Last Hundred Posts

(If you want to see everything back to 2013, check out this archive).

• Jess and Matt to the rescue
  Shannon lost her jib halyard at the Dover Regatta, and somebody had to get up that mast. Jess Wardell was on hand, with Matt to do the hauling. Job done. Pic from Endra O’May
• Anzac Day Friday 25th April
  Dawn service (6am) at the Franklin War Memorial opposite the Palais. Breakfast afterwards. The Progress Association has organised a couple of ‘Anzac’ films to be shown during the day, starting 3pm. “Beneath Hill 60” (M) and “Kokoda” (M) will be screened. Beneath Hill 60: In 1916, the 1st Australian Tunnelling Company is tunnelling beneath German fortifications… Read more: Anzac Day Friday 25th April
• Monday night curry night
  Yippee! Curry night has come around again. If you want to bring dessert don’t feel obliged to add pepper, but there is a recipe for curry ice cream on the interweb >>here<<. There has been a request to start a little earlier at 6.30pm, so let’s try that. See you after 6pm with your plate… Read more: Monday night curry night
• Message from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival
  Paul Stephanus writes: Dear Living Boat Trust, I wanted to thank you one last time for your participation at the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival. It was a such a joy to see people from across Australia, the Pacific, and the World come together to celebrate our shared maritime heritage. The atmosphere was overwhelmingly positive… Read more: Message from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival
• Reminder: Dover Regatta 18th-20th April
  From the Port Esperance Yacht Club: Join us for the Easter weekend in Dover! For more details see https://pesc.com.au/regatta-2025/
• Agenda for April Committee Meeting
  Read it >>here<<.
• April Crows Nest
  This is the newsletter of the Wooden Boat Association of South Australia. They, like us, are big ‘river’ and estuary sailors, but the Murray and Coorong are a bit different to the Huon. They are very active – read all about it >>here<<.
• The LBT needs a secretary
  If so,… Please Email J-P Scheerlinck: president@lbt.org.au or Phone J-P Scheerlinck: 0402 584 108
• Monday night dinner: Mediterranean
  Ah the call of sun and blue waters when late autumn gloom is descending. Let’s at least choose a cuisine to remind us of those happy things – a meal cooked to recipes from the Mediterranean. Bring your dish, a bottle (Chianti, Retsina?), and $5 for the kitty. See you at the Shed after 6pm.
• Huon Valley Community Survey
  Lisa Plohl from Huon Valley Council writes: ‘We have teamed up with expert consultants .ID to conduct the survey which will help us better understand what is important to our community.  Your responses will directly inform Council decisions about services and projects. After the survey, we’ll share the results through .ID’s online platform, complete with clear reports… Read more: Huon Valley Community Survey
• Minutes for March LBT Committee Meeting
  Read them >>here<<.
• Nancy’s Wheel
  Nancy’s wheel looks suitably Cap’n Sparrow and once it gets in the hands of our younger passengers it is sometimes hard to get it back. The patina of age is part of the appeal but we don’t need any further deterioration. Jen Avery has solved the issue with a very suitable cover which also protects… Read more: Nancy’s Wheel
• Nancy
  Nancy has been out with different family groups enjoying the last of the autumn weather. We even got a ‘Certificate of Appreciation’.
• Thank you Keith!
  Keith Thomas-Wurth has replaced the broken hand basin in the side toilet. Phew – another very necessary job done, and looks like it will be a big improvement.
• Leofleda
  Read a nice tribute to John and Ruth Young and their boat Leofleda from Sean Hogben in Southern Wooden Boat Sailing >>here<< in the Newsbites column.
