Mudskipper - The launch

Project NIS 26 "Mudskipper" has been launched and now in her new home of Birks Harbour, Goolwa. After 14 months of long nights and weekend work we launched her without a problem. All the new changes work a treat with a few alterations with the rigging, she'll be ready for another 20years of sailing!

Look out for the next edition of AABB as I'm going to have an article on the history and restoration of "Mudskipper"

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Wavelength Trimaran

The Wavelength tri project is also steaming along. We now have both hull halves glued up and bulkheads are in. By now the beam boxes should be going in along with the cabin roof to be shaped and fitted. The next step will be getting it out of the mold to fair and glass the hull.

All up its a very interesting project and we're very keen to see how it performs and perhaps build a couple more in the future.

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Spring School '11

The 2011 Spring School saw the return of Ken and his Iain Oughtred "Badger" rowing skiff. All the way from Melbourne for his 6th school, Ken made good progress in fitting out the Badger using some beautiful Fijian Mahognay for the floor boards and seats. Just some finishing touches and she'll be ready for the water! Also over from Melbourne was young Brett who's a cabinet maker and keen boatie. Brett chose the David Payne design "Little Stripper" , being stripped up using Paulowinia and 6oz glass made it extremly light. Ideal for some quiet fishing and easy enough to throw on the back of the camper!

Another two pram dinghys where built, an Oughtred "Granny Pram" and a Chesapeake "Eastport Pram". The Easport Pram is still being built with Sean and Dian coming for two days a week to finish it off, it"ll be a neat little tender for there 30ft river boat.

Robert O'Callaghan and cousin Barry came along to finish off a project that started at Duck Flat around 10 years ago. An 11ft carvel hull dinghy that has had the full treatment. Splined and glassed in Double Bias on the outside and heavily coated with epoxy on the inside. A new centre board and case were made along with the sailing rig designed by Michael Storer, she"ll be good for another 50 years!

What a blast we had this time around and I'd like to thank everyone for coming along. Next year we'll be running another two schools and the possibilty of a 6 month night class which will be exciting.

Book in now for the next Autumn School!
10th - 20th of April - Don't Miss Out!

Above: Chesapeake Eastport Pram

Oughtred Tirrik

This boat is pretty much a shortened Arctic Tern with the simpler 4 strake planking and lower more comfortable side benches and optional built in bouyancy.

These double ended boats are gaining quite a reputation in the UK by doing very well in the Scottish Glen Raids. They are light and fast boats.

Steam Launch

The tragic death of our friend and steam boat captain, Len Lark, late last year has put the project on hold for the time being. His son Colin is keen to see the project continue to a certain stage to be then sold off for someone to finish it off. The hull has been designed to take either a small Diesel inboard or the Steam plant as originally planned. The fit-out could be easily customised to suit anyone's needs. She'll be a grand lady when she's done.

Mr Moustache

Work still continues in Port Adelaide on the refit of the S&S 42, Mr Moustache. Sure its a fibreglass boat but there's still a lot of wood working etc. In fact once you're down below, she's all wood! The old teak has been ripped up and re laid in the cockpit along with many other changes through out the whole boat. Refurbishing the fore and aft heads, complete new galley, complete transformation of the aft cabin and various other alterations. The dark mahogany veneer of the bulkheads needed removing and have been painted giving a very light atmosphere below. Almost a new boat. Hopefully he will be finished and sailing soon. We're looking forward to the relaunch party!

Hartley TS18

We've recently had a Hartley TS18, one of the most popular trailer sailers in the country, come in for a spruce up. She's had her hull repainted, decks non skided and a general tidy up. Almost like new!