Some of this week’s news and stories from around the wooden boat world.

These days I don’t sail often. I live in London. My career and my group of non-sailing friends take up most of my time. I often pine after cheap Scandi 30ft keel boats on Instagram and imagine a life up a Norwegian fjord, but then I have to rush off to a meeting and a pint of Guinness and my nautical notions fade.  

“Our reference to the “inaugural Trans-Tasman Yacht Race” was specifically meant to describe the CYCA’s inaugural running of this event and not to imply that it is the first Trans-Tasman race in history. At the CYCA, we truly value and honour the legacy of offshore sailing.”

The soft rush of water past the planking by your head carries you swiftly away to never-never land. Stepping up on deck, hot mug in hand, you cast an eye over the weather horizon as the just-risen sun pierces bright beams through low clouds over grey-blue water. The morning watch is reluctant to leave the helm. She has entered a state of harmony with the rushing water, the sighing breeze, the easy motion, the expanding light. Passing her the hot mug you go below to pour yourself another from the old copper kettle.

Participation in the discussion was broad, ‘animated’, lively, inclusive and positive. For the first time since the DV eviction notification, members of the HF were able to actually discuss the challenge of eviction, the specific needs of each project as well as any shared concerns in relation to the eviction threat to include developing a coordinated HF response.

When Jim saw the article we published last week in SWS entitled “A Final Stitch Through the Nose” he wrote to us asking to remind the readers, that here in Melbourne we have a beautiful historic vessel that is ready and waiting, in survey, and most importantly very experienced in handling the most important and emotional moments of your family’s journey.

The body needs to be properly prepared for burial at sea. It is appropriate for the body to be sewn into a shroud made of a very strong, biodegradable material that does not contain plastic fibres or has been chemically treated (e.g., Calico). The shroud should be  adequately weighted (all plastics must be removed) to ensure rapid descent and permanent submersion of the body and include slits or openings to minimise flotation.

A selection of News Items from the week in wooden boats.

There are times when owners needs to sell a classic sailboat but the memories of the good times on the boat keep them for committing. David Crosby cherished Mayan, not just for the times he sailed her but also for the inspiration she brought to his song writing

The ABC picked up on our story from last week. The aforementioned rowlocks are still sitting beside my computer as I write. Surely there true custodians can be tracked down!

"We're moving quickly to get her back into a situation where we can find out what, on this occasion, went wrong and then we'll continue to move forward with a plan that we have to restore it."

It is dark, but the sky is clear enough to see the moon bearing true north. The navigator, crusty old salt, informs the skipper they will arrive at the Rip at the flood slack and they can sail straight in. No tide tables were on board. How did the navigator know?

The brain uses this positional disparity automatically in everyday life to gain a depth of perception. Measuring distance by the rule of thumb relies on leveraging the known dimensions of the outstretched arm and the distance between the eyes. Your arm is typically 10 times as long as the distance between your eyes.

I find it hard to get too excited about stories of semi-billionaires spending a small proportion of their wealth on enormous toys like this one. But you have to admit there are some good trickledown effects…Shipwrights with solid jobs, skilled crew in permanent employment, caterers, photographers, engineers, pilots, sailmakers, insurance companies, … the list goes on and on.

If you are reading this then the chances are you are part of something that’s bigger than you imagine. The wooden boat world by nature self depreciatory. It’s an admirable characteristic to understate, to play down, in a world where the unjustified hyperbole often drowns out the the quiet achievers.

While other kids were playing sport, Ms Lambert and her brother spent weekends by their father's side as he built his masterpiece over the next decade. She was a teenager when the boat was finally launched at Mackay Harbour in 1984.

There are two types of traditional boat enthusiasts; Those that grew up reading the American publication “Wooden Boat” and those who grew up with the British monthly, “Classic Boat”.

Let’s face it: those of us in this room belong to a religion, a cult, if you like. It’s not a blessing of the fleet kind of religion; it's a nature-worshipping religion, a pagan religion, a mystery cult. The deepest mystery of all - is, of course - where does all the money go? Yes - our totems do demand the occasional sacrifice of the fatted wallet. But what do they offer in return?

But one of the stainless bolts broke off in my hand. The original silicon bronze bolts appeared to be excellent condition and not replaced. New silicon bronze bolts replaced the old stainless steel bolts.

Half a dozen finished boards rested against a wall, their lacquer shimmering in the morning light, but what immediately caught the eye were the intricate patterns embedded in their facades.