“I know nothing about restoring wooden boats so I’m not a good steward, though it does make an interesting paddock ornament.”

“Without their regular feasts, the faithful are unstrung from the calendar, awash in a sea of days that are all the same.”
― Hilary Mantel,

Almost exactly three months after we had left Sydney, on 22 April I stood on Georges Head to watch ANITRA V sail back through the Heads after a voyage of seven days from Kettering. It was an emotional moment to see my boat returning to Sydney.

So we continued with the big dog leg left, rain coming down, rolling gunwhale to gunwhale, making 7 knots. We ran watches during the night of one on two off, which just about worked, but you get a lot of practise getting in and out of you wet weather gear, PFD and sea boots!

Enjoying a very eventful delivery trip to Sydney in July 1971, when a rogue wave capsized the craft just south of Eden NSW, the crew narrowly avoiding disaster. In true testament to Jock's seaworthy designs, the boat righted again, mast and sails intact and crew in one piece save for a nicked nose from a flying kitchen knife.

THE SHANK RETURNS for anyone who wishes to turn the pages of adventure on the high seas, or plans to visit Tasmania's wild South West Coast for themselves to write adventures of their own. 
If however the latter is your preference, make sure you heed Ian's warning, "Are you ready for this?”

There is a varied and enriching selection of events on offer, that brings to live the wooden boat building and associated crafts of the Huon Valley and the Channel Region South of Hobart.

The five films span the period from 1955 to 1988 and cover subjects such as Cray Fishing, The Tasmanian Boat building industry in the 1950’s, Scallop Fishing and the 1988 Tall Ships Parade.

A rather beautiful boat stands on the hard, on the banks of the Tamar. Unknown, Un-Named and seemingly, Unloved. Can you help us solve the mystery?

Salar 40s were designed to be safe, comfortable, and seaworthy, and to travel long distances. ‘A round the world yacht’ was the marketing slogan when the boat was built, and it wasn’t just hot air.

The greatest celebration of Wooden Boats and Maritime Culture on the planet*, welcomes you attend the 2021 Maritime Trail.

Ginny Gerlach and I share a core passion - to see more women on water. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. The passion certainly comes out in this interview.