The News, Culture and Practice of Sailing woodenboats
in Australia, New Zealand & The South Pacific.

ADVENTURE, FLOTSAM Mark Chew ADVENTURE, FLOTSAM Mark Chew

Eight Bells : Tim Severin

…Somewhere in this spectrum fits Tim Severin who died three weeks ago in West Cork, Ireland. In my teenage years I read “The Brendan Voyage” a few times, relishing his account of both the research and the execution of his greatest adventure…

Read More
ART Sal Balharrie ART Sal Balharrie

The SWS Summer Playlist

Here are the tunes you’ll need for these holidays. All songs reference boats and sailing in at least a fleeting way.

Read More
FLOTSAM Sal Balharrie FLOTSAM Sal Balharrie

Flotsam #2

Every week you’ll find snippets of stories from around the globe. This week in Flotsam - The AGE profiles Wyruna.

Read More
RESTORATION Sal Balharrie RESTORATION Sal Balharrie

The Life & Times of Yacht Ida

In the spring of 1895 Charles Bailey Jr and his younger brother Walter, trading as “C. & W. Bailey”, built the 5 rater Ida for their good customers, merchants Jagger brothers and W. Frater Jr. …. The restoration process commenced with cutting off the rotting, cabin top, decking and beams.

Read More
FLOTSAM Mark Chew FLOTSAM Mark Chew

Australian Wooden Boat Festival

it’s good to see that despite the cancellation of the 2021 Australian Wooden Boat Festival, the organisers led by Paul Stephanus, have decided to go ahead with the spectacular biennial Parade of Sail on the Derwent. on Sunday 7th of February 2021.

Read More
CRUISING, FLOTSAM Mark Chew CRUISING, FLOTSAM Mark Chew

Finding Aloa

ALOA has quite a special history. She was designed by AC Barber (perhaps most famous for designing the first Sydney Hobart winner RANI) and built in Berry's Bay just north of Goat Island in Sydney Harbour, possibly by Charles Pugh.

Read More