Volume 21 Number 04 - The Wooden Boat Association

S H A V I N G S
NEWSLETTER OF THE WOODEN BOAT ASSOCIATION INC. VICTORIA
Reg. Inc. No. A0022538U
Website: www.woodenboat.asn.au
Volume 21 Number 4 May 2011
President’s report
Oh Summer, where art thou? Now Autumn is leaving my side, Winter is in my cold embrace, Spring I shall
dream of. Fortunately, we can go boating all year long, and the Autumn and Winter winds are often kinder and
more consistent for us.
A big thank you to Mike Ridley and Paul Rubera for admirably
demonstrating all things knot like, a great night was had by all.
Next month Rick Mitchell will be our guest speaker, educating
us on the virtues and tribulations of sail making for Tall ships
and his career in boatbuilding in general. I expect it to be a
well attended night as Rick is very knowledgeable and
entertaining. Plus, Chris‟s Medicinal Purposes Only Wine
bottle raffle is always a winner on the night!
This month‟s
club night is
a Book night and the guest speaker will be my good friend
and fellow MHAV member Kate Lance who will introduce us
to her latest book - Redbill, - The Lifetime Story of a Pearling
Lugger There will be all manner of interesting booky things
including an auction, spot prizes, sales, giveaways, and lucky
door prizes, to name a few activities.
The AGM will be held on 24 July. The club will provide a
delicious hot meat lunch on the day and could members
please bring their favourite salad or desert to delight and
entertain our tastebuds. The AGM guest speaker is Ms Peta Knott of Maritime Museums Sydney, Tasmania
and now Victoria Museum who has a rich and excitingly vibrant passion for all things maritime historical and will
delight and enthral us. You must ask her what a Fazackerley is!!! This will be a great AGM. Don‟t miss a word
of her presentation!
Safe Boating
Andrew Cohen,
President
W.B.A. (Vic) Committee 2010 - 11
President Andrew Cohen 9773 8624 - H 0408 033 573 - W
Vice President Rob Ripley 5941 6834 - H
Secretary Chris Kelly 9480 5383 - H
Treasurer Richard Jackson 9898 4021 - H
Shavings Editor Jill Carroll 9802 7038 - H
Librarian Alan Chinn 9578 6418 - H
Boat Manager (acting) Graham Signorini 9391 5621 - H
Committee members Brian Flewell-Smith 5278 9830 - H
Tony Remington
5944 3867 - H
Geoff Carroll
9802 7038 - H
Peter Braithwaite 5931 3237 –H

WBA Calendar 2011
Sailing Days occur on the 4 th Sunday of the month, usually commencing at 10.00AM. Club nights are held on the
Wednesday preceding the sailing day, commencing at 7.30 pm at APYC. At least once a year the Club has a weekend
sailing and camping trip.
The Committee meets at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of each month at APYC.
Sailing Days & Events 2011
***** AGM 24 July at APYC. Please think about nominating for the Committee *****
Club Meetings :
18 May Book night.
22 June Rick Mitchell , sailmaking .
20 July
24 August
Sailing Days:
22 May APYC sailing day
26 June TBA
24 July Lunch and Annual General Meeting followed by Sailing day at APYC
28 August , proposed “Riddle of the Sands” sailing and picnic at Warneet
OOD, T. Remington.
MODEL BOATS HAVE A GREAT DAY
Branch Reports
It was a great placid and windless day for our first model boat day at Albert
Park. There were our usual WBA models, and a few APYC models , but the
highlight of the Model Boat display at the lake last month was the Lake
Illawong Model Boat club contingent admirably steered by Rosie and Brian.
Over 25 models mysteriously appeared from cars, vans, and trailers to be
assembled, tested and put through their paces before being launched on
the slippery shores of Albert Park. Thankfully no one fell in and had to be
rescued. We had to admire the amazing effort invested in these models by
their owners, I suspect that some took as long to build as our full sized ones
Of special note was the battleship Missouri, a Corvette, the Warspite,
paddle steamers, yachts, tugs and a couta boat and many others that
deserve special mention including the Oriana and Wyuna passenger ships.
Thanks to all who attended and we will welcome all model boaters back in
the warmer months for another excellent model display.

