Whitehall 14 - new addition to the fleet

I have managed to secure the distributorship of a new rowing skiff which has recently been put onto the market.

The Whitehall 14 is designed and built by Graham Daniels from Port Lincoln. Graham is the same person who built my classic electric launch.

The Whitehall dinghy is one of those classic designs that not one person in particular designed but is the evolution of many boatbuilders to satisfy a particular role. In this case it was the water boat of choice in New York Harbour in the sail era. Easy to row, carry large loads, fast and easy to build. Most of the boat yards that built these skiffs were at the bottom of Whitehall St in New York - hence the name.

This is a very pretty, practical boat that rows beautifully. Although the original design is hundreds of years old the construction is modern and is fitted with a sliding rowing seat, adjustable foot rest, outrigger rowlocks and carbon fibre oars.  

Fun - Fitness - Adventure are the three things this boat does for me. This is not just a still water boat and many trips have been undertaken in open water - as in ocean.

The demonstrator I have is also bult for sailing. Built in centreboard, simple furling unstayed mainsail, rudder and tiller. She sails like a witch and goes very well to windward.  I can row to my block on Boole Poole at 5 knots and sail home at 6 knots with the sea breeze.

This is a serious adventure boat and perfect for the 'Raid' events that are becoming more popular around Australia and the world as well as swanning around the canals and McMillan Straits.

Pop down to the shed at 47 Slip rd and have a look and take it out for a test row or sail or both and we will be at the Paynesville Boat Expo 23rd and 24th March.

Have a look at the website for more details and pictures of this fantastic skiff in use.

www.openwaterrowing.com.au

Coconut Palms

Coconut trees are synonymous with the Pacific and tropical islands and are very beautiful trees. But what is not as well known to non Pacific islanders is the versatility of this tree which is often called The most useful tree on earth. I don't think the tropics would be anything without this most valuable tree.

I am not going to list all the benefits of this tree - you can go to Wikipedia for that, but I will include an old diagram from the 1941 Pacific Year book which gives a comprehensive (and now politically incorrect) report of what is going on in Pacific Island nations and Territories.

During a recent trip to Kiribati I also found out anothe ruse - as a water detector. On the porous coral rock attols - access to the water table is varied. However coconut trees are a great indicator of where the good water is. A large tree that has grown quickly is almost always over a spot where it would be good to dig a well. Remove the tree (and use the products for 50 different things) dig a little and voila' - water.

My family and I had an opportunity to work in Fiji for several years (2006 - 2009). During that time we had the opportunity to pick up some of the local furniture which is made out of select coconut palm wood.

I have recycled some of this timber and have been selling some as pen blanks. The timber is very strong yet porous and light and would benefit from stabilisation but the fibres and grain are quite unique and random making for a very interesting result.

I have some left if anyone is interested.

Another 'product' of the coconut tree is the sap which is bled from the developing seed/nut sprout. In Tuvalu and Kiribati (and plenty of other places) this is called Toddy. In its purest form it is a highly nutritious juice that provides almost everything a person needs. They reckon you could live off pure toddy for ages. However  it is easily fermented to produce a quite astringent alcoholic beverage which is very, very potent and can easily send someone 'spacka'.

I have tried it a few times - before xmas in Kiribati and in Tuvalu in 2010 and believe, like kava, is an acquired taste only only to be pursue when desperate and the VB has run out (or warm).

Electric Boats - Any good?

About 18 months ago I noticed a fine looking launch for sale in the Book of Dreams (Trade a Boat) website. It seemed a pretty good price and as I was in Melbourne next day I decided to go out to Williamstown to have a look.  I also think it was an excuse to  go to Williamstown as it always has something good to see for people who like boats like me.

Anyway the boat looked very good - so I bought it, about 10 minutes ahead of two others who were keen, sight unseen, from interstate. Of course the motor worked when I looked at it but when I got it home and we launched it a week or so later the motor did not work.

I engaged the services of Frank our local marine electrical engineer (no website but Paynesville Marine Electronics is at 61 Slip Rd) who took it home to his workshop and did his best to restore life. However the boat wiring was old and a number of people had obviously modified it, so it was decided to rewire the boat and install a new and smarter battery charger and dumb battery chargers are no longer de riguer. Being 36v also helped with this decision.

Bugger me dead - all working good on land - get it into the water and she only goes backwards.

After much head scratching the decision is made to rewind the 36v 3HP electric motor. Found a great business in Oakleigh that does the job and with some fine tuning of the controller Frank has her running pretty good.

The Egyptian Hyroglphics are supposed to say Ra (sun God) but I need to check this as it could mean something else !

So this is now like a new boat -apart from the batteries which were fairly new anyway but allowed to go flat. Frank resurrected these to health and also installed a smart gauge to show how many hours of cruising left.

I am now in the process of getting the boat back into survey and hopefully someone will lease or buy this vessel to conduct short tours around Paynesville and the canals. The vessel was originally built by Graham Daniels in Port Lincoln. Graham makes some beautifully designed boats and this particular 24ft design has been sold all around Australia, predominantly to tour operators. Graham has just sold his identical boat in Port Lincoln after operating tours there for nearly 10 years.

This particular boat has 6 large 12v truck batteries and can theoretically cruise for approx. 32nm per charge. So 8 hours at 4 knots, 4 hours at 8 knots, 16 hours at 2 knots - you get the idea?  However 1 hour at 32knots does not work.  4 - 5 knots appears to be the comfortable (and quiet) cruising speed.

It really is a great little boat. I took my 80yo Mum and a few of her friends (and their 4 large dogs) for a 3 hour cruise earlier in the week from Sperm Whale Head to our block on Boole Poole and back via Ocean Grange. It was very pleasant, quietly sneaking up on birds and wildlife and being able to talk normally.

