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!