Month: March 2011

Matt Atkin takes his camera on board the R Tucker Thompson sail trainer

R Tucker Thompson 4

R Tucker Thompson R Tucker Thompson R Tucker Thompson

R Tucker Thompson R Tucker Thompson

 

My brother Matthew Atkin has sent over another batch of photos, this time from New Zealand – and once again there are some pretty special images in the collection.

Naturally, they appear here with his permission.

I just love the images he gets into his Leica, but fear it would probably not do the same for me! (For more of Matt’s shots, click here.)

These are from a trip aboard the R Tucker Thompson, a gaff-rigged schooner built in the late 1970s for sail training to a design based on the halibut schooners of the north west American coast.

Scheduled freight by sail

Sail Transport Company

Not so much an old boat as an old idea – transporting goods by sail on a regular basis in Puget Sound. This film by Paul W Mason documents the views and actions of Dave Reid, Bob Hall and Sarah Elmore as they deliver organic produce without the aid of fossil fuels.

The Sail Transport Company’s website seems to show the organisation is still in being and planning its 2011 schedules.

 

 

Rotoiti 2011 photos by Owen Sinclair

 

Russel Ward's Romany (see steam.co.nz). With a setting like this it would be a crime not to run an event

Russel Ward’s Romany (see steam.co.nz). A lovely boat in a fabulous setting

Reader Owen Sinclair has written in with a short report and some stunning photos from the 2011 New Zealand Antique & Classic Boatshow at Lake Rotoiti. His photos appear on this weblog with his permission. Many  thanks Owen!

Here’s what he says:

‘Hello Gavin,

‘Numbers seemed to be down this year, presumably due to the Christchurch earthquake, and perhaps also due to a forecast for heavy rain. But after heavy rain early in the morning the clouds cleared and the day became brilliantly sunny.

Whaleboat built by Ron Perano Whaleboat built by Ron Perano

‘This whaleboat was built recently by Ron Perano to the lines of a whaleboat built in Tasmania and used for whaling in Cook Strait, and donated to the Canterbury Museum in 1926. I think this was one of the few shore-based whale fisheries in the world. The Perano family was one of several associated with whaling and has many descendants in the area today.

‘Another whaling family was the Guard family, and a Guard was on the whaleboat today. I was offered a row, an entirely new experience. The oars are long, heavy, flexible and pivot between thole pins. Although it was an impromptu crew with half probably aged over 70 the boat moved along really well with six rowers and a man steering with a sweep oar. A wonderful opportunity, greatly enjoyed. Thank you Messrs Perano and Guard.

Russel Ward's Romany (see steam.co.nz). With a setting like this it would be a crime not to run an event

Romany – see owner Russell Ward’s website: steam.co.nz .

Canoe-yawl built to the lines of Eel Canoe-yawl built to the lines of Eel Canoe-yawl built to the lines of Eel

Canoe-yawl built to the lines of Eel, a George Holmes design, by a man from Timaru whose name I unfortunately didn’t get. He has built many boats and it shows.

Hamilton jetboat built about 1973, steam launch, stitch and tape version of Rushton's Wee Lassie, and a lug yawl designed and built by an Australian boatbuilder

Hamilton jetboat built about ’73, steam launch, stitch and tape version of Rushton’s Wee Lassie, and a lug yawl designed and built by an Australian boatbuilder. I think this boat and some detail of the builder was posted recently on Dave Perillo’s website: openboat.co.nz .

Yellow boat is a John Welsford Whaler, built and sailed by Peter Murton.

The yellow boat in this shot is a John Welsford Whaler, built and sailed by Peter Murton.

Wooden trailer Wooden trailer

Trailer built in Oregon pine, otherwise known as Douglas fir. I didn’t see what it carries. Nice work!

Pipedream, built in England Pipedream, built in England

Pipedream, built in England.

‘Regards,

‘Owen Sinclair’