Antipodean Boats Connection

[RFNK]

Duncan, there's a pile of acrows rusting away in a pile and David's decided the owner's never going to use them now. None of them would be suitable for construction work. The threads will be fused with rust so the question will be how many will be usable for your purposes. He'll check them out later this week and we'll see if we can retrieve about 4 threads for you. We mightn't get 4 but I'm hoping for a couple at least.

Rick

[RFNK]

Don't forget the camera Rob!

Rick

[Duncan Gibbs]

Rick, I can remove rust pretty easily in a bath of a substance which is produced as a by-product of sugarcane, grown en-masse up here: Molasses! So get as many as you can and I'll be very happy with whatever condition they arrive in.

Now! Who's coming to this shindig?

Forecast for Tweed says partly cloudy with a shower or two, but the weather here, locally, is anyone's guess. Personally, I reckon the clouds will part and glorious sunshine shall rain down instead!

Good enough to light up a fire and BBQ a few things!

[skuthorp]

Sorry I can't be there but Anne says a trip for Gary's launch is on. Hey Gary, you'll have to run a sweep for who wields the champers! On second thoughts no, Duncan would probably win it and use another slab!
Will the Dragon likely be back in the water by then?

[WX]

I'll be there Duncan. What time and what should we bring?

[WX]

Sorry I can't be there but Anne says a trip for Gary's launch is on. Hey Gary, you'll have to run a sweep for who wields the champers! On second thoughts no, Duncan would probably win it and use another slab!
Will the Dragon likely be back in the water by then?

It will be good to see you guys up here again. I can't speak for my state of mind on the day though.

[skuthorp]

It will be good to see you guys up here again. I can't speak for my state of mind on the day though.

As long as you're compus when the truck comes to load her up!

[WX]

As long as you're compus when the truck comes to load her up!

O Yeah!
The beauty of it is after the launch party and everybody leaves, I'm just going to go on board and motor off down the river to quiet anchorage somewhere. Assuming I don't need a bit of a lay down first.
At the moment though I'd feel a lot better if I could just get this ballast pour over and done with. It just keeps raining most days.

[Portland]

I don't think the Endeavour replica will be sailing till later in the day Rick http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/vic_west.asp ,she will be motored out of the harbour I guess , by those twin Cat diesels , or whatever it is she uses , and probably anchor up , waiting for the winds.
But I reckon she will be gone from the bay by daybreak on Wednesday.
Regards Rob J.

[Duncan Gibbs]

I'll be there Duncan. What time and what should we bring?

So your better half is coming? I hope so!

Flesh to fry, salady stuff, nibbles, booze... Y'know! If it looks like it's going to be a wet one I'll figure out a plan B; maybe a sit down thing.

Rufus? Greg & Kate? John?

That Sibley fella and his grande familia will be there.

[WX]

Hey check out the firetruck! So much for the "If it's flooded forget it." What a truck though eh?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/catalan2009/6571618471/

[Duncan Gibbs]

Will the Dragon likely be back in the water by then?

I've told SWIMPAL 5 to 6 months... So I'd better try my best to stick to my word!

[WX]

So your better half is coming? I hope so!

Flesh to fry, salady stuff, nibbles, booze... Y'know! If it looks like it's going to be a wet one I'll figure out a plan B; maybe a sit down thing.

Rufus? Greg & Kate? John?

That Sibley fella and his grande familia will be there.

WE as in us blokes.
Kez is off to listen to Paddy's Day music at the Mt Warning Hotel. She wouldn't believe me when I told her there'd be other sheilas there.
She likes sailing but she's not interested in talking about boats...sadly.

[Portland]

Gary , I had to chuckle when the Fire truck crew started to get wet , they soon stuck their heads out then.
The driver did a good job though , although he would have some explaining to do when he got back to base !.
Rob J.

[Duncan Gibbs]

WE as in us blokes.
Kez is off to listen to Paddy's Day music at the Mt Warning Hotel. She wouldn't believe me when I told her there'd be other sheilas there.
She likes sailing but she's not interested in talking about boats...sadly.

Tell that Kez I'm mortally offended at her bold rejection of my hospitality in the same way it's rude to turn your nose up at a sheikh's banquet, and if she doesn't turn up for the fun and frivolity of the day I... I... I... I... The WORLD WILL FALL APART! Work on her Gary! Work on her! We're counting on you mate!

[WX]

It won't work Duncan, 10 years of experience has taught me to recognise when something is a lost cause. You'll just have to settle for my ugly mug.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Would my dulcet voice on the end of the telephone work?