• Monday night winter dinner from Pommyland
  The first ‘winter time’ dinner of the year, so lets celebrate with a meal for the colder climes. Lots of recipes to warm us up come from the British Isles so lets try those. See you after 6pm with a dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Dover Regatta 18th-20th April
  This is one of the big events of the boating calendar in our neck of the woods. There will be keel boat and off the Beach racing, meals available Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, a band Saturday evening, and the bar will be open Friday through Sunday. Endra and Sue intend taking Shannon on the… Read more: Dover Regatta 18th-20th April
• Report from the Glenelg
  Lorrie Harrison writes: A small but enthusiastic group of rowers from the LBT spent last week enjoying the delights of rowing a St Ayles Skiffs in the company of Victorian rowers down the Glenelg River. The Glenelg is very close to the SA border, in fact we even rowed in and out of SA on… Read more: Report from the Glenelg
• More pics from the Glenelg
  Looks like a nice place to be.
• Barbecue coming up Monday evening
  How lucky are we? A long month so another barbecue. Come after 6pm with something to char, something to share and something to drink plus $5 for the kitty.
• Don’t know your gaff from your sprit sail?
  A nice guide to different small boat rigs has just been published by Wooden Boat : read it >>here<<.
• Cartela – what next?
  We have received the following message from the Cartela Trust. ‘After a successful refloating by Hurricane Marine and Elliott’s Cranes, some are asking about the next steps for Cartela. Firstly, the salvage contractors have patched the leaks which caused the water ingress and she has additional pumping capacity. The plan is to prepare Cartela for… Read more: Cartela – what next?
• Cartela lift
  First there was a little jiggle. Then some more. And finally all the way up. Great to see all the slings removed this (Tuesday) evening, and seemingly just a trickle coming from the bilge pump (prostate problems?).
• Expedition to the Glenelg river
  Nell has sent some pics of our rowers and old friends who have been wending their way through this very scenic part of Victoria.
• Cartela rubbernecker
  There are all sorts with their noses jammed up against the safety fence watching the work proceeding on Cartela. Bob Frost spotted this unusual observer. Must have gorged itself on all the salmon being chucked out and come up for a break.
• Photos from John Young’s funeral
  Thanks to Zainab Clark for supplying these. Find many more >>here<<. If you want pictures of John see >>here<<.
• Rowing at the Cygnet Regatta
  Marguerite and Lorrie write: The Port Cygnet Sailing Club held a regatta during the long weekend. Activities included a St Ayles Skiff 5K Rowing Challenge. Living Boat Trust crews participated and won two of the categories: Line Honours for the women’s crew “Legless Ladies” and for “LBTMixed”. Times were 36 minutes and 33.33 minutes respectively.
• Dinner, Monday 24th
  We are coming to the end of daylight saving, so let’s make the most of it and have a BBQ. Bring something for hot plate, a dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. After 6pm.
• Cartela news
  There has been all sorts of activity putting piles in on the foreshore next to Cartela so that a crane can safely operate there. The plan try to roll Cartela and get her upright next week Monday – Wednesday, which will mean restricted access to our pontoon, which is adjacent.
• Curry night coming up this Monday
  Everybody loves a curry. Bring your favourite one to share and demonstrate why, as well as something to drink and $5 for the kitty. See you after 6pm.
• John Young
  A reminder that the funeral for John is at the Living Boat Trust Shed, Friday 14th March at 2pm. If you can’t make it then you should be able to view it online >>here<<. The pic below is of John with Chris Burke, one of the founders of the LBT. In response to the request… Read more: John Young
• For those doing the First Aid Course
  Remember to turn up at 9.45am (finishing 12.15pm) at Huonville Library with your USI number and a pen and paper. If you are inclined to go faint without morning tea also bring a sandwich. And remember to do the online component of the course BEFORE you come.
• Missed the Wooden Boat Festival?
  Get it all in three minutes >>here<<.
• Some movement on Cartela
  Cartela was still on a precarious angle when the crew rowed past earlier in the week, but a team of divers have started work. One of their jobs (we were told) was to remove all the inflatable life jackets which were still apparently stored on board in case they decided to blow themselves up at… Read more: Some movement on Cartela
• Let’s earn our supper on Monday evening
  The best thing to work up a good appetite is … (playful) work. We need to cleanup the Shed and get the marquee erected for Friday’s funeral. Get there around 5.30pm with your dusting rag and squeegee.
