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

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