Eight Bells-Ben Marris
SAONA in the Channel
At the last Australian Wooden Boat Festival the “Boats Afloat” team arranged the vessels thematically. This was lucky for me, as we owned the Philip Rhodes designed FAIR WINDS and the boat parked next to us was also a Philip Rhodes design, called SAONA. My good fortune came not so much from the two designs being side by side, but because I got to spend a little more time with one of the true gentlemen of the Australian Wooden Boat World. Ben Marris, custodian of SAONA for the last 30 years was quietly spoken, self deprecating, and above all generous with his incredible knowledge and experience. I would be untue to say I knew him well. But we corresponded and shared stories around our boating overlaps, which always made me smile.
Ben died last Saturday after a short illness.
Chris Palmer, the Secrtary of the AWBF writes
Ben’s involvement with AWBF goes back many years. He was Chair of the organisation shortly after its creation and played a large part in getting it on to a sound administrative and financial position in its early years. More recently he was part of the selection panel for ‘Boats Afloat’, and of course was to be seen at all Festivals with his beloved SAONA. He was also a valued mentor and friend to many in AWBF.
If you would like to know more about Ben, or just relive some memories, then have a read of THIS ARTICLE or watch the short film below.
My last correspondence with Ben was only a few weeks ago…
Ben wrote
Hi Sal and Mark
Yesterday, after I had finally unwound this arthritic body from the scuppers and peeled off my gluey rubber gloves, I asked myself again if this was the last time I would be tending to a little rot in SAONA. Is it fair to her, given my reducing skills and capabilities?
But then I straightened up, stood back, looked at her, sniffed the breeze and thought that I am not ready for that kind of euthanasia yet.
Sail on 😊⛵️
Ben
