Last Hundred Posts

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

• Garage sale at Palais 7th November
  See the flyer below for detals.
• Final rivets for Monty’s sister ribs
  Jack and Endra did the honors.
• Disruption to service
  Very inconveniently the entire LBT News editorial staff is taking leave at the same time. We expect that the Personnel Manager who allowed this to happen will, at the very least, have their wages docked. Some news will still be posted, but it will be more sporadic. One group which relies on the news are… Read more: Disruption to service
• Rug up and Row 27th September
  Lorrie Harrison has forwarded the following invitation from Port Esperance Sailing (and rowing) club. Ahoy fellow skiffers kayakers, sailor’s and support crews. Rug up and Row,celebrating the spring equinox is fast approaching. Sunday 27 September. We have added a 500 mt kayak race and the best equinox inspired headgear for added fun. Below is the… Read more: Rug up and Row 27th September
• Bonfire at Nell’s 26th September
  Nell Tyson writes: ‘I’ve decided to have my annual bonfire on Saturday the 26th.‘ All LBT members invited.
• Progress on Capricornia
  Piet Lunstedt and Henk Brolsma have been working away on the new centreboard case. Henk sent in the attached photo: ‘Capricornia – the old and the new. The old centreboard and the new centreboard housing.‘
• Rowing at Port Esperance 27th Sept
  See the flyer below for details.
• Opportunity knocks: LBT news editor wanted
  The editor of the LBT news column (Richard) will be away for 6 weeks from September the twentieth. We are looking for somebody to help out for this period. For anybody who is interested it is an opportunity to learn a little bit about WordPress, the base platform for the LBT and around 40% of… Read more: Opportunity knocks: LBT news editor wanted
• Monday night Mediterranean
  Bring your dish from Spain, Italy, the Levant, North Africa, you choose. After 6pm, with something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Even more Jack de Crow
  Turns out that the ‘Jack de Crow’ special featured last week and pictured below belongs to LBT member Oscar Ellis. He and his family are living in Boat Harbour at the moment, hence the confusion. We suspect that Oscar’s father David may have had something to do with this project. Sandy Mackinnon has recently published… Read more: Even more Jack de Crow
• Sunday Community Catch Up
  Sometimes Murphy looks the other way, or loses concentration or gets it wrong. In any event he allowed us perfect weather, a coincidence with Father’s Day and didn’t interfere with the excellent organisation which led to the Sunday Catch Up being a resounding success. There were many new faces at the LBT mixing with the… Read more: Sunday Community Catch Up
• Reminder: movie at the Palais Sunday
  ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island is a wonderfully warm and quirky film centred around Charles, an eccentric lottery winner living a quiet, isolated life on a remote Welsh island. His great passion is music, and when he gets the chance to reunite two former members of a much-loved musical duo, he sees an opportunity to… Read more: Reminder: movie at the Palais Sunday
• Monday night British dinner
  Winter has returned with a sting in its tail, just the sort of weather that is perfect for hearty British dishes, both savoury and sweet. Bring yours to share, along with something to drink, and $5 for the kitty.
• More Jack de Crow
  It has been book week at local schools, with lots of fun and games and dress ups. We like the literary taste of Boat Harbour Primary School. (Thanks to Endra and David Ellis for spotting this one)
• The little things
  A tap valve in this case – remember the leaking tap over the kitchen sink? It has taken 3 trips to Kingston so far, and we may finally have the right one. Thanks John Avery for persevering.
• Looking for wet weather gear?
  Zainab spotted these coats in the Mission Op Shop in Huonville.
• More sister ribs for Monty
  Peter and Jack set to with some beautiful blue gum given to us by the Wooden Boat Centre, with Jack as the dolly man hidden under the boat.
• Last chance to enter Festival boats
  The closing date for applications to register boats for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival is August 31st. It is coming up soon! Do it >>here<<.
