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

ADVENTURE Mark Chew ADVENTURE Mark Chew

Five Hundred Miles from the sea

The small boats take five people about a month to construct. The planks are made from a timber from the Congo. It appears that the supply of this timber has dried up and many boats were on shore half finished with no work going on. A small fishing boat hull costs about 3 million Ugandan Shillings

Read More
FOR SALE Mark Chew FOR SALE Mark Chew

ALICIA- writing the next chapter

Chris Crerar was a great supported of SWS. He wrote some heartfelt articles that told of the highs and lows of owning wooden boats. Many of our readers were absorbed by a deep seated honesty in his writing style

Read More
CRUISING Mark Chew CRUISING Mark Chew

South & West- Tasmania’s True self

The South and West coasts of Tasmania are places that demand respect. The isolation, the exposure to the southern ocean, the lack of communication, all conspire to make the coast daunting. But all coins have an obverse side.

Read More
FISHING Mark Chew FISHING Mark Chew

The Falkuša

For its characteristics of toughness and strength, the traditional gajeta falkuša was made only with cypress wood from the volcanic island of Svetac. The keel was made of oak and the shell of larch.

Read More
FILM Mark Chew FILM Mark Chew

Dispatches from The Outlaw Ocean

The oceans are typically and correctly viewed as a marine habitat. But they are much more than that. They are a workplace, a metaphor, an escape, a prison, a grocery store, a trash can, a cemetery, a bonanza, a tinderbox, an organ, a highway, a depot, a window, an emergency, and, above all, an opportunity

Read More
FLOTSAM, RESTORATION Mark Chew FLOTSAM, RESTORATION Mark Chew

Work or Leisure?

Here’s a selection three vastly different jobs that peaked my interest. Even if they aren’t actually in your skillset, its hard not to dream of what life might be like if a connection with timber craft meant that money was coming into the bank account, not just going leaving it

Read More

SWS IS A SURPRISING SUCCESS STORY

BUT TO CONTINUE, WE NEED YOUR HELP.

Your donation will help us to publish your weekly source of
woodenboat inspiration and grow this unique community.