Featured Stories

Making Spoon Bladed Oars

Details: Dr Bruce McConkey

Our previous article originated in 2004, and since then technology has moved on and we can now offer a very simple and elegant way to make your own beautiful and functional oars.

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Boat Ventilation

Details: Dudley Dix

Nobody likes a smelly old boat. It is so much more pleasant to be inside a boat that looks, feels and smells clean and fresh. I have visited inside many boats that smelled musty or of diesel fuel but I wasn’t inclined to spend much time there. The owners of some of those boats visited on the boats that I have built and were surprised at how they did not have any unpleasant odours but were fresh and airy.

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Outside view of a closed butterfly hatch. Either side can be opened individually or both can be opened together. Opening the windward side feeds good breeze into the boat when the wind blows. In windless conditions opening both sides works best.

New Zealand Maid

Details: Jonathan Wallis

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New Zealand Maid at Norsands Slipway, 2017. – Image Barbara Tucker

Back in 2004, recently arrived in Tasmania, we early discovered the joys of visiting Kettering with its Maritime history and aura, and the convenient ‘Mermaid Tavern’ right on the waterfront at the Bruny Island ferry terminal.