• Getting the boats ready
  Monty is coming along, with paint being applied, and the flotation tanks reinstalled after repairs were made to the hull. Meanwhile the Flying Fifteen has come onto the verandah to have that annoying leak around the rudder tube attended to, and to have a scrape and an anti-foul.
• Community Catch Up Sunday Sept 6th
  Tom Davidson writes: ‘In an attempt to further enrich community we are hosting recurring community catch ups on the first Sunday of every month at the Living Boat Trust in Franklin. Please come and join us for a casual, and relaxed atmosphere down by the river. We will have the BBQ on should you want… Read more: Community Catch Up Sunday Sept 6th
• August Festival News
  Read the latest from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival >>here<<. Good to see that Megan Stredwick will the ‘dock mistress’. She was down to see the launch of the restored ‘blue boat’ at the Wooden Boat Centre recently, and we were able to chat with her about our plans.
• Monday night, another BBQ
  It’s one of those months when there are five Mondays, which throws us out of our usual schedule. In lieu of other suggestions, and because we love ’em, we have a second BBQ. Usual drill: something for the hotplate, something to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Monday night BBQ coming up
  After the exoticism of ‘Global South’ last week we are back to basics. Bring your snags and burgers to chuck on the hotplate, plus a plate to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• News from Dover
  The latest update from the Port Esperance Sailing Club can be read >>here<<.
• Preventative maintenance for oldies
  Last week Brian Walpole gave a presentation in the Shed on this topic to an attentive audience which (ahem) fitted his target demographic. He left behind the following list of suggestions. Thanks Brian! 9 activities for a healthy old age. What your family history can tell you  A family history may indicate an increased risk… Read more: Preventative maintenance for oldies
• On the water program
  Mike Dredge writes: ‘‘Once again unto the breach, dear friends’ We resume our On Water activities in November, with Grade 5s from Franklin Primary.  Dates are November 6, November 13, December 4 and December 11 (all Fridays).  The break is caused by the school’s swimming program. For those not familiar with the program, it involves… Read more: On the water program
• Sunday movie at the Palais, September 6th
  ‘The Ballad of Wallis Island is a wonderfully warm and quirky film centred around Charles, an eccentric lottery winner living a quiet, isolated life on a remote Welsh island. His great passion is music, and when he gets the chance to reunite two former members of a much-loved musical duo, he sees an opportunity to… Read more: Sunday movie at the Palais, September 6th
• The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow
  Thanks to Gary McDonald for spotting this one. A.J. ‘Sandy’ Mackinnon, the author of ‘Jack’, will be in conversation with Paul Cullen (former manager of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival) at the Afterword Cafe (back of Fullers bookshop) on Thursday the 1st of October, 5.30pm Tickets available on TryBooking: https://www.trybooking.com/DOQPZ ‘When A.J. ‘Sandy’ Mackinnon sailed… Read more: The Unlikely Voyage of Jack de Crow
• LBT Annual General Meeting 2026: Report
  The AGM was held on Saturday, and our indomitable secretary Keith has already posted >>the minutes<< .   All the important items of business were dealt with.  We accepted the >>treasurer’s and auditor’s reports<<, heard the >>president’s report<<, dismissed the old committee, and elected a new one.  The committee members for 2026-27 are: Congratulations to… Read more: LBT Annual General Meeting 2026: Report
• Monday night dinner – Global south
  Rod Macfarlan suggests a variation on our usual curries for this third Monday of the month. ‘The global south is what used to be called the developing world, and it encompasses Africa, South America, much of Asia, central America and the Caribbean. The cuisine is rich and varied: how about South African bobtie, Brazillian feijoada,… Read more: Monday night dinner – Global south
• Reminder: AGM Saturday 15th, 2pm
  The 2026 Living Boat Trust AGM will be held It will be followed by a barbeque The agenda and other documents relevant to the meeting can be found >>here<<.
