Some sailing related stories that piqued our interest from around the web and the world this week.

Two paddle steamer captains navigational charts of the Darling River, from Wilcannia to Menindee and Wentworth to Portee (sic), circa 1870-1890. Indian ink on waxed linen or sailcloth, charting the river course, landmarks, hazards and built establishments, wound onto wooden rollers
21 metres long

“Every Christmas everyone would go, all those who worked on the water, to all the old boatsheds in the area. You’d eat prawns and oysters there for as long as you like – they didn’t fight, they had a great time together – this was at Bayview – Palm Beach was considered a fair way away then.”

What’s so good about the auction system in relation to timber boats is that the lingering procrastination that is so common in trying to find a new custodian, is eliminated. Sellers who think that their boat is worth what they put into it over the years, and buyers who think they will score the miracle “lowball” come face to face with reality.

I can’t help thinking that auctions are an under used way of passing on unwanted timer boats. They provide an accurate way of assessing the REAL value of a particular vessel on any given day. Assuming the advertising is comprehensive, and the bidding system is fair, then the market will speak.

Bertrand Russell wrote… “It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly.” I’m a huge admirer of Russell’s work and values and so perhaps I shouldn’t be encouraging you to take a look at this auction.