What we did over Easter ….
Sailing at Pakenham Lake
Rob Ripley and I took Lindsay Symons and my "Moth" to the Pakenham Lakes for a sail. We had a great day
although it was almost drift conditions (see photos). I always figure that you learn more about sailing on a quiet
day than you do in windier conditions.
After we pulled the boats out at the end of the day we were told that the public are not allowed to sail there
unless you are a member of the so-far non existent sailing club.
I have also been making some additions to "Ursa" in
the form of a watertight tank/storage locker up in the
bow. It was a fiddly job as it had to be light, removable
and fit very neatly to the inside shape of the bow
section. It is now finished, bar the varnishing. Now
that's done the next project is getting on with the
restoration of "Sundance" the 1973 NS14. Really
looking forward to finishing that. It has an extremely
beautifully shaped hull (my opinion anyway).
When will I ever get time to work on my old Rover???
Tony Remington
Lindsay Symons on Holiday with Robert and Pat.
Lindsay Symons came with us for a week in country Numurkah.
Robert launched her on Lake Mulwala one afternoon for a brisk
sail. On another occasion we arrived at Lake Sambell,
Beechworth, early on a Sunday morning. Here Robert had a
sedate sail, and a romantic row thru the mist with a backdrop of
silence, pine trees and morning walkers. Our way home was via a
full and windy Lake Nillahcootie where the "trusty" Seagull
assisted progress across the choppy waves. The next stop at
Boonie Doon was just for a photo opportunity to record the water
flowing under the bridge from Lake Eildon once again.
Pat Ripley
Sailing the Golant Gaffer
It was a quiet Easter for the Batchelors, at least with regard to sailing. Peter and William did manage one day
on the water, in Andrew Cohen and Chris Kelly's Golant Gaffer. We had previously visited Blunts while the boat
was hauled out and the bottom scrubbed, but this was the first time we had seen her on the water. The boat is
tied up on the SeaWorks pier at Williamstown, so we were able to park in their carpark and stroll along the pier
to meet Andrew. A pleasant couple of hours ensued, working out what went where, and then we took her for a
quick shakedown sail the the light breezes of the early afternoon. Apart from a quick clamber to the end of the
bowsprit to free a jammed furler the sail went without a hitch, and I'm sure that Chris and Andrew are going to
have many enjoyable days on her.
Peter Batchelor

Crabber Progress
Work has been progressing on the crabber over the past few months. The well deck in the bow has now been
fibre-glassed and awaits painting. The framing for the fore deck back to the cabin is complete with knees and
plank to take the mast tabernacle. The rear deck and cockpit have now been framed and at present the lockers
in the cockpit seats are being finished. The cockpit floor is temporarily in place, which means I will no longer be
skinning my shins on the central beam!
Geoff Carroll
Club Night, 20 April
Considering that the weather forecast was for “scattered showers “ and that what we received at 7.00pm was a
torrential downpour for about 40 minutes, we had a good turnout of members ( 23 ). At the end of the evening
the Lake level had risen 10 cms and the centre road car park area was 45 cms deep.
Anyway, this did not deter our guest speaker Mike Ridley and his lovely assistant Eileen ( his wife ) from turning
up to show us all how to tie our knots properly, with the able tutelage of our own Paul Rubera and his son Sam ( a
qualified rigger ).
Mike is a member of the “International Guild of Knot Tyers” and had displays of knots for inspection but also
conducted a practical demonstration with a “hands on “ approach which had the majority of us in knots .. not
always the correct ones ! Who would have thought that there were so many variations of the humble bowline?
He also gave a good explanation on the different types of rope and the qualities of each, without becoming too
technical but aimed at us “boaties

