Blue Moon Yawl

[rufustr]

I'm not sure where to put this thread so I'll put it here.
The other night, while trawling the internet for photos etc. of Thomas Gilmer's Blue Moon Yawl, I came across an interesting post to a blog.
A gentleman is apparently in the final stages of his build of a Blue Moon here in Brisbane.
I won't give any of his details as I don't have his permission to.
He seems to be a friendly sort of bloke.
He has been building for 8 years in a shed in his backyard.
He has demolished the shed and is a week or two away from launching.
I think this involves a crane lift over his house.
He lives 20K. (13 miles) from the water.
I have made an appointment to see the boat on Saturday.
I hope to take some photos of the boat, and if he agrees, I'll post them here.
I'll let you all know how I get on.

http://www.woodenboatstore.com/images/400059.JPG

[TimH]

I was crazy about that design when I was a kid :-)

[rufustr]

These are the photos I took of the Blue Moon Yawl.
The owner has done an amazing job.
The workmanship and attention to detail with every aspect of the boat is outstanding.
It is a work of art.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf3108bd04e228e266893ed5f40d730d1/ea01d469.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pbc98659e6085313cb5f9fd068cfdf20f/ea01c0ec.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p03f449410dce788ccb172a03bcd9a09d/ea01bec1.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pa7421d602acf87b6b19f317d90c4b90c/ea01bde9.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

[rbgarr]

A Boat for Bernadette!

[Paul Pless]

The boat's a real beauty from your pictures.:) Its a design I've always liked.


I'll let you all know how I get on.
So how'd you get on with the builder? From your first post I assumed him to be quite shy about sharing his project.

[rufustr]

The builder is a great bloke and I ended up spending nearly two hours with him.
He and I share a similar working background.
I think he might have been a bit amazed that someone would go to that much effort to find him.
I don't think he is shy or reserved, I think he probably hasn't attracted any attention tucked away in his shed in the back streets.
The area he lives in doesn't have any through traffic.
He has agreed that I post some details of his boat here.
I am about to send him some links to this site so that he can see this thread.
I have sent details to Bernadette as the hull is the one her father built for this owner before they started Decatur.
The photos don't do justice to the quality of the work that has gone into this boat.

[Bernadette]

dad will be pleased to know she has been finished off well.
i will let him know to have a look at the pictures here.

[JimD]

Blue Moon reminds me a bit of Atkin's Maid of Endor, not so much in appearance but in the sense that they both appear to be scaled down versions of much bigger boats. Looking at their lines it's easy to forget how small they really are. Another thread on Blue Moon cautioned that there are an awful lot of strings to pull for such a small boat but one supposes that's part of the fun and reason for building one.

[rufustr]

Some one else here drew an analogy I can understand.
If you love driving you don't drive down the freeway, you find a winding mountain road.
A boat like this is all about the character and all the strings to pull.

[rufustr]

I have had a trip to Tassie for the Targa and driven back to Brisbane in a mates TR3A since my last post.
Had a trip on a paddle steamer at Echuca on the way back.

I was at the launching of the Blue Moon during the week.
Just a lovely thing.

A friend of the owner present at the launch has a Lyle Hess designed 24 foot Serafyn he has built himself.

As a result of talking to these gentlemen I am revising downwards the size of the boat I will build as I don't want to spend the rest of my life building and no time sailing.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p81639bf0c8e97cfd48c37b20d8e9bf56/e9a3527d.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p1e82e6d899bc98f01ac23352c5de4540/e9a3523a.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf3ae31066265dc8353fcc3d3cc6c2e5e/e9a35208.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p741aa89f1f720541a61c5b9bdc2d3835/e9a351bf.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p4501d68fa0a6248d5842154e9658deed/e9a3516e.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

[donald branscom]

WOW ! What a beautiful boat !!!