• Festival Survey
  Want your say on how you felt about the Australian Wooden Boat Festival? Spit it out >>here<<.
• Monday night pasta night
  Let’s make it a spaghetti, cannelloni, lasagne, macaroni, ravioli, rigatoni, vermicelli, ziti (etc, etc) meal this week – or something else from the lands around the Mediterranean. Bring a dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Eight bells John Young
  There is a good obituary for John in Southern Wooden Boat Sailing: read it >>here<<. Just a reminder that John’s funeral service will be held at 2pm on Friday 14th March at the LBT Shed.
• Heads up sailors: Port Cygnet Regatta
  ‘ ‘The Port Cygnet Regatta has been held almost annually for 132 years. It is a celebration of all that has made Cygnet and the Southern reaches of Tasmanian waters so important for both commercial and recreational users from the first years of settlement. ‘ This event will be held over the weekend starting Friday 7th.… Read more: Heads up sailors: Port Cygnet Regatta
• TN25: Matt Conboy video episode 3 and more.
  View the final installment of Matt’s trilogy >>here<<. For other great tn25 videos and reports >>see the TN25 website<<.
• Your help is needed!
  Working Bee on Billie Saturday 8th March Starting 09:30 – morning and afternoon sessions If you can spare any time, at any time of the day on Saturday, especially rowers, turn up at the LBT shed to help out with work to be done on Billie. Please let us know via WhatsApp maintenance group, when… Read more: Your help is needed!
• WhatsApp Photos attempt 2
  Try >>this link<<. Made a mess of the previous one.
• WhatsApp photos from the Raid
  During the Raid participants posted photos to WhatsApp, and Tom Stevens has collected the >>here<<. They are a very nice informal history of the day to day as well as the highlights. Thanks Tom!
• Nancy Emergency Drill Practise Monday 5pm
  Not enough notice given for the attempt to do this last Monday, so we are having another go. For everybody interested in shipboard safety. If you haven’t done it before you should, and if you have it is a good idea to give the memory a jog from time to time.
• Limey grub this Monday night
  Best of British for the start of the month. We have missed the first of April, but would still allow a ‘fool’ dessert if you want to bring one along as your dish to share. Otherwise use any recipe you can find from John O’Groats to Lands End. See you after 6pm – bring something… Read more: Limey grub this Monday night
• Funeral of John Young at LBT Friday 14th March 2pm
  JP writes: ‘We anticipate that many people will attend and are therefore planning to set up the marquee in the grassy area to the north of the shed. Also, we will need to make as much space available in the shed itself (i.e. agood opportunity to do a good clean-up!), the veranda to the North… Read more: Funeral of John Young at LBT Friday 14th March 2pm
• Oz Wooden Boat Festival 2025 Epilogue
  Read all about it >>here<<.
• Australian 5K
  Marguerite Porte writes: ‘The regatta 5k challenge is on so gird your loins for some serious rowing. The event is open to submissions/logs from the 1st to the 7th of March. Results will be announced on the weekend, in conjunction with announcement of the regatta results. PCSC is providing two trophies, one for the under… Read more: Australian 5K
• Tribute to John Young from the ‘Stroke Oar’
  ‘John was a keen and valued member of the Tuesday skiff rowing crew right up until it became physically impossible, but he was known to let his mind wander when it was his turn to take the tiller. One day he ran slap bang into the big snag (‘the shark’) near the channel between the… Read more: Tribute to John Young from the ‘Stroke Oar’
• Tribute to John Young from David Nash
  It was a matter of time, how the firesouls of our lives topple as the years kick in .First Ruth and now , in sanctimony John. In 1983 as  an 18 year old apprentice shipwright volunteering on the lump of ironbark slowly being formed by Bill Porter on the bloody windy beach at North Haven… Read more: Tribute to John Young from David Nash
• April expedition to Lake St Clair
  Endra O’May writes: Our next wonderful adventure is to Lake St.Clair! Dates: Friday the 4th of April to Monday the 7th of April. All LBT members are welcome. Numbers limited, So please let Dennis and Endra know soon that you are interested.