• Arthur river expedition 30th October
  Since announcing this (mostly rowing) expedition back in May there has been a good deal of discussion and organisation going on amongst those who are participating. Endra O’May tells us that there are still seats available, and that if you are interested you should send your email address to endraomay@gmail.com .
• ‘Annella’ in the news
  Steve’s boat was featured in the ABC weather photo for Sunday. Sirpa from the Wooden Boat Centre points out that Annella is a bit of a media tart: she bobs up (just in shot) in >>this Women’s Weekly article<< about ‘creative women and makers at the heart of regional Australia’,
• Anybody recognise this dinghy?
  It had broken free, was spotted after it had drifted onto the rocks near Glaziers Bay, and is now pulled up on the grass next to the Living Boat Trust. Thanks to Jim de Boer for spotting It. It is fibreglass, fairly old but looks like it could relatively easily be tidied up and is… Read more: Anybody recognise this dinghy?
• Crane day
  On Wednesday the Flying 15 really was flying. She came in for a soft landing on her trailer, and when last seen was snugged in under the verandah. Then is was the turn of the ‘little blue boat’. which was placed gently in the water just clear of the dinghy shed.
• Launch of ‘little blue boat’
  This boat was part of the scenery of the Derwent for 50 odd years, but it all got a bit much for the (very elderly) owner, the mooring chain wore out and she ended up on the tiles. The Wooden Boat Centre have done a great job of restoring her and she will be relaunched… Read more: Launch of ‘little blue boat’
• Monday night Mediterranean
  Back to the Med for culinary inspiration. Bring your dish, drink and $5 for the kitty after 6pm.
• Swiftsure Regatta 15th November
  This is an opportunity for all members, friends and the local community to come together for a day of fun on the water. Numerous activities are on offer to cater for various skill levels. Get extra involved and run one of the events. All you need is a friend, no experience necessary, on the job… Read more: Swiftsure Regatta 15th November
• New Rowers
  Lorrie Harrison writes: Since the Backroads program we have had added interest in our rowing. Some of of these people live in another state but some are local and Hobart residents. We would like to be able to tell them to go to the web page as we know we have a rowing section.  However,  we… Read more: New Rowers
• Preventative maintenance for older people, Monday 10th August, 5.30pm
  Prevention is better than Cure – Dr Bryan Walpole Just as older boats need some attention if they are to have a long and happy life, so do older bodies. On Monday, 10 August at 5.30pm Dr Bryan Walpole, old friend of the LBT, WBC volunteer and frequent Raid participant, will talk on preventative maintenance… Read more: Preventative maintenance for older people, Monday 10th August, 5.30pm
• July news from the Wooden Boat Festival
  Read all about it >>here<<. Amongst stories from volunteers there was one very familiar face.
• Life of Pi, Palais, Sunday 2nd August
  ‘”Life of Pi” is a captivating adventure that follows the extraordinary journey of a young man named Pi, whose life is turned upside down after a shipwreck leaves him stranded on a lifeboat’.
• A British menu on Monday night
  It is back to British cuisine for next Monday night’s dinner. Presumably dishes from Northern Ireland are ok, but not those from the south. Hope that doesn’t mess with anybody. Gather after 6pm with your plate to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Reinforcing the rowlock blocks on Monty
  There should be no problem If Monty needs to be rowed from Cockle Creek to Hobart on the next Raid.
• Notice of LBT AGM, 15th August
  The 2026 Living Boat Trust AGM will be held It will be followed by a barbeque The agenda and other documents relevant to the meeting can be found >>here<<. The most important business at this meeting will be the appointment of a new committee for 2026-27. Please consider nominating using >>this form<<.
• New cheek plates for Monty
  Thank you Dennis Muscovich!
• Use jars for food
  All food stored at the LBT MUST go in the fridge or in the provided jars.
