Last Hundred Posts

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

• Venture Scouts at the LBT
  Matt, Peter and Des set up a traditional boating trades workshop and the scouts and their leaders learnt how to salvage timber, bend it, and use draw knives spoke shaves and other hand tools to make it into useful items.
• Monday night, pizza night
  Summer seems to have finally arrived, hopefully for more than one day, so lets celebrate with an outdoorsy menu – pizzas! Bring yours to share, $5 for the kitty and something to drink after 6pm. Pic from Wikipedia
• Last day of On the Water
  The kids from Franklin Primary School finally had a warm day to enjoy, and made the most of it with a row down to a sea eagle’s nest, and then a swim at the playground. Pics from Nell Tyson
• A new Grebe build
  The stem, keel and transom of a Grebe have joined the collection on the upstream wall of the Shed. We hope they will be the basis of a project to be run with Franklin Primary School, and that at the end of next year a new boat will added to the fleet. Pic from JP
• Mystery knife
  Richard Catt retrieved his missing sail bag from the LBT today, and found a knife in it which does not belong to him. If you recognize it as yours we can put you in contact with him.
• Huon Yacht Club Pontoon
  It has been a few years since the Club wharf washed away, but according to our spies at Shipwright’s Point work has begun on the replacement.
• The Scouts are coming
  Over the weekend there will be up to a 100 scout venturers camping at the Watershed. They will be using LBT facilities – so don’t get a fright if you walk into the Shed and there is a mob. We have been trying to put together some activities for them, hence the head scratching about… Read more: The Scouts are coming
• Row to Ranelagh
  Dennis Muscovich is planning this row for Sunday December 14, leaving the LBT 10 am. Ring him on 0428 364 178 if you wish to participate.
• White hats at Randall’s Bay
  When the work crew from Charlotte’s Cove went around to join the Wooden Boat Guild for a picnic at Randall’s Bay on Sunday they were greeted by the sight of some very familiar white hats and a very familiar boat pulled up on the beach with the Guild fleet.
• Charlotte’s Cove working bee
  They say many hands make light work, and that proved to be the case for the project to restore the shed at the Charlotte’s Cove Scout Camp on the weekend. After the very necessary preparatory work done by Piet, Keith and JP, a good size crew set to and rebuilt a wall, dug a drain,… Read more: Charlotte’s Cove working bee
• Monday night British
  Grub’s up on Monday night with a British theme. Bring your victuals to share, something to drink, $5 for the kitty after 6pm. Pie floater anybody? Pic from Wikimedia
• LBT Christmas Party 22nd of December
  Put it in your diary. Plans so far are that this will be an evening event, with a musician to entertain us. Bring a plate and $10 (so we can pay that musician).
• Join the Sail Oar Safari 31st Jan – 5th Feb
  Completed ‘Expressions of Interest’ have been coming in – get yours in SOON so that you don’t miss out and so we can get on with planning. Find the form >>here<<. For more information see the web page >>here<<
• Working boat fantasies
  The plan for the next Australian Wooden Boat Festival is to feature working boats. They have requested that Nancy be in attendance. Southern Wooden Boat Sailing picked up the theme with an article entitled ‘Find Your Workhorse’ –‘the SWS editors have scoured the [for sale] listings for half a dozen special boats with industrious origins’.… Read more: Working boat fantasies
• Dealing with the wild weather
  Motor upwind and sail down can be a good strategy, which was adopted for a wild and woolly Thursday On the Water session. Nancy towed the students from Franklin Primary School upriver through a series of rain squalls, then we let them go so that they could warm themselves up rowing home.
• Charlotte’s Cove Working Bee 29th-30th
  Work has already begun on restoring the shed at the Charlotte’s Cove Scout House Come along to help out this weekend. Please let J-P Scheerlinck know on 0402 584 108 or by email (president@lbt.org.au). Thanks to JP for pics.