Library
Following another thoroughly entertaining evening with Sandy Mackinnon, we now have a signed copy of “The
WELL at WORLDS END”, to go on the shelf. There are also two for those attracted to maritime history in our
local water. “Craft and Craftsmen of Australian Fishing 1870 to 1970, an illustrated oral history”. By Gary
Kerr, donated by the author, and “Australian and New Zealand Sail Traders”, also by Garry Kerr.
Then in contrast... “Twenty Feet of Adventure in Rebel” Tale of a family building a 24ft. Eventide in Rhodesia
under difficult conditions, and then sailing around the world from South Africa to Australia.
Happy reading.
Alan Chinn.
Lake Macquarie Classic BoatFest - Easter 2011
At Easter this year Jenny and I attended the above event at
Toronto on beautiful Lake Macquarie, in New South Wales.
Penguin had been relaunched for the Yarra trip at the end of
March and performed well. In the following weeks, painting,
attention to a couple of leaks that got past me, and a few
other bits and pieces were completed and she was ready to
travel to Toronto. After the Yarra trip she had taken up a bit,
and with some salt water in the hull for a week or so, she
held water all the way to Toronto.
Wal and Chris Macadames were key organisers of this
event, and were extremely busy in the lead up to the
weekend. Friday is the normal launching day at the former
Catalina ramp at the old RAAF base at Rathmines, from where we putt‟d round the lake to Toronto. Chris had
told us there was no rush, and to launch at our leisure, but at 9 am Wal rang us from the ramp to see where we
are, as they are already launched and waiting for us! So then it was a rush to the ramp, and when we arrived
not only were all the other boats launched, but they had
motors running and were circling around. We still had
Penguin in travel mode with everything well tied down after
the 1,000km trip of the day before - talk about no pressure!!
So we quickly and efficiently untied, and threw our gear in the
boat, followed by a quick launch. The ever reliable Stewart
Turner motor started first go, all aboard and away we went. .
Polly.
Alfra. Chris Craft design Sports Sedan racer
View of moored boats.
Being friends of the organisers, we had a terrific berth with
plenty of room and no risk of bumping the jetty. Saturday
and Sunday are the display days, and we were blessed
with mild to warm and sunny days, which after the recent
Melbourne weather we enjoyed thoroughly.
A number of boats were on the hard this year and they
created a lot of interest. Dave and Jenny Myers had their
boat Polly on the trailer and had a lot of interest in the

sealed fresh water cooling system Dave had recently installed. It was interesting that being able to look under
and in the boat at close quarters encouraged people to really ask serious questions about the boat.
An interesting boat currently under restoration and on display on a trailer was Alfra, a Chris Craft design from a
popular mechanics magazine, built in the 1929/30 by the Towns Brothers in Newcastle. It is a “sports sedan
racer”, powered by a “universal” 6 cylinder motor, and in its day was a successful racing boat. The roof line
clearly shows the influence of the late „20‟s American car design. This boat is now under restoration.
About 70 boats were present, including a large number of putt putts. The jetty area has been greatly improved
since we were there two years ago, making boarding so much easier. Again we had a great time and enjoyed
the hospitality of our friends in the local Lake group and it was well worth the trip
David Stott.
News from East Gippsland
2010 East Gippsland Branch Committee PO Box 272 Bairnsdale 3875
Helmsman (President) Jenny North 5156 7863
Vice Helmsman
Bernard O’Kelly
Number 1 (Secretary) Dale Kilby 0400 642 009
Purser (Treasurer) Marion Gullickson 5156 7856
Signals Shavings and Newspaper) Dale Kilby (with help) 0400 642 009
Archivist (Library) Jenny North 5156 7863
Committee members Barry North 5156 7863
Doug Gullickson 5156 7856
John Nicholson 5156 7183
Member to check books
Colin McArthur
A GREAT WEEKEND ON THE LAKES
East Gippsland Wooden Boat Association members had a
great “putt-putt” weekend on April 16 and 17. On Saturday a
cruise up the Backwater was followed by a picnic lunch at the
Port of Bairnsdale, and then a leisurely cruise up the Mitchell
River in the afternoon. Fifteen people went to the Chinese
restaurant in Bairnsdale for a lovely dinner, followed by an early
night. Sunday turned out to be a magnificent day and all the
boats left the Butter Factory wharf for a delightful ride back
home. Many local people attended, including Doug and Marion
Gullickson with their two boats, Tahken a steam boat, and
Jabiru, a cabin cruiser. Also there were, Neville and Jenny
Smith with their boat Arawa, a wooden cruiser built of King Billy
Pine, Barry And Jenny North on Peace train, John and Jacqui
Nicholson with their open clinker dinghy The Laughing Jellyfish,
Bernard and Matthew O‟Kelly with Nelly T, an acorn wooden
dinghy, Colin McArthur in Ibis, and Jim Whiting, who had a ride
on Tahken. We were also delighted to welcome Malcolm
McKay and his crew Eric Simes, who joined us from Narooma
with Malcolm‟s boat a two cylinder diesel. We were very
pleased to welcome people who had come so far to enjoy the
Gippsland Lakes.
Barry North, Neville Smith, Doug Gullickson
Maureen O’Kelly, Marion and Doug Gullickson,
Jacqui and John Nicholson, Bernard O’Kelly

