The News, Culture and Practice of Sailing woodenboats
in Australia, New Zealand & The South Pacific.
Decades of Design
By 1963 things were getting professional with the CYCA getting graphic artists on board. The winner was still there on the cover but groovy fonts and relaxed super-graphics were in vogue. By 1967 the “Opera House Effect” was in play.
Building Morbic 12
My boat is not perfect and if I built a second one it would be better. So if you wanted to build something similar perhaps you can learn from what I did.
Monsieur Couta
We were one of 747 boats in the Douarnenez Festival and won the Marco Polo award for having travelled the furthest. We were treated like rock stars.
This is Not Acceptable
“For such a hunt to take place in 2021 in a very wealthy European island community just 230 miles from the UK with no need or use for such a vast quantity of contaminated meat is outrageous.”
Rob Read, COO at Sea Shepherd UK
Sailing in Metaphors
We remember what we have heard or seen on the water when any number of situations arise on land, and are likely to say, “It is just like being on a boat.” Sailing is a metaphor for everything.
Forlorn Hope -1864
A flawed attempt to settle Australia’s ‘empty north’ triggered an epic 2,300NM open boat voyage along the unexplored northwest coast, from Van Diemen Gulf down to today’s Geraldton.
Planning to Celebrate the End of Lockdown?
The Regatta is open to any yachts that have competed in a Sydney-Hobart race pre 1976 and a few other Classics by special invitation.
Tumlaren Sailing New Zealand Style
In 1963 after rounding White Island , we had some fresh headwinds , and after one very noisy crash off a sea , we hove-to for the night , sort of slept. Next morning , we cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, and in moderated conditions got underway again.
A Boat for Bond…James Bond
While re-reading Ian Fleming’s oeuvre recently, I seem to remember that my wife remarked… ”This is misogynistic crap” …and she’s probably right.
A Sailing Life
The wind strength increased all night until in the vicinity of Bustard Head lighthouse it topped 100 knots. Our last remaining canvas, the Spitfire jib was hoisted, and KINTAMA lay ahull. The crew exhausted, replaced the storm boards, piled into the soaked bunks and fell asleep
A Small Boat on Port Phillip in 1802.
“Were a settlement to be made at Port Phillip, as doubtless there will be some time hereafter, the entrance could be easily defended. It is capable of receiving and sheltering a larger fleet of ships than ever yet went to sea, and the region has a pleasing and in many parts a fertile appearance.”
Survivalists Of The Ocean
This week, we’re not tracking the Fastnet, or the Sydney to Hobart. This week we’re tracking the great classics; the survivalists of the ocean – the Southern Right Whale.
Reimers and Robb
In one season alone Coles made sixteen Channel crossings in COHOE, but her most famous voyage was the 1950 Transatlantic Race from Bermuda to Plymouth.
Auscrew - 50 Years On
"If you can remember it, you weren't there", a phrase often used in connection with Woodstock, but equally applicable to the infamous Auscrew parties of the Admiral's Cup era of offshore racing
“How to Build a Boat”… a must-read
Jonathan, who becomes a father again at the age of 58, realises that he is not going to be around forever for his three-year-old daughter Phoebe. Despite his lack of practical experience, decides to build her a 10ft clinker dinghy in real wood, and in the space of a year. The result is, by turns, moving, funny and perceptive.
“All the symbolism is shit”
No, it’s not a fishing manual or boat survival handbook; it’s more a fable-like story. For the old man, fishing isn’t simply a contest; it has a philosophical meaning.
Delightful, Delicious, Dinosaurs.
It’s amazing that yachts which require so many crew, so much expertise, not to mention so many dollars to run them, have become such a flourishing class in Europe and the USA.
Being a hero is all about timing
With a small sum of money collected by the sale of his belongings and contributions from his family, Speck set off from Hamburg on 13 May 1932, when Hitler was almost unknown. Armed with a kayak, two paddles, a camera, film, clothing, a pistol, he paddled down the Danube towards the Mediterranean.
Who is Knud Reimers?
Most sailors know Knud Reimers’ Tumlaren sailed in Australia since 1937. But it’s just one boat in a huge folio of successful designs over six decades. Here’s a look at Reimers and his boats.
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