[skuthorp]

As a matter of interest I had 4 hours or so out on the bay amongst the lava islands accompanying the kayak group sailing the Mac. Sailing rings around them in fact as I could not slow her down enough. Started with dead flat calm and catspaws, progressed to 15 kts (estimated) with a half meter swell and back to calm with a 5 kt breeze on the run home. I had to stay well away from the islands, the lava is sharp and a wooden Mac at speed is a different matter than a FG kayak being paddled. Over a beer thoughts turned to sails for kayaks, enter Todd stage right.

Dulcet??

[PeterSibley]

WE as in us blokes.
Kez is off to listen to Paddy's Day music at the Mt Warning Hotel. She wouldn't believe me when I told her there'd be other sheilas there.
She likes sailing but she's not interested in talking about boats...sadly.

Assure her Carol will not talk about boats !!

[Duncan Gibbs]

I don't do shrill!

Sounds like you had a nice day Jeff. I missed sailing at the club on Sunday: Had my hands full of teetering yacht!

[WX]

I suggest we just let Kez enjoy her musical afternoon and we can then talk about boats as much as we like.
My netbook battery is getting low so nite chaps.

[Duncan S]

To finish the story of my year down under

The first few weeks in SydneyI slept on the sofa of my mate’s apartment then I rented a room in a house that consisted of - Swiss mechanic, with little English and even less of a sense of humour. A painfully shy girl form Canberra who if you got a g-day out of her before she scurried off to her room you were doing well. A surf dude who could be good craic on the rare occasions he was around, he had no discernable routine although he claimed to work in a surf shop. A Kiwi landscape gardener who I became good mates with. Finally the guy who collected the rent, he didn’t work in fact he never appeared to venture far from the TV. Quite un-believable in a country made for outdoor life.
I worked most Saturday mornings and often the whole day. Saturday nights Sundays was when you Aussi’s excelled at hospitality. “Were Having a party / barbi / goingdown the beach wind surfing, bring a few tinnies and come along mate” So I was never short of something to do. I often took the Manly ferry to the city on a Sat afternoon. What a sight! barely inch of water to sail on with so many boats. In the city I would meet palls who mainly lived down south and go for a beer or two. (*cos me mate liked to gofor a beer with Duncan cos I was his mate*)

Back at work we built the hull of the 5.5M on the mezzanine floor. I’m sure this was a ploy by Warren as the epoxy went off so fast in the heat we had to work fast




Well before Christmas I had acquired an ancient Holden It drank fuel but was cheap and reliable. So for Christmas me and a couple of others decided to go to Brisbane.To cut a long story short and I’m sure a familiar one to you Aussis, us Muppets had no idea how far it was and didn’t make it past Port Macquarie. Such a ribbing I took back at work in the New Year.
Camping out with a beach to ourselves on Christmas day I cant tell you how weird that is to us from the northern hemisphere. Evenmore weird though was mid morning along came a family and we started chatting“you must come to our house for Christmas dinner” “No we protested it is afamily day” but they were very very insistent. So off we went. Full dinner inthe garden plastic snow men and Santa’s, great people their generosity will be remembered a lifetime!

Between the2 boats there was a lot of fairing to do here is the cruiser nearing completion.



And me working on the keel of the 5.5M



We only had the contract to build the hull of the cruiser so out the factory she went was flipped over now you can get a good idea of the size of her,

[Duncan S]

She was put on a truck and taken away to I don’t know where or what happened to her any of you guys got any info it would be fun to know.



The 5.5M was fully finished. given quick dip in the sea and shipped to USA I think the boats name was changed to Firestorm I don’t know why or where it is now
In this pic– in shorts is my workmate Alvin, with no shirt is the boss of the mast co Zappa? And with tea and fag is Duncan– not me another Duncan#2 boss of mast co



I like this shot boat looks fresh as if it could have been built in 2012 but look at the cars! That’s a young me standing in the road with a foot on the trailer.



11 months work I have no idea what happened to either boat or Warren, Alvin or any of the mast guys. Though I am still touch with a couple of mates that were there at the time

I took the train to Perth (boring as hell - the train not Perth) and did the tourist bits round about. I went home 2 days before my visa ran out. I intended to renew it come back with a view to staying. But other things happened life took a different path and it would be almost 25 years before I built another boat this time for myself. I have fond memories of my time down under and hopefully may make it back some time.

There are a dozen or so young men from my village gone working in Australia at the moment because there is no work for them here. One of them is home now and he was asking to see the photos so we got them out. Hope you enjoyed the meandering back 30 odd years.

Cheers. Duncan.

[WX]

Thanks Duncan, it's a good yarn mate.
I was looking at how young and fit those blokes were. Sadly what looks back at me now in the mirror is a lot different.

