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).