• Charlotte’s Cove
  First, a reminder that there is an excursion from Charlotte’s Cove to Randall’s Bay organised for the 30th November. See >>here<< for details. Second, there is a WORKING BEE organised to do some repairs on the Scout House at the Cove on 29th – 30th November. JP writes: The LBT is helping restore the Scout… Read more: Charlotte’s Cove
• Monday night BBQ coming up
  Looks like it will be a reasonable evening, with the sun setting after 8.30pm, so we might even have a chance of being outside (midgies willing). Bring something for the hot plate, something to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty after 6pm.
• Garage Sale
  LBT stalwart Marguerite Porte writes: Marguerite must clear out her garage and it is very much a garage sale for those willing/wanting to haggle. Goods on offer include but are not limited to household and kitchen items, tools and garden tools, books, music CD’s. Also available (if not sold prior to Saturday) is a solid… Read more: Garage Sale
• Quick and dirty regatta
  Last Friday afternoon the LBT hosted the ‘Quick and Dirty Regatta’ organised by the Wooden Boat Centre for a very prestigious trophy. The previous day the boats had been constructed by apprentices and workers from Cygnet, Hobart, Kettering and Franklin. All of them were lined up for inspection on the LBT lawn. There were some… Read more: Quick and dirty regatta
• Rowers Christmas Party and Races
  See flyer below (from Lorrie Harrison) for details.
• Some Tuesday doings
  Dave gets that hole in Imagine patched, while Phil and Anna make a start on getting the Huon Rat beautiful.
• Monday curry night coming up
  Time to raid the spice shelf again, to add some zip to the dish you are bringing along to share. Bring something to drink and $5 for the kitty too.
• Extension of the On Water program
  Mike Dredge writes: ‘Grade 5 kids from Franklin Primary are enjoying their On Water program at the moment – we seem to be dodging the worst of the weather conditions, although tide and fresh water run last week made the kids earn their money (and learn quite a bit about how the effects of tide… Read more: Extension of the On Water program
• Circular Economy Resources
  Chris Wilson has forwarded us a link to the >>Circular Economy Resources Database<< . Lots of good stuff. Want to recycle a battery, access a free street library, get your knives sharpened? It is all in here. Even the LBT gets a mention – we recycle boats.
• Randalls Bay Excursion 30th November
  The Wooden Boat Guild and Small Craft Tasmania are organising a ‘Sunday outing’ on the water for 30th November which should be of interest to many LBT members. See >>the flyer<< for details.
• Washing the dishes
  The bad news was that our old dishwasher finally came to ‘end of life’ after many years of faithful service. But all was not lost: we applied to Bendigo Bank to fund a replacement and they came to the party. The new dishwasher has just been installed. Big thanks to Andy Ritchie who saw this… Read more: Washing the dishes
• Monday night Mediterranean
  On Monday night bring along your falafels, Greek salad, favourite pasta dish, couscous or something else: just so long as it hails from the Med. Also something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Imagine in the Shed
  After a trailer loading mishap Imagine needs a hole patched. Dave Conway is on the job.
• Lake St Clair trip 2025
  Two Skiffs were rowed across Lake St Clair on the weekend of November 1-2 by members of the LBT. It is a spectacular location and, given the sort of weather we experienced, great for rowing and sailing. Read a full description with some of the photos >>here<<.
• SOS26 Expression Of Interest
  If you wish to participate is the Sail or Safari (31st January – 5th February 2026) complete the Expression of Interest Form >>here<<. As the descriptor at the head of this form states: ‘Completing this EOI does not commit you to anything or mean you have booked or reserved a place – this will be… Read more: SOS26 Expression Of Interest
• A British menu for Monday night
  It is back to the auld country for inspiration for recipes for this Monday. Bring your dish, plus $5 for the kitty and something to drink after 6pm. Dinner served around 7pm. And we notice that the new dishwasher has arrived!
• WBC Quick and Dirty November 14
  See flyer below for an invitation to this event.
• Wooden Boat Centre scholarship
  As the flyer below says, there is an opportunity for young women in the Huon Valley to apply for a scholarship for a course at the Wooden Boat Centre. More details >>here<<.
