We repeatedly emphasized that we were aboard a small 8-meter sailboat, but the response was the same each time: "We are a 50-meter three-masted sailboat, and we offer our assistance in towing you to Paimpol."

FELUCCA shows a number of features that are rare in Moths, including reverse clinker construction, a dished cockpit, flat foredeck (no centre hump) and a rear tank.

The goal of the voyage is to ignite a movement of 10 million “planetary navigators” by developing young leaders and engaging communities around the world to take part in navigating the earth towards a healthy, thriving future.

I continued to look at the weather incessantly, until December came around – at last a double high pressure system lay over Victoria, producing a week of pleasant but windless days. It wasn't an idyllic northwesterly, but it was something. This was my chance.

But we weren’t going to South Australia for art, landscapes and wine, we were going to experience the 17th biennial South Australian Wooden Boat Festival held in Goolwa near the mouth of the Murray. I was looking forward to understanding a little bit about the particular craft of the area and how they relate the idiosyncratic geography of the region.

My name is Holly (22 years old) and my husband Jordy (23 years old) and I are the very proud owners of ‘Clare’. She is a Maurice Griffiths, 40 foot ketch planked in 1 1/2 Jarrah, built and launched in 1951 in WA. She is currently out of the water in Hastings VIC and we are currently completing a full restoration.

We all know what happened to the WINSTON CHURCHILL. But her accomplishments in life have been eclipsed by her tragic demise. Many might not know of her whirlwind circumnavigation in 1967. A time in history when the word “laconic” began to be owned by Australians

The plan to restore YVONNE was never about becoming the long term custodians of this unique yacht. It was always focussed on saving her, bringing her home and ensuring that she has the opportunity to sail with the growing fleet of Tumlarens on Port Phillip for the next 50 years

Like the preservation of our built environment, historical buildings only live on if they are living breathing things that people can engage with. Historic vessels surely the same?

There is of course in the community a finite amount of time, resources and money to go into restoring old boats. Not every craft can be saved. I estimate that of the wooden boats in Australia that are currently “out of commission” perhaps one in ten will ever float again… So what should be the criteria for deciding which craft are worthy of a new lease of life?

How far this next leg will take Tom we do not know. He is 3,000 nautical miles from Brisbane (roughly 100 days away at his first leg speed of 1.24 knots), 1,500 nautical miles from Fiji (50 days) and 870 nautical miles from Samoa (30 days)

It was always the whole restoration project and saving her from the scrapyard for Phil . We have raced her with our local fleet but she really needs to be with other classics

“The yacht is characterised by a classic design that focuses attention on her unique wooden frame, finished in a high-gloss clear coat. “

No romance, though! Bill was a working man with a work boat. He changed the oil and patched the bottom as necessary, but always in the unsentimental way you would care for a cash cow. He loved the chink of coins in the worn leather bag he wore on one shoulder.

So perhaps almost 40 years after AUSTRALIA II’s victory and with only 18 months to the 37th iteration of the event in Barcelona , readers might be interested in this fascinating program, which covers DAME PATTIE’s predecessor’s campaign in 1962.

Recently, a friend of mine wrote that he had planted a “copper beach” tree at his farm in the Huon Valley. Although a scholar and polymath, who may well have been deceived by the autocorrect function, he seemed to me to be deserving of a minor rebuke

What followed was some exciting downwind sailing. With wind speeds of up to 45 knots from behind, simple manoeuvres became all 18 hands on deck and up to 45 minutes of planning and execution just to safely gybe the 45-ton bucking bronco.

“I have sailed in this club since it was formed and for twenty years have never taken a start.  I am not a one-day champion, have always been a champion, and consider I should always be on scratch.  Whilst I am boat sailing, if I can’t win without a start it is time for me to turn the game up.” 

All day the village worked, unloading everything imaginable for a settlement. There were building materials, outboard motors, bicycles and motorbikes, freezers, mattresses, and sacks of rice, flour and sugar - the essentials.

Presented as if a charming blend of a 1960 American documentary and a contemporary Wes Anderson Film, “Camel Finds Water” reminds us that boat ownership should be about achievement, adventure and friendship rather than Yacht Club Memberships, 15 coats of varnish and “mine is older/longer/prettier/faster than yours”.