At Classic Wooden Boat we have owned many dinghies over the years, more often than not attempting to match a dinghy or tender to the motor cruiser or yacht of the time... that it was intended for.

In most occassions our selections were a compromise. 

Or how one maiden set out to 'Tame the Iron Maiden,' who she now shares quarters with.
The author, Julie Dean, very novice yachtswomen, live aboard... and now "qualified (Cruising Yacht Association Victoria) diesel maintenance guru," sets out to become a meaningful member of the crew of two aboard the motorsailer ketch, Amazing Grace

Wooden Boats

In pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard.

By Michael Ruhlman. Published by Penguin Books. 2002. 

BOOK REVIEW: An intimate chronicle of life at a plank-on-frame boatyard and an exploration of the significance of wooden boats. 'One of Classic Wooden Boats favourite reads, a must have book, well worn and kept in the bookcase on the bedside aboard Amazing Grace.' 

Visit the Wooden Boat Festival in Hobart 2011. 

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Hobart, Tasmania is on again on the 11-14 February 2011. It's a spectacular celebration of classic wooden boats, maritime heritage and craftsmanship. Dockside music, theatre, fabulous food, boats afloat and ashore, an array of stalls and the authentic Maritime Marketplace and Shipwright’s Village bring the waterside to life. Come to the port of Hobart in Tasmania and experience the best classic wooden boat festival in the world.

Most people start their recreational boating and sailing life with small boats that can be easily beached or winched from the water on a trailer at the boat ramp. If your love of boating leads you to move up to a larger boat, however, you will need a small boat known as a “dinghy” or “yacht tender” to get between the mother ship and the shore. 

This is a story about Classic Wooden Boat's selection process, of "trial and error", before commencing the building of a custom wooden Nutshell pram 9 foot 6 inch dinghy. You will be able to follow the building process in installments in a future article. A copy of the plan is illustrated below.

Classic wooden boat has compiled a glossary of commonly used boat building terms. The intention is to assist wooden boat enthusiasts to gain a better understanding of boat speak. Please feel free to contact classic wooden boat by email for any additions to this listing.

Classic wooden boat has compiled the definitive list of Australian Marinas.

Also included is a list of public swing moorings, where available. As cruising yachts people we have been constantly frustrated with the lack of readily published marina data. This is a 'must have' cruising companion for local sailors or visiting overseas cruisers, as they say...don't leave home without it.

Introduction to Amatuer Wooden Boat Building.

The rebirth in interest in 'classic wooden boat building' in Australia, is in no small part due to the efforts of the Wooden Boat Associations linked to this website. Prospective amatuer wooden boat builders should consider joining the Wooden Boat Association to surround themselves with other like minded boat enthusiasts and builders, and share knowledge, tips and techniques.

Wooden boat building is one of the oldest forms of engineering, that allowed man to create everything from small canoes and dinghies to massive ships, all aimed at conquering the oceans of the world.