• Monday night BBQ
  Put on your long johns, winter woolies, and Sou’ Wester and venture down to enjoy a meal with other hardy souls at the Shed. It will be one to sort the dedicated from the fair weather diners. As usual, bring something to share, something for you, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Koorine and the Ragtag Fleet
  The ‘Ragtag Fleet’ consisted of every boat the Australian Navy could lay its hands on during the early, days of the Pacific campaign during Word War 2. It was critical in supplying Allied forces in New Guinea. Without them – who knows? – the Japanese advance could have got even further. The story is well… Read more: Koorine and the Ragtag Fleet
• Winter is with us
  The snow on Sleeping Beauty – down to 400 metres – tells a story. If you take a boat out and you end up in the drink hypothermia is a real possibility. Make sure you have a suitable recovery plan in place.
• Latest news from Port Esperance
  There is a bit going on with the sailing club, including a winter sailing program. Read all about it >>here<<.
• Monday curry night
  Usual drill: a plate to share, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• What’s going on at the WBC?
  Read the latest newsletter from the Wooden Boat Centre >>here<<. There is lots of exciting activity. A good thing to do is to stroll over to our neighbours and join up for a mere $25.
• ‘Backroads’ in the Huon Valley Thursday night
  Many people will remember that the ABC ‘Baclkroads’ team came visiting and filming earlier in the year. We can see the results of their work on Thursday night at 8pm on Channel 2, and of course after that there will be repeats and the opportunity to see this episode on iView.
• Sister ribs for Monty
  This should help to stiffen her up.
• Tas Land Conservancy
  Next Tuesday Endra O’May is taking a weeding party from the Tas Land Conservancy to do gorse control on the Egg Islands. It is a reminder that this is a very good group to join if you are interested in our amazing natural environment. See their homepage >>here<<.
• Monday night Mediterranean
  Bring your best pastas and other winter fare after 6pm with something to drink and $5 for the kitty. Or come earlier and join the happy crew working on the Tawe Nunnugah boats and get a free meal.
• Winter fantasies
  Fantasising about escaping these freezing mornings with a trip to the tropics? Indulge the idea by joining Jim Woods as he plans a trip from Hobart to the Louisiade Archelago in his cray boat >>here<<.
• Nancy under the marque
  We’ve been covering her up and trying to get her dry so that we can do some minor repairs on the hull, but some how that naughty water keeps sneaking in. It’s not quite the atomic solution but it is a biggy – the roof of the marquee covering her. Maybe we will be lucky… Read more: Nancy under the marque
• Monday Work Group
  Good progress last Monday on scraping, sanding and painting Monty. Come along next week after 10 am and join in the fun – all sorts of work to be done to prepare the TN27 fleet.
• Naidoc Week
  Late notification of events coming up next week. See flyers below for details.
• Monday night Asian meal
  The Monday night dinner subcommittee have met and after lengthy deliberation decided that an Asian meal is what we all need. It will be interesting to see what turns up – sweet and sour chicken, gado gado, laksa, Singapore noodles? Bring you dish and something to drink. If you are part of the crew working… Read more: Monday night Asian meal
• Sunday Movie at the Palais: Back to the Future
  Back to the Future follows teenager Marty McFly, who is accidentally sent thirty years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean built by his eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown.
• June AWBF Newsletter
  Read the latest from the Australian Wooden Boat Festival >>here<<. There is a reminder to those who want their boats to be part of the Festival that they will need to >>register their boat<<, and lots else besides. Are you interested in running a food stall, or is traditional Japanese carpentry more your line? Have… Read more: June AWBF Newsletter
• Progress on the Shed floor
  Keith Thomas-Wurth writes: The Geo-tech survey of the earth inside the shed and a couple outside was done yesterday. We have to wait for the official report but the overall results were promising. The subsoil seems to be compacted so not subject to any significant movement.
• Monday night BBQ
  You can’t have too many BBQ’s at this time of year, so let’s have another one. Come around 6pm with your dish to share, something to drink, $5 for the kitty, and (of course) something to chuck on the hotplate.
