and work started on the restoration in mid February, 2017. The first job was to clear out the floor timbers that supported the steam engine installed by the Turner Family. The stem -

rubber (sponson) was taken off and repaired. The false keel was also removed (permanently). The transom was repaired and the height lifted. Working along the full length of the boat the ribs were repaired by laminating and gluing and each rib was doubled up. New thwarts and centre case have been installed, ahead of removing the deck.

Axel Stenross Maritime Museum Ph (08) 8682 3624

Many members will recall our Echuca event during which we visited the property of (the now sadly deceased) Warwick Turner. Amongst an amazing collection of all things nautical or steam sat, way out in a paddock, the cutter Victoria on her trailer. In our August 2015 edition of Crow’s Nest we put out a plea for anyone to save this fine vessel. As editor I heard nothing and had assumed the worst.

It is therefore with absolute delight that I find that Warwick had gifted Victoria to the Axel Stenross Museum –Ed

Victoria as we saw her on Warwick Turner’s property in 2015


PAINTING YOUR OWN BOAT OR JUST NEEDING ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO?

GDB are also available to assist members! Contact David or Graeme

Phone 08 8244 0155 or email [email protected]

With over 40 years of experience in boat paints, GDB are the people to see for market leading International paints and paint related products including Sikaflex, Nuplex composites, 3M Marine painting accessories & epoxy resin

GDB Services Pty. Ltd. - The Yacht and Boat Paint Specialists See our website www.gdbservices.com.au

Marine Heritage Engineering We provide

General metal machining services for the manufacture and repair of propeller shafts keyways and the fitting of propellers as well as your general machining requirements.

Brass etched names plates for instrument panels and general brass plate labelling

Roy Duncan Phone 0427187547 email [email protected].

WBASA Inc. Merchandise

WBASA Clothing : More colours and sizes now available. We offer to arrange the embroidering of the WBASA logo and /or your boat name on your selected garment. Price dependent on your request but about $7.00 per line.

Rugby tops: with denim collars $50 .00 Polo shirts: $30.00 Polar vests: $40.00 Hoodies: $35.00 T Shirts: 15.00 Caps: $15.00

WBASA Burgees: $25.00

WBASA Wooden Plaques: $20.00

WBASA Universal Wine Tasters: Etched with WBASA logo $36.00 per half doz. or $ 6.00ea.

WBASA Stubbie Holders: WBASA Logo on face $3.50

WBASA The First 20 Years: Our history by Peter Shipside and Bob Jennings. $10.00

Enquiries to Anne Potter on 0405 418 710 [email protected] or visit the website www.wbasa.org.au

Merchandise available at meetings or ordered through the Association

Monogrammed glasses $6.00 ea. Just the thing for that warming winter tipple

Action at Armfield Slip from Bob Jennings Multitasking activities are keeping busy the burgeoning membership of Armfield Slip, despite challenging weather kicking in to make life challenging at the shed.

With up to 25 people, including half a dozen or so new members attending, the committee has been busy developing projects for all concerned. The toy group has swung back into full production replenishing stocks of the model paddle steamer kits following almost a sell out during the Wooden Boat Festival. Deane Leicester is grooming a new member to take over this vital source of funding.

Bill Johns has completed the new mast for the gaff rigged cutter, Untama, and the new stick has been raised, not without some difficulty in re-rigging the spaghetti junction at the top of the mast involving shrouds, stays, halyards and lazy jacks. Now some further maintenance work is being carried out to make her ready for the sailing season.

Peter Shipside and Ted Becket have replaced rot-affected thwarts, knees and decking on the ex-Navy cutter and one of our new members has rewired the electrics.

There have been some expressions of interest from people involved in making the sequel to the film Storm Boy in looking at the restored fishing boat used in the original, 1976 film.

This boat was restored by Armfield about five years ago and has been offered for use. Geoffrey Rush will be one of the stars of the new film Michael Dearing, who headed the Storm Boy boat restoration is also now heading a group rebuilding a clinker putt-putt which will be offered for sale on completion. Meanwhile, the carvel putt-putt which is now sitting on a new trailer is being offered at a new, sub-$9000 price. So Armfield is fulfilling its role of preserving traditional wooden boat building skills and encouraging the use of these craft.


http://www.wbasa.org.au


General Meetings The Association meets on the last Monday of even months at the Astor Hotel, except the October meeting at Goolwa. As usual the meeting starts at 7.45pm and most people arrive at about 6.30pm for dinner. Please order by 7.00pm.

