Thread: Warrnambool small wooden boat show

Sounds like fun. If I was still living in Melbourne I'd be keen to take a look.

There is a very strong interest in this type of boat in this area , with Portland , Port Fairy and Warrnambool having regular races , for both males and females. The Portland womens teams are particularly strong .
http://www.warrnamboolcam.com/news.htm .
There should be some very knowledgeable people there.
Regards Rob J.

Well , that was well worthwhile.
I met Robert Ayeliffe , who I have been corresponding with over the years , and people I know who own , have built , and/or crew the whale boats.
And saw lots of good boats.
Plenty of good advise for newbies.
Too late for me though.
Some photos , to show what you missed.
Rob J.Warrnambool show.JPGWarrnambool show1.jpgWarrnambool show2.JPGWarrnambool show4.JPG

And more photosWarrnambool show5.JPGWarrnambool show 8.JPGWarrnambool show 9.jpgWarrnambool show 10.JPGRob J.

More photos.
Rob J.Warrnambool show 18.jpgWarrnambool show 17.JPGWarrnambool show 16.JPGWarrnambool show 15.JPG

The St Ayles Skiff is certainly a nice looking boat.

Thanks for the pix.

The people there also wanted me to go straight home , and bring Huon Seal back to the show.
Yes , polished up she would have been a sensation.
There wasn't a breath of wind , we could have put up full sail !.
Maybe next year .
Rob J.

In the second group of photos there is a shot of a big boat behind the Nissan.
I believe that is the "ships boat" built by Garry Stewart for the Yambuk owner , who rows with his crew out of Port Fairy.
The design was from the 1700's.
I have lots of photos of its build.
Regards Rob J.

I'm hoping someone else who went to this show would make a contribution on this thread.
I've just posted from my perspective , there are others , including the reason rowing in promoted in the area.
Any more contributions ?.
Regards Rob J.

Thanks for the pics Rob. I had a row in one of the St Ayles skiffs out of the Moyne & into the ocean on Friday night. A lot more responsive and easier to handle than the whale boats.

In terms of the background, two of the whale boats belong to the Flagstaff Hill museum and are really only put on the water at the end of the year for training. They've gotten a bit scuffed up and banged up over the last few years.

St Ayles skiffs would provide for 12 months use and able to be transported for competitions etc. The St Ayles push has come from the whale boat rowing.

Great inaugural boat show at Warrnambool . I understand the Annie Baxter is a replica of Nelson's personal launch and can rowed either 6 up or 12 up.

( ps That's one of my old Canadians in pic#10)

cheers Bill

Thanks for your response Bill !.
Its great to see , these whaleboat races , and similar rowing.
I've seen the Portland boats a lot , they seem to work pretty hard at it .
And its just getting people out rowing , its good stuff !.
If you or anyone else has photos or site to put up , go for it !.
I've got some photos of the Portland boat harassing a square rigger , a couple of years ago !.
Regards Rob J.

Hey Bill , did I hear right ?.
That you people are building another whale boat ?.
Jeez , you will have a fleet of the things soon !.
Regards Rob J.