[rufustr]

More photos, on the road and into the water.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pce571c30827bd9464e88dda689f019b9/e9a35123.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p7e2abb4a3856236b491f3170d5906e49/e9a350d8.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p0d13aa6a1da53e9a135421e51efc39e3/e9a350a2.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p623606819af31f93f2129ee3b0c825a8/e9a3504d.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/peb4b5577d9a056b6c25f69aec3196d88/e9a34fef.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pe9f7e3bc4430110f806b1cd2dc08b17f/e9a34e47.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

[rufustr]

Stepping the mast.
Words cannot convey the beauty of this boat.
I hope the pictures do.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pd57c94b32dccfe226a6910d2d2df5f99/e9a34df5.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pe83edee2ca38b3714c942f1a114238f1/e9a34dc1.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p4a07954a009820ab87904d0e77d3c3c0/e9a34d92.jpg (javascript:viewExifData())

[Wiley Baggins]

Words cannot convey the beauty of this boat.
I hope the pictures do.


They certainly do! Thank you!

[Bernadette]

congratulations to mark. the boat sure looks good.

[rbgarr]

In that size and spirit of design I've always like Winthrop Warner's TYPHOON: http://tinyurl.com/34kyez

[rufustr]

Hopefully in a week or two I will have some sailing photos.
Mark is being careful with his progress,and making sure everything works as it should.

[sandingblock]

If you get a chance take some close ups of some of the details. The boat looks outstanding.

[WX]

A magnificent job, the Pardey's would be impressed I reckon.

[StevenBauer]

Wow, she's a stunner! Thanks for posting these pics.

Steven

[PeterSibley]

I look forward to seeing her down on Moreton Bay ! Lovely indeed !

[Wild Dingo]

Simply stunning... thanks for the pics mate!! :cool:

You said Bernadettes dad had a hand in the building of the hull? Man that blokes got talent seriously... and I bet hes as pleased as punch that its done and in the water :cool:

Anyone else notice the footwear? :D :D Ahhh Aussies you gotta love us ;) barefoot in everything we do :cool:

Congrats to Mark for such a stunning job well done!! :cool:

[ishmael]

Blue Moon is a very pretty boat. But I've often thought, if you are going to build it, why not something just a bit bigger? A place to stand up and pull your pants on. But, you can't argue much with that beauty.

[rufustr]

Ishmael,

You have summed up my dilemma when it comes to boat size.
If you don't intend to live aboard for more than a few days at a time
then this boat will have enough room.
Brisbane has a benign subtropical climate, so a boom tent will provide heaps of extra room at anchor.
The sheer beauty of the boat is what its all about though, and I just can't wait to see her under sail.

Rufus.

[rufustr]

Bump to keep this up til I get some sailing photos.

[classicboats turkiye]

Hii to everyone Blue Moon lovers from Istanbul Turkey. After discovering this magnificent desing of Mr.Thomas Gilmer, with my friend we falled in love and we decided to buid two sister Blue Moon. After receving the new photos from Rufustr we'll order the plans. I tried to reach Mike from another forum www.intheboatshed.com (http://www.intheboatshed.com) . Certainly we would like that Mike share with us his experiences about building process and her sailing performances. We hope to start in September and the launching probably in April 2008

[roberto calich]

Dear Clasicboats Turkiye,
I read tour post. Are you going to build the Blue Moons At Istanbul?
Can we contact please personaly at roberto@robertocalich.com?

[ishmael]

Rufustr,

If I were building this type of boat, just me and I'm no expert, I'd be looking at Giles' Vertue. It's just a smidge bigger, and I don't know the propietary stuff about getting ahold of plans. The masthead rig, not the gaff. Personal prejudice.

It's a great little boat of the type, and you can stand up in it if you are under six foot.

[Hesp]

Superb!!

[Hesp]

Anybody got any more links to good Blue Moons?

John

[Clyderigged]

Stunning - thanks for the photos. Please more !!!

Clutha Fecit,
Jamie

[rufustr]

No sailing photos yet, but a good story to tell.

