Last week it was wonderful news to hear that Joy Phillips was elected Chair of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, the largest celebration of wooden boats and maritime culture in the southern hemisphere.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the last six months publishing articles on SWS it’s that the events that do best are created by enthusiasts on the ground, having an idea and then making it happen.

Although the Australian’s were quietly confident that they would not be disgraced, they were not prepared for the horse laughter of the English yachting press. One of their quotes read: 'Very sporting of the Australians to send over a couple of cruising boats (double-enders) and a very old Robert Clark design'.

While there are hundreds of beautiful words, lyrical and practical, used to describe the hull a boat, when it comes the interior there are few. Words seem to describe the atmosphere rather than the space. Those that do define space seem to have come from via the Navy rather than from the lips of the designer.

A rather beautiful boat stands on the hard, on the banks of the Tamar. Unknown, Un-Named and seemingly, Unloved. Can you help us solve the mystery?

“While most people know that Bogie and Bacall had a great love affair, probably fewer know about my father’s other great love–sailing. Specifically, it was with his 55-foot sailing yacht, SANTANA. The sea was my father’s sanctuary.” - Stephen Bogart

After almost 160-years, an ill-fated unique vessel has returned to its final resting place of Mangawhai, NZ. Built from Kauri by a Nova Scotian boat builder in 1863 and used to transport goods along the coast, only eight months later the the 17m schooner was stranded and reported, wrecked.

In 1973 the 33ft MAKULU was the only German entrant in that years Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Today you can find her on facebook marketplace for sale for $2200 AUD.

Thanks to Jaemie Wilson for telling us about this rare opportunity. CORINNA, Perhaps the only huon pine international Dragon ever built is being offered free to a good home. Her condition is described as “Dilapidated”.

When an ageing farmer took archaeologist Bob Sheppard aside and pointed high into the rafters of his old hay shed, the history lover could not quite believe his eyes.

Having spent all his summers on the Bellarine Peninsula Oscar Perri assumed Queenscliff to be the natural home of the famous Couta boat…Turns out, where there’s wood, there’s a story worth following.

The success of a yachting class often rests with a few unforeseen events and decisions. For over 90 years two similar boats, the Tumlaren and the Dragon have competed for devotees.

This month marks the 20th anniversary of the Launch of VANITY, the 24ft Ranger Class Gaffer, that has set the standard for the class over the last two decades.

With a couple of recent “barn finds” of Tums with excellent provenance and the legendary YVONNE due to emerge out of the shed after an exhaustive restoration, the class is ready for another growth spurt.

The greatest celebration of Wooden Boats and Maritime Culture on the planet*, welcomes you attend the 2021 Maritime Trail.

From the get go, Leo harnessed the power of social media to broadcast his story building not only a boat, but a remarkable community of volunteers and supporters.

In late primary school, I was dragged by my father to Sydney on one his boat buying expeditions. At Middle Harbour, we saw DEFIANCE, which was not for sale but that was the boat for us.

“Many of us are driven by the beauty that relates to pursuit of purpose.... boat design across many cultures is an almost perfect study of vernacular.” Australian Architect, Richard LePlastier

Can we draw your attention to the smile on the chap, about to christen the bow of his boat with a bottle of beer. Sums it all up. Priceless.

I had a quick look at Yachthub to see what else you might find for this price…Nothing against old Beneteaus, but if space and comfort are your priorities then I suggest you stay at home.