Committee Meetings The committee meets on the last Monday of odd months at Auchendarroch, Mount Barker from 6.30pm for dinner; meeting commences at 7.45pm. If you would like to meet with your committee ring someone on the committee to check the time and venue.

Website Members Section A reminder that access to your Members’ Section of our WBASA website is:- USER NAME: members PASSWORD: WBASA16

Welcome to New Members May

Michael Gannon, owner of 36ft cruiser Pauline, built by Clausens for their own use

April & at the Wooden Boat Festival Bob and Von Morriss, from Goolwa owners of cabin cruiser Toby

Peter and Jane Mitchell, who own Kooraka, 31ft Mundoo II cruiser

Michael Arbon, owner of Goldie with a Stuart turner twin

Bruce Tonkin, who owns Turella, 30ft carvel cruiser originally from Qld

March Vanessa Peterson— So far the only communication from Vanessa is an EFT payment for her

membership. We have not received any membership forms so are not able to add her to the mailing list. Anyone know Vanessa? Can she please contact [email protected]?

WBASA Inc. Association General Information.

Crow's Nest Deadlines Your projects, voyages, ideas, boating tales, Boat Profiles, Recipes, Backwash (letters to the editor), requests for information and adverts are all good subjects and welcome by the deadline of Friday 28th July 2017 for the August edition. Please keep your articles to around 1000 words. Photos encouraged. Contact our editor Graham Hardy. Ph. 0412 822 055 or [email protected]

Membership Membership Full/Family $40; Country (>100km from Adelaide) $35; Concession $35. For membership information contact our Membership Officer Alex Bennett for information and forms. Ph. 0408 856 174 or [email protected],au or go to the website www.wbasa.org.au for an application form.

Your 2016 – 2017 WBASA Inc. Committee

President Tim Potter 0439 847 698 [email protected] Secretary Rosi Hardy 0412 792 767 [email protected] Treasurer Anne McCutcheon 0418 895 993 [email protected] Membership Alex Bennett 0408 856 174 [email protected] Editor Graham Hardy 0412 822 055 [email protected] Events Lindsay Dent 0421 493 397 or 8357 4486 [email protected] Merchandise Anne Potter 0405 418 710 [email protected] Other members Roy Duncan 0427 187 547 [email protected] Peter Richards 0429 649 055 [email protected] Website Alan Boman 0408 014 234 or 8278 4109 [email protected]

Notice of Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting of the Wooden Boat Association of SA will be held at the Astor Hotel, Pulteney Street Adelaide, on Monday 28th August 2017, beginning at 7.45 pm.”

WBASA Banking Details Banking details for the Wooden Boat Association of SA are

Bank SA BSB: 105-025 Acct No: 121901440. If you make an EFT payment, please add details to the payment which include your surname and a word (or two) describing the purpose of the payment. If you pay in monies at a Bank SA branch, ask the staff to write a description.

mailto:[email protected],au









Members’ Advertisements Crow’s Nest circulation is approximately 250. We will advertise members’ boats and accessories for sale, or items wanted, free of

charge. If you have a boat or bits for sale, contact the editor 0412 822 055 The web site and the Crow’s Nest advertisements are integrated, therefore if you place an advertisement in one it will automatically

appear in the other for the two month period between Crow’s Nest issues. Commercial advertisements for non-members are $20.00 if a photograph or graphics are included, $15.00 if text only. Members who

place private advertisements are free. Members who wish to place a commercial advertisement will be given a $5.00 discount.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTACT THE EDITOR IF YOU WISH TO HAVE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT REPEATED.

ORANA

A wooden boat with a dry hull! Hartley cruiser 10m long 0.25m draught.

The convenience of a small houseboat with the speed of a cruiser.

Sleeps 5, galley, 3 way fridge, toilet, depth sounder, GPS, DVDTV, 1600cc 45hp Ford Sea Panther diesel. 70L fresh water, 160Lfuel. All safety gear, Grey and black water compliant.

$27,000. Phone 0439 847 698

BOAT TRAILER WANTED

I have had a project boat down in the Mundoo Channel at Goolwa for a while now and would like to try and move it back to Adelaide if I can find a suitable trailer to borrow or hire. The boat details: 7 meters long 2.7 wide (beam) Around a 3 foot draft Estimated weight, between 2.5 and 3 tonne (motor has been removed) Attached a photo of the boat from it's hey day, it looks significantly more barnacle encrusted now. Contact: Simon Mags [email protected]

TRAILER BOAT The boat is about 4.7 m long. Lapstrake hull (fiberglassed by the previous owner) has a Yanmar 1.5 diesel engine, 2 prop shafts, rudder, window trim and some bits and pieces. The boat is sound and doesn't need much work. comes with a solid and heavily galvanised trailer with functioning lights but not currently registered. Asking for $1500.