Went down to the marina with my wife for breakfast out on the jetty on Sunday morning.
Run into a mate of mine who has an Etchell and races regularly, and his wife, and we had breakfast together.
We then walked out on the jetty to where the owner of the Blue Moon was in the marina getting ready to go out sailing with his family.
We went in and had a chat and then walked back out to the end of the jetty.
There were a dozen or so people standing out there watching the parade of boats going out for a race in the bay that morning.
All these people were standing in silence watching this parade of assorted yachts go past.
The Blue Moon turned the corner to enter the channel and come past the end of the pier, and the group started applauding and continued to do so as Mark and his boat came past.
We didn't instigate the applause but we certainly joined in.

I think it's fantastic that these people were moved enough by the beauty of this little boat to spontaneously applaud.

Sailing photos soon, promise.

[ishmael]

Glad people still have a bit of sense and taste.

Blue Moon! Just look at that form. It's a marvelous shape. Just a bit bigger and Bob's your uncle.

Billy Atkin was little, only stood 5'8" That stature influenced his designs. Six foot under the doghouse isn't that important when you are five eight. I know the designer of this yawl isn't Atkin, just an observation.

Giles' Vertue. That's what I'd build if I were so inclined. I don't think anyone has come up with a better 25 foot boat.

[JimJ]

Rufustr

Thanks for telling me about this thread on Saturday. I don't know how it got past me.

The boat is simply stunning.

Like the setting she was built in, Brisbane bush.

JimJ

[WX]

Ish the Vertue is a beautiful boat and I've always admired it but for room and simplicity, I'll stick with mine...even if she is shy of 25 feet by 6 inches.
Just looking at the Blue Moon photos again...you've got to admire her and the work the owner has put in. If I built something like that I'd die happy.

[Larks]

No sailing photos yet, but a good story to tell.

Went down to the marina with my wife for breakfast out on the jetty on Sunday morning.
Run into a mate of mine who has an Etchell and races regularly, and his wife, and we had breakfast together.
We then walked out on the jetty to where the owner of the Blue Moon was in the marina getting ready to go out sailing with his family.
We went in and had a chat and then walked back out to the end of the jetty.
There were a dozen or so people standing out there watching the parade of boats going out for a race in the bay that morning.
All these people were standing in silence watching this parade of assorted yachts go past.
The Blue Moon turned the corner to enter the channel and come past the end of the pier, and the group started applauding and continued to do so as Mark and his boat came past.
We didn't instigate the applause but we certainly joined in.

I think it's fantastic that these people were moved enough by the beauty of this little boat to spontaneously applaud.

Sailing photos soon, promise.

I saw this lovely little piece of art down at Manly a few weeks back when I bought the antithesis of her that was docked directly behind her, a very sad but sound H28 called Chindrina. (some pics of the ugly duckling on www.greglarkin.com (http://www.greglarkin.com))

I have to say that when uhming and ahhing over whether to take on the challenge of transforming the H28 this little Blue Moon was the inspiration that swung the argument. She is absolutely stunning and if I can get even half the result that her builder has achieved I will be happy.

I am surprised though that she doesn't seem to ever have any coverings over her stunning varnish work though her nakedness has been great for us rubber necks.

cheers
Larks

[classicboats turkiye]

Dear Rufustr I think you haven't yet the sailing photos of Blue Moon

[rufustr]

I still havn't had the opportunity to see the Blue Moon Yawl sailing, but the owner sent me these photos today.

She is a stunner.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p9ead90b17311556093231d847b3f0720/e7b1e5d0.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p34dc8ab7722970cbbf4c6f2845a33875/e7b1e5c8.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p16c9f784a6d6fd898c65b0be311f266a/e7b1e5c7.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8d9d7488373cf45529f956b7bee4c728/e7b1e5c4.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

[classicboats turkiye]

Thank you for the new photos Rufustr. She looks just I imagined. Supeeeer!!! But still we are also waiting your phootos from your eyes.

[Oscarvan]

Stunning, and good pictures....straight out of a Ferenc Matte book....(wiping drool off mouth, shirt, pants and carpet....)


if you are going to build it, why not something just a bit bigger

Because then you end up with a 170 footer....lol. Trick is to pick a size you can visualize finishing.

[Yeadon]

The very first Blue Moon is floating next to the Boat House at the Center for Wooden Boats in Seattle. At least, there's a historical sign on Blue Moon that implies this.

