Canoe stern cray boat

**dopeydriver** · 17th November 2011, 09:46 PM

Well , I've got to Tassie , and checked out a few cray boats.
Checked out HBA first , there is a very nice cruiser stern Wilson boat there .
Down to Dover to check out a 27 ft Huon pine boat , and she was a bit too rough.
Especially when she is parked next to an immaculate big yellow Wilson boat , gawd , she was nice !.
Then to Bicheno .
I went down to the gulch , to check out my hosts 29 ft cray boat , which needed a lot of work , but my eyes were immediately taken by a beautiful cruiser stern cray boat , the Ken Lacco "Julie Elizabeth".
I impressed the owner just a tidge , because I knew all about her , in fact I still have the print up of her sale brochure.
The owners grandson , who is crewman , has her immaculate , she looks a picture inside and out.
Then to Triabunna , where I spotted a Wilson cruiser stern cray boat being done up.
But there was another , very conventional , that drew me to her , like a magnet.
A 40 ft traditional cray boat , gaff rigged , with lazy jacks , and a self furling staysail.
The deck I liked , no step , nothing to trip over.
Damn , thats a nice boat !.
Unpretentious , but very functional .
I had to find out more , so I asked a young couple on the next bloke what they knew.
They knew SFA , but the young woman told me it was owned by a little old bloke who spent a lot of time on her (the boat !) .
She even climbed over her to get her name "Memories".
I was about to leave , when "the old bloke" turned up , it was the man himself , Bernard Wilson , and I was admiring his own boat !.
Bernard was quite happy for me to look over her , yes , she was celery top , light inside , pure function , running a 6 cylinder B series Cummins.
I didn't feel intimidated by the boat , in fact I felt instantly at home with her , she was sensible , and all function .
And in conversation with Bernard , yes , he likes to sail her , she is built to sail , and she does !.
Gawd , how much vindication does a bloke need !.
Now , for some photos

**dopeydriver** · 17th November 2011, 09:53 PM

And here is the "Julie Elizabeth" , running a 6 cylinder Gardner.
I got to check her out inside , but I didn't have my camera then.
Regards Rob J.

**wavedancer** · 18th November 2011, 08:50 PM

Rob if you are trying to make me envious it is working, even the weather looks good. I noticed that Bernard's boat has Hobart woooden boat plaques. Mate you should be booking your berth for 2013. Good luck with the boat hunting.
Ian L

**dopeydriver** · 18th November 2011, 09:07 PM

Ian I'd like to think I'll have a new boat by the 2013 festival , but I wouldn't go , on principle , unless Tasmania is more supportive of the wooden boat industry.
Whatever I get I'll throw my heart and soul in to , but it would be nice if there is little work to do on the boat.
But Bernard has given me real resolve , I'll find the right boat , and make it a practical motorsailer , a fishing boat that can sail.
Like Bernards boat.
Regards Rob J.

**dopeydriver** · 19th November 2011, 01:41 PM

This boat has came back on the market , and been snapped up quickly .For Sale - Boat Sales Tasmania .
Regards Rob J.

**dopeydriver** · 19th November 2011, 04:39 PM

Or , what about this beasty !.
Its running a 2 cylinder Hundested !.
Rob J.

**dopeydriver** · 28th November 2011, 10:45 AM

I like this one , and like all wooden scandinavian boats , she is very cheap , compared to Australian prices.
Regards Rob J.

**dopeydriver** · 1st December 2011, 01:19 PM

This little beauty certainly has my attention !.
Man , wouldn't she be great , trolling under sail .
Apparently she can get up and go too , but much faster than I need for trolling.
The sailing would be fun , sitting up the back there.
Rob J.

**HOOKED.UP** · 1st December 2011, 02:49 PM

I really like that boat Rob.

Especially the Red Sheets, hanging from the clothes line, instead of the normal white ones.

Paul.

**dopeydriver** · 1st December 2011, 03:29 PM

Its an old fishing boat design from the '30s Paul , a pretty slippery hull.
The owner saw 7.5 knots under sail this last summer , which is about twice what I'd need trolling.
Its VP engine cruises her at 6knots , at 2000 rpm , and 4 litres per hour , again faster than I need trolling.
Not bad.
But things like a flat deck , and the ability to keep the water on the outside , thats all good.
So I can see lots of easy trolling under sail , with a good engine for backup .
Thats cheap , and safe trolling !.
Regards Rob J.

**HOOKED.UP** · 1st December 2011, 03:38 PM

By, VP, I assume you mean Volvo Penta.

What more do you need, they idle all day, you can go as slow as you like.

Trolling is about 2 knots generally, how many revs is that, ?.

AND you can get rid of the Clothes Line.

Paul.

**dopeydriver** · 1st December 2011, 05:19 PM

Paul , its nice to have the choice.
If I had my 'druthers , I'd sail , just listen to the water.
But if the arthritis is playing up , and I'm "on me pat" yep , just idle that VP around , no problems.
Regards Rob J.

**dopeydriver** · 4th December 2011, 08:19 PM

On the last photo I put up , nobody made mention of the rear steerage station .
I reckon it would be a beauty , great for watching the winds , and sails .
But I wonder how much visibility you have in front of you.
And I wonder how it would be tacking , or in a jybe.
Also , a photo of the rudder , I like it !.
And the inside wheel as well.
Regards Rob J.

**m2c1Iw** · 4th December 2011, 08:25 PM

That boat looks fantastic Rob. As for the helm position some care would be needed but for trolling I reakon it's perrfect.

**dopeydriver** · 4th December 2011, 09:14 PM

I reckon it would be fun Mike , and I'm hoping to find out in the next Nthn Summer.
It also has an auto pilot , I reckon a remote control for that would be good.
If you are "on your pat' , hauling in a fish , and you want to lose some wind , or avoid those cray pot floats coming up ahead , you could do that from anywhere on the boat.
I'd like to set her up so that everything happens from the aft of the cabin , like HS , the lines , steerage , fishing , the lot.
A bit of a time and motion study.
Like HS , I don't think it would be much fun constantly climbing in and out of the cabin.
But , I like what I see , and the price is right too.
Six or eight months time , and I'll find out for sure.
If she hasn't been sold already.
Regards Rob J.

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