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

OBITUARY Charlie Salter OBITUARY Charlie Salter

Eight Bells - Doug Jack

Doug has entered PICCOLO in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2025 in Hobart. Sadly he didn’t get to sail his beautiful yacht but the Derwent sailors will bring her up the river next February to honour Doug.

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RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

A Month Out from the Cup Regatta.

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.

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REGATTAS Mark Chew REGATTAS Mark Chew

Joe White Continues his Work

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.

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FESTIVALS Mark Chew FESTIVALS Mark Chew

65 miles in an open boat-

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!”

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FOR SALE Mark Chew FOR SALE Mark Chew

SVEK- The American Sibling

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”

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RESTORATION Mark Chew RESTORATION Mark Chew

“the Unsung World of Classic Restoration”

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.

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REGATTAS Charlie Salter REGATTAS Charlie Salter

2023 TUMLAREN STATE TITLE

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

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RESTORATION Mark Chew RESTORATION Mark Chew

ELIZABETH- Part III

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

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RACING Charlie Salter RACING Charlie Salter

Cup Regatta 2022.2

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.

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RACING Mark Chew RACING Mark Chew

Tumlaren Sailing New Zealand Style

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.

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RACING, DESIGNERS Charlie Salter RACING, DESIGNERS Charlie Salter

Who is Knud Reimers?

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.

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RESTORATION, FILM, INTERVIEWS Mark Chew RESTORATION, FILM, INTERVIEWS Mark Chew

YVONNE- A Small syndicate, hands on Restoration

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.

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