<From CWB's website>
This yawl was designed by Naval Architect Tom Gillmer for his own use about 1950. It was based on the British Falmouth Quay Punt of the 1880s. These were 20 to 30 feet long, and used as taxis off the port of Falmouth. They were fast and seaworthy with a long keel and low mast with long gaff. The Blue Moon was built in Norway in 1954. It is 23 feet on deck and displaces approximately 9,000 lbs.

Just by chance, I was down at the center a few weeks ago with my camcorder. I did a quick pan of Blue Moon, which you'll see is still a fine boat, but has seen better days.

Last night, I was uploading some video to youtube and when I remembered seeing this thread.

Here's the video. Not exactly award-winning, and it's pretty grainy (almost Zapruder-esque) but you can see the boat just fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDQTRn63BIk

[P.L.Lenihan]

I still havn't had the opportunity to see the Blue Moon Yawl sailing, but the owner sent me these photos today.

She is a stunner.



http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8d9d7488373cf45529f956b7bee4c728/e7b1e5c4.jpg (http://javascript%3Cb%3E%3C/b%3E:downloadOriginal%28%29)

Beautiful pictures,fine craftmenship! However, I just cannot believe that someone would actually build a fancy-dancy piknic table for the cockpit.....and to have to dismantle and store it each time...cute but over doing it some, me thinks.

Peter

[rufustr]

Thanks for the link to the video of the Blue Moon at the centre for wooden boats.
Mark's Blue Moon has a wider cabin top which adds greatly to the internal space, and looks well balanced on his boat.
The picnic table for the cockpit is beautifully detailed, has storage niches for the components, and is erected or stowed in about a minute.
The owner and his family make good use of it.

[Spin_Drift]

Very, very beautiful boat.

I can just imagine the satisfaction and good feeling the man has, -sailing his fine, home built boat...

[classicboats turkiye]

FOR NEW START OF BLUE MOON PLEASE VISIT
http://www.atlanticchallenge.com/apprenticeshop/Blue%20Moon%20album_110207/album/index.html

[Paul Pless]

Man you guys are quick!:) You just started this boat a month ago right?

[keelbolts]

Veeerrrrrrryyyyyy nice.

[classicboats turkiye]

Man you guys are quick!:) You just started this boat a month ago right?

No.Mr.PlessThis is another new project on USA New York. I'll post the first photos within a few weeks.

[Paul Pless]

Oh thanks for the clarification. Looking forward to seeing your project underway.:)

[Gavin Atkin]

Falmouth quay punt Teal is for sale in the UK, if anyone's interested. She's an old boat originally built for an artist and writer in 1914, and has quite a story to tell. http://intheboatshed.net/2007/12/03/falmouth-quay-punt-teal-brave-little-boat-for-sale/

Gav

[Gavin Atkin]

Blue Moon fans might also like to see this:

http://tinyurl.com/ywmhbq

Gav

[afbrian13]

a little off topic but i was in brisbane a couple months ago for work shall we say. wish i'd had time to get to the coast for some sailing, but we were only there a couple days
Brian

[Ron Geisman]

She is absolutely stunning! Words cannot express how exquisite this boat truly is. I am partial to small boats and this is as good as it gets. Ishmael... a Vertue is also a fine, small boat (I would not trade Phoenix, V145 for any other boat), but this isn't about which design is better, it's simply about the appreciation of breathtaking beauty and the celebration of superb craftsmanship.

[rufustr]

Thanks for your post Ron.
That sums up the reason for posting the photos in the first place.
Indian Summer is simply a work of art.

[classicboats turkiye]

Any news from "Indian Summer" or new photos?

[rufustr]

I have heard that this boat is missing in the Brisbane floods, and presumed damaged if not lost.

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?124591-Queensland

[The Bigfella]

Sorry to hear that

[gilberj]

We have a sloop rigged version near here. Absolutely stunning..........I have never seen the inside but have drooled every time I walk past. Definitely one of the great designs.....JG

[Larks]

Just saw a shot of her on the Ch9 news, floating down the river with a lot of debris, rig down and looking quite a mess but still floating at the time the footage was taken.