Specialising in
the restoration
and building of
fine craft.
59 Slip Road
Paynesville 3880
Phone and Fax: 03 5156 7085
Email: office@fhboats.com.au
Web: www.fhboats.com.au
Build Wooden Boats - At the cutting edge…
Bear with me – the following may not seem like it has much to do with wooden boats, however…
Many of you will be familiar with the phrase “Computer cut kit” or “Laser cut kit”. This evokes images of
accuracy, precision, complexity, speed, efficiency – at a price. It is a technology that has often fascinated me
with its potential to create complex forms quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, such advanced technology
came at a high price ($50K +), putting it out of reach of all but the commercial operators putting through the
volume to pay for it, and perhaps the very well heeled enthusiast. I continued to toy with the idea, thinking
“Surely there must be some clever fella out there who
has managed to make this stuff cheaply?”. Through the
magic of the electric-inter-web, I discovered that this
hypothesis was true! What an amazing thing the electricinter-web
is – it seems there is no end to the amount of
information available and the willingness of people to
freely share their thoughts and ideas (where dothey get
the time!).
www.buildyourcnc.com showcases the work of Patrick
Hood-Daniel, an energetic and obviously bright chap who
was fascinated by Computer Numerical Control (CNC)
systems. He, like me, thought “there must be a way…”.
He has quite literally managed to apply the IKEA
He started with a small
system for cutting 2‟ x 1‟
sheets of plywood or
MDF, and also
producing electronic
circuit boards (I think
electronics is his
professional
1Makita router in z-axis carriage
background). In a spooky
sci-fi sort of way, this
prototype machine enabled him to make the next, bigger and
better machine, and so on. It had a life of its own! Well, almost.
principle of
Routing table with gantry
furniture
construction to produce a range of CNC machines that the enthusiast
can put together themselves at a reasonable price. Using cheap
MDF, IKEA-type fasteners and other hardware store bits and pieces,
off-the-shelf electronic components – stepper motors, controllers,
power supply, a
standard wood router,
and a cheap PC with
some great cheap
software, he assembled
his prototype.
Rear of main gantry showing x-axis motor