• Hachi: a Dog’s Tale at the Palais March 2nd
  Barb Dawson writes: Palais movies are now back to their usual timing – first Sunday of every month. BUT an at earlier time – doors open at 6, and movie starts 6.30 Put it in the diary – Palais Theatre Franklin, Sunday 2 March, doors open at 6pm. Based on a true story, Hachi: A… Read more: Hachi: a Dog’s Tale at the Palais March 2nd
• Vale John Young
  John died last (Friday) night. As most LBT members know, John was a powerhouse. Without him the Living Boat Trust would not exist. A very recent post to Southern Wooden Boat Sailing paid tribute to his part in initiating Tawe Nunnugah, but this was just one of the innumerable contributions he made. Besides this John… Read more: Vale John Young
• TN25: Matt Conboy video episode 2
  Interviews with Martin, Kate, sailors and more.
• ‘On the Water’ for 2025
  The On Water program is one of the LBT’s more important community benefit programs. We’ll need as much help as possible to run it smoothly in the coming spring and summer. Both Huonville and Franklin primary schools will be running their programs in term 4. This will create a considerable demand for volunteers in late… Read more: ‘On the Water’ for 2025
• Monday night BBQ
  Hope there is gas left in some of the cylinders after Tawe Nunnugah. Bring something to sling on the hotplate, something to share, drinks and $5 for the kitty after 6pm.
• Emergency procedures drill for Nancy Monday 4pm
  Last June Pip Stevenson ran a workshop to bring us up to speed on what to do when something nasty happens aboard Nancy. He is running a refresher course on Monday for those who missed the first one and for those who need their memories jogged. See you down on the pontoon.
• Latest on Cartela
  The Cartela Trust has been speaking to the ABC. Read all about it >>here<<.
• Estate Sale 9 am 2nd March
  Southerly Dolling writes to tell us of this sale at 32 Wilmot Rd Huonville. ‘There are hundreds of books, mainly yachting or nautical, rope, fixtures, tools, etc that members may be keen on checking out’.
• More Raid videos
  There is >>one from Jason Stork<< (Shannon and Allecat) and another from >>Gary Hardy in his Scamp<<
• Cartela nostalgia
  Have a handkerchief on hand as you view >>this video clip<< from 1953. Thanks to Dennis Muscovich for pointing out the >>TAHO collection<< on YouTube.
• Free boat plans
  You asked, >>we deliver<<.
• The Raid is back
  Time to celebrate another hugely successful Tawe Nunnagah. Mind you the scene that greeted late arrivals on Friday evening would make you wonder why ever left Franklin.
• Tawe Nunnagah: the Matt Conboy Video
  Those who have browsed Matt’s Youtube channel Small Craft Tasmania know what a brilliant job he does of making short videos trialing small boats and exploring Tasmanian inshore waters. He was on the Raid (with John Welsford), and he has done us proud with >>Episode One<<.
• Monday night curry night
  The Return Raiders will be back and the place should be hoppin’. What better way to encourage that than some spicy food? Bring your spicy dish to share, along with something to drink and $5 for the kitty. After 6pm.
• Sail Shannon in the Channel
  Endra O’May writes: ‘Shannon (the Hood 23’) is on a mooring at Little Coningham Beach. If anyone wishes to take her for a sail there are a few details you may need to know: ring me on 0412 168552.  Also book in the times you wish on the LBT home page (lbt.org.au):
• Cartela – oh dear
  It was not a pretty picture down at the waterfront on Thursday evening. Salvage work begins tomorrow morning – hopefully she can be righted and floated.
• Movies at the Palais 16th Feb
  This coming Sunday gather after 6.00pm to see ‘Gravity’. See details on the flyer below.
• End of the Festival
  The Grebes lined up in Sandy Bay ready to be towed home. It is a long way from the heaving mass of humanity of the Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Judging from the beating some of the oars have taken the Grebes were in great demand and heavily used for rowing around Con dock.
