Tasmanian Boat building timber availability

[HOOKED.UP]

Hi rob.
Have a look at this site.

Nursery & Seed Centre » Nursery & Seed Centre

I have always found forestry pretty good to deal with, so maybe they can help you.

Paul.

[WRB]

I got a packed of Huon and King Billy seeds some time ago to make up for the timber I have used boatbuilding. My brother grows trees for nurseries as a living and he has them germanating in one of his poly houses. The main thing you need to know about these species is that they can take over a year to sprout so, you need to keep them where other plants cannot drop seeds on them as you won't be able to tell which is right plant when lots of different ones pop up.

[dopeydriver]

Paul , initially I dealt with Forestry Tasmania , and yes , they were fine.
Only thing was , they only had Huon Pine.
So they suggested I contact another firm .
I did , they had what we wanted , but things started to go pear shaped from there.
We were given a couple of other contacts from a very helpful lady in a plant nursery , but we were running out of time by then.
WRB , the seed packets have instructions on germinating the seeds.
Wish us luck !.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

Ya know , the trip to Tassie , and seeing the Bernard Wilson boats emphasised to me just how important Celery Top is , to boat builders in Tasmania.
So this thread has gone full circle , what is going to be done to ensure supplies of celery top to boat builders ?.
Regards Rob J.

[HOOKED.UP]

I don't know the growth rate for Celery Top Pine, but it sounds like an opportunity for some long term investment in minor species timber.
There are also other minor species which are really beatiful and have use in furniture etc.

Any permenantly renewable resource, should surely be of value to someone. ?

Paul.

[dopeydriver]

I've given up second guessing what is happening there Paul.
But you are right , you have a valuable resource , develop it , use it in a sustainable way.
We will get our trees eventually , and do our bit.
Regards Rob J.

[HOOKED.UP]

YEP. More valuable than tourism, that's for sure.

It would also be nice to get rid of "crapiata" pine.

Paul.

[dopeydriver]

I reckon you are right both counts Paul.
A holiday is pretty soon forgotton , a good wooden boat can be passed on through the generations , and give pleasure and purpose to many many people.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

As an extension of my last post Bernard Wilson's boat is "new" , its only about 15 year old , and very well looked after.
The Ken Lacco boat Julie Elizabeth is much older , but in magnificent condition.Lets say its 50 yo.
Do you remember the holiday you had 15 years ago ?.
Do you remember the holiday you had 50 years ago ?.
Did you even have a holiday ?.
Both boats give their owners enormous pleasure , and satisfaction , I get a kick out of just looking at them !.
The cost of those wooden boats has been repayed many many times over , and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Regards Rob J.

[dopeydriver]

And then there are the skills involved.
The forest management , the felling and milling of the timber is highly skilled .
Then there is the boat building , another very highly skilled profession .
Against ??.
Cleaning rooms , making beds , a good meal , a good latte' ?.
Sure , they are important , but they are mundane tasks we all should be able to achieve .
The former , wooden boatbuilding , is a whole different ballgame , particularly when you have such beautiful woods to highlight.
Regards Rob J.

[HOOKED.UP]

"15 years old". Must still be under warranty.

"50 years old". Just out of warranty.

I have never had a holiday. I am only 58 years old, there is still too much to do to take time off from the things I love.

Paul.

[dopeydriver]

Well , I certainly didn't have a holiday 50 years ago , I was very much in "survival mode" , delivering groceries after school , and catching rabbits on the weekend.
Fifteen years ago , I was still dealing with kids at school , but not far from finishing that job , and starting another.I worked all of my holidays then , on odd jobs , mainly lawnmowing.
Now that we are "retired" , we get to travel a bit , the week in Tassie just gone , all of the accomodation with the exception of the first and last day was payed for by our sons.
But my point is that good wooden boats are enduring , they serve a purpose , and they give great satisfaction in the build , and the use of.
Regards Rob J.

[HOOKED.UP]

The next question to ask.

Does our modern generation, "the throw away society" want wooden boats and fine furniture and hand turned wooden items. ??????????

I am constantly dismayed at the "push button" 14 year olds, who think everything comes to them and if it is "broke" or out of date, you just get another one.

Paul.

[dopeydriver]

Paul , generally I would agree with you .
BUT , and its a big BUT , a lot of kids really surprise me.
When we launched HS a couple of weeks ago , a kid made his way down from the street to the marina (about 200yds), to compliment us on the boat , and ask about it , and that happens often , much much more than with the plastic boats.
And then the owner of Julie Elizabeth has his young grandson crewing for him , and doing a really fantastic job of keeping the boat absolutely tip top , its more like a fancy wooden yacht inside , absolutely immaculate , and showing off the wood features.
So , yes , I do believe there are kids that value these things , and value them highly.
And its up to us to promote the use of wood in boats to kids. I welcome them aboard .
Sure , when they get off they have to text their mates to tell them about the boat they just went on , but hey , they appreciate and value wooden boats , and thats the main thing.
Regards Rob J.

[HOOKED.UP]

I wonder if that interest can be maintained into the future, or is it just a novelty item/experience at the time.

There will always be a few. But are they enough to sustain an industry.

Hobbyist's will always build boats, cars, furniture, clocks, steam engines etc.
But that is not a long term industry.

I am just throwing these questions out for comment.

Lets see what others think. ?

Paul.