A raid in paradise: Tawe Nunnagh

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It’s chilly, raining and grey here in Kent as cruel winter descends, but on the other side of the world folks in Tasmania are planning what they’re calling a raid in paradise: Tawe Nunnagh.

The photos above suggest the  description may be correct. I want to go – I’d love at least one more boating holiday – but of course I don’t deserve it and it wouldn’t be exactly practical…

The local Aboriginal words mean ‘going by canoe’, but the boats can be of any design despite the name – however, boats taking part must be of predominantly wooden construction. Participants may bring their own craft, or hire or crew  small craft owned by the Living Boat Trust.

The raid itself is a nine-day expedition involving sailing and rowing boats through the D’Entrecasteaux Channel between Bruny Island and the mainland of southern Tasmania.

The route stretches from Recherche Bay, the most southerly inhabited settlement in Australia, to the Tasmanian capital of Hobart, and is timed to finish on the first day of the biennial Australian Wooden Boat Festival to be held on the 11-14 February 2011.

Ports of call are Southport (for the local regatta on the5th February 5th), Mickey’s Bay on Bruny Island, the Far South Adventure Camp near Strathblane, Cygnet, Alonnah on Bruny Island, and Oyster Cove, before sailing the last leg to Hobart for the opening of the Wooden Boat Festival on 11th February. Each day will involve a sail or row between sheltered campsites, with radio support and safety craft, and a meal will be provided each evening, followed by local speakers and fun activities.

For more information, see the Living Boat Trust website.

Trows on the Fleet this summer

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Trow on the Fleet, in Hampshire

Trow on the Fleet, in Hampshire Trow boats on the Fleet, in Hampshire Trow on the Fleet, in Hampshire

It’s good to know that the traditional Fleet trows are still in use on the famous body of sheltered water.

I was concerned that these unusual small flat-bottomed wooden boats were looking unloved and might be on the way out when I last saw them, which was getting on for a decade ago. However, if they’re still here in 2010 there seems no doubt that they’re being used and maintained by someone.

Regular readers will know I have a certain interest in these craft  – to find out more about trows and my reworked version in plywood, the Light TrowClick here and page through the many results for much more!

These photos were taken by my friend and colleague Ed Birch on a cycling trip a few weeks ago. Thanks Ed!

BBA student Jonathan Palmer wins a big photography prize

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Beer Lugger 2010 Winning Photo

Boat builder Jonathan Palmer has won a first prize in the traditional maritime skills in action section of a photographic competition sponsored by National Historic Ships and Classic Boat magazine.

Jon’s winning photograph (above) was taken in May at the Boat Building Academy workshops where he has been a student.

Titled Beer Lugger 2010, the photograph from the building of the new Beer boat Steadfast by students on Jon’s course. He caught the boat on camera as it was awaiting the frenzied process of hot nailing, in which copper nails are quickly hammered into freshly steamed timber ribs and riveted into place.

The prizes were awarded at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich – after the ceremony Jon apparently enjoyed a game of croquet and a very civilised afternoon tea. He says he will spend the prize money on tools for LP Boatworks, a company that he and fellow Boat Building Academy graduate Ben Larcombe have set up in Colyton, Devon. They plan to offer traditional and modern boat building, restoration and repairs.

Jon’s photo can also be seen in the November issue of Classic Boat or on the National Historic Ships website.

Positioning the copper nails before hot nailing Holding the ribs in postion while the nails are being hammered

Readying the copper nails before hot nailing; the hot nailing process itself