• On the Water day 1
  The weather we have been having had us looking over our shoulders, but in the event Thursday turned out to be a perfect,still, sunny, early spring day for getting on the water. The students from Franklin Primary School were all attention for the initial introduction from Mike Dredge, and were soon practicing there skills on… Read more: On the Water day 1
• Milling planks for the Scout house
  The Scout camp at Charlotte’s Cove is a favourite destination for LBT expeditions. It needs some repair work done and Chris and Sally volunteered to provide timber for the job. On Thursday Keith, Nell, Endra and Richard headed up to their block near Rocky Cape to help them out. They are very experienced hands at… Read more: Milling planks for the Scout house
• Lake St Clair Expedition
  The expeditioners leave next Friday morning, so if you see lots of activity and boats being removed on trailers don’t be alarmed.
• Quick and dirty November 14th
  The Living Boat Trust is participating in the Wooden Boat Centre’s ‘quick and dirty’ boat building day on Friday November 14th. Part of our involvement will be to provide the catering. If you would like to help please contact Endra O’May 0412 168552.
• Monday night BBQ
  Let’s hope the weather improves so we can take advantage of daylight saving. Bring something for the hotplate, something to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. After 6pm, but the consensus is that we will sit down to eat a little later now that we sun is up a bit longer –… Read more: Monday night BBQ
• What’s new at the Wooden Boat Centre
  Find out >>here<<.
• Stuff happening on Tuesday
  Black Swan is looking even more beautiful. The rickety legs on the bandsaw have been replaced by a wheeled platform so that it can easily be moved around. Thanks Des! Generally daylight is a good thing, but not when you can see it between the planks of your boat. David Pittaway is on the case,… Read more: Stuff happening on Tuesday
• Geeveston Past Trades & Crafts Festival
  To celebrate the 160th anniversary of the town, The Geeveston Guild will host a heritage display, featuring a variety trades and crafts familiar to our residents of days gone by. When: Sunday 26th October Time: 10am – 4pm Where: Geeveston Community Hall Find out more >>here<<.
• Seniors Week
  On Sunday afternoon Brian Pain and Chloe brought the last party of passengers back to Franklin after another successful Seniors Week. Nancy is an ideal boat for this sort of activity, and a cup of tea and biscuits and a good chat in the Shed rounds off the day. Jane and her friends very sensibly… Read more: Seniors Week
• Wanted: kerosine burner
  Doug Winkler is preparing his boat to bring it down to Dover from Melbourne. He is missing the burners for his old kerosene stove. He called in at the Shed on the off chance that somebody might have some tucked into their back pockets and are finding them uncomfortable there. If you are in this… Read more: Wanted: kerosine burner
• Peter Marmion on walking the coast of Tasmania
  This was a Richard Edwards suggestion. He was part of the multitude who couldn’t get in the door to hear Peter Marmion’s presentation at the Royal Society and asked the LBT to organise (with Pete) a reprise event at the Palais. He thought the LBT Shed would be too small a venue, and he was… Read more: Peter Marmion on walking the coast of Tasmania
• Monday Curry night
  Time for something spicy, or perhaps a dish to compliment the spicy. Bring yours, plus $5 for the kitty and something to drink after 6pm.
• On the Water program
  Mike Dredge writes: ‘A quick reminder that we will be running the Franklin Primary On Water program on Thursdays – October 30, November 6 and 27 and December 4.  We have a fair-sized group of kids and just enough volunteers to deal with the program, although a couple of back-ups / reserves would be gratefully… Read more: On the Water program
• Getting on the water on Wednesday
  Whilst Martin Riddle was taking another party of seniors out on Nancy, Ed Wykeman was busy rigging Looks like he found some good wind.
• Pirates, metrics and Imperial USA
  >>Here is a good yarn.<< If you are building a boat with plans from the USA measurements will generally be based on 1/16th of an inch – not in the millimetres that the rest of the world uses. It could all have been so different if pirates hadn’t captured the ship bringing across from France… Read more: Pirates, metrics and Imperial USA
• Wooden Boat Centre AGM Oct 19
  The WBC will be holding their AGM at 3.30pm on Sunday 19th of October at the Centre. See the agenda >>here<<.