• Lost and Found
  We have our own lost and found box at the LBT, and during the Raid Deb van Velsen has kept a track of all those odd socks and wayward charging cables for us. We can’t beat this story from Huon Yacht Club tho’ (thanks Gary McDonald). ‘If you had wandered around the HYC clubhouse in… Read more: Lost and Found
• John Welsford: The Modern Cruising Dinghy
  We were privileged to have the boat designer John Welsford along for the Raid. There were about half a dozen boats of his design which participated giving an indication of his popularity and importance in the small boat cruising community. The talk he gave at the Wooden Boat Show has been recorded and you can… Read more: John Welsford: The Modern Cruising Dinghy
• Tawe Nunnugah Land crew
  There were about 9 support vehicles for TN25, which needed nine drivers and lots of packing and unpacking. Emma was part of the land crew who did a terrific job managing all this, and she was featured in the Huon News.
• ABC Radio at the Raid
  Andy Gaul came out to do an interview for the breakfast show about the Raid with Colin and Beth at the Rokeby camp. Listen to it >>here<<.
• TN25 Fleet at the Festival
  We tried to get a good photo at Waterman’s Dock but reckon Brett McDermott did a better job with his sketch pad. Thanks Brett!
• Viking high and dry
  With the emphasis on high. Viking has been ‘dry’ on the verandah before, but we were crawling around on the ground trying to spot the leaks. The Tuesday group have made sure inspection below the water line will be much easier this time.
• Olga
  Great to see David Pittaway’s Olga out of the shed and on the water. It has been a ten year project – see >>this post<< about Olga from November 2015.
• Parade of Sails 2019 (some nostalgia)
  A good following breeze helped to make this year’s Parade interesting, a contrast to 2019 when the wind was even stronger and much more on the nose. Two LBT boats featured in the ‘Foul Bottoms’ cartoon for ‘Afloat’ magazine of March that year. The appropriate captions, a bit hard to read in the online edition… Read more: Parade of Sails 2019 (some nostalgia)
• Dorie
  You may have noticed the nice old motor cruiser ‘Dorie’ sitting on a trailer outside the Wooden Boat Centre. There are more details about the boat from the owner, Will James, >>here<<. If you recognise it Will is keen to find out more. And if you would like to put in an offer Will is… Read more: Dorie
• Monday night dinner – Mediterranean
  For those of us who aren’t on the Return Raid and are stuck ashore, Monday night is an opportunity to get together and console ourselves. As usual it is bring a dish, and it should be Mediterranean. Also $5 for the kitty and something to drink. See you after 6pm.
• More TN25 Photos
  Thanks to TN25 participants who have posted these to the WhatsApp group. No particular order or focus with these.
• Tawe Nunnugah 2025 so far (Monday)
  Only a week ago Tawe Nunnugah was spread from Franklin to Recherche, with Deb taking registrations at one end  and at the other the first arrivals who had left early to take advantage of the wind. Equipment was piling up and the whiteboard was thick with plans. Soon enough the boats were being loaded on… Read more: Tawe Nunnugah 2025 so far (Monday)
• Concert at Southport Feb 1st
  Tom Stevens writes ‘Some entertainment to consider. On Sat Feb 1, the night the raid camps in Dover, the Southport Community Centre (15min away) will be holding a musical event,”Songs from the Barbarian Ship” details below. Tickets @$10 ea are limited and can be purchased via the link below or from the Coffee Rocket when… Read more: Concert at Southport Feb 1st
• Lemons wanted
  If you have extra lemons Kate Hoorweg would like them for Tawe Nunnugah. She has left a couple of labelled boxes for the provender at the Shed.