• June Committee Minutes
  Read ’em >>here<<
• Membership dues 2026-27
  The LBT financial year ends in June, which is when all members need to pay their annual fees. Notices will be sent out. Here are the details. MEMBERSHIP TYPESIndividual – $90 per yearAssociate – $40 per yearFamily -$150 per yearWorkshop – $20 per yearGroup – $120 per year Associate memberships are for people who are… Read more: Membership dues 2026-27
• Midwinter at the LBT
  A good night for a bonfire.
• Monty in the Shed
  Lots of scraping and sanding, and Dennis has made a start. And that’s not all: Dave Padgett left us an extensive job list after the February miniRaid. So let’s get going: come and join in the fun next Monday. JP will be there coordinating from 9am on. The really good news is that the workers… Read more: Monty in the Shed
• Under wraps
  LBT members could justifiably ask why Nancy has been up on blocks for so long. The reason is that we need her to dry right out so that we can do a little work on the keel, and try as we might we can’t seem to keep water from sneaking in under the tarpaulins and… Read more: Under wraps
• BYO BBQ 1pm Sunday, Wooden Boat Centre
  Tim Blumfield writes: The Wooden Boat Guild will be visiting the Wooden Boat Centre on Sunday 21st June and will be hosting a BYO barbecue at the Centre from 1pm. WBC and LBT members are invited so come along and celebrate the Winter Solstice at the WBC in the company of other wooden boat enthusiasts.… Read more: BYO BBQ 1pm Sunday, Wooden Boat Centre
• Monday night midwinter BBQ
  Midwinter, and there are plans for a bonfire. Bring a stick or two of wood to add to the inferno. You can cook your sausages over that, or on the grill. See you around 6pm with your dish, something to drink and $5 for the kitty.
• Boat shed sale
  Those of us who helped clear the Shed so that floor can be concreted unearthed all sorts of treasures which we don’t (and will probably never) use. Mike Hewitt is helping organise a sale on November 2nd so that we can share the joy of these treasures around. He is looking for assistants: please contact… Read more: Boat shed sale
• Curry night on Monday
  Thank goodness it has come around again – it was time for a good hot curry. Bring yours, $5 for the kitty and something to drink to the Shed after 6pm for a 6.30pm start.
• Where are Abel Tasman and 5 Bells?
  They are snugged away at Jim Atkinson’s place to help the Southport Community get a rowing program going.
• Maritime Museum talk July 7
  Old friend of the Living Boat Trust Peter Manthorpe will be giving a talk at the Museum on this date, 10-1pm ‘In this Lunchtime Talk, Peter will reflect on a career that has taken him from big ships to tall ships to tugboats. He will tell you all about the Hobart tugs, how they work… Read more: Maritime Museum talk July 7
• Charlotte Cove working bee
  Pics from Henk Brolsma. JP straightens the porch. Getting new tin on the roof.
• Charlotte Cove working bee Monday 8th
  Earn your dinner by coming to the next working bee at Charlotte Cove after 10am next Monday. A good deal of progress has been made on restoring the Scout house and shed, and the job is getting close to being finished. If you haven’t been before, the location is >>here<<.
• Monday night Mediterranean
  Mediterranean says it all – a wide palette to choose from. Bring your plate, $5 for the kitty, and something to drink after 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Pic from Wikimedia
• Expressions of Interest for TN27 closed
  A healthy number of people have expressed interest in the Raid. In due course they will receive an invitation to participate (and pay!). As the EOI form states: Completing the EOI does not commit you to anything or mean you have booked or reserved a place – this will be done later using our on-line… Read more: Expressions of Interest for TN27 closed
• Palais movie night Sunday 7th June
  The Art of Racing in the Rain Seems that after ‘Dean Spanley’ we are going to get a follow up doggy movie. ‘A heartwarming tale narrated by Enzo, a wise and witty golden retriever with a deep love for auto racing. He shares the inspiring journey of his owner Denny, a talented race car driver… Read more: Palais movie night Sunday 7th June
• AWBF May newsletter
  Read the latest from the Wooden Boat Festival >>here<<. Good to see that they have used a picture of Old Digger, restored by our very own Peter Laidlaw, as their lead graphic.