• NO Monday night dinner
  Instead, a Monday night supper at the Palais to hear Peter Marmion talk about his circum-stroll around Tasmania. The West Coast isn’t built for strolling – we are looking forward to hearing about how he dealt with that. Come after 6pm with your plate and $5.
• Black Swan sheds her dowdy feathers
  Not quite ready to fly yet, but Black Swan’s new paint job has her on the way to being ready for the upcoming school program.
• New engine stand
  Des has converted the wheels from a garden mulcher into an engine stand. Thanks Des!
• LBT on YouTube Shorts
  How others see us: Rod Macfarlan organised a film shoot (for an accounting firm of all things) and they have posted to YouTube >>here<<.
• Huon Yacht Club Open Day 12th October
  Invitation to everybody – see flyer below for details.
• Sailing through Tassie wildlife (and more)
  Matt Conboy came along on Tawe Nunnugah and made some lovely video clips of his experiences – see the >>Tawe Nunnugah 2025 News<<. His >>most recent trip<< was to Schouten Island, when he and a friend had close encounters with the local wildlife and other adventures.
• Draft Minutes for September Committee Meeting
  Read them >>here<<.
• A boat by the river
  It has been a while since a Tuesday group excursion to Golf Course Rd to see Matt and Iefke’s build – a 40 foot Gartside Bristol Cutter – and and a recent visit revealed that there has been plenty of progress since that time. The Gartside website estimates 10,000 hours (‘skill level high’) to completion,… Read more: A boat by the river
• British regional menu for Monday night
  The buds are bursting but the weather can’t quite make up its mind that spring is actually here. So bring something springish or winterish on Monday night to share – just so long as it is British. Also $5 for the kitty and something to drink.
• Ian Johnson talk October 1st
  Very short notice on this one. Ian will be talking at 8 Mary St Cygnet at 10am about yacht design. See message below for details. Thanks to Gary McDonald for pointing this out.
• More on Peter Marmion event October 13th
  A reminder that this event, at the Palais, replaces our normal Monday night dinner. Doors open 6pm. See the flyer below for details.
• BBQ Monday night
  It seems ages since the last one – has it been an especially long month? It is BBQ time again – yippee! Bring your snags, dish to share, something to drink and $5 around 6pm.
• ‘Ocean’ at the Palais Saturday 4th October
  Barb Dawson has alerted us to this event on the date mentioned at 6pm – film (with David Attenborough) to be followed by a Q & A with >>Save our Marine Life<<.
• Be part of Seniors Week 13th- 19th October
  The LBT’s contribution to Seniors Week is to run 1 1/2 day tours in Nancy around the Egg Islands (1pm – 2,30pm). Living on the river as we do it is easy to get blasé about what we have on our doorstep, but this event reminds us every year that it is special. For older… Read more: Be part of Seniors Week 13th- 19th October
• LBT Committee Meeting 25th September
  There is a draft agenda >>here<<. Send any business you want attended to to sec@lbt.org.au
• Special Monday night October 13th
  We recently advertised >>a talk by Peter Marmion<< at the Maritime Museum about his circumnavigation of Tasmania – on foot. Our efforts were so effective that large numbers of those who turned up couldn’t get in the door (well – it mightn’t have been just down to us). The good news for those who missed… Read more: Special Monday night October 13th
• Monday Curry night
  Must be at least a month since we have had a curry night, so time for another one. Bring your favourite Indian or South-East Asian dish to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty. See you around 6pm (with your chilies).
• Fine woodwork at the LBT
  Keith prepares to take the chainsaw to the troublesome centreboard case in Capricornia.
• Lake St Clair Expedition Meeting Mon 22nd
  A meeting has been called to organise this expedition (31st Oct – 3rd Nov) next Monday at 5pm. Those who wish to participate should attend. There is a camping fee of $30 a person which you should bring to this meeting.
