Huge River Sailing Club Christmas Party

Sarah renames the BRSC as Huge River Sailing Club

Saturday 17 December
At last, a dry day forecasted and a pleasant 6 - 9 knot SE wind. Little Dragon would enjoy a relaxed social sail. I went down to Harwood on Friday afternoon planning to rig and then enjoy a quiet evening watching sunset over the Clarence River. I had a hunch that the forecast wasn't accurate when the wind failed to die away at sunset and continued to blow all night. Normally there is hardly a ripple at dawn but on Saturday there was already a good sailing breeze at 7 am.

By 9.30 am club members were rigging dinghies for a crowd of excited and enthusiastic youngsters. The breeze increased and there were plenty of capsizes before the lunch time sausage sizzle. No-one seemed to mind. It was a gloriously sunny fun day.

Naomi, Cooper and Matthew

John, one of the adults who had been helping launch the dinghies, came out with me and a trio (Naomi, Cooper and Matthew) of youngsters for a pre-sizzle sail. Thanks John, we needed two pretty hefty adults as well as our lightweight crew to keep Little Dragon reasonably upright. The wind had backed to a southerly so we were able to reach up and down the river and never attempted to come right on the wind. The youngsters all had a (closely supervised) turn on the helm and learnt how to handle the jib sheet. It was a pleasure to have the youngsters aboard and a relief that they all said they had enjoyed the experience.

By the time we had finished the festive fare there was too much wind for relaxed social sailing - so I packed up early. NB I checked the Yamba observations when I got home and it recorded a gust of 28 knots during the afternoon.

2nd place in Bridge to Breakers Regatta 2011

My sister Pat was so keen to compete that she delayed her return flight to England for a couple of days. I always intended that she should take Little Dragon's helm as she is far better at racing than I am. I would have been quite content to crew, but it didn't work out that way. I was still feeling a bit down from some pesky virus so opted to watch and photograph the event from the BRSC deck.

(Above) As usual Commodore Hariet Woodrow and Mark gave the briefing for this marathon race. Over 60 boats had entered ranging from a windsurfer to a 15 metre yacht. Little Dragon is in Division 7 for slower yachts. The catamaran fleet just gets bigger and bigger and it is pretty scary meeting an A class cat even if one has right of way.

(below) Pat was concerned not to dent Little Dragon's topsides.



















(above) Pat concentrating

(below) Luckily Denise Walker from Lake Keepit Sailing Club was keen to crew. Thanks Denise for stepping into the breach. You and Pat did extremely well in what turned out out to be a tough race.









There always seems to be a strong northerly for this November regatta and this year was no exception. Pat and Denise opted to give it a go under full sail. However just before the 1.30 pm start the wind freshened. They decided to anchor while they put a reef in and as a consequence they were late over the start line. (Note: I must get the reefing lines sorted out so that it is easier to reef underway.)  Others also decided to reef and it was clearly the right decision as shown in the photo below. It was a beat all the way down the river against the tide, hard going with gusts estimated to be up to 25 knots. They got well beyond the Goodwood mark and were on the way to the turning mark at Iluka when the rescue boat instructed them to head for home. They finally did so somewhat reluctantly. They arrived back weary but without damage to themselves or Little Dragon.  Others were not so fortunate and there were many capsizes, broken masts and retirements but luckily this year no serious personal injuries.





On Sunday the forecast was for wind gusting up to 30 knots so the organisers decided on two short races before a late lunch, hoping to finish before the wind really picked up. My friend Robin Crosby (photo below) agreed to be Pat's crew (Denise was crewing on another yacht). I was delighted as Robin is an experienced competitive sailor and boat builder. He built his yacht Whisper that he moors at Wombah. Robin helped trim Little Dragon's sails better than ever before as well as offering valuable tactical advice. Andrew Landenberger must have been relieved to at last see his sails setting well (see the last photo). Second thoughts - I doubt he had time to notice anything while he was racing his A class cat.