[The Bigfella]

Great story Duncan. Thanks

[RFNK]

That last photo looks a lot like Winbourne Ave to me but it could be one of the other streets in Brookvale that run parallel to Winbourne. In those days, Winbourne Ave had around 6 surfboard factories in it so I spent quite a lot of time there too. That Hillman Husky looks a lot like mine but couldn't be as it has no roof racks. Glad you enjoyed your time here Duncan and thanks for your interesting posts. The factory you worked in wasn't the Gordon Woods factory was it? They were a surfboard business that moved into boatbuilding, although I thought they built fibreglass boats.

Rick

[Portland]

Well , we saw the Endeavour out !.
Now to see if any of my photos are any good.
Hopefully I'll have one of the cannon blast.
Rob J.

[WX]

Pricing Sunbrella fabric for cushion covers. The furniture fabric is $66.71 per metre! So I guess I'm not using that. The awning fabric which is apparently a bit on the stiff side for upholstery is $29.70 per metre. I'll keep looking.

[Duncan Gibbs]

Hope you enjoyed the meandering back 30 odd years.

Nah mate! It was bloody awful!

Here's hoping you can get back down here again some time. If ever I'm on the Emerald Island I'll be sure to pop in for a beer!

[Portland]

I crewed on a new TS26 today , when we escorted the Endeavour replica out , and again , it was a disappointment , and made me appreciate HS even more.
Sure , the TS26 was fast , but it wasn't fun , I would have been much happier in the smaller HS , she wouldn't have been as fast , but would have handled the conditions with a lot more dignity , and aplomb.
Sadly , the owner feels the same way . He started building her 20 years ago , and then , she probably would have suited him more , but not now.
Regards Rob J.

[Portland]

The Endeavour replica has upped anchor , and motored off , to the south .
A perfect wind for her , but I suppose they are training a new crew , so she remains under motor.
Rob J.

[Portland]

Another total fire ban day tomorrow.
If I was living around Nelson , I'd be worried.
Rob J.

[WX]

You'd need napalm here.

[Duncan Gibbs]

We may just need some to get the barbie going on Saturday!

[PeterSibley]

A couple of litres of petrol?

[Duncan Gibbs]

Mmmmmmnnn! I love that smoky hydrocarbon flavour!

[Larks]

A couple of litres of petrol?

Woof wood!!

[RFNK]

Still wet up there? It's been dry and beautiful here this week. Off to Port tomorrow evening then Mbumblawotzit late Friday. T in tow. I'll bring a vent Peter so you can advise on the pattern we'll need. It's been a really long time since we drove up the coast so I'm looking forward to it. Any sites not to miss these days? There's a boat building centre or something near Port isn't there?

Rick

[RFNK]

I used to look forward to the big things. I think the big oyster at Cundletown has gone but I'll check. I wonder if the big prawn at Ballina is still there. I can't imagine the big B would be gone from Coffs. Any I've missed?

Rick

[Duncan Gibbs]

There's a boat building centre or something near Port isn't there?

Just down the hill.

[Duncan Gibbs]

I used to look forward to the big things. I think the big oyster at Cundletown has gone but I'll check. I wonder if the big prawn at Ballina is still there. I can't imagine the big B would be gone from Coffs. Any I've missed?

Rick

Yeah: The Big Ballina Bypass!

[RFNK]

What? That would mean no big prawn!! Sorry. there has to be a run through Ballina - my second home for a little while once

Rick

[RFNK]

Duncan, I'm getting the `have you checked with D about what to bring' question at the annoying frequency level now. So, like all good managers, I'm spreading the pain to you. Could you respond to the email please? Sorry!

Rick

[skuthorp]

Seemingly with the rain coming these days from the NW the dividing range now prevents most of the moisture getting south of it, and the west of the state is not generally in the air stream. It's only if an east coast low develops that we get a dumping now.

[WX]

Duncan, I'm getting the `have you checked with D about what to bring' question at the annoying frequency level now. So, like all good managers, I'm spreading the pain to you. Could you respond to the email please? Sorry!

Rick

I just went back through several pages to try and find Dunc's reply to the same question from me but I can't find it.
So Duncan, once more, what do we bring and what time please?

[Larks]

So your better half is coming? I hope so!

Flesh to fry, salady stuff, nibbles, booze... Y'know! If it looks like it's going to be a wet one I'll figure out a plan B; maybe a sit down thing.

Rufus? Greg & Kate? John?

That Sibley fella and his grande familia will be there.

'you mean this?

[Portland]

It has just started raining now , which is nice.
Regards Rob J.

[skuthorp]

Looked threatening from the pub, smoke from a French Island controlled burn, big thunderheads building, big red sun going down but a perfect day (http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthre...acker-of-a-day) Strong northerlies about 1 to 3 but dead calm since.

[WX]

'you mean this?

Yep that's it.

[WX]

Planning on taking an early mark from the Centre tomorrow. I want to get the yard glued up,so I can start shaping it on Friday.