• May Committee meeting draft minutes
  Read them >>here<<.
• Cost of participating on TN27
  At the May LBT Committee meeting it was decided that the nightly charge for TN27 should be $170, slightly more than for TN25 principally to cover increased fuel costs. So, if you are doing the full nine nights on the main Raid the cost will be $1530, and if you are doing the full 5… Read more: Cost of participating on TN27
• Franklin School Grebe build
  The Tasmanian Community Fund are sponsoring the build underway in the annex, and they have a nice item in their newsletter about it: read it >>here<<.
• Up early Friday morning
  Matt and Jack towing 5 Bells and Abel Tasman to Southport.
• Help wanted Tuesday morning
  Mike Dredge writes: ‘The wood for the kids’ boat build is to be trucked into the LBT on Tuesday morning, at about 10 am, and we’d be grateful for any help we can get to sort and stack it.  The pack we selected contains 20 planks of 30 mm thick timber, planks between 5.5 and… Read more: Help wanted Tuesday morning
• Not waiting around for that concrete floor
  With almost everything temporarily stored over at the Water Sheds, Ed Wykeman and team have taken the opportunity to sort out the sailing gear, resolving various mysteries along the way. Is there a jib for Black Swan, and does that rudder match any of our boats?
• Kerrawyn dismasted
  Lot’s of activity down at the pontoon on Wednesday as David Golding had the mainmast from Kerrawyn and his couta boat Pelican lifted out for repair.
• Monday night British
  It will officially be winter, and unofficially dreary British weather has moved in, so lets resign ourselves and eat some of their grub. Bring your plate, $5 for the kitty and something to drink after 6pm.
• Port Esperance Sailing Club news
  Or is it the Port Esperance Rowing Club? Their latest newsletter reports that in the dead calm weather we have been experiencing they have taken to the oars in their new Skiff. Hope they don’t wear it our before Tawe Nunnugah. Read about this and other news >>here<<
• Raid Boat Team
  JP writes: ‘At its recent meeting the LBT Committee decided that bringing the Raid Boats up to Tawe Nunnugah standard is a priority. To achieve this, a new working group is being formed specifically to work on the Raid Boats each Monday (i.e. the Raid Boat Team). If you are interested in being part of… Read more: Raid Boat Team
• Couple of announcements from the Committee
  The LBT committee met last night and the hot goss is that:
• Barbecue coming up
  Week four in the month means barbecue. Bring your makings, a dish to share, $5 for the kitty and something to drink after 6pm
• Another bit of maritime history – scallop fishing
  Having watched ‘Trading out of Hobart’ Matt Gogarty recommended Scallop Fishing in Australia which has a particular emphasis on the D’Entrecasteaux Channel.
• More about the Arthur River Expedition
• Bert’s Pop Up Boatyard
  Jack Witte was scanning the contents of the latest Watercraft magazine (read it >>here<<) when he spotted a familiar name. Many of us remember Bert fondly from his time with us building a Dutch boat for the 2017 Wooden Boat Festival. Might be worth buying the magazine for Bert’s story (and the others look good… Read more: Bert’s Pop Up Boatyard
• LBT Fridge
  Back in the days when we worked in ‘The Department’ the office fridge used to slowly ice up and accumulate bits of lunches and left over snacks through the year, until somebody’s nerve finally cracked around Christmas time and they defrosted it and cleaned it up. The LBT fridge had arrived at that Christmas time… Read more: LBT Fridge
• TN27 News
  The number of people we can accommodate on the Raid is around 120. About 120 expressions of interest have already been submitted – 20 in the last week. We know that there are various people (safety boat drivers, catering crew) who are not on the list yet. At some stage we will need to put… Read more: TN27 News