Projects

'Thistle', 28' Couta Boat (1903)

'Thistle', 28' Couta Boat (1903)

Designed and constructed by John Jones in 1903 and launched on the Maribyrnong river in Melbourne, Australia. After a long working life the 'Thistle' was slowly deteriorating when in 1986 she was purchased with a view to restoration in light of her national significance as the last example of a purely sail powered Couta boat. With her straight stem she represents the older style of Couta boat which was not influenced by the need to accommodate an auxiliary engine.

In 1989 the Australian National Maritime Museum commissioned The Wooden Boatshop to undertake the restoration. She has been meticulously restored retaining as much as possible of the original 1903 construction. Baltic pine lining boards have been painstakingly removed and renailed. The hull, platecase, beams and deck have all been restored. Where appropriate, timbers and fixings have been duplicated using old lengths of the original species the builder, John Jones selected. 'Thistle' is now invested in The Australian National Maritime Museum and symbolises for perpetuity Victoria's proud commercial fishing boat heritage.

'Thistle' ~ the restoration process in pictures.

1994 Fully restored and sailing in the Sydney to Hobart race

'Ron of Agryll', 50' gaff rigged ketch (1928)

'Ron of Agryll', 50' gaff rigged ketch (1928)

The classic yacht the 'Ron' (Gaelic for seal) was built in 1928 at Sandbank on the Clyde River of Scotland for a Colonel Spencer, Commodore of the Clyde Cruising club. Built of teak on oak construction and designed by the Scottish naval architect, McCallum, she was the perfect cruising yacht for the west coast of Scotland where he sailed her for several months each year with a professional crew of two.

The original galvanised steel floors on oak frames, fastened with copper had produced advanced forms of electrolysis rot in the oak frames and teak planking at the bottom of the vessel. After the 10 ton iron keel was removed, all of the lower frames were completely replaced and some of the planking removed and replaced.

'Ron of Agryll' ~ information and pictures

'Mercedes', 26' vintage gaff sloop (1913)

'Mercedes', 26' vintage gaff sloop (1913)

Horace Rumble was a familiar figure around the Swan River for more than 60 years, winning countless races and a wonderful collection of trophies at the tiller of the vintage gaff sloop, 'Mercedes'. Horace began building the plumb stemmed Mercedes in 1913.

The 25 foot centreboarder was launched at McCarier's boat shed in south Perth, before Horace's departure for The Great War. Although wounded during that war, Horace continued to maintain and successfully race 'Mercedes' from Royal Perth until his reluctant retirement from sailing forced the sale of 'Mercedes'.
'Mercedes' ~ and her legends in pictures.

In 1995, 'Mercedes' was transported by road from Perth to The Wooden Boatshop for a total rebuild which included the removal of the fibre glass outer skin (circa 1970's) keel and stem replacement, new centre board case, re-ribbed and some new planking. The emphasis was 'Mercedes' 1913, modern materials were used to retain and restore as much as possible of the existing fabric of the boat. The work involved some 2000 hours of labour.

'Storm Bay', 54' Tasmanian fishing 'smack' (1925)

'Storm Bay', 54' Tasmanian fishing 'smack' (1925)

Built for fisherman, George Bridge in 1925, the 'Storm Bay' is named after the source of vast schools of Barracouta and the destination of most fishermen when they set off each morning from Victoria Dock. Designed by Alf Blore and built by Percy Coverdale at Battery Point, Tasmania, the 54 foot boat has Blue Gum frames, with hull and decks planked with Huon Pine. Some of the planks are the full length, 52 feet in a curve.

She was gaff rigged with topsail, fishing took place while the boat drifted under a double reefed mainsail. The 'couta jig or lure was a piece of white Huon Pine about 6' long, tapered with two big barbless hooks, attached to a linked wire chain, fastened to a 15 foot Sassafras sapling. With no refrigeration, 'Storm Bay' had a wet well made of 4' thick Huon pine.

'Storm Bay' ~ a Tasmanian treasure in pictures.

The Bridge family owned 'Storm Bay' from 1925 until 1963, looking after her like a yacht. George's grandson Jim Bridge of Lutana, followed in the family business and fished for 14 years aboard 'Storm Bay' during the 1940's and 50's. Prior to her restoration she was a crayboat operating out of St. Helens, acquiring a wheel house along the way. She was bought by Tim Phillips of The Wooden Boatshop who restored her to original condition as a sailing vessel.

'I feel quite humble to own a boat as significant as 'Storm Bay' says Tim 'If I eventually sell her I will endeavour to make sure she returns to Tasmanian waters as she is a treasure.'

Classic Wooden Runabouts

Classic Wooden Runabouts

Complete restorations of these classic wooden runabouts have of recent times been undertaken. Techniques have been developed to reduce the necessity of 'wetting out'. Selected timbers and veneers have been laminated to rebuild the decks of the boats as near as possible to the original specifications.

To date The Wooden Boatshop have restored:

• 1929 Riva runabout
• 1962 Lewis runabout
• 1964 Riva (substantial engine work only)
• 1958 Hammond runabout
•         Eddycraft runabout

Runabouts ~ restored at The Wooden Boatshop.

The Story of the Couta Boats - Significant Restorations

Couta Boats

Restoration Philosophy...

'The aim, when restoring is to keep the boats as authentic as possible. The only materials used are timber, Kauri Pine from New Zealand for the hulls. Local Australian timber for the ribs and thwarts and Tasmanian King Billy Pine for the decks. Copper is used for the nails and some fittings. Where the rigging was originally 'served', that is marlin and tar were wrapped around the steel shrouds to protect them, galvanised and stainless steel today negate the need for such necessities.'

Significant Restorations of Couta Boats