Hobart Wooden Boat Festival 2013

[skuthorp]

It's March already, only 11 months to go and the question is how can we make it more fun than it was last time?
Whose going, we hope Carl is but that's a bit of a dream probably, I am, been saving up. A few of the attendees last time seem to have faded from view, I'll have to look up my phone list.


http://www.australianwoodenboatfesti...for%202013.pdf
http://www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/

[johnno]

I reckon the wife and I will be there...can use some FF points up Good places to stay...recommendations? The only place I've stayed in Hobart is that hotel right in the middle of the docks..the silver looking one with the bars and restaurants downstairs. I'm sure it'd be booked out already.

[skuthorp]

Give Bernie a bell, she always stays right o the site more or less.

[Larks]

Kate and I will be there......though we'll make sure we have a few extra days this time

[johnno]

Kate and I will be there......though we'll make sure we have a few extra days this time

Greg, when will you book? Let me know whether you'll spend days before or after.

[Larks]

Greg, when will you book? Let me know whether you'll spend days before or after.

We'll probably aim to go down on the Thursday before the show to be there for Friday, then probably head back the following Wednesday or Thursday. I'll probably book accom' shortly but will leave flights until a couple of months out, not sure where we'll stay yet. The owners of Customs House hotel are friends so we may stay there again but if I win lotto or get a decent job between now and then we might try for an apartment at Salamanca or somewhere else close by.

[skuthorp]

I'll probably end up where I was, Mid City Hotel or some such. They have single rooms reasonably. Of course if Carl comes............. but the he'll come with his wife who has business contacts on King Island.
I'll go to Melb thursday and stay near the airport, the parking is cheap if you stay and the whole package was cheaper than airport parking and more secure, then down first flight friday, found that OK, bus drops you at the site. I'll try for 3/4 extra days as well even if I have to give Goolwa a miss again. This Raid that's in the offing sounds like it could be fun and I can't have everything.

[Wooden Boat Fittings]

And in case anyone's interested in staying at a B&B about twenty miles south of Hobart where it'll be quieter, I've just learned about a delightful-looking spot called the Clifftop Hideaway at the mouth of the Huon River. (Alas, I get no kick-backs.... )

Mike

Edited to add -- Oops, sorry. Not a B&B, but self-catering. But Gai also says there are "nice eateries in Cygnet".

[skuthorp]

Any chance of seeing you there Mike?

[Larks]

And in case anyone's interested in staying at a B&B about twenty miles south of Hobart where it'll be quieter, I've just learned about a delightful-looking spot called the Clifftop Hideaway at the mouth of the Huon River. (Alas, I get no kick-backs.... )

Mike

Tassie really does do the B&B thing very well!!!!

[johnno]

Having checked out the prices of hotels in various Taswegian holiday packages, I can see why the domestic tourism industry is suffering. The hotels in those packages are about three times the price of just a straight check-in. For example, they mostly charge double for two people, whereas a straight check-in, you pay by the room, not the person. And then the rates are so far above normal rates, I'm surprised people go for the packages. I'll have to keep looking into it.

[Larks]

For anyone interested, here's the link to the festival web site:

http://www.australianwoodenboatfestival.com.au/

Dates are 8 - 11 Feb' 2013

[Phil Y]

Way too early for me to commit, but I have a boat down that way I need to visit from time to time. So I'm a definite possibility. And would spend a week or two either side if I do. Do some sailing even. And some maintenance.

[Ando]

I'm planning on going to the Festival next Feb, and doing some cycle touring for a couple of weeks either side of the festival. I've never been to Tasmania before, but geez I'm excited! See you then fellas.

[RFNK]

The prices have gone up and a lot of accommodation is already booked. We've stayed at the Grand Chancellor the last couple of times but I checked them out today and found all the standard rooms with a view are already booked and those that are left are really expensive. A good friend is possibly sailing down for the WBF. If he does then I'll get a ride with him but even so T and I will probably stay in town for a couple of days of the WBF so we'll be around. Somebody has to make sure Ronita's in the show this year. Phil, why not put your boat in? Some of us get a bit sick of seeing the same boats every year!

Rick

[skuthorp]

Keep in touch Ando, we usually get together a few times for dinner and such, not to forget a visit to the distillery. Might even get out on a boat, Dunc organised that last time (see pic in first post).

[Duncan Gibbs]

I'd really like to do the Tawe Nunnugah Raid, at least the last leg of it as the sail past on the Derwent is unbelievable.



Who knows... May even have a Dragon to take down...

[skuthorp]

Me too Duncan, I was wondering if we, as a group, could organise access to a small boat just because the festival looks so good from the water.

[RFNK]

We could try to twist a certain Taswegian arm

Rick

[Phil Y]

I don't think I'd put a boat in the show-I don't really understand whats in it for me. If I do go down there, I'll need to get her slipped first, because it will have been a good 2 1/2 years since I last did it. But I could possibly get that done beforehand. Or just get a diver to give her a scrub. She's moored in barely brackish estuarine water, and its cold down there, so the marine growth is not too bad. The only other thing I know I'll have to do is get some new batteries, because the old ones died, and currently she just has one little one to keep her going. There's a bit of varnish to be done, but I might get that done beforehand. I have someone down there who keeps an eye on her and starts the motor every now and then, and hopefully tells me if anything is in need of attention.

IF I do go down, then for sure the plan would be to sail up to Hobart and gawk at all the pretty boats. Preferably join the sail past as per the pics above. But I'd want to tie her up somewhere away from the show and the crowds I think. Obviously there'd be room for guests. The only criteria would be a minimum of say 100 posts on the WBF. Franklin to Hobart, couple of days. Couple of days at Hobart. Hobart back to Franklin, couple of days. Or depending what the family is up to, maybe a few days down around Bruny Island, down the Channel or whatever.

