The Gannett II is a 28ft solid huon pine gaff cutter built
by Ned Jack in Launceston, Tasmania around 1933.
Ned was a very well regarded boatbuilder of the time for
both his quality of workmanship and his technique (bruised
seam carvel ie: no caulking in the seams between the planks)
and for the fact that he was so prolific at turning out
fine vessels, most of these being fishing boats, but he
also built some larger traders.
I bought her from Murray Griffiths, a fine old gentleman
who ran a slipway in Muddy Creek, Port Sorell, Tasmania.
He was responsible for keeping many of the old wooden
boats alive in this area through a time when they were
being burnt on the beach elsewhere due to the introduction
of modern materials for Boat Building.
I restored her with Murray’s help then went on to
work on many other old timber boats. Over the following
years Murray, and many other old timers, passed on their
secrets of the traditional methods in which these boats
were originally fashioned.
Restoration on the Gannett began in 1987 but due to other
commitments ie: family and work, was not completed until
the late 90’s. I then set sail on her to half circumnavigate
Tasmania and took her to the Hobart
Wooden Boat Festival.
Along this journey I called in to her old fishing port
of St Helens where she received a rousing reception from
many of the elderly fisherman who remembered the Gannett
in her hayday as a crayfishing boat. They furnished me
with some wonderful old photos of when she was an open
working vessel.
The Ivy, Old Couta Boat
The Ivy was restored at Gai’s place just prior to
leaving Tasmania to commence work on Whimoway, she is
a classic 18 ft Couta boat built of Oregon in Port Phillip
Bay, Victoria and was sold in Kettering where hopefully
we will see her sailing on our return.
This trade is in my blood, so to speak, as many of my forebears,
right up to my Grandfather were boat builders and herring
fisherman from Tynemouth, England.
Many people at the time could not understand my passion
for what they believed to be an obsolete and dying trade.
I have no regrets
of my time spent with these artisans and wish that more
young people would avail themselves to the countless old
tradesmen who are eager to pass on their invaluable knowledge.
This trade has led me to some wonderful jobs including the
Boat Building job I am currently involved with, the restoration
of Cariad.
Boat Building Blog
intheboatshed.net
Journalist and writer Gavin Atkin's weblog about boats, boatbuilding and restoration
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