[The Bigfella]

Yep. She looked like she was well down river, had lost the bowsprit, but the mast was on board.

[Thorne]

Hope she's recovered ASAP with minimal damage.

[rufustr]

http://forum.woodenboat.com/images/icons/icon1.png Re: Queensland


http://i51.tinypic.com/10ylzl3.jpg

Blue Moon?

[rufustr]

http://forum.woodenboat.com/images/icons/icon1.png Re: Queensland


My boatbuilder mate Mike who knows the Blue Moon and her owner, had a premonition this morning and went looking for the boat.

He found her at his second search point.

She had been found and caught by a contractor employed by Insurers to collect pontoons from the river, and taken to a marina near the Gateway bridge.

He contacted the owner and has reunited him with his boat.

She is in the hands of the Insurers.

Her rig is destroyed.

She looks like she has dragged past or through some solid objects and a Mango Tree.

It will be interesting to follow developments with the insurers and repairs.

[rufustr]

http://forum.woodenboat.com/images/icons/icon1.png Re: Queensland


Hadn't seen your photo Allison, yep that's her.

Where did the photo come from?

Ahh. Found it on the front page of the ABC Website.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/20...11/3110791.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2011/01/11/3110791.htm)


Last edited by rufustr (http://forum.woodenboat.com/posthistory.php?p=2843029); 1 Hour Ago at 04:21 PM.

[Bernadette]

dad and i were just talking about mark's boat "indian summer" the other day (dad built the hull and sold it to mark so we could build "decatur" in the shed here).
i was telling dad that mark had finished off the boat to a really beautiful finish and that mark was so very proud of his boat. i met up with him last at the scarborough classic boat regatta a year ago.
i will pass on the not so good news to my dad but i am so glad that hse is still afloat.
thanks for the information people.

[andrewpatrol]

for some reason I cant see the photos, is there another place to look at them. I can see Mr. Ledgers pics ok on his thread. Dunno

[rufustr]

Try this link.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2011/01/11/3110791.htm

[andrewpatrol]

No, I meant the blue moon photos at start of thread

[Duncan Gibbs]

Rufus will have to repost them on another picture hosting site as they all went to internet heaven when Image Station closed down.

[andrewpatrol]

oh that explains it - I thought it was my old bomb computer. Come on Rufus you cant dangle the carrot then pull the rug when there's quality boat porn around.

[Bernadette]

i hope she will be alright. she is one pretty boat.
whats the latest rufus?

[purri]

Ms B, saw your last yesterday being sailed most competently!

[Bernadette]

purri
do tell more!

[rufustr]

The latest news is that The boat will came out of the water on Tuesday

It is Saturday evening now.

The salvor will not release it to the Owner.

Looks like a fight over insurance and ownership is developing.

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/rufustr/MARKPYE119_2_1.jpghttp://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/rufustr/MARKPYE115_4_1.jpghttp://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/rufustr/MARKPYE114_5_1.jpghttp://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/rufustr/MARKPYE120_1_1.jpg

[Bernadette]

oh heck!
why do some people try to take advantage of the misfortune of others?
while the rest of brisbane is out helping each other, some lousy character is taking advantage of mark's misfortune.
if it was me i would go straight to the media AND the premier AND the mayor. i reckon that would sort the problem out quick smart.

[BrianW]

I can see recouping someone for expenses if they save your boat. Even a bit of a reward for doing a good deed. But this sounds bad. I hope everything works out for Mark. She's gorgeous, and looks to be in pretty good shape in the photo.

[George Ray]

Met a Blue Moon on the way north this summer (2010) and gave the owner a ride to walmart. Told him about GRIB files and he told me a great story of dreams come true. He does a rather fantastic job of blogging his boating adventures.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_KWIIP1jb40Q/S70y2JjwHII/AAAAAAAACkI/-uv1CY3Y2fM/s320/DSCN3261.JPG
http://www.unlikelyboatbuilder.com/2010/04/most-important-factor.html

[rufustr]

I am sure Mark will get his boat back.