Despite the forecast the wind didn't pick up to anything like the strength of the previous day so Pat and Robin didn't reef. They did really well coming second in the first race and winning the second race on corrected handicap times.

At the prize giving Pat almost burst with pride (and surprise) when she heard that Little Dragon had come second in Division 7 for the series of 3 races over the two days. Congratulations to Little Dragon, Pat, Denise and Robin.

As always thanks to everyone at the BRSC who as usual made this such an enjoyable event.

Whales frolic in Platypus Bay

19 to 24 October 2011

* Wednesday 19th tow Little Dragon from Byron Bay to Urangan, launch and stay overnight in Marina
* Thursday 20th Urangan to Moon Point on Fraser Island and overnight at Arch Cliff
* Friday 21th Platypus Bay - whales -  into Wathumba Creek
* Saturday 22th Wathumba Creek - overnight offshore off Moon Point
* Sunday 23th Kingfisher Bay Resort
* Monday 24th Kingfisher to Urangan

My sister Pat and I had been preparing for this trip for ages. We had the charts, a Garmin 72H GPS (no maps) and an EPIRB as well as heaps of food, water, bedding and wet weather gear. Quite a tight fit in a 5 metre boat.

Peter had set off a few days ahead of us in Just Farr Us, his Farr 6000. He enjoys fishing at Wathumba and we planned to rendezvous there with him. Unfortunately there was no way we could communicate with him at Wathumba as he has a 27mh radio and we have VHF and he doesn't have a Next G phone which is the only network with coverage.

It was a long day towing Little Dragon to Urangan, rigging, launching and at dusk motoring round into a casual marina berth for the night. The next morning we put the car and trailer into storage for a week, had a very disappointing egg and bacon roll and coffee at the marina cafe but then set off in high spirits. The wind had been blowing well over 24 knots SE the previous few days but at last it was moderating - or so we thought. Once we left the marina the wind strengthened and the observations show gusting 23 knots at 1300. We fairly flew across to Moon Point on a broad reach. Exhilarating and slightly scary. We considered reefing but I need to rearrange the reefing lines to make it easier to do underway.

From Moon Point we sailed close to the Fraser Island coastline NE, in the gutter, reaching Arch Cliffs just before dusk. These cliffs provided excellent shelter from the strong E - SE wind and we had a pleasant happy hour then turned in early. It may be tight quarters but the bunks are excellent.

Next morning we set off again under sail towards Wathumba Creek in a 10 - 12 knot SE with plenty of time to do a spot of whale watching and still arrive at Wathumba bar around midday on half flood.  We headed several miles out into Platypus Bay and I was so pleased for Pat that several whales turned on a splendid performance for us, jumping, breaching, flapping their tails - the works.

We were feeling very pleased with ourselves as we located and approached Wathumpa. However, the first problem to arise was that the jib furler wouldn't work, and it was a head wind. So we anchored and removed the jib entirely, deciding to motor in across the shallow bar, negotiate the shallow lagoon and fix the furler problem once we were safely anchored in Wathumpa. Next problem the motor wouldn't start. Yes, I did check the fuel. Yes it had worked earlier that morning. It was getting close to high water. Pat was game to try and sail in under reefed main but I wasn't so I radioed to see if anyone nearby could tow us over the bar and into the anchorage.

Luckily for us Headmaster responded immediately and offered a tow. She is also just 5 metres but has an over 100 hp engine and is owned by the Wooli NSW Marine Rescue unit commander. He and his wife had gone away to take a break from rescues! They took us under tow and right into the lagoon alerting Peter to our plight. He had just emerged from fishing up a creek in the mangroves. Then they zoomed off just in time to avoid getting stranded on a sandbank or the bar as by this time the ebb had really set in. Thank you so much.

Headmaster.