Contact: Chris [email protected]

GIVE AWAY DIESEL ENGINE

Sea Panther 4 cylinder 1600 cc inline direct injection diesel engine 25 hp. It is a Watermota Sea Panther including driveshaft and propeller and original manual. It was removed from Key Largo some 15 years ago. It was seized and still is. I have taken off the head but still have all the parts.

Contact Peter Gibberd 0414 821 613 [email protected]

AGNES Whitehall 14’6” Sailing Boat Built in 1985 by Allan Brooker—Adelaide. Oregon strip planking, sheaved with fibreglass to Gunwale. Varnished interior. Drop centre board. McFarlane sail - sprit rig, main and jib. On very good trailer. 5 hp 4 stroke outboard, two hours use if required. $7,500 without outboard, $9,000 with. Contact: Doug Pelliser 0447 547 202

WOODEN MAST

Seven metre wooden mast, diamond stayed, Oregon, hollow con-struction. Complete with fittings and halyards.

Phone Jane or Rob on 0428 450 409 to view/make an offer.

PEARL Want to own a part of maritime history? Pearl classic 1945 timber fishing boat originally used around Kangaroo Island then moved to Pt. Lincoln where it was converted to a motor sailer. Cabin beautifully fitted out with jarrah timber, sleeps 3 people. Jarrah planked below water line, oregon topsides over spotted gum ribs. Deck is 1/2" marine plywood over oregon deck beams. Cabin and topsides marine plywood over oregon beams. Length 30' (9.23m), beam 10' (3.5m), draft 5'6" (1.69m), sloop rig with full set of sails including a spinnaker. Fitted with one 80hp Ford Lees diesel, fully marinised, the motor is coupled to a Borge Warner 1 to 1 hydraulic gearbox, the shaft connected to gearbox is 1 1/4 Monnel Metal connected direct to the gearbox. Recently fitted brand new Core Cooling heat exchanger, brand new stainless steel exhaust, brand new alternator, new throttle cable, new auto bilge, 2 new marine batteries connected to 80 watt solar panel, recently fully serviced, excellent condition. Deck winch 12-volt electric fitted forward below deck, standard instruments as fitted and supplied with the Ford Lees Motor. Navigation lights to conform to Marine and Harbour regulations. A 27 Meg GME Electrophone Radio, Furuno GPS, Furuno colour echo sounder, Plastimo 100 Auto pilot, mild steel fuel tank capacity 225 litres, second tank also mild steel construction 190 litre capacity. Small bar fridge 240 volt. All bunks with brand new high density foam, new wool carpet throughout, head in working order, plenty of storage. Safety equipment includes flares, 2 anchors of suitable size, 2 electric bilge pumps, 2 fire extinguishers, Celestial compass, EPIRB, new windows in front cabin, new stainless steel rudder shaft, slipped in October 2016. Marine surveyor provided a valuation report in 2002 for insurance purposes and boat is currently insured and moored in Whyalla, South Australia. $23,500 ONO Contact: Darren Linke Mob: 0418 805 740 [email protected]

WEEROOPA Weeroopa was built in 1935 by 'Scrubby' Harris past commodore of the Port Adelaide Sailing Club. This is a beautiful well built well maintained timber boat and has been protected by full covers throughout her life. Inside she has strong ribs and beauti-fully laid up timbers. She has a basic setup with some modern comforts built in. For example a plumbed in head, galley, and side table that can be put between the two front berths. Weeroopa had a complete refit in 2003 which included 74 new ribs, new stringers, 2600 new copper nails/roves, 150 new silicon bronze screws to the garboard planks and transom, all raked and fully recalked top to bottom, new cabin sole /galley / bunks/ bulkhead and chart table. She was fully rewired using tinned copper, mast totally rebuilt. New pushpit, pulpit, dodger, cruising sun awning full boat covers boom to toe rail, new head sail. Length 30 feet o/all (9.15m). Hull jarrah below, oregon above. $29,500.

Contact: Michelle 0419 034 756 [email protected]

June 2017 - Wooden Boat Association

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Transcript of June 2017 - Wooden Boat Association