Eyecatchers x Three
Ok this is a very random selection, but when I see a good wooden boat that needs a new home, I get the urge to tell the world. How could you not fall in love with one of these three craft?
Boat One - CABANA
From Will’s great instagram feed @boatsofsydney this week we hear of the 1970’s timber launch CABANA
Believed to have been built in Sydney circa the 70’s she is a much loved and looked after 26 foot Timber
Launch. Great all rounder, day boat or overnighter for any waters.
In 2015 she had a full restoration and sheathing at renown Careel Bay Marina by well regarded Shipwright Bluey Woolcott.
Recent works of the last year include:
• New sunbrella awning and stainless steel roof.
• New custom seat covers and v berth bed.
• New starter motor and batteries.
• New teak deck.
• New stereo sound system and GPS/fishfinder.
Yearly maintenance has been done to a fastidious standard to hull and motor.
She powered by a very economical 30HP Craftsmen (Nanni) engine at around 2 litres per hour of fuel at 6 knots.
A rare advantage of “Cabana” over other timber hull’s is that she is epoxy sheathed.
This is very rare of a timber hull and gives peace of mind over maintenance and longevity.
Registration just renewed until July 2026.
She is for sale because her owner families are looking to get a larger boat suited to having many families out.
I personally believe his boat is great value at $45,000 turn key, ready to go.
Located Avalon, Pittwater.
For more info DM Will @boatsofsydney
Boat Two - SWIFT II
OK its in the UK, but a restored Kim Holman teak Twister is certainly worth dreaming about! And check out the specs and inventory!
Construction
Wood. 20mm teak on laminated oak timbers, copper nailed and bronze nailed to next plank
Iroko dead wood and bronze keel bolts, inspected during refit
Teak decks laid on ply
Long keel
Painted finish
Refit
The refit in 2022 - 2023 took over a year to complete with most of her equipment replaced. The paint was stripped and recoated with single pack marine coatings. The decks were sanded and re-caulked. Much of the internal joinery was removed and new lockers, table, chart table and galley made from sapele timber. All electrical wiring and fittings were replaced together with a new freshwater system. The mast was stripped, wrapped, rewired and dressed with new standing rigging. The fuel tank removed, cleaned and refitted (90 litres).A new 20hp Beta 2020 was fitted in 2022 with Sigmadrive thrust bearing, new stern gland seal (water cooled).New Darglow Featherstream propeller and rope cutter. The boat was completely rewired with marine tinned cable. A 144 watt solar panel giving the boat off-grid capabilities was added. 240v shore power and Victron charger, galvanic isolator, 75amp alternator charging both battery banks.
New nav/deck lights, interior lights soft white and red were installed and 12 USB sockets. bilge blower, engine bay light, cockpit locker lights and an auto bilge pump were added.
Pressurised hot and cold water, a deep sink in galley and a shower in cockpit were added (water tank approx. 50ltrs). A new galley, chart table, dining table and saloon lockers were built in Sapele. New window glass and polished stainless-steel surrounds were installed.
Mechanical
Beta 20hp new 2021, aligned and fitted with Sigmadrive anti-vibration thrust bearing, raw water cooled
New gearbox 2025
Shaft seal replaced 2025
New stern gland water cooled seal 2024
Engine hours 450
Automatic fire extinguisher in engine bay
Darglow featherstream propeller and rope cutter2023
Fuel tank 90ltrs
Fuel consumption 1.8ltr approx at cruising speed
Cruising speed 4.5kts
Max speed 5.5kts
Engine aligned and fitted with Sigmadrive (anti-vibration)
Rig
Sloop rigged Proctor aluminium mast, wrapped white 2022
Selden whisker pole 2023
New standing rigging 2022
Sails
Paul Newell Sails mainsail (2023), fully battened with slab reefing, lazy jacks and three reefs
Jeckells furling genoa (2007) with a 2003 UV strip
Sanders Sails storm jib, 2003. Unused
Jeckells Sails cruising chute 2007
Jeckells No 1 working jib, hanked on, removable forestay.
Navigation Equipment
Vesper AIS new 2023
Plastimo lit compass 2023
Garmin chartplotter 415
Nasa windspeed and depth 2023
Icon VHF DSC radio, inc GPS 2023
Autohelm 2000 2025
Fusion stereo 2023
Clock & barometer
Safety Equipment
Carbon monoxide detector
Horseshoe lifebelt with lamp
Danbuoy 2023
Rescue sling
Epirb 406MHz expires 2026
Boarding ladder
Deck Gear
Sail cover 2023
Sprayhood
Warps, fenders, boathook
Winch and anchor windlass cover
Cockpit enclosure
2 x halyard winches
2 x Lewmar reefing winches
2 x Selden primary sheet winches
8 x Spinlock clutches
Lofrans electric windlass controlled from the cockpit and foredeck
2 x anchors (Delta 16kg & kedge)
Chain marking card on foredeck
Deck shower
Deck wash
Decklight
Folding stainless steel amidships cleats
1x inflatable 2.5m dinghy 2023
3.5 hp short shaft Tohatsu outboard
Accommodation
4x berths in two cabins (1 double forward, two singles in saloon)
Shower
Manual heads 2018
Saloon with clever table design that folds away
New upholstery 2023
Chart table
Galley complete with fridge, two-burner meths stove
Hot & cold pressurised water
Diesel heater with separate 20ltr fuel tank
New windows, glass and polished stainless steel surrounds 2023
Electrics (all new 2022)
Completely rewired with marine tinned cable
140-watt solar panel giving off-grid capability
240v shore power through Victron charger
Galvanic isolator
75 amp alternator charging both battery banks
12 x USB sockets
Interior lights individual, soft white and red
Engine bay light
Cockpit locker lights
Auto bilge pump & bilge blower
PRICE $15,750 GBP Call Nick on +44 (0)7900 191 326 to view
Boat Three - JULIE ELIZABETH
A Lacco built, Kauri Cray Boat with a Gardiner engine! What’s not to like… (apart from the price which we feel is a little unrealistic!)
'Julie Elizabeth' was an icon of the Tassie cray fish industry when purchased by her current owner around 2020. She was an early participant in the Tassie Wooden Boat Regatta when she was still a working vessel, winning best presented vessel twice. The current owner who is a retired professional fisherman from NT, had owned a couple of Tassie designed and built commercial vessels as part of his fleet in NT. He had always yearned to own a vessel like 'Julie Elizabeth'. He finally aquired the boat of his dreams and after cruising Tassie and the East Coast for the last 5 years he feels it is time to pass her on. She was hand crafted by the Lacco family and the original owners specified NZ kauri planking and as with all Lacco builds she is conventionally planked and fully splined.
Powered by a Gardener 6LW with only 10000 hrs she has a 2000NM range @ 8 kts. The current owner fully rigged the vessel with new sails. All the hydraulic lines for the anchor winch and pot puller were replaced. The running rigging was replaced with dyneema. A well found proven safe and seaworthy vessel that will be around for another 70 + years. Has been Australian registered.
Price $AU $325,000. More info HERE
And in case you missed it… time is running out for the bargain of the year. A free boat with unquestionabe provenance and unlimited pleasure potential. Just do it!