The Salvor was working on behalf of several Insurance Companies retrieving pontoons, boats, and other items from a dangerous and flood swollen river.

I would think in this case The Salvor is perfectly within his rights to retain the salvaged goods until they are assessed by the Insurers.

Mark's battle will probably be with the Insurers.

Repairing the damage to a boat like this will be expensive, and even finding someone to quote on repairs like this may prove to be difficult.

[Larks]

There may also be a case of having a responsibility to prove ownership for many items here before handing them over as well, unfortunately I wouldn't put it past some a'hole to try a few scams on in this time of crisis.

[Duncan Gibbs]

If he has any dramas I'm sure we could muster up several thousand here to send letters of disgust and intent never to use that company, or its offshoots anywhere, unless....

[purri]

purri
do tell more!
Saw her come through the Heads abt 1300 then run up past Grotto Point lighthouse to The Spit, gybe then out again and then down harbour toward the coathanger. Presumably to her mooring. 3 male crew (late 40's plus). All (cotton cloured) rag set in abt 15knots plus ENE, moving very well at abt 6-8 knots and no sign of hobbyhorsing though close pointed. Appears she has a smallish heads'l.

[Bernadette]

thanks for the news....

the cotton colured "rag" you speak of is of course, clipper canvas.
she does not hobby horse in any weather and the headsail was built as designed (by alden himself). i left a reaching genoa on board, good for up to 20 kts but if she only had 3 sails up then that is her standard set of sails or "working" sails as i called them. 6 to 8 knots is usual for her even in light airs. and its not really an advantage in putting up the bigger headsail (just more work!!!).

its nice to know she has the water moving under her keel. thanks.

[JimJ]

I would think in this case The Salvor is perfectly within his rights to retain the salvaged goods until they are assessed by the Insurers.

The Police Commissioner had a different slant on people "rescuing" items floating down the river as the result of the flood. He called it looting and that the owner still had claim on the item.

[purri]

thanks for the news....

the cotton colured "rag" you speak of is of course, clipper canvas.
she does not hobby horse in any weather and the headsail was built as designed (by alden himself). i left a reaching genoa on board, good for up to 20 kts but if she only had 3 sails up then that is her standard set of sails or "working" sails as i called them. 6 to 8 knots is usual for her even in light airs. and its not really an advantage in putting up the bigger headsail (just more work!!!).

its nice to know she has the water moving under her keel. thanks.

No worries. BTW I dinna know the trade name and "rag" is just a generic term in the trade. A mate had a short run in her a few months back and remarked on her ability to carry way but as he owns a fin keeled device (ex "Excitable Boy" and now better with a new name) then it's to be expected. Is she an Alden 390?

[Allison]

purri,
Bern's Decatur is an Alden Malabar II!
The self tending boomed headsail and foresail were to make it easier to singlehand a requirement for all his early Malabars!

[Bernadette]

DECATUR carries way for a great distance under sail, and motor. the trick was to know just how much speed you required for the given distance you wanted to travel then either let out sail or reduce revs! her "run" was always smooth and effortless even in a seaway. with experience she is easy to handle!!!
these comments of other people on 'my' boat are making me a bit envious...thought i left all that behind when i sold her.

and yes allison is correct.

i do believe you would have to be quite the sailor to take a Malabar II out on your own in any sort of weather. i only did it a few times in near perfect and light weather though.

i just dont like the word "rag" used to describe sails...its lazyterminology and a bastardisation when there are plenty of good words to use otherwise!

[rufustr]

The Police Commissioner had a different slant on people "rescuing" items floating down the river as the result of the flood. He called it looting and that the owner still had claim on the item.


This case is going to get interesting.

I was told today that the Brisbane City Council is now the owner of all these vessels under Emergency and Disaster Legislation.

[JimJ]

Media Release from Qld Police.

