The idea was simple.  A singlehanded race around the world, following Trekka’s route as much as possible, in double-chined, 5.8m (19ft) sheet-plywood sloops.  Entrants were encouraged to build their own boats, though it was not mandatory.

Shoe string navigation, the Pride of the Murray, A Contessa rebirth, Columbus legacy, Another AC rant and 10% protection!

However, this remained a traditional artisanal shipyard until Patrizio Bertelli’s 1996 decision to have his tired wooden 12 Metre Nyala restored by his friend Federico Nardi, one of the yard’s co-owners, triggering the start of an explosion in classic restorations. In the years since then Argentario craftsmen have kept busy superbly restoring many of the sport’s most important yachts…

In Part Four Jim takes the boat from St Kilda to Martha’s Cove, through a nasty little squall, for a haul out and to work on the extensive maintenance list.

A big week of news and opinion, including meaningless Naples, a Vertue to Greenland, The SAWBF open for entries, Motorboat dreaming, different maps of the same place and anchoring stories.

EPISODE 17 // Back in our beloved Mahon. In this the penultimate episode of MATILDA RADIO SEASON ONE, we recap what surprised and delighted, disappointed about the places we have been; what we love and what we find frustrating about Matilda.

Sunk on purpose, sunk by mistake, Ansel Adams goes boating, a free mudlark, Hamble Gaffers, Karachi constructs and the lovely OUR LIZZIE

Jørn Utzon’s own house is currently for sale in a Danish forest. The house designed by the architect behind the Sydney Opera House, has come to market in Hellebæk, Denmark, where it stands in a clearing surrounded by forest. Built in 1951 as Utzon’s own home and workplace, it is now protected as a work of Danish modernism.

So, on leaving Porto Cervo, on our way to Bonifacio, we pulled out the headsail. Rather a big sea state. Next thing, we’re sailing over the sail. The entire thing is under the boat. Only two of us on board. Listen to the full story EPISODE 16 // WE SURVIVED THE STRAITS OF BONIFACIO.

In Part Three Jim takes the boat from St Kilda to Queenscliff for its annual mechanical service, he introduces us to some of the crew for the adventure and shows us one of Port Phillip’s famous dolphin pods.

Many of those returning from the conflict of 1939-1945 were soon pursuing new activities where they could find some small element of the excitement (and dangers) of wartime service. So began modern – and for many years extraordinarily dangerous – motor racing, as did the idea to race small yachts for long distances, two-handed and later solo

We all knew that the design would excel to windward, but the downwind in gusts of 30 was going to test our experience. Should we leave the kite in the bag? When the foredeck crew decided to bring the kite on deck “just in case”, we knew we were going to fly it.

The result is a genuine come-one-come-all setup: it's explicitly built as an entry point for kids who've never sailed before, and — refreshingly — there's no programme fee at all. That's no small thing for a hobby that can otherwise feel like a rich-kid sport. It's only running for the first time this year, but the club's already planning to make it a regular fixture, especially since interest has been strong from the get-go.

Swan dinghies, Ray Kemp, The Cup Regatta, Gaffers day, Golden Globe, PETREL continues and much more.

We did it! 170 boats over four days of racing, around islands in 30+knots. Legendary stuff! And now for the recap!

And we are racing in the ROLEX SWAN CUP! This week we discuss planning, practice and expectations before racing kicks on on Wednesday.

Well, Mr Know-it-all, here you are on a very skinny foredeck belonging to 'Athena', a gorgeous racing 8-Metre yacht, owned by a Peer of the Realm, Lord Jonathan of Cork, who has assumed from your Australian accent that you are the very bee's-knee's of foredeck hands, (despite being the oldest person on the boat), and miracles of calm efficiency are expected ! Oh, and did I mention I am nursing a shoulder cuff injury from a previous attempt at biting off more than I could chew.

Thomas is a "seascraper," or "shanker," earning a meagre living by using a horse-drawn cart to trawl for shrimp on the beach, which he then sells to a local distributer for a meagre return. He is only twenty years old, but endures the physically demanding work to support himself and his mother, continuing the craft he learned from his grandfather. Although he respects this hard, repetitive life, Thomas’s secret passion is for making folk music — a dream he hides from the his mother for fear of being ridiculed.

A wooden boat documentary, J Class heros, a WA fishing boat, a Sydney Gaff Cutter, and cables to Tonga.

This week we’re sailing from Scilla,in Calabria to Sardinia via the Aeolian Islands. We talk about cruising apps, connectivity and what makes a good charter destination, and much more.