• First Aid Course
  Nell Tyson writes to First Aid Course participants: ‘You should have received emails from ProMed and ‘Training Desk’ the last few days with details of the online part of the course. Check your spam folder if yòu didn’t get both. After the Raid there is a vague plan for some of us to possibly get… Read more: First Aid Course
• BBQ Monday night Jan 27th
  The big build up this coming week is for the welcome dinner for the Tawe Nunnugah raiders on Tuesday night, but of course it is still a great idea to bring some BBQ fair to eat and share on Monday night. See you after 6pm – bring something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• First Aid course rescheduled to 14th March
  It was the 7th, now a week later.
• Need to borrow tents and gear for TN25
  Remember that two person tent that you bought in a fit enthusiasm years ago which is now languishing at the back of a cupboard? No? Well let us remind you. You can justify that purchase by sharing the love – let one of the land crew for tn25 borrow it. Fill in the form >>here<<.
• Down at the slipyard
  It is not only at the LBT that it is all action with last minute preparation of boats for Tawe Nunnugah – the keel boats are also getting hauled out wherever they can find a slip. Brett Doubleday is hard at work on ‘Speck’, next to Richard Forster’s ‘Seastar’ which is having a leak attended… Read more: Down at the slipyard
• Tom and Ocean at work
  Steve Wilson writes: ‘Tom and Ocean, active LBT Family members, taking on the resurrection of an old donated timber Sabot for the next generation of young Tassy sailors’.
• Ruth Young memorial service live stream
  Those who are unable to attend this service (Palais Theatre, Thursday 16th, 1pm AEST) can view it on live stream >>here<<.
• Monday night curry night coming up
  We’ve had hot steamy weather, so food from the land of hot steamy weather should be good. Madras Curry, Kolkata Chicken Biryani, Karnataka vangi bath, Delhi belly – no, no forget the last. Bring your dish along to share, $5 for the kitty and something to drink after 6pm
• Abel Tasman on the water with a sail
  Just one so far, but a rig has to start somewhere, and not so long ago there was nothing.
• Freezer clean out NOW
  For many offices defrosting the fridge and disposing of all leftovers that people have forgotten they stored there is an annual ritual. At the LBT it is biennial – when Kate needs the space for Tawe Nunnugah tucker. Now it the hour. If you have anything stored in the freezer remove it, or have it… Read more: Freezer clean out NOW
• Castle Forbes Bay Festival 18-19 Jan
  At the oval: see flyer below for details.
• Ruth Young memorial service: more information
  Suzan Young writes:‘Thursday’s gathering (16th, 1pm) for Ruth will now be a funeral with casket present. In the Franklin Palais tradition, we’d be most grateful if people could bring a plate to share afterwards. Just simple afternoon tea things like sandwiches or a slice to have with tea and coffee as we share memories of… Read more: Ruth Young memorial service: more information
• Frigin’ with the rigin’
  It is a good sign that boats are mostly in shape when you can start looking aloft at shrouds and sheets and sails.
• Abel Tasman is in the water!
  After months, and a lot of work, in the Shed, we took advantage of having a large crew of boat lifters on Monday night to get the scout boat out the door and into the reeds where she can take up. Pic below shows that crew taking a breather – they needed it! Abel Tasman… Read more: Abel Tasman is in the water!
• Monday night dinner 13th Jan
  We are in luck! Lisa and JP are cooking for us. Main: Vietnamese rice paper roll with roast pork + etc; sushi hand roll with chicken + etc;Main vegetarian: steamed rice, stir fried vegetables. Dessert: Belgium waffle and cream Now there is a multicultural mix for you! Come after 6pm, with $20 and something to… Read more: Monday night dinner 13th Jan
• Down at the Shed
  It may only have been the second day of 2025 but Tuesday was as busy as it ever is, particularly preparing for Tawe Nunnugah. Lots of paint was being spread around, flotation cut and bagged, the carpentry tools out, and the sludge gun doing sterling service bogging up any suspicious looking holes and crevices. Few… Read more: Down at the Shed
• Monday night dinner: 6th January
  First time we have used 2025 in the meal calendar. British it is – plenty of scope there. Bring a course to share, something to drink, and $5 for the kitty after 6pm. Pic from WIkimedia