I think electrical power is certainly an option for many boats and I know a few people who have happily converted. As batteries get lighter, stronger and cheaper this technology will increase in popularity.

I really do need to reduce the fleet - so if you know of anyone interested in running tours around Paynesville - then I have a deal for you!

What's in the yard at the moment - Tranquil - Liza

Yesterday we slipped this 30ft Halvorsen style motor cruiser with an interesting and appropriate nautical name of Tranquil Liza - do you get it!

Great name although I am not sure if it is the amount of alcohol or the serenity of boating that achieves this state - could be both.

This boat was built in Melbourne by Harvey boatbuilders and spent a lot of her time in the fresh waters of Lake Eildon in NE Victoria. The boat is in fantastic condition for a steel boat over 40 years of age and a credit to the builder and the owner who regularly repairs and maintains this immaculate boat.

The original Dynet type coating is still intact and the hull is as fair as a new fibreglass boat.

What is also interesting is the built in engineering features that allow lighter gauge steel to be used without compromising strength. This can be seen on the cabin top where the steel has pressed ridges to strengthen and assist curving. The internal bulkheads are also much lighter than traditional timber, but much stronger.

She has a red Holden motor that purrs along and I think the noisiest bit is the starter motor.

It certainly goes to show that all boats can last a long time if they are regularly maintained and small problems are dealt with quickly.

What's in the yard at the moment - Sunrise

This week we slipped one of Paynesville's best known boats Sunrise.

This 23 ft NZ Kauri planked motor boat has been in the same family for three generations. Built in 1952 for Jack Trevorrow who is the grandfather of current custodian John Waller.

Built by Harry Clark in Williamstown/Newport it was one of a series of boats with a 'sun' theme. There was the:

20ft Day Dawn
23ft Sunrise and the
28ft Sunset

Sunrise has always been clear finished which makes her very easy to pick out among the ever increasing floating plastic on the lakes. John has also re-stepped the timber mast and fitted period brass navigation light fittings.

Beautiful Kauri Pine planking

Sunrise is in for her annuals and is in fantastic condition for her age which reflects positively on the love and care the Waller's have for this boat. I am tipping the 4th generation, who is often seen on lake excursions, already has designs on continuing the long love affair with this beautiful boat.

Note:  These pics were taken just after slipping and a short jet blast

Restoration? No - more like a resurrection

My boatyard does not really have a name at the moment. For the previous five years or so I was collaborating with David McCaskill who operated there under the trading name of Wooden Boatworks. However David is currently the Foreman at Gippsland Ports where he and Paul Vernon are doing a great job of building up that facility.

Since the sign came down - we have not put another one up because I am not sure what we should call it.

Paynesville boat centre, Paynesville centre for boat restoration, Reid's boatyard..... However with all the old boats I have collected over the past years I think we might have to call it The Centre for Dead and Dying Boats.  

I can't help myself. If I see something that is heading to a sadder place I cant stop collecting it and 'doing it up one day'.

We also have unofficial competition going - this was allegedly started by Steve Hall who said that the 'man who dies with the most amount of boats - wins'. Sadly Steve, who was a consummate lover of boats, cars and all things classic, died a few years ago and is therefore the current title holder.

Now I am not in a desperate hurry to claim this title - but if something did happen, then I could be in the running for the next title holder. I would like to be remembered for something important.

Anyway the point of this story.....

I would like to include on this blog - boats of significance or that have some history - or both.

The first is Isabel (could be Isobel, Isabelle, Isobelle, Isobell or Isabell)

Isabel is currently located at the front of the yard and if you go past you would have noticed her.  Classic 21ft clinker built, double ended lakes fishing boats. Allegedly built in Paynesville around 1920(?), spent time at Port Franklin or Port Albert and was eventually bought by a Melbourne syndicate who did restore her to sailing trim before sadly ending up in a yard in Williamstown.

As the yard was soon to be sold, she was heading for the knackers and I could not bear to see her cut up, nor could her former owner. So it came to me - hopefully so that 'someone' could 'do her up one day'.

I was happy to pay the $500 for transport - and now she sits - waiting.

Note the hand hewn stern

I would love to see this boat returned to her former glory. There is a sailing rig, prop and shaft and a small amount of hardware. If someone wanted to undertake the task we could come to a very generous arrangement.

If you had a bit of spare cash - then we have a couple of local boat builders who would love to do the work for you, or with you - but this boat is not for the fainthearted or inexperienced. This is not a restoration project - more like a resurrection

If anyone has more history on Isabel I would be pleased to receive it.

What's in the yard at the moment - Jedda

Last week I pulled out a 5.8m fibreglass Cruiscraft for the people from Paynesville's Church on the Water (COTW). COTW is a non denominational gathering that hires out one of the local charter boats on a Sunday to conduct their well attended services. This is quite a novel way of attracting people who love to be on the water and still attend church.

They have had this boat donated as a fundraiser and intend to sell it. It has a 28hp diesel and is now in pretty good condition considering Geoff and his team have been working flat out for the last 10 days scraping, antifouling, reblading the 4 blade prop and detailing the interior.

This is a well found boat and the brand is well known and perfect for the Gippsland Lakes. 

My secret with boats - Buy a Holden Commodore - as in - buy a boat that is well known, there are plenty around, you can more easily determine a price and they are far easier to sell when you have to.

This is a Holden Commodore - not exactly a HSV, but pretty steady and reliable and not that hard to maintain.

If you are interested in this boat please contact Geoff on 03 5156 0737.

Check out Church on the Water