If my man was to live his perfect life, it'd be building a boat and sailing it. He grew up with a stepfather who sailed, and loves the old school craftmanship, history and romance of wooden boats. Earlier in the year he'd mentioned a year long boat building course (to become a shipwright) in Franklin, Tasmania, his eyes filling with stars.
'Sure, baby' I say. 'Of course you can do this course'. Now when I say such a thing, I know it means a whole heap of ducks getting in a row. Finances are the mother of all ducks, of course. So is moving to Tasmania. But who am I to get between a man and his dreams?
The Wooden Boat Centre sits on the edge of the beautiful Huon River, Tasmania. My brother in law's family are from this district, and he told me of his grandmother, who, experiencing dementia, would tell stories as if they were happening in real time. She'd recall sitting between the apple crates to hitch a ride to Hobart, as the riverway was quicker and easier than the road, transporting all manner of goods up the water highway. She spoke of watching the clouds go by and the heady scent of apples. One can imagine the bustle of the river not so long ago, but it is quiet when we visit - a combination of the cooler day and COVID times where tourism has taken a hit on what was formally known as the Apple Isle.
We go on a tour of the centre, where the shipwright talks about the kinds of wood that the boats are built of. Huon pine is the most sought after - not many are left. It's incredibly dense wood because it takes so long to grow. He tells us what happens the day a huge fallen Huon pine drifts along the river, and a boat builder who excitedly spends hours winching it out of the river to store behind the boatshed, roots and all. By morning it was gone - thieved in the middle of the night. Everyone desires Huon pine.
The workshop is busy with volunteers and students, sanding oars, planing wood, tidying and chatting over cups of teas and plans of boats. There is something magical about how boat plans turn into a work of art. The boat in the yard, near completion, is worth some 500K AUD. It's beautiful, featuring jarrah, celery top pine and other splendid woods.
One can also do a course to build a clinker boat. Whoever pays for the materials gets to keep it. I can imagine Jamie spending his days here. I'd do anything for him to do so.
We spend a little time looking at the boats moored at both Franklin and Cygnet. It would be amazing to buy a small yacht and moor it over summer at any number of beautiful Tasmanian rivers and harbours. My best mate and her man are keen as well, and it is a very real possibility they may talk us into 'going halvies', or sharing the costs of buying a boat.
You only live once, after all.
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With Love,
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I love this stuff! It's all pure passion with people working on wooden boats! So are you guys making serious plans now to do that course? Exciting :-)
No, not serious. We are always full of plans - we are trying to make ONE come to fruition, whilst juggling others. We truly are trying to shift our lives off course a little - sail into a new life. So we are saying yes to possibilities!
Exciting :-) In the end, for me at least, the ducks make it complex
I do hope your dad does well and your man can have his dream....
Aw, me too.... xxx Thanks honey x
Exciting read thanks...I've often dreamt of building a boat, I've made all kinds of things out of wood over the years and have always considered building a boat to be the apex of creating something of real value (not financially) the personal value of achieving probably the most complicated, technical, useful and totally enjoyable, whilst making and of course using it afterwards...I wish you all the best for taking on that challenge, Bon Courage
Must have been lovely times when commerce moved along the river. Impressed by how committed you are to helping your partner make his dreams come true, hope they do!
We really try to help each other. He has sacrificed a lot to make me happy, so it's only fair I do same. I love our relationship.. compromise and giving is easy and rewarding when you practice.
💓💓💓
I can almost guess J. has already seen it, but just in case... check Sampson Boat Co https://www.youtube.com/c/SampsonBoatCo They are rebuilding an old wooden boat.
Given how you two are so so good with details, imagine THE sailboat that would come out.
No worries. They are pretty special. I hope we can buy one one day.