He now has a range of machine sizes that both look good and do the business. Better still, the machines are
now constructed from high-quality marine grade plywood – a testament to the versatility of wood (don‟t we love
the stuff -)
I couldn‟t help myself: With a low up-front cost for a low-volume machine, I could see the potential for cutting
some of the simpler stitch-and-glue kits we sell the plans for – the Michael Storer „Eureka‟ canoe, and the Boat
Craft Pacific „Joey‟ pram dinghy came immediately to mind. I felt that it was also a great opportunity to
showcase the versatility of wood, especially plywood which is an efficient use of a valuable resource. This
machine brings together wood, electronics, mechanical components and brains to produce a tool that will
enable people to imaginatively produce more wonderful boats. I can‟t help but reflect that this might just be a
reflection of how busy our lives are – make more, faster, cheaper. Ah well, we are creatures of our time, even
as wooden boat builders and sailors, whether „traditional‟ or „modern‟.
One thing leads to another, and I have permission to cut the John Wellsford designed SCAMP sailing dinghy
and also his Navigator 14‟ day sailer. There is still a lot of work to do to transfer these designs into the
electronic format that the CNC machine uses, but that will happen over the next few months. Other designs are
in the pipe-line. My hope is that having the ability to produce kits locally and reasonably economically will
enable Build Wooden Boats to continue to work to our motto: Everything you need to… Build Wooden Boats.
Please feel free to get in touch to have a chat or drop around to have a look. We really enjoy being able to
welcome people into the workshop to see what we‟re doing and share their interest and enthusiasm for building
wooden boats. Hope to see you there sometime soon.
Cheerio!
Phillipe
The Boatyard
Ads in Shavings run for two editions and also the WBA website. Cheques should be made out to the Wooden Boat
Association and sent to The WBA, PO Box 77, Glenhuntly, 3163.
Please note the following advertising costs: costs are free for WBA members. Non-WBA individuals are welcome to
advertise for the cost of $10.00 per 10 feet of boat. Boats 10’ or less can be advertised for free. Add $10.00 for an engine.
For example – a 20’ sailing boat with outboard will cost $30.00 to advertise ($20.00 + $10.00) for two (2) issues of Shavings,
and for a place on the WBA website
For Sale 14 ft Kingfisher dayboat. Paul Fisher design. A
very capable, quick, stable dayboat. No expense was
spared in the build and fit out. West System throughout.
Thomson sails. Mackay combi trailer. Plenty of gleaming
Honduras mahogany. Condition is immaculate with nothing
to spend. Awarded “Best Wooden Boat” at the 2004 Boat
Show. $7000
Maurice Bexley phone 5156 6018 and leave a message.
For Sale
Classic 4 metre day sailer. Row, sail or motor. Excellent 2 hp
Yamaha. Very quick to launch, sail and recover singlehanded.
Registered tilt trailer with 11” alloy wheels and very
good tyres. Hull by Sportscraft/Sydney circa 1963. Sails by
Gail and Rimington. Hand-made, leathered and balanced oars
with bronze rowlocks. Boathook, fender, fire extinguisher,
anchor and custom-made boat-cover. All fittings are stainless
steel and bronze. Price $5500.
Contact Graham Holmes (03) 5156 6813

“Selway Fisher Highlander” 7.5 ft dinghy LOA 7’6”
(2.29m) Beam 4’1” (1.25m) Hull mid depth 1’2 ½”
((0.37m) Rowing version. Built by me 8 years ago, 6 mm
Marine ply. Slightly modified seating, to accommodate long
legs. Very good condition. Used as a tender until 2006.
Stored under cover since.
Asking $950.00 See http://www.selwayfisher.com/Highup13.htm
Stored at Red Hill, Vic. Bob
Gunter (03) 5989 2823 or 5989 2557 or gunter@surf.net.au
“RETREAT” known as a 32’woodie, built of mahogany/teak, only example in
southern hemisphere of this Grand Banks. Completely restored throughout
with only 450 hours, ready to cruise the east coast.
Examples like this don’t often get to the open market, but it’s time for
someone else to care for her. Owner happy to discuss all her details.
Contact David on 03 5983 6499, or david@ezybuildaustralia.com.au
Historic Ferry lifeboat
(1927) for sale. 15ft
huon pine With solid trailer Stored 80 km south of Melbourne.
Contact Nigel Buesst (03) 9347 5525
FOR SALE
Huon Pine 56 lengths
120mm x 25mm x 3.5metres
This is a combination of furniture and boatbuilding quality. It was
hand picked at the miller‟s in Strahan.
Call Ian 0438 503 017 or 59 888 297.
FOR SALE
"QE 4" lightweight car top dinghy 3.23m or
10'7"
Hull only about 38kg. Sail or row, 3 seats, 2
piece
fibreglass mast and 2 sails and oars.
Quick to rig and very seaworthy. Made with
6mm 5 ply marine with triple fibreglass and
marine
epoxy resin glue joins.
Ideal for use with an electric outboard.
With compact beach trolley for easy
launching.
All as new condition $1450 Aspendale.
Contact Bruce (03) 9580 5271
CLASSIC BOAT COLLECTION
I have decided to offer for sale my collection of 'Classic Boat' magazines. These start at number 2 (1987) and
continue to the present issue (273), with a copy of the CB index. I have worked out that if I read one per week it
will take me 7.6 years to get through them! They fill up 1.43m of bookshelf space. I am asking $1,200 for the
lot. I am not prepared to break the collection up, as this would devalue it.
I also have the full collection of the ill-fated 'The Boatman', from issue 1 to 35, for which I would ask $150.00.
These are of particular interest to small-craft enthusiasts.
Contact David Bamford

