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

TOM'S ADVENTURE Mark Chew TOM'S ADVENTURE Mark Chew

Island Happenings

The people of Penrhyn are not new to looking after stranded sailors, and there are often stories told about the odd Japanese fishing boat that has been wrecked on the island, the most recent of which was in the last 15 years.

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DINGHIES Mark Chew DINGHIES Mark Chew

Back to Chelsea

The Chelsea Classic brings to life the excitement of sailing from the Club’s formation in 1938, to the post war boom in sailing through the 1950’s to 1970’s including Vee Jays, Skates, Rainbows, Gwen 12's, St Kilda 8's, 14 foot skiffs, Heavyweight Sharpies and timber Lightweight Sharpies, both sailing and on display.

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FOR SALE Mark Chew FOR SALE Mark Chew

Jolly Roger-Rani’s Relation

Perhaps before embarking on the new build of a wooden boat, first consider if there is an existing craft that, given a full restoration, would fulfil your needs and dreams as well as one built from scratch.

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FESTIVALS Mark Chew FESTIVALS Mark Chew

The AWBF 2023 Film

Just in case you are still dreaming of that weekend three weeks ago, the AWBF has put together a three minute video montage covering all the action from in an around the Hobart Waterside.

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OBITUARY Mark Chew OBITUARY Mark Chew

Eight Bells- Doug Jenkin

An upright, quietly spoken gentleman in a captain’s cap introduced himself, and without any hint of self-engrandisment, made it clear that he knew what he was talking about when it came to wooden boats.

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DESIGNERS Mark Chew DESIGNERS Mark Chew

GLORIA-Perfection afloat

The creators of GLORIA were certainly looking for perfection during their 15 year build at Wilson’s in Cygnet. I’m not sure if they achieved contentment but they certainly created one of the most special yachts in Australia.

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SWS SHOP Sal Balharrie SWS SHOP Sal Balharrie

Open for Business

For some time at SWS, we’ve been discussing the need to dip a toe in the pool of offering our readers online products - and here we are launching with three. Welcome to our SHOP! Please come inside!

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Sal Balharrie Sal Balharrie

A National Secret for Falling Asleep

WARNING : Do not watch this video while driving. Just as there are those who prefer wood over plastic, humans can be further divided into good sleeps and poor sleepers. This article is for the later.

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Mark Chew Mark Chew

‘Elements’ and ‘Shelter’

This joint exhibition examines the connection between the ‘Elements’ and ‘Shelter’. At sea amongst it, in an anchorage seeking it and ashore being comforted by it.

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BOOK REVIEWS Mark Chew BOOK REVIEWS Mark Chew

Treasured Possessions.

In today’s world many of us cry out for ways to express our individuality and character. Many of our manufactured possessions are white and precision made from plastic or metal, it is rare for us to give them a name or character.

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