• Greetings from Port Townsend
  Port Townsend is near Seattle, and a mecca for wooden boat enthusiasts. Ed Wykman writes: ‘Thrilled to visit Port Townsend albeit a week after their WBF. Nevertheless, some beautiful boats still available for admiring. First two are of “Mouse” my new favourite boat in the world. Weather glorious which i understand is better than what… Read more: Greetings from Port Townsend
• School program coming up
  Mike Dredge writes: “We are starting up the On Water program for Franklin PS in late October.  We have firm days/dates – Thursday October 30, Thursday November 6, Thursday November 27 and Thursday December 4.   Once again, we are calling for volunteers to help with the program.  You’ll see that it is slightly broken up… Read more: School program coming up
• Monday Pie night
  Last Monday a change of menu was debated and in the end votes were tallied and the pies had it. Bring your favourite (sweet of savoury) to share, plus something to drink and $5 for the kitty after 6pm.
• 2025 LBT AGM
  If you were hoping to attend you’ve missed it. On Saturday evening the President and the Treasurer gave their reports, the minutes were taken and a new committee was elected. Read all about it >>here<<. The new committee is: Congratulations to all of the above.
• Lights, cameras, action
  On Tuesday the Shed was set up as a studio in amongst the normal activity. We all had to creep around on tippy toes as an advertisement for the accountancy package we use was filmed. Watch out on Tik Tok. No doubt Basil and Mouse stole the show. Thank goodness there were no kittens or… Read more: Lights, cameras, action
• LBT August Committee Meeting minutes
  Read them >>here<<.
• President’s slide show
  JP wisely decided not to emulate the sort of presidential report delivered by the inimitable Peter Laidlaw, and instead talked to the excellent slideshow of the year’s highlights you can see >>here<<. Pic from Deb van Velsen
• Men’s Shed Cookbook
  The LBT is many things to many people, and two of those things are being a ‘fine dining’ destination on Monday nights and belonging to the >>Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association<<. Wendy Kennedy from the Association offers an opportunity to combine these interests. She writes: Some of our Sheds run “Plate with a Mate’ lunches with… Read more: Men’s Shed Cookbook
• More on Lake St Clair (31st Oct – 3rd Nov)
  This expedition has been on the bucket list ever since the Pieman trip a couple of years ago. We stopped in at Lake St Clair on the way home and agreed we had to do it – just not right then. As the Parks description says: The atmosphere at Lake St Clair is moody and… Read more: More on Lake St Clair (31st Oct – 3rd Nov)
• The need for ballast
  Viking proved to be a ‘wee’ bit unstable when launched without her ballast, but David Pittaway points out that she isn’t the only (or most extreme) example. See >>this video<< of the launch of the ‘Dolce Vento’.
• Final Reminder: LBT AGM Saturday 6th September
  Here are the details. Notice of Annual General Meeting The Living Boat Trust AGM will be held Relevant documents can be found on the website here,  including the agenda.  An important part of this meeting will be to decide on membership fees for the future.  More details to follow. 
• Monday night Mediterranean
  Maybe we can speed the arrival of spring with dreams of blue skies and azure waters and bathing on deserted beaches in the Greek Isles, and maybe dining appropriately will put us all in the right mood. Maybe. Bring you dish, something to drink and $5 for the kitty around 6pm at the Shed.
• Friday night curry night at PESC
  On Friday 5th September there will be a curry night at the Port Esperance Sailing Club. Come & have a delicious meal, listen to some great music & support a local sailor’s National Championship campaign! (We think the sailor in question is Jess Wardell, whom many LBTers will know)
• Target for grant?
  David Pittaway suggests we need one of >>these<<.
• Nell’s equinox party Sat 20 Sept
  Nell Tyson writes: Nell’s EQUINOX bonfire night.Sat 20th Sept.From 5 pm. Drinks etc6 pm – head for the bonfire paddock.Party on afterwards. 771 Mountain River Road.Please bring some simple food to share and byo drinks.I’ll make large soup with Summer Kitchen bread.
