The racing fleet did however get a boost this week with commitment from Tim Phillip’s to bring and race the magnificent STORM BAY. This is a rare occurrence for this legendary fishing boat. As a near sistership to Percy Coverdale’s WINSTON CHURCHILL, she will not only be a stunning addition to the fleet but also provide a living narrative on the interwoven fabric of fishing and racing boat design, from this part of the world.

Joe paid his dues at the malthouse. Like all new employees he would sweep the floors, feed the hoppers, operate the revolving screens, filled, sewed up, and carried the four and a half bushel bags. Only 4 years into training in 1892, at just 23 years old, Joe had to step up and take the reins of the business.

OK, the forecast wasn’t great. Four days of temperatures in the high 30’s with either gusty northerlies or no wind at all. But as a wise sailor friend of mine constantly reminds me … “ITS JUST A FORECAST!”

The door slid open again and the room lit up as an unassuming bearded man in a dusty cable knit jumper walked towards me. He moved through the shed, feet wide as if crossing a moving deck, held his hand out and with a beaming smile and a soft Hudson Valley lilt said, “Mark? I’m Nat”

The YVONNE project has been an integral part of the life of some of my closest friends for seven years now. So when we heard that the seminal British publication “Classic Boat” had selected her to be on the short list of best “Restored Sailing Vessel under 40ft” then it is cause for celebration.

ETTRICK is ready and waiting for her next custodian. Whether you want to win The Cup Regatta In November or the CYAA series next summer, with ETTRICK you have a boat that can do it!

The plan to restore YVONNE was never about becoming the long term custodians of this unique yacht. It was always focussed on saving her, bringing her home and ensuring that she has the opportunity to sail with the growing fleet of Tumlarens on Port Phillip for the next 50 years

The class always had devotees but the fleet slowly depleted in the 1990’s as keen sailors were attracted to newer designs. Over the last 20 years the boats have been patiently restored. Soon there will be some 10 yachts regularly sailing in Victorian waters

She now sits happily on her mooring in Mill Bay, Mangonui in the Far North of New Zealand awaiting her new life. At this stage future plans for ELIZABETH are to race her with the Mangonui Cruising Club on Doubtless Bay and take her south to race against other classics in the Tall Ships Race in the Bay of Islands in January

The top end of the course near Port Melbourne means tricky twisting shifts off the beach and apartment infill but flat water. The southern end exposed beyond Altona produced difficult rolling slop for the downhill legs. Thrown in on both days on the western side of the course was a huge tidal outflow from the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers with recent rain and floods.

A tricky day on Port Phillip, with torrents of brown water gushing out of the Yarra and wind from 14-28 knots with rain squalls. Big congratulations to the boats that completed the two races.

SWS is continually shuffling pieces around a Tumlaren history puzzle. It’s gumshoe work to cross reference clues and sift fact from bar-fiction.

Not one to sit around, Phil was working on her hull that afternoon. Within two days the cabin top and interior fittings were removed, taken to the tip and a bare hull remained.

Reading Bill Cole’s reminiscences of Tumlaren “ELISABETH” which Bill owned in Auckland during the early to mid-1960s ignited a dream that Kiwi shipwright Phil (Blue) Holmes had kindled for some time to do up another Tumlaren.

In 1963 after rounding White Island , we had some fresh headwinds , and after one very noisy crash off a sea , we hove-to for the night , sort of slept. Next morning , we cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast, and in moderated conditions got underway again.

Most sailors know Knud Reimers’ Tumlaren sailed in Australia since 1937. But it’s just one boat in a huge folio of successful designs over six decades. Here’s a look at Reimers and his boats.

Today we talk with the three most active members of the YVONNE 97 syndicate, about the restoration of Port Phillip’s famous Tumlaren. And like so many of the best wooden boat stories, its not really about the craft, its more about the people, the friendships and the philosophies embedded into the project. Sit back, enjoy, and hopefully be inspired.

Karen Batson is the mistress of reinvention! In this interview we chat balancing work and boats, what it means to take on the job of custodian and, we attempt to answer the question, why don’t more women sail?