Media Release


Taking property that is not yours is criminal


With the unprecedented level of flooding that has or is currently affecting communities across Queensland, police would like to remind members of the public that taking property that is not theirs could be a criminal offence.
Property dislocated by flooding, such as vehicles, boats, household items, jewellery or a myriad of other items, is not abandoned property and not available to be collected or removed by anyone other than the lawful owner or person who has lawful possession.
It is an offence to steal anything that you find which is clearly dislocated as a result of flooding; finding abandoned property and taking it is looting.
Looting and stealing are criminal offences with serious penalties.
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

Media and Public Affairs Branch
07 3015 2444

Link to Recovery of Property (http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/Media+Releases/2011/01/proprecovJan13.htm)

[rufustr]

The boat is out of the water I believe and has only minimal damage beow the waterline.

I have no idea what is going on re ownership at the moment but if I hear I will let you know.

Coincidentally Mike the Boatbuilder has finished 2 half models of the boat, one for the owner and one for himself.

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/rufustr/HALFMODELS002.jpg

http://i359.photobucket.com/albums/oo39/rufustr/HALFMODELS001.jpg

[Bernadette]

she has a hardwood hull so that will have been a godsend given her 'journey' in the treacherous floodwaters.
those half models are beautiful.
thanks for the update rufus and please pass on a "hello" to mark for me and i hope he fares well with everything. i dont doubt for one minute that he will have her looking perfect again and soon!

[purri]

This case is going to get interesting.

I was told today that the Brisbane City Council is now the owner of all these vessels under Emergency and Disaster Legislation.

If they try that they'll be biting a fluffy one before long! I believe that maritime law would prevail and they'd be hard put to make a case for poor maintenance of apparatus.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Bump! Any word on how this is all going Rufus? Well for Mark I hope!

[rbgarr]

A Forum member just bought this Blue Moon: http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/photo_gallery.jsp?slim=broker&lang=en&ywo=davidjones&hosturl=davidjones&units=Feet&id=2126371&back=/core/listing/pl_boat_detail.jsp&boat_id=2126371

http://i51.tinypic.com/14t6ihz.jpg

[PeterSibley]

There may also be a case of having a responsibility to prove ownership for many items here before handing them over as well, unfortunately I wouldn't put it past some a'hole to try a few scams on in this time of crisis.

As a small aside a mate and I rescued a rather nice 25 foot cold moulded cutter I the '74 floods. Tied it up, watched the moorings then found the owner and returned it to him after the flood .

He wasn't pleased at all. A complete prick, not a word of thanks . He had already lodged his insurance claim .
It works both ways .

I hope the Blue Moon above is safely back home .

Any news Rufus ?

[rufustr]

Thanks for the bump Peter, and sorry for not seeing your question Duncan.

Neither Mike nor I have heard from The boats owner in recent months.

Mike hasn't heard from him since he handed over the half model.

Our understanding is that the boat is back at the owner's house where she was finished off.

I'll try to confirm that with a drive by when I get a chance.

I'll get some photos when I do.

Insurance companies are a***holes to deal with so I would imagine the owner's having lots of problems.

Mike has the mast from another boat damaged in the floods in his workshop to rebuild.

The negotiations over the cost and payments for the new mast have only just been resolved and Mike will make the new mast in the New Year.

I was offered a job as an assessor for probably the best Insurer to deal with here in Queensland before the floods, but Knocked it back.

I just couldn't bring myself to cross to the dark side, based on my dealings with insurance companies in the past.

[PeterSibley]

I like Blue Moons Rufus , delightful little boats .

As an aside, seeing you have had an opportunity to experience both a Serrafyn and a Blue Moon, both beautifully built ...which DESIGN do you prefer ?

I'm trying not to put you in an awkward position mate ... so just the design, not the builder !

[rufustr]

They don't really compare Peter.

The Blue Moon although about the same length as the Serrafyn is a much smaller boat in volume.

I havn't really had a proper sail on either but have spent a bit of time on both, and the Serrafyn has full headroom and you could live on it for extended periods, while the Blue Moon is cramped to say the least.

The Serrafyn the way Mike had her set up had a much larger rig but was still more easily handled than the Blue Moon.

In the Ocean the Serrafyn would be a much more comfortable sea boat.

Both are very handsome boats, but I prefer the Serrafyn

[PeterSibley]

Thank Rufus ...I'd love to be able to compare them too !