• Wooden boat news from South Oz
  Read the most recent newsletter (Crows Nest) from the South Australian Wooden Boat Association >>here<<.
• August news from the Festival
  Read all about it >>here<<. This month featuring a proa displayed at the 2025 festival and lots of dogs.
• Seniors Week October 13-19th
  Find your id/age document (not the one you used to use for sneaking into the pub), download >>the program<<, and register for all sorts of activities. The one that the LBT has supported for many years is a cruise on Nancy around the Egg Islands. It is very popular – the first of the passengers… Read more: Seniors Week October 13-19th
• St Ayles Skiff Association August News
  Read it >>here<<.
• Castle Forbes Quiz Night 11th October
  See flyer below for details.
• Monday night dinner: Britannia rules the waves
  If we were to insist on a menu from the glory days of the British Navy then it would have to include weavily biscuits, salt beef, dried peas and a tot of rum. If you can provide that bring it along, otherwise anything British will do. After 6pm, with $5 for the kitty and something… Read more: Monday night dinner: Britannia rules the waves
• New skipper for Nancy
  It is not quite ‘Windward Bound’, where Chloe got her sailing qualifications, but at least on Nancy she will be in charge. Welcome to the roster Chloe!
• Lake St Clair 31st Oct – 3rd Nov
  A four day, self catering, rowing and sailing expedition is being planned for these dates. More information to follow. If you are interested contact Endra (0412 168 552) or Dennis Muscovich, or submit your name on the form >>here<<.
• Announcing the 2026 Sail Oar Safari
  We are proposing to run a ‘miniRaid’ January 31st – February 2026 for those of us who can’t wait until the next Tawe Nunnugah. Planning is very much in the initial phase, but a >>Safari Home Page<< has been set up, and you can join the mailing list there. The plan is to assemble in… Read more: Announcing the 2026 Sail Oar Safari
• Weave our own sails?
  Jen Avery got us all thinking about sewing – the cover for 5 Bells was one of the products of her machine. Endra O’May suggests going further: why not >>weave a Viking sail<<? We have Eva Ruzicka, who wove all lap rugs and cushion covers, to consult. Sounds like a fairly lengthy process though. When… Read more: Weave our own sails?
• Monday night BBQ
  Lacking inspiration for a BBQ side dish? Let the Women’s Weekly be your saviour – dig out their cookbook. Bring along your dish to share, something for the hotplate, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Draft Agenda for LBT August Committee Meeting
  See >>attached<<.
• Do you know how to use flares?
  Huon Yacht Club are considering organising an event with MAST to show how to safely use flares. The last time we had one of these evenings it was a big success with lots of hands on – but that was ten years or so ago. Letting off a safety flair is not one of those… Read more: Do you know how to use flares?
• ‘White Rock’, Palais, Sept 7th
  “White Rock is a documentary produced by the Great Southern Reef Foundation which brings together scientists, chefs, fishers, and policymakers to tackle one of the biggest environmental challenges facing our oceans—the longspined sea urchin crisis. From overgrazed reefs to thriving kelp forests, this film explores how we can turn a marine crisis into an opportunity… Read more: ‘White Rock’, Palais, Sept 7th
• Maritime Museum Sept 2: Tasmanian Coastline on foot
  The Maritime Museum writes: ‘Join us on Tuesday September 2 at 12:00pm with Peter Marmion as he shares the extraordinary story of his solo circumnavigation of Tasmania — on foot.  With a particular focus on the untamed coastline between Port Davey and Strahan, Peter will take us into one of the wildest and least-visited parts… Read more: Maritime Museum Sept 2: Tasmanian Coastline on foot
• Nowhere else on earth
  Keith Thomas-Wurth has alerted us to this film showing from Environment Tasmania which may be of interest to LBT members. ‘Dive deep into the blue with us at a screening of Nowhere Else on Earth, a captivating short film that showcases the extraordinary marine life of Tasmania. Through stunning underwater footage and the voices of… Read more: Nowhere else on earth