Preparing to be towed

Little Dragon under tow by Headmaster. I certainly hope it is a long while before I need to call for help again, but it is reassuring to know that help came so quickly when needed.

We rafted up with Just Farr Us for the night.

 Next morning we sorted out the furler problem and with Peter tried to find out why the engine wouldn't start the previous day. Plenty of fuel. No water in the fuel line. Prime suspect oily spark plug (yes I did have a spare but it wasn't needed). The engine worked again. Thanks Peter

Peter wasn't having much joy with catching fish or crabs and reported swarms of sand flies. I hate sand flies. By late morning it was raining. So instead of enjoying Wathumpa for a day or two we decided to leave in convoy on the lunchtime tide. Before then Peter and Pat took the zodiac over to the camping area (yes, it still has water taps and loos working, but no showers) as well as walking over to the beach. 

 I was keen to show Pat the Kingfisher Bay Resort but we knew that we would need to anchor overnight on the way. The rain stopped and we enjoyed a comfortable reach back down the Fraser Island coast all the afternoon. I normally anchor well before dusk but we were "quite close" to a better anchorage near Moon Point. Peter suggested that we follow him arriving in the dark. I was somewhat out of my comfort zone but agreed. I refilled my 3 litre tank before dark. As darkness fell we seemed to be heading way out and at full revs to keep Peter in sight.  It was further than I expected and my engine stopped having run out of fuel. I immediately anchored and Peter suggested we stay put for the night. We spent a pretty uncomfortable night bouncing around in a strong current. With the aid of the GPS we found ourselves on the chart and realised that we were very close to the charted anchorage .

Above Wathumpa lagoon.

Sailing in convoy with Peter on Just Farr Us.

We set sail very early, happy to get going in the last of the flood - but not before a cup of tea. Again we enjoyed a moderate SE wind and made Kingfisher Bay Resort by mid morning and in a SE it is a very protected anchorage. Pat and I had a cappuccino and shower at The Sand Bar in mind. At last the sun came out. We rowed the zodiac ashore (across a strong tide) ahead of Peter who was due to follow in his kayak. Very unfortunately we missed each other ashore, especially as we decided to stay there until high water at about 5pm.  Peter we are so sorry, we should have rowed out to tell you our plans.  Anyway by the time we rowed back late afternoon planning a happy hour and dinner aboard with Peter he had sailed away. We assumed, we later found out correctly, that he had decided to leave for River Heads and start up the Mary River to Maryborough where he had left his trailer.

Next morning we left early to catch the ebb tide along Big Woody Island and into Urangan. It was a flat calm when we left and we expected that the forecast 10-15 knot SE would spring up - but it didn't. So we anchored off  Big Woody Island and had a leisurely breakfast hoping for wind but ended up motoring all the way back to Urangan. Then it was back into the marina, pack up and start the long journey home.

All in all an excellent voyage.  

Clarence River Classic Cruise 2011

I wanted to show off the Big River - The Clarence - to my sister Pat. What better way  than joining the Clarence River Yacht Club annual Classic Cruise (also known as Classic Pub Crawl)? The Clarence has become my favourite sailing base for the last 3 years.

Sunday 2 October.  When we arrived at the Clarence River Yacht Club  (the Scout Hall) in Grafton and it was raining. A spot of deja vu as in 2010 the same event was virtually rained out. Ignoring the rain we rigged and then socialised with other damp trailer sailors at the BBQ. We learnt that 16 boats had signed up.

Monday 3 October. After a leisurely BBQ breakfast we launched and set off down river. Our mood had lifted as the rain had gone and the sun was out. Observations record that there was a 10 knot gusting 14 knot southerly at 11 am. We had a great but all too short sail to Ulmarra - our lunch stop at the Ulmarra pub. This was the only time we anchored and rowed ashore. The rest of the week we were able to raft up at each stop or tie onto a wharf or pontoon. Ulmarra is a gem and Pat was suitably impressed.