But at this stage, dunno if I'll be there.

[skuthorp]

I'm sure there'll be a few volunteer crew if you are PhilY, me too. But I wsn't fishing for a berth, just a small rowboat to potter round the fleet from the water. Last time by a bit of good fortune I had the limited use of a boat belonging to one of the heritage organisations, and very handy it was too.

[Phil Y]

Looking decidedly possible, verging on probable. Perhaps 2 weeks total in Tas. Maybe 3. More time down there before than after the show.

[skuthorp]

Excellent Phil, I'll look forward to seeing you and the boat. I'd better book my accom. next week, the show's getting popular!

[RFNK]

We booked 8 - 11 so we'll be there. Don't know how we'll get there yet but it'll be good to catch up with everyone again!

Rick

[m2c1Iw]

I need more tips on accommodation.

[skuthorp]

I need more tips on accommodation.

http://www.budgetstay.com.au/hobart.php
Yahoo, or Google is your friend
BTW, it's worth paying a bit more to be in easy walking distance to the festival site. Check a map first.

[Larks]

OK, with all this talk of hotels filling up, I've booked ours for next year, 7 to 12 Feb. But in the interests of positivity and optimism, 'have upgraded slightly from the Customs House this time to Somerset on the Pier to make a more "romantic" holiday of it.........soooooooo, I'd better hurry up and get a job..........

[skuthorp]

I reckon I'm satisfied where I was last time, a bit down market but quiet. Just a city building but I'm not there for the view, just a place to crash.

[RFNK]

OK, with all this talk of hotels filling up, I've booked ours for next year, 7 to 12 Feb. But in the interests of positivity and optimism, 'have upgraded slightly from the Customs House this time to Somerset on the Pier to make a more "romantic" holiday of it.........soooooooo, I'd better hurry up and get a job..........

We'll be neighbours.

Rick

[johnno]

We'll be neighbours.

Rick

So much for the romantic weekend..now they have neighbours on both sides

[skuthorp]

and I'll come down from my cheap digs and throw gravel at the window.

[RFNK]

Just remember we'll have gravity on our side, and buckets of water.

Rick

[Duncan Gibbs]

I s'pose I'd better get on and book something...

[PeterSibley]

I think I'm missing this one .

[Larks]

I think I'm missing this one .

Why's that Peter?

[skuthorp]

I s'pose I'd better get on and book something...

Aren't you sleeping on board............

[skuthorp]

Well that was easy, booked extra two days as I want to see the WB centre and maybe a commercial cruise on the river if there's nothing else going.
I'll worry about air fares after I find out if Gary or Duncan need a crew for the crossing........

[PeterSibley]

I actually may be able to come, I thought there was a family thing on but it 's over by then. I have a friend in Hobart so I'll see if I can bum a bed .

[RFNK]

Beats bedding a bum

Rick

[skuthorp]

If all else fails Peter I have a double room, you can sleep in the bath.
(Do you think people will talk?)

[PeterSibley]

They may remark on my wetness .....

[RFNK]

If all else fails Peter I have a double room, you can sleep in the bath.
(Do you think people will talk?)

We will. The problem is, we know you're very polite and neither of you would take the bed while the other slept in the bath. So you'll both sleep in the bath. Wear something.

Rick

[skuthorp]

I'll bring my wetsuit, a very fetching red actually.

[PeterSibley]

I'm in trouble, I gave my wetsuit away .

[WX]

I'm in trouble, I gave my wetsuit away .

I'll give you one.

[WX]

Well that was easy, booked extra two days as I want to see the WB centre and maybe a commercial cruise on the river if there's nothing else going.
I'll worry about air fares after I find out if Gary or Duncan need a crew for the crossing........

In my dreams at this stage Jeff.

[Duncan Gibbs]

I'll worry about air fares after I find out if Gary or Duncan need a crew for the crossing........

Just spotted this! My crew, if I take a completed Dragon resto down will be that of a large Bass Straight ferry vessel with Looe well tied down on a trailer.

[RFNK]

Just spotted this! My crew, if I take a completed Dragon resto down will be that of a large Bass Straight ferry vessel with Looe well tied down on a trailer.

Rob J found out last time that taking a boat on the ferry costs a bundle. Another way to go, for the future, could be to ship it down as cargo and then keep it in Tassie for a few months or so, sail the Channel etc., to make it worthwhile. Unfortunately, a Dragon doesn't make a very good live aboard but it would be a great boat to have on the Huon and the Channel if you had a few willing crew down there for a while.

Rick

[Phil Y]

Almost certain now. Haven't locked in any dates. General plan is that me and my youngest, Henry, who will be 11 then, will go down. Boat will want a couple of days of maintenance and provisioning. Henry and I would be glad of some crew to bring the boat up to Hobart from Franklin. Probably stop at Randall's Bay where we have a shack, maybe make another stop on the way up, perhaps Mickey's bay. Then Hobart. So a 2 or 3 day cruise. Felicity will stay home to settle the second youngest into his first day at high school, which apparently starts about then in SA. Then she'll come down and join us. 2 or 3 days hanging around Hobart, and I'm sure we'll be getting out for the odd sail on the harbour, WBF guests welcome. Then I think off for a bit of a family cruise down the Channel.

[skuthorp]

I offer my humble services Phil, but may have to revise my travel plans. I'll be in time debt to Anne for the rest of the year though!
It's looking like another good'n.