Tudor Insurance Australia (Insurance Brokers) Pty Ltd
Specialists in hassle-free insurance for wooden boats
1st Floor, 9 Clyde Rd Berwick, Vic 3806
Postal Address: P.O. Box 256, Berwick Vic 3806
Contact: David Cooper
Phone: (03) 9707 3033
Fax: (03) 9707 4568
E-mail: davidc@tudorinsurance.com.au
Webpage: tudorinsurance.com.au
Tim’s Boat Services
Boat Haulage
Skippering
Boat Handling Info Sessions
New or Second hand Boat/Caravan/Trailer relocation, Local or Interstate.
Transporting for repairs or servicing.
We can tow anything up to 4.5 Tonne on tow ball and carry 5.7 Tonne on tray truck separately or together.
Boat towing with your trailer or ours.
Do you need someone to drive your boat for you ?
25 yrs of boating experience / 15 yrs
heavy-oversize-interstate hwy experience.
Oversize loads our specialty
Utmost care for your Load / Property
Competitive rates
53 Hall Avenue
Altona Meadows Vic 3028
Call Tim for a Quote Today
Mob: 0411 038 426

RICK MITCHELL SHIPWRIGHT & TRADITIONAL SAILMAKER
Rick can work alongside you for an hour or two to solve a
problem, (none too small or too large), or take you from
lofting to launching. He has taught boatbuilding to
apprentices, as well as sailmaking.
Rick has worked on many heritage vessels from Enterprize to Polly Woodside, from
Duyfken to Sayonara. Phone 0408 176 532
C. H. Smith Marine
Supplying the Melbourne and
Australian community with
quality marine electronics, boat
parts and fishing equipment.
16 Langridge Street
Collingwood 3066
Phone: 03 9417 1077
Fax: 03 9416 1171
Web: www.chsmith.com.au

Membership Application or Renewal – The Wooden Boat Association, Victoria
Subscription for the year 2011: $50.00
Mail to: The Treasurer, WBA, PO Box 77, Glenhuntly, Vic. 3163
or PO Box 272, Bairnsdale, Vic. 3875
Name: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Address: .………………..………………………………………………………..…………………….. Postcode: ……………………Email:
………………………………………………………………….
Phone: (H) …………………….. (W) ……………………………... (Mob.) ……..………………….
Interests: (please circle) R/C, Model, Trailer, Rowing, Power, Sail, Canoe, Building.
“In order for you to use your boat at Association events, please complete the details on the current
Boat Insurance you hold.”
Boat type ………………………..Reg. No. ………………… Name ………………………………………...
Insurance Co. …………………….. Policy No. ………………… Expiry date ………..
SHAVINGS
If undelivered please return to:
The Wooden Boat Association
PO Box 77, Glenhuntly, Vic. 3163
Most boat owners value their leisure time.
At Peter Green Sails we offer a fast turnaround time on
all sail work from basic sail check and repair through to
major recutting and alterations, and all types of new sail
work.
Late drop off or pick up of your sails, and after hours
service can be arranged by appointment.
For Craftsman Quality Sailmaking call:
Peter Green Sails
15A Patrick Court, Seaford 3198
Phone: 9773 5094 Mobile: 0419 006 398
Email: pgsails@relax.com.au