After lunch we sailed on downriver to Brushgrove. The observations show that the wind rose to 17 knots gusting 23 knots at around 1400, but I don't reckon it was that strong. We were easily able to stem the flood tide. We puzzled some boats with our erratic progress. I was testing out my new GPS using Brushgrove as a way point.

At Brushgrove we rafted up outside Big River Sailing Club members Col and Jan Hinbrook's riverside house next door to the pub. Perfect. Then we enjoyed an excellent pub dinner and got to know Sue and Jenny who spoke enthusiastically about their experiences crewing that afternoon.

Tuesday 4th October. Another fine morning and a good southerly sailing breeze. So off we went on the ebb tide to Lawrence for lunch. By this time the fleet was all over the place doing their own thing which is fine as the event was billed as a "leisurely cruise". We didn't want a large lunch so settled for just a cuppa at the pub.

Next it was on to Maclean for the night. All was well until about 2 km before Maclean. There was only a light breeze and it was on our nose. The flood tide got stronger and stronger. We tacked backwards and forward many times but just couldn't make it. Defeated, we motored the last bit. I was delighted to find that my favourite spot on the inside of the town pontoon was vacant. It felt like it was just waiting for me.

At Maclean most of us headed off to the local Chinese restaurant. The company was good and the food cheap - but I don't reckon it is likely to win any awards. However the egg and bacon roll and coffee deal at a local cafe the next morning was worthy of an award.

Wednesday 5th October. The organisers had arranged for the Harwood Bridge to be opened at noon for us to sail under as a group. It was such a short distance from Maclean to the bridge that most of us motored then anchored waiting for the moment. It is a strange feeling knowing that all the traffic on the Pacific Highway has been held us just for us.

Once under the bridge the wind died away and many of the fleet decided that it was hopeless trying to reach Iluka under sail against the strong flood tide so on went the motors. We stopped at the Big River Sailing Club for a quick shower. Several times during the afternoon the wind came up briefly and we hauled the sails up but each time it was short lived and we reluctantly put the motor on again. We only have a 5 hp outboard so not surprisingly most of the fleet were lined up along the beach in front of Sedges Pub when we finally arrived. We were the only boat with a stub keel meaning we don't dry out flat, so we tied up to the pub's new pontoon. It is meant to be for 4 hrs only but they seemed OK about us staying overnight. It was a week night out of season.

Thursday 6th October. The organisers planned this as a free day in Iluka and despite the light rain people were heading off on the ferry to explore Yamba. The official plan was for everyone to sail back the next day to Maclean reaching Harwood Bridge at a prearranged time for another opening. We decided it was time to head home,  and I was quite prepared to drop my mast to get under the bridge - I just can't make it safely with it up.

We thought we had timed our departure from Iluka late morning to catch the beginning of the flood tide, but somehow the ebb tide kept running against us for quite a way. The forecast wind didn't materialise and the light rain continued. All in all it wasn't the best trip back to Maclean under motor, but we made it uneventfully and again found space at the pontoon. I suppose one has to accept that it isn't always going to be fine weather.

Friday 7th October. Bruce from Woolgoolga wanted to get his car from Maclean back to Grafton and I wanted to get to Grafton to pick up my car and trailer so we could pull out in Maclean. We came to the obvious arrangement which suited us both.

My old Helly Hensen sailing jacket had lost any pretence at being waterproof, despite reproofing it. Helen had kindly arranged to loan me one after I got soaked on arrival but it was time to buy a new one. So we went to the chandlers at Yamba on the way home only to find that their jackets had been such a bargain that they had sold out.

Saturday 8th October. This is a postscript as on the Saturday we were safely back home in Byron Bay hosing Little Dragon down ready for her next voyage. We watched with horror on the radar a severe storm approaching Grafton. We now know know that the race back from Maclean to Grafton was abandoned. Initially there was absolutely no wind then they were savaged briefly by up to 40 knot winds as well as hail. I gather that they all survived pretty much unscathed. Well done.

