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

BOOK REVIEWS Mark Chew BOOK REVIEWS Mark Chew

Harry Pidgeon's “Around the World Single-Handed”

It is interesting to compare Slocum to Pidgeon, and their boats.  Slocum was  the hard-bitten sea captain who'd come up through the hawsepipe, and who had fallen on hard times.  His voyage was a way of fighting back, and he did a magnificent job of it.  Harry Pidgeon seemed to breeze through life, guided by his sunny disposition. 

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DINGHIES Mark Chew DINGHIES Mark Chew

Dinghy Cruising- Part II

Dinghy cruising is closely analogous to backpacking/wilderness hiking, especially in the fact that you are carrying your food, water, bedding and shelter with you-but stowed in the hull space of the dinghy—thereby leaving your back and shoulders unburdened.

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CRUISING Mark Chew CRUISING Mark Chew

By Gale to Paradise

“I don’t think I will ever forget the hours at the helm, three on -six off. All woollen clothes soaking wet under oilskins and seaboots; safety belt hooked into the eye of the cockpit; and end of the main sheet around the waist, made up on one of the jib cleats It was bitterly cold but I didn’t feel it.”

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CRUISING Mark Chew CRUISING Mark Chew

Don’t Be Scared, Just Be Careful

It seems to me that wooden boat owners, perhaps more than others seem to understand that rushing is not always good, and that good preparation provides rewards that aren’t available to those who stick to the shiny marinas springing up around our coasts.

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FLOTSAM Sal Balharrie FLOTSAM Sal Balharrie

Flotsam #2

Every week you’ll find snippets of stories from around the globe. This week in Flotsam - The AGE profiles Wyruna.

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RESTORATION Sal Balharrie RESTORATION Sal Balharrie

The Life & Times of Yacht Ida

In the spring of 1895 Charles Bailey Jr and his younger brother Walter, trading as “C. & W. Bailey”, built the 5 rater Ida for their good customers, merchants Jagger brothers and W. Frater Jr. …. The restoration process commenced with cutting off the rotting, cabin top, decking and beams.

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FLOTSAM Mark Chew FLOTSAM Mark Chew

Australian Wooden Boat Festival

it’s good to see that despite the cancellation of the 2021 Australian Wooden Boat Festival, the organisers led by Paul Stephanus, have decided to go ahead with the spectacular biennial Parade of Sail on the Derwent. on Sunday 7th of February 2021.

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