The point where foam and glass construction is cheaper than plywood may be upon us soon. There was a recent post on the John Welsford Small Craft Design Facebook group by someone who had built a Pathfinder using carbon composite construction rather than plywood . I thought this pretty extraordinary, imagine the cost!! In my…
Tea Cup is an Ozona X nestimg pram designed by JF Bedard. It is a very neat design that, unlike most nesting dinghies, has seats. You don’t have to sit in the bottom in amongst the slops! The background When I built Tea Cup I initially used the mizzen from my Navigator on her. In…
How plans for a day trip to Garden Island got out of hand… We had a day trip from Woodman Point out to Garden Island planned for Sunday the 23rd of April. I thought why not sail down to Woodman Point the day before and camp on the boat overnight. That way I can have…
Tawe Nunnugah is a raid held every two years to coincide with the Australian Wooden Boat Festival held in Hobart. Over 10 days boats travel from Recherche Bay to Hobart with the arrival timed so that you join the opening sail past of the Australian Wooden Boat Festival. The event is run by the Living…
For some of us, this was the third visit to Wellington Dam in just over 12 months. Last year the dam level was around 94%, this year the level was around 82%. In reality this meant the water level in the dam was around 2m lower, however there was still plenty of water for us…
By Peter Kovesi A 546 km trip in my 4.6m Welsford Navigator Whimbrel along the Western Australian Coastline over two weeks in March and April 2022. I had been thinking of this trip for years. Could I get from Perth to Cape Naturaliste in my Welsford Navigator? The first part of getting to Mandurah was easy, and…
JAMES BENNETT The majority of the OGA contingent taking part in the Walpole Rally arrived on Wednesday afternoon and after quickly setting up camp we had dinner in the local pub, where most of us enjoyed a tasty fish and chips accompanied by suitable beverages. The Coal Mine Beach campsite is situated in a lovely…
JAMES BENNETT. The weather for the weekend camp out was unfortunately not the best with light winds and 36 degrees forecast for Collie. Our base for the weekend was the Potters Gorge campsite which is set in a mix of Jarrah and Marri trees, with well-spaced camping areas. Friday evening was very social, with everyone…
JAMES BENNETT Following on from last year’s very successful rally it was decided that we would run the same format and hold the two day rally with the fleet based at Port Bouvard Sailing Club. The format permits OGA members to take part on either the Saturday or the Sunday, or both days and camp…
Contributed by James and Belinda Bennett with photos by Peter Kovesi and Dave Archer. Despite the threat of bad weather later in the day from a fast approaching weather front, the first cruise on the winter calendar attracted 8 boats and over 17 crew. The weather was perfect, sunny, with a midday high of 24…
Written by James Bennett, photographs by James and Belinda Bennet. On Saturday 17 June five boats met at the Ravenswood boat ramp for a picnic voyage down the Murray River to Coopers Mill on Cooleenup Island. Taking part were: Ripple Rachel Kerr with Pauline Dilley Whimbrel Peter Kovesi Arapaoa Michael Arthur and Chris Saunders Karina…
by James Bennett Saturday 2 July saw four boats meeting at the Ravenswood boat ramp for a picnic voyage up the Murray River. Crazy Bird John and Jenny Longley Precious Little Dave, Jackie and Michael Archer plus Ally the ‘dog in training’ Reach Out Jim Black Kailani James and Belinda Bennett with Rachel Kerr After…