Finally a thank you to the organisers of this most enjoyable event and to all the other participants. I hope to meet up with many of you in the future at other trailor sailor events. In fact we have already met up with Ian Flappers Reid at Manly where he showed us round Bayside Sailability.

Pat gets good starts at BRSC Saturday afternoon racing

24th September 2011

Over the last couple of months I had fitted out Little Dragon ready for the new season and and I wanted to be sure that all was well for the Clarence River Classic Cruise in a couple of weeks. Sister Pat had just arrived and the weather looked ok if a bit blowy. So we headed off to the Big River Sailing Club at Harwood for the Saturday afternoon racing.

There was quite a strong SE blowing and the word was that it was likely to increase so we put a reef in. As it turned out it were over cautious and we shook it out during the second race.

Pat has far more racing experience than I have and I was extremely happy to let her take the helm. For the first time at Harwood Little Dragon got excellent starts. Well done Pat.

In the second race Pat was a bit miffed when she misjudged rounding the buoy, not far from Palmer's Channel, and we had to do a penalty turn. Good practice.  When back on shore we learnt that there is a strong current ebbing Palmer's Channel while the Clarence River is still flooding.  I'll know next time.

As our competitors ranged from an Impulse dinghy to an Access Liberty the results really depend on the vagaries of the handicapping yardstick. I reckon the whole afternoon was a great success - largely because Little Dragon seemed to be in fine form.

Now Coxswain Pam

Some of you may have wondered why in my last post I was practising "close manoeuvring" - well it was for my "close manoeuvring" practical exercise which is part of the TAFE coxswain course. The exercise took place on the 18 metre Yamba ferry which is chalk and cheese to my Little Dragon, but I learnt heaps both days  and passed. I wanted to jump all the hurdles and become a coxswain before mentioning it on this blog. Well last Friday I jumped the last hurdle, the dreaded "orals". I had already  passed the TAFE course and had my sea time assessed and accepted by NSW Maritime. 

This photo is a joke take on what I know is a huge responsibility. I am now deemed to be competent to be the commercial master of a 12 metre vessel up to 15 nautical miles out to sea with 12 passengers and a monstrous great engine.

So many of you have supported me in different ways and of course I have much more to learn (especially practical engineering). It is great to be going to sea on SV Pelican next week to put some of this book work into practice, but that will be the topic for another post.

*  Peter Barnes of the nameless Farr 6000, You have helped me so generously with maintenance and passing on your many years of experience, close manoeuvring skills and so much more plus those sea time stat decs.
*  Jim Marco of Intention, you taught me so much aboard Intention in Vanuatu and Fiji, wrote references and stats decs and always had words of encouragement.
*  Peter Styne, your reference from Marine Rescue Byron Bay impressed the Maritime Authorities.
*  Hariet Woodrow, Commodore of Big River Sailing Club, you wrote a supportive reference.
*  Gary McKecknie of Pelican, you completed stat dec forms for my sea time and now are taking me on as crew - thanks.
*  Graeme Richardson of Double-o-Seven who trained me for my day skipper some years ago. You generously scanned the stat dec form and returned it from Sweden
*  Peter Thorne and Helen Vorrath of Nahani, you completed a great reference for sea time but when it wasn't acceptable in that format you redid it as a stat dec.
*  Helen Tom who wrote and confirmed I was master on Cloud, a bare boat charter
*  Rae Wills who completed a stat dec confirming my sea time on One and All and Apollo 111
*  Sally Gearin who also wrote confirming we were masters on a bare boat charter Big Pictures
* Brad and Rhett, my TAFE Ballina lecturers who were so supportive throughout
* Dave and Ben of Maritime Safety Queensland who went out of their way to help overcome bureaucratic hurdles.
* Finally my ever supportive ocean swimming friends who bought a cake to celebrate my success and sang "happy coxswain to you".

Thanks to all I have named above. Thanks also to other masters who I have been unable to contact, especially the masters of Angelique, Amadeus, Eagle Rock, Jean de la Lune, Soren Larsen and One and All; you all appeared in my sea time assessment.

Close quarters manoeuvring

Saturday 4 June 11,

We have had rain, rain and more rain for weeks, months, in fact almost a year. At last a magic early winter day with sunshine and light winds. Peter Barnes and I launched Little Dragon and joined the fishermen (didn't see any women) and kayakers who were out in force on the Brunswick River.

We didn't put the mast up and just  went up and down the river under power. I shouldn't complain about my outboard. It started first pull and didn't miss a beat all day. Why did the outboard start first time when Peter is aboard but need a dozen or more pulls when I need it in a HURRY and there isn't an engineer to be seen? This is purely a rhetorical question.

The object of the exercise was for me to get the hang of what is officially termed close quarters manoeuvring but is primarily focused on getting into and out of a marina berth in all wind and tide conditions without causing mayhem. We spent the whole morning with me practising while Peter explained the finer points. We both got a bit frustrated when I didn't always catch on quickly. It was easy to come alongside a buoy (pretend berth) going forwards stemming the tide so he then made me do it going astern with a fast running tide which is far harder.

 After a lunch break I went back out on the river without Peter and repeated all the manoeuvres. I suspect he was watching from the bank. I was quite proud of my improvement in one day.

Thanks Peter for giving up a whole Saturday to this exercise. I learnt heaps.

Little Dragon went on the Big River Ride

Well, not really,  I just decided to tag along with the Big River Sailing Club's annual week long fundraising bike ride. I thought it would be fun to combine a spot of behind the scenes help to the hard working club organisers with socialising with my Byron friends and offering twilight sails in Little Dragon.

I almost gave up on the idea when the first day was pouring with rain and I reckoned - correctly - that the site would be a quagmire. However it dried up on the Sunday and the sun came out. I knew the site is sandy and drains quickly so I decided to give it a go.

I stayed for a couple of nights in glorious weather, sunshine, light breeze and it is the brief time of year when the temperature is just right. To the surprise of the bike riders, most of whom were roughing it in tents, I enjoyed the comfort of my gently rocking berth in Little Dragon while securely stern anchored in front of the clubhouse.

After the Sunday bike ride Keith Mountford and Dennis Spring, stingray swimmers and bike riders, came out for a short sail up to the bridge and back. I enjoyed it and I hope they did as well.

 Dennis is a dark horse, he hadn't told me that he has done heaps of sailing in the past. Maybe he feared that I would try and rope him in to help with maintenance.

 The following day Jamie and Vicky gave it a go. I was amazed that they had any energy left after a very long ride. Finally Richard Kelly, who hails from Sydney and owns a Sonata 25 hopped aboard just as the light was starting to fade. He wants to downsize and pronounced himself very impressed and wonders if he can find a Farr for sale.

Just for the record 9 Stingray Swimmers had abandoned the ocean for a week in favour of the bike ride, Richard, Maria, Sharon, Max, Rob, Keith, Dennis, Jamie and Vicky. I invited them all aboard. Richard pronounced that "messing around in boats" was not his thing, Maria and Sharon are landlubbers who were keen to come aboard when Little Dragon was safely back on her trailer on dryish land. They learnt a bit of nautical jargon and in exchange I picked up some cycling jargon. I now know what a "sag wagon" is and who is awarded the "polka dot jersey" each night.

I left on Tuesday afternoon just as the sky was darkening and by the time I reached Ballina the forecast thunderstorm broke over me. I fear that the bike riders were having an "interesting" time on their evening dinner cruise up and down the Clarence River. Never mind, as long as the bar remained open I expect they all enjoyed themselves.

Then Tin Dragon went racing

20th March 2011

The International Tin Canoe Regatta is now officially (or should I say "unofficially"?) a non-event. Work that one out... A bunch of tin canoe enthusiasts (this year with 11 canoes) happen to show up at Iluka each March for a fun weekend. Saturday is taken up with putting the final touches on all the canoes and we need to test them out on the Sunday with a few races. Nothing too serious, I never heard anyone yell "Water!" although Azzo did seem pretty keen to win. Saturday night is, of course, a party.

That reminds me - I should mention that there was more than enough water coming from the heavens. It was a wet weekend.

 Savaad and I were still tweaking right up to the start.




















Finally we were underway on the first race. It was too good to be true. I took the helm and Savaad was forward hand. It felt so good.



Before we even reached the second mark calamity struck. The bamboo forward mast snapped. What to do? We had been having so much fun!














We decided to continue and Savaad managed to get some wind into the jib by holding it out. I found I could steer reasonably well.











Well reasonably well but not well enough. I rammed John's canoe while rounding the second mark. Luckily protests are not part of this non-event. Even more fortunately we were going so slowly that I didn't cause any damage. We just disentangled our canoes and kept going.

We got a prize for being the "most optimistic", apparently it is pretty optimistic to continue to race after being dismasted.



After the first race Savaad set to work to sorting out a new bamboo forward mast but it wasn't ready in time for the second race so I jumped aboard and said I would sail single handed with main only. See photo below. That went well except for the fact that the canoe was rapidly filling with water. There are about a dozen polystyrene vegetable boxes as buoyancy and I thought we were going to find out if they worked. I finished but with far less free board than when I started. We had sprung a major leak at the base of the forward mast. The leak put an end to the idea of sailing as a schooner. We stuck to one mast for the rest of the day and Savaad raced the third race solo  finishing successfully if rather damp. Then Caz and Cathy each took a turn as a very damp forward hand for Savaad. Sadly Beronice had to keep her little toe dry following surgery so couldn't join in.

Team Tin Dragon had such a good time that we'll be back at the Ides of March next year.

First we built Tin Dragon

The International Tin Canoe (non event) Regatta has very few rules but the basic one is that the canoes must be built out of 1 sheet of roofing iron. Well see below - one sheet of iron in my garage. We're underway...

There are 5 of us in Team Tin Dragon, myself, Savaad, Beronice, Cathy and Caz. We have all contributed in different ways but Savaad must be acknowledged as the main designer and builder of our splendid 4.5 metre tin canoe.

The whole ethos of the non-event is to keep alive a tradition of home built affordable canoes. Ours ended up costing just under $150. Most of the materials were donated or scrounged, thanks Merrick for the tin, Beronice for the windsurfer sail, Peter for the rudder, Savaad's friend for the bamboo and Rob for the plans and bringing round an industrial sewing machine to make a polytarp jib (that we didn't end up using as Rob found another old windsurfer sail going dirt cheap at Ballina Recycle).

Rob nonchalantly claims they can be made in a day. Well ours is a work of art and I can assure you that it took many days of hard work and it was still only finished just in time.


Here's Savaad, the master canoe builder, at work. Below is a photo showing that I did a bit as well...
 

Cathie made sure that she pitched in but needed an apron to cover her white shorts.

Caz's role was to paint a wonderful red tin dragon on the wind surfer sail. Our mascot.

The outrigger is made of bamboo, a float of Schizalobium aka Brazilian Tree Fern (with appearance and weight like balsa wood) and rubber bindings from an old inner tube.

It seemed wise to check that Tin Dragon floated before the non-event. So with just a couple of days to spare we took her down to Lake Ainsworth. She floated with only the tiniest leak. The rig was still a work-in-progress, so it wasn't really possible to see if she sailed.


Rob and Rosie also tested their new tin canoe (not yet named) on Lake Ainsworth. She sailed really well but Rob needed to caulk some major leaks.