Five under Five
Summer is coming, lockdowns are ending. time to get out on the water one way or another! Based on the theory that the pleasure to be gained from a boat, is inversely proportional to its length. here are five classic little wooden boats, all under 5 meters long, and all currently on the market.
Northeaster Dory Sailing Dinghy with Balanced Lug Sail $13,500
A dory is a lot of boat for the money, which explains the enduring popularity of the type going back 150 years or more. The narrow waterline results in a fast hull under sail or oars, but the flared topsides provide ample reserve stability. Dories are great load-carriers, and the Northeaster Dory is no exception. 350kgs is the max payload. This one built in marine okoume plywood, with a balanced lug rig. The mast is stepped at the keel through the mast partner and requires no stays. There is a new dacron sail that has one row of reefing points. An aesthetically pleasing little vessel that is stable and easy to sail. It has a set of wooden oars, a custom weather max cover and registered trailer.
It’s currently somewhere near Cessnock in NSW.
Wooden Sabre Dinghy $2,000
The Sabre Dinghy is a single-handed sailboat that is 12'4" or 3.76 m long. The boat was designed in 1974 by Rex Fettell, who also designed the Minnow. As of 2017 over 2,000 sail numbers have been issued.
Being easy to sail and suited to all sailors of varying abilities, it is popular both with learners and the less physically strong sailors who find more powerful boats like the Laser overpowering.
This wooden one, in Albury NSW, has been lovingly restored, well maintained and is in good condition. It’s kept under cover in a garage year round. It comes with a wooden beach trolley, all fittings and boat cover. This timber Sabre is ready to sail and can be put to use today with no work required.
Mirror Dinghy $300
How about this one as a “fix it up” project for the kids over the summer? Not much to lose at only $300! And It’s a famous Jack Holt Mirror! See the SWS article
Not a lot of info…but the pictures tell the story.
does not leak, 4 people can seat.
Pick up only from Telegraph Point. NSW
(Does the dog come with it?)
Custom Huon Pine traditional clinker/lapstrake Dinghy $11,000
Huon Pine traditional clinker/lapstrake construction superbly build by Adrian Dean of Margate, Tasmania as a community Bi-centennial project in 1988. It has the following features:-
- Museum quality construction, clear grain Huon, 12mm/1/2", continuous planks.
- Tight seamed rebated plank laps, varnish and rivets, no epoxy, no leaks.
- Hood sails, excellent condition, little used.
- Gaff rigged main and jib, timber mast and boom/s.
- Traditional wood and bronze blocks, some hemp leads..
- Stainless steel hand fabricated fittings.
- Bronze bilge pump.
- Very strong King trailer with tilt bed.
- Dagger board, aluminium. Have plans for a centre board conversion if thought worthwhile.
- Exhibited at Tasmanian Wooden Boat Festival '94 and '96.
Price? How do we get their - Paul Gartside, British Canadian designer of similar traditional boats, estimates 600hrs construction time with high skilll level, $15k @ $25/hr nominal. Timber, if you can find a Huon trove, fittings etc., say $10k and $3-5k for the trailer. So replacement $25k +. Yes, I know this doesn't work for used boats in this market so a fraction of this estimate.
YIKLA has been a little neglected in recent years due to other pressing priorities and is need of some cosmetic attention. She is, however, as tight and sound as drum, deserves a new owner, life and to go to a new home. Currently in Jervis Bay
Iain Oughtred Whillyboat $3,000 negotiable
A boat from one of Australia’s great small boat designers….”Iain works from what Jung describes as 'archetypal memory', where form springs from subconscious recollection of the ancient, first boat builders, where form truly followed function, honed by the truth of the sea. Such shapes touch that memory in all of us.” This example is his Whillyboat Design built by late boatbuilder Mark Boutle from Innisfail, Queensland.
Beautiful workmanship, attention to detail, immaculate condition